Sony issues NEX-VG10: first interchangeable lens HD Handycam camcorder
By Darren Murph 
posted July 14th 2010 12:42AM
posted July 14th 2010 12:42AM
CAMCORDER REDEFINED: SONY DEBUTS WORLD'S FIRST CONSUMER INTERCHANGEABLE LENS HD CAMCORDER
SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2010 – Following the 25th anniversary of its industry-leading Handycam® product line, Sony today announced the innovative NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder.
The new NEX-VG10 is the world's first consumer camcorder with interchangeable lenses and the first Handycam camcorder to feature an extra-large Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor.
"The NEX-VG10 takes Sony's Handycam line to the next level by allowing unprecedented artistic expression that isn't possible with conventional consumer video cameras," said Andy Bubala, director of Sony's camcorder business. "With this camcorder, video enthusiasts and photographers can now capture cinematic full HD movies and premium stereo sound."
Sony's NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens HD Handycam® Camcorder is equipped with the same Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor used in the "NEX-5" and "NEX-3" digital cameras and compatible with the high grade "E-mount" series of smaller, lighter lenses optimized for video shooting with silent operation and AF. It is also compatible with a wealth of "A-mount" interchangeable lenses used by Sony's existing α DSLR camera lineup via a mount adapter (sold separately), including award winning Sony G Lenses and Carl Zeiss® branded lenses.
Coupled with Sony's powerful BIONZ® processor, the camcorder's Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor realizes high resolution video and 14 megapixel still images. Approximately 19.5 times bigger than the standard sensor found in conventional camcorders, the APS HD CMOS sensor enables an extremely shallow depth of field. This allows videographers to achieve cinematic results with stunning background defocus (bokeh). Users can also enjoy DSLR-quality photo capture with features like Auto HDR, Handheld Twilight, and Anti Motion Blur, as well as catch fast action sequences with a continuous burst rate of up to seven fps.
The NEX-VG10 can capture full 1920x1080 high definition video at up to 24Mbps for amazing clarity and detail, ideal for recording on to Blu-ray Disc™ media. It also comes with an E-mount 18-200mm lens optimized for video shooting that offers a powerful 11x optical zoom in addition to a silent auto-focus system and Optical Steadyshot™ image stabilization with Active Mode for superior versatility.
Satisfying the needs of serious videographers, sound quality matches the stellar imaging performance of the NEX-VG10. Its Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone uses advanced processing algorithms to combine signals from four individual microphone capsules. The result is exceptionally clear stereo audio with high directional response, allowing videographers to capture more sound from their subject and less background noise. The camcorder also features dedicated inputs for optional external microphones and headphones to monitor sound levels.
The camcorder's TruBlack™ technology brings remarkably higher contrast and brightness to its 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD™ swivel display, delivering more natural, realistic colors and easier viewing in bright conditions. The LCD is supplemented by a high-resolution adjustable electronic viewfinder that helps framing, monitoring and capturing clear images.
Compact and easy to handle, the NEX-VG10 gives videographers the flexibility of a removable lens with the ergonomics and operability of a Handycam camcorder. An intuitive jog dial and hotkeys make it easy to navigate menus and adjust shooting parameters, including full manual control of Iris, Shutter Speed, Gain and White Balance for professional results.
Dual accessory shoes (Alpha Hot Shoe/Universal Cold Shoe) allow for many still photography and video accessories, such as the ECM-CG50 shotgun microphone and external flash lighting. There's also a choice of rechargeable battery options, including the NP-FV100 that provides up to 315 minutes of continuous HD shooting (may vary), and a specially designed soft carrying case.
Included with purchase as a download voucher ($99 value), Sony Vegas® Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 video editing software includes powerful tools for video compositing, color correction and sound mixing to produce cinema-quality HD movies with ease. You can also share your creations via DVD, Blu-ray Disc™ media, or upload to the web – all from one simple program.
The NEX-VG10 accepts both Memory Stick PRO Duo™ (including Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™) and SD (including both SDHC and SDXC formats) media. Users can record up to four hours of high definition footage (1920x1080, FH mode) when using the 32GB memory card.
Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX offers an industry leading 30MB per second transfer rate, which means Handycam users can upload video clips in a fraction of actual playback time.
Price and Availability
The NEX-VG10 will be available in September for about $2,000 and presales on www.sonystyle.com will begin July 14. They will also be available at Sony Style® retail stores and at authorized dealers nationwide.
@grumpyimp Agree with you 100%, the frame rates make no sense and seem like the typical Sony ploy to sell a "new and improved version" for 3x more in the next few months
@grumpyimp
Depends who it's aimed at. If at users like me, then I just want a higher quality camcorder for editing then watching pro-looking footage on a big screen LCD. If that's the case then we don't care about what you're talking about (no offense).
Looks great. My only questions are does it suffer from severe rolling shutter like other Exmor based cameras do and will there be an adapter to use Nikkor F-Mount lenses with it?
@Otakuon I have the same concerns. The E-Mount is new but with such a short flange to sensor distance, there's no reason that a third-party will make an F-Mount/M32/OM mount sometime soon.
I can't wait to see what Philip Bloom will do with this.
@Spideralex90 film strangers on the street? or a time-lapse?
The Canon fanboys are getting downright hilarious. This product's video quality will make the 5DmkII and 7D look ridiculous. And to repeat: you can have a higher bitrate and the image still will suffer because of the codec. Simply put, Canon's MP4 is significantly inferior to AVCHD. No one has ever argued that point. So get over it, Canon fanboys, starting now you'll start looking ridiculous with those wacky mods you've needed to add to your SLR rigs for acceptable audio and stabilization.
I think I'll buy this.
I shoot on my 5DMKII and 7D, and this does look quite appealing.
The only downside is no 24P support, and the fact that it isn't even 60P, it's still interlaced. Otherwise, it looks like a solid camcorder.
How can it be a 1080p camcorder when it records interlaced footage? Massive let down really, although 50i would be easy to convert to 25p for UK broadcast etc. Looks like Sony & Panasonic are releasing similar cameras in September then! Although the Sony is CONSIDERABLY cheaper!... but you still need to buy the lenses!
This needs to have 720p at 24fps. Some camera allow you to shoot at 720p using the same data rate as 1080, which would allow for less compression. Seriously, in the age when most people are watching things online, the only reason you need go higher than 720p is if you are in a movie theater. Hell, on my 105" screen at home, 720p looks razor sharp.
Damnit and I just bought an HXR-NX5. Although I do see some pluses I have over this cam.
Disappointing that it only shoots interlace.
Ruins it a bit for me.
I have to say that Sony really surprised me on this one. I went through the release pretty closely and, aside from the same limited AVCHD data rate as every other camcorder out there (that has been demonstrated to not show the video to its potential) that this looks like a smoking camcorder that will hammer the vDSLR sales because it will provide so many of the necessary functionality the vDSLR setups get only by stringing a bunch of stuff off of the camera.
I am very glad I didn't blow thousands on line skipping vDSLR's and lenses and external HDMI adapters, and all that wonkiness for the sake of shallow Depth of Field.
My hope is that there's a "pro" vairant of this camera coming with XLR, waveform, and hopefully a higher data rate- not out of the question for Sony since they already have several 35 Mbps camcorders.
This is so cool! Wish I could afford it though! Dang I wish it was cheaper....$2000 is a lot of money lol. Well i guess it is aimed at more of a prosumer market.
I was soooo tempted, until i realized that it doesn't shoot 24p. I shoot some short films, and have used my HDR-HC1, but that cam is 5 years old now, and 60i->24p conversions take up a lot of time. I really want an affordable lightweight cam with a large sensor that shoots 24p natively. I guess right now i'm just gonna keep holding out for the RED scarlet, or see what panasonic's cam offers. Sony coulda had an instant win with me if it just did 24p.
please update the NEX-VG10 to 24p instead only 29.97i, that way you will be in first place in that matter. Remember what happened with the canon 5dmkII, they have to made an upgrade to the firmware to conform the 24p standard. If you put 24p to that wonderful camcorder I'll be the first to buy one or two.
What makes this camcorder so much more expensive than the NEX-5? It doesn't seem to have much more features yet; $2000 versus $700...
At first I was quite impressed, but then I found the real specs, it does not shoot 24p, 25p or 30p, it only offers interlaced video modes according to the spec sheet. Interlace is obsolete technology from last century these days and there is nothing good on it or nothing cinematic on it. Interlace video looks like interlace video, even when it is de-interlaced. Also it appears like the mic would also have AGC (automatic gain control) always on. I am looking forward for Canon to do the same right. Until then, my Canon EOS 5D Mark II will serve me well. It has some shortcomings yes (like aliasing problems), but even then, because of interlace, and low bit rate, this particular Sony model really can't compete with it. With 5D I don't need to care anymore what used to be interlace and what is PAL or NTSC. I almost always shoot at 24P. Somehow I just like it (24 fps) and then the p is obvious, who would like interlace, someone at Sony product management is not really thinking straight. It server no purpose and only causes problems and makes the video look like video. Interlace is one of the worst inventions there have been in video world. That anti-technology should rest in peace by now.
oh boy, I can't wait to see vimeo fill up with more videos of people rack-focusing on flowers or whatever is on their coffee table.
No 24P, no sale. I'm not about to reintroduce frame rate conversion and de-interlacing into my workflow. Dern…I was really excited for a moment.
Here are all the collected video samples, Web references/links and user discussions:
http://www.nexvg10.info
Most of the content there is mirrored for "following" on:
Facebook (click the "Like" button) - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sony-NEX-VG10-User-Group/114515275263906
Twitter (click the "Follow" button) - http://twitter.com/nexvg10
NEX-vg10: dof= yes, video controls= yes, manual controls= yes, full HD= yes, pro codec= no, HDMI with full HD 1920x1080 progressive no compression 422= yes, good audio= yes, xlr input= no, mounts adaptors for all kind of lenses= yes ( even FD adaptor for US$84 ), low price in all rig= yes, CMOS= 23.4 x 15.6mm, price= US$1.999 with lens 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3
5DMKII, 7D: dof= yes, video controls= no+-, manual controls= +-yes no, full HD= yes, pro codec= no, HDMI with full HD 1920x1080 progressive no compression 422= NO, good audio= no, xlr input= no, mount adaptors for all kind of lenses= no+-, low price in all rigs= no,
7d CMOS= 22.3mm x 14.9mm, price= US$1.800 with lens 28-135mm f3.5-5.6; 5D MKII CMOS= 36 x 24mm, price= US$3.300 with lens 24-105 f4
So, one is a video camera with photo in consumer format not pro-sumer or pro format and the others are pro-photo cameras with video. The Sony is a home camera with great capacities and photo, and the others are pro-photo cameras not for home or pocket and very difficult to use without knowledge of photography.
So, if SONY can make Canon fans feel a cold in the back with this home camera, what will happen when the pro format of this camcorder come to the market?
Any way I use Nanoflash for all my pro works even with the XDCAM PRO or Canon Pro series camcorders; so for US$2.000 I use this camera as a second camera in my set, or for a documentary work.
www.gecoproducciones.cl