Sony HDR-CX160 High-Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black)
Product Details
- Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 4.9 x 2.1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
- Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
- ASIN: B004H8FN8U
- Item model number: HDRCX160/B
By : Sony
Price : $349.95
You Save : $19.05 (5%)
Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Sony HDR-CX160 High Definition Handycam Camcorder
Overview Take stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video with the ultra-compact HDR-CX160 Handycam camcorder. It features an "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance, 16GB of embedded flash memory, wide angle Sony G lens, plus a 42X extended zoom feature for getting you closer to the action.1920x1080 Full HD 60p Recording w/3MP still image 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony Full High Definition quality. Capable of 1080/60p recording and playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV1 providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories.16GB embedded Flash Memory for up to 6 hours of recording The built-in 16GB embedded Flash memory can record and store up to 6 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode).Wide Angle G lens to capture everything you want Experience the pinnacle of Sony lens technology with the professional-quality G Lens. Engineered for superior optical performance, Sony G lenses deliver brilliant, accurate color reproduction and sharp, amazingly detailed images. In addition, the 29.8mm focal offers a broader perspective for enhanced wide angle shooting.42x Extended Zoom to get even closer to the action Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 30x optical zoom to get even closer to the action while maintaining HD image quality.Back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superb low-light video Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony’s back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the "Exmor R" sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions.Optical Steady Shot image stabilization w/ Active Mode Optical Steady Shot image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture.3.0” touch-screen Clear Photo LCD Plus display (230K) The 3.0” Clear Photo LCD Plus display provides exceptional viewing clarity with 230K pixels resolution. The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering.Tracking Focus follows selected subjects in/out of the frame Tracking Focus works as an extension of Face Detection to allow you to select an object with a touch of the LCD and have the focus follow the selected object, even if it leaves the frame and returns.Event Browse groups photos/videos for you for easy reference Event Browse conveniently groups your images and videos together for easier viewing. The date range that Event Browse groups your pictures and videos is easily adjusted to suit your needs. When used with the Highlight Playback feature, making and sharing a highlight reel from your event is easy and fun.Highlight Playback creates movies with transitions for you Why spend hours editing your movies when you can let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You can even pinpoint the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel.Wind noise reduction for clear voice recording Wind Reduction reduces noise and interference that is produced when wind passes over the microphone, giving you a clearer and more enjoyable sound experience.Intelligent Auto (90 different scene combinations possible) Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from ten distinct scene modes (90 different combinations possible): Landscape, Backlight, Twilight, Spotlight, Low light, Macro, Portait, Baby, Walk, Tripod. Direct Copy to external HDD without PC Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV1, allowing you to utilize the camcorder’s handy playback features.Built-in USB cable for easy file transfer/charge The high-speed, built-in USB 2.0 cable allows for easy connection to your computer for charging or file transfer without having to remember separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it’s out of the way until you need it. Golf Shot Building on the slow-motion capture capabilities of Smooth Slow Record, Golf Shot captures a few seconds of motion as a sequence of up to 22 still images, which can be viewed/printed individually or as a composite “sequence shot” image, perfect for analyzing the nuances of a golf swing, tennis serve, and other fast action.Built-in LED Light The HDR-CX130 features an LED light that can assist in low-light situations giving you more flexibility when capturing your video.1. HD viewing requires compatible HDTV and HDMI™ cable, both sold separately.
Capture amazing 1920 x 1080 Full HD video with the ultra-compact HDR-CX160 Handycam Camcorder. It features an "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance and wide angle Sony G lens, plus 42X extended zoom feature for getting you closer to the action. Record and store up to six hours of high-definition video footage (HD LP mode) via the built-in 16GB embedded Flash memory. You can also compose and view your shots on the vibrant 3.0" touch-screen display. FEATURES: 1920x1080 Full HD 60p Recording w/3MP still image - 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony Full High Definition quality. Capable of 1080/60p recording and playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV4 providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories. 42x Extended Zoom to get even closer to the action - Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 30x optical zoom to get even closer to the action while maintaining HD image quality. 3.0" touch-screen Clear Photo LCD Plus display (230K) - The 3.0" Clear Photo LCD Plus display provides exceptional viewing clarity with 230K pixels resolution. The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering. Highlight Playback creates movies with transitions for you - Why spend hours editing your movies when you can let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You can even pinpoint the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel. Direct Copy to external HDD without PC - Store your memo
Technical Details
- 1920x1080 Full HD 60p Recording w/3MP still image
- 16GB embedded Flash Memory for up to 6 hours of recording
- Wide Angle G lens to capture everything you want
- 42x Extended Zoom to get even closer to the action
- Back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superb low-light video
Customer Reviews
My new Sony CX160 HD HandyCam. The more I use it, the more I am loving it.
It is very convenient to use with a perfect size for my medium sized palm, and the zoom ; record buttons conveniently placed on the camera body as well as on the touch screen. The touch screen is pretty good. I would recommend using a scratch guard which makes it easier to clean since it is prone to finger prints. The touch screen interface is very intuitive (one cant go wrong with the interface with Sony) and takes only couple of mins to get used to. I started shooting right after unboxing it. Coming to the most important aspect - the picture. The picture quality of the videos is absolutely stunning. Even under low light (indoors), the picture quality is quite good when shot at FX mode. I generally prefer FX mode (60i) which is actually the second best mode in terms of picture clarity but gives you that extra shooting time with negligible picture degradation as compared to PS mode (60p 28Mbps). PS mode is as close to a professional camera that an under $500 camera can get.
With a built in 16Gb memory one can shoot about 90 mins of HD videos in FX mode. I got a Transcend 16Gb class 10 for little less than 30 bucks to make the total to 3 hrs of videos at one go, which imho is quite a decent amount of video. The battery (Sony NP-FV50 V series) that came with it has a back up of little over 2 hours with a mix of record and play back times. I am very happy with these times though. For back up I did buy a NP FV 70 replacement (Vivitar brand); however, it did not work well and I used to get an error message after about 4 mins. I returned it and bought another Sony NP FV 50. I would recommend buying another Sony NP FV 50 battery only if you ever need a back up power (NOT EVEN origniaL Sony NP FV 70).
The sound recording quality is also pretty good. With about 3 hours of recordings so far, although I haven't really noticed the sound recordings in too much detail, I can say that the sound is just perfect. We have enjoyed the picture as well as sound quality of all the videos that we had shot with it.
The small (about 5-7 cms only) USB is fixed on the camera body. I find this feature quite cool since you dont have to remember to carry the USB cable as such (of course, the extension cable definitely helps), as also it is sort of hidden in the camera strap so its not visible and does not cause an hindrance while recording.
Coming to the still pictures, I would say I was a quite disappointed with it in that the pictures are virtually useless. Due to this I have disabled the auto smile shutter which takes a picture automatically when it detects a smile, even when the video recording is in progress. The feature is good, but the pictures are not.
The software that came with it - Sony PMB - is a just about okay kinda software; in that it does what it is meant to do - manage and burn DVDs. You can create DVSs pretty easily with it. However, the number of screen layouts is very limited (only about 5 to be precise), and it does need a decent processing power. However, with HD videos, a decent processing power is anyways a must.
I would have given it a 4.5, but it certainly doesn't deserve a 4; So, I gave it a full 5. If you ignore the still picture quality, imho is not what it is meant for, the other features such as golf shot, slow-mo shot, one touch focus in which the camera focus on an object you touch in the lcd screen and keeps in focus all through the shooting by following it, the more than decent battery back up, you won't be disappointed with this one. I got mine from Costco for $490 bucks with taxes, inclusive of a decent pouch enough to carry its USB extension cable, an additional battery, along with the camera, of course.
5/23 Update on spare battery: Purchased a 'High Voltage' brand NP-FV 70 battery from Digi Acc seller. I am glad that it worked with my Sony CX-160. Initially, I was disappointed since even the Original Sony NP FV 50 did not work with it and I used to get an error message after every 3-4 mins. Digi Acc was prompt to send me a battery that worked.
I've owned and tested a new Sony CX series camcorder each year since the CX7. I'm extremely impressed with the Sony CX160 for ground footage. Testing it the other night when my friends rode bulls for the first time ("Dysfunctional Bull Riding" on youtube) I was impressed on the active steadyshot being able to minimize my hand held shaking while the camera was heavily zoomed in. The low lux made the above video super bright even in a dark arena. The external mic is nice to have back on a consumer level CX series camera. I personally don't like the built in USB cable since I tend to mount my cameras in boxes and helmets but for the average joe, it's nice not to look for a USB cable. The other plus with this camera is you can now charge through this cable. Therefore a standard USB charger port in your car or computer can charge the camera. This takes longer than the standard Sony charger but nice in a pinch. I've noticed the USB downloading speeds are extremely slow in this camera. It takes a minute or so to download a 200mb clip from internal memory. You also can not run the footage straight off the camera like you could with the 150.
Speaking of footage. The quality out of this camera is awesome! I'm super impressed by the image quality.
I dropped this down by a point since I use these cameras for skydiving and the optical stabilization (OIS) causes flutter when the camera is in a vacuum caused by certain body positions. I could see this being an issue with people mounting these in certain positions on motorcycles or other fast moving vehicles where there is not laminar airflow around the camera. (youtube "Sony HDR-CX160 Tests"). Sony needs to lock the stabilization optics when the stabilization is turned off!
Overall I'm going to keep this camera for ground footage but going back to my EIS based Sony HDR-CX150 camera for extreme sports.
Thx,
Trunk
HYPOXIC Extreme Electronics
Sony HDR-CX160 High-Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black)
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