Sporting three 1/3" CMOS sensors, true 1080/25p mode and an interchangeable Carl Zeiss lens, this new camcorder will deliver unprecedented performance and flexibility to the HDV market.

The camcorder also has HDMI output and is compatible with L-series Li-Ion batteries as used on the V1E / Z1E camcorders.

The new camcorders use Sony's new 1/3-inch 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system enhanced by the technology of Exmor. With its 45-degree rotated pixel layout, the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system offers sufficient pixel surface area while it keeps high resolution. The technology of Exmor features a unique column-parallel analog-to-digital conversion technique and dual noise canceling, resulting in high quality digital signals with extremely low noise, similar to the imaging technology used in the PMW-EX1 camera.

The integration of the two new technologies allows the new camcorders to perform significantly better in low-light environments with sensitivity of 1.5 lux.*

This imaging technology is complemented by Sony's Enhanced Imaging Processor (EIP) system to achieve high resolution, high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and excellent colour reproduction.

The cameras shooting flexibility is further increased through the ability to attach different lenses. Both models are equipped with a universal standard 1/3-inch bayonet mount mechanism to make lens changes faster and easier. Each camcorder comes standard with a 12x high-quality, multi-purpose Carl Zeiss lens for HD video, with a Vario-Sonnar T* coating to reduce reflections. A specially designed 8x wide-angle lens is also available as an option, to suit a diverse range of shooting requirements.

These two newly designed lenses give Sony's two new professional HDV camcorders the same functionality as popular fixed-lens camcorders like the HVR-Z1E and HVR-V1E, thanks to built-in features such as auto-focus, optical stabilizer, and automatic back-focus adjustment. Natural-touch lens operation is available by the improved design of the focus, zoom and iris rings. The new focus ring offers two types of manual focus, plus an auto focus mode that can be easily switched by sliding the focus ring forward or backward. The zoom ring has gearwheel mechanism and the iris ring now encircles the lens barrel.

It is also possible to use the lens series designed for Sony Digital SLR stills cameras with a special adaptor.

The camcorders offer 1080/50i and 25p native progressive recording capabilities. The 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system and EIP technology create true 1080p images, which can then be recorded as progressive signals by the HVR-Z7E and HVR-S270E camcorders in the HDV format. The progressive HDV streams can be output from an i.LINK connector and used for progressive editing with compatible NLE software.

The HVR-Z7E and HVR-S270E can switch between 1080p, 1080i in the HDV format, DVCAM, and DV recording, and both can down-convert material from HD to SD, and output the video signals through its i.LINK interface and other SD output connectors. The HVR-Z7E has an HDMI output. The HVR-S270E is available with HD-SDI or SD-SDI connectivity, and also supports embedded audio and timecode.

The HVR-Z7E and HVR-S270E are equipped with new XtraFine LCD and XtraFine EVF which offer high-resolution and high-contrast images with remarkable colour reproduction. The HVR-S270E features a new LCD/EVF configuration called Dual Finder. The LCD located on the EVF enables multiple styles of operation.

The new camcorders offer the option of hybrid recording when using a supplied memory-recording unit, which attaches directly to the back of the HVR-Z7E or the side of the HVR-S270E and eliminates the need for cables. The unit automatically synchronizes with the recording action of the camcorder and a special shoe connector inputs and outputs an HDV/DV stream and supplies power to the unit.

This unit captures the HDV1080i, DVCAM, or DV stream output from the camcorder and allows users to record HDV/DVCAM/DV files to a standard CompactFlash solid-state memory card, while users are simultaneously recording to tape.

It will be compatible with Sony's Professional 306x CompactFlash card as well as standard CompactFlash cards (2GB minimum capacity, 133x minimum speed) for secure recording, quick access, large data capacity, convenience, and resistance to vibrations. The recording times on an 8 & 16 GB CompactFlash card in HDV, DVCAM and DV format are approx 36 and 72 minutes, respectively.

The HVR-Z7E can deliver more than 60 minutes of recording time on miniDV videotapes, and approx recording times of 63 minutes* with Sony's DigitalMaster cassettes (PHDVM-63DM). The HVR-S270E also accepts standard-size cassettes to provide more than 4.5 hours of continuous recording, with approx recording times of 4 hours, 36 minutes** on Sony PHDV-276DM videotapes.

*At 1/30 shutter, auto iris and auto gain
**In HDV format