Sony launches the world’s smallest and lightest 4K* camcorder**

Sony reduces 4K camcorder size to one quarter of previous model[i]

• Shoot 4K video with a small camcorder body that allows easy one-handed operation
• Back illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor delivers stunning 4K image quality, even in low light
• New BIONZ X image processing engine
• ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 29mm wide-angle lens with 12x optical zoom and Optical SteadyShot
• Pro-style control with manual ring, dial and built-in ND filters
• NFC for one-touch connection and Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control from your smartphone

Sony’s newest 4K Handycam® AX100E is ideal for people who want to capture and enjoy their special memories on their 4K BRAVIA TV in the highest possible resolution. Approx. 75% smaller and approx. 66％ lighter than the FDR-AX1E for comfortable one-handed shooting, its small body is roomy enough to pack in the best of Sony technology.

It’s the first 4K Handycam® that features a large back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor. Far larger than the sensor in normal consumer camcorders, this captures flawless 4K Ultra HD images (3840 x 2160 pixels) with four times the detail of Full HD while also allowing beautiful bokeh background blur effects.

The 4K sensor is paired with Sony’s ultra-powerful BIONZ X processor that employs area-specific noise reduction and detail reproduction technology for incredibly vivid, lifelike footage that’s closer than ever to reality. Together with the camcorder’s advanced Cinematone Gamma/Colour function, progressive 25p recording gives a sumptuously warm, rich look to your footage.

The Handycam® AX100E uses a newly-developed ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom that’s been fine-tuned for 4K shooting. Definition is finespun right into the corner of the frame, thanks to the 11 group/17 element lens that incorporates AA (advanced aspherical) and ED lens elements.

Working in harmony with the large 1.0-type sensor, BIONZ X processor and ZEISS lens with a 7-bladed aperture, the lens assures flawless movies and still images, with the option of creating impressive bokeh effects – just like a professional videographer. For even more polished results, Optical SteadyShot keeps footage smooth and stable when you’re shooting handheld.

In another 4K Handycam® first, Dual Video Recording lets you simultaneously record high quality movie clips and ready-to-share MP4 files. Capture movies in XAVC S (at up to 4K/60 Mbps or HD/50Mbps) or AVCHD formats to view, edit and enjoy with the highest resolution. At the same time, a more compact lower-resolution copy of your footage is recorded in MP4 format. After shooting, just touch your NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet to wirelessly transfer web-friendly MP4 clips from the AX100E for quick online sharing.

Your creative options are broadened further with high frame rate recording that captures the action in HD quality (1280x720). Enjoy footage edited on your PC in silk-smooth slow motion – just like a TV action replay that shows every moment of that decisive penalty kick.

Playback of video and still photos on your 4K TV is as simple as connecting the supplied HDMI cable. Even if you’re not watching on a 4K set, You can enjoy Super-sampled Full HD Play back which automatically down-converts 4K footage to very high quality 2K (Full HD), using the enormous amounts of data in every 4K frame for spectacular results.

As an extra refinement, touching the camcorder’s display during 4K playback trims the area immediately round the area you’ve touched for playback as a Full HD movie.

Friendly, pro-style creative features

The Handycam® AX100E puts you firmly in control of crafting beautiful-looking 4K images.

Framing shots is a pleasure through the bright, high-contrast OLED Tru-Finder that offers a wide angle of view.

A choice of selectable Clear, 1/4 filter, 1/16 filter or 1/64 ND (Neutral Density) filters adjusts light levels entering the lens. This gives video-makers the freedom to precisely control shutter speed and aperture for greater creative possibilities. In conjunction with the camcorder’s large image sensor, it allows creation of beautifully smooth ‘bokeh’ background blur effects without increasing shutter speed – even if you’re shooting outdoors in sunny conditions.

A comfortably-placed lens ring can be allocated to providing fingertip control of focus or zoom and exposure. Video enthusiasts will also appreciate the side-mounted control dial that can be assigned functions like gain or brightness. It’s easy to make fingertip adjustments, even when you’re looking through the electronic viewfinder with the camcorder’s LCD screen closed.

The new addition of My Voice Cancelling automatically reduces vocal frequencies from immediately behind the camera, while your subject’s voice remains unaffected. So now those unintentional commentaries and asides are magically reduced from the soundtrack, letting your subjects speak for themselves.

Connect wirelessly with your phone, tablet or TV

Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC lets you wirelessly transfer movie clips and photos from Handycam® to your smartphone or tablet at a single touch. To get started, just download the free PlayMemories Mobile app for your iOS or Android device.

Wi-Fi also allows wireless playback of content stored on Handycam on your networked TV (DLNA renderer compatible TV and access point are required: not compatible with XAVC S format).

Touching Handycam® with your NFC-enabled mobile device also activates Smart Remote Control. Start and stop recording with your mobile – it’s ideal for group scenes or solo performances when you don’t want to run from the camcorder back into the scene once recording’s started.

The new FDR-AX100E 4K camcorder by Sony is on sale in Europe from May 2014.

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FDR-AX100E 4K camcorder - key specifications

[i] FDR-AX1E