Sony Camcorder 2015-2016 Model Lineup * Comparison and Reviews

Sony Handycam Models Lineup & Comparison 2015/2016 – This is a roundup of Sony Handycam camcorder models for 2015-2016. Sony consumer camcorders have some of the largest Imaging sensors available on camcorders today. These larger Exmor backlit imagers are more light sensitive than previous imagers. Sony has introduced a breakthrough technology, called Balanced Optical SteadyShot™, which will greatly reduce image shake and blur in low light conditions. Available on the Sony FDR-AX33 4K (2015 model), the HDR-PJ670 (2015 model), and the HDR-PJ790V. The big news for 2015-2016 is Sony’s introduction of the FDR-AX100 4K Camcorder and the FDR-AX33 4K Camcorder. Both camcorders can record at four times the resolution of HD. All 2015-2016 models have a wide angle lens. The 2016 Camcorders will be released in Feb/March. Many of Sony Camcorders now have a built-in projector in the LCD door. See all the top Sony models below and compare by price, reviews, imager size, and features.

Sony Handycam FDR-AX33 4K	Sony Handycam HDR-PJ670	Sony Handycam HDR-PJ440	Sony Handycam HDR-CX405
Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)
10x optical zoom Flash Memory 4K Ultra HD 20.6 megapixels 1/2.3-inch Imager 29mm Wide Lens 3.0-inch screen w/921,600 Dots External Mic Jack Headphone Jack f/1.8-3.4 Lens WiFi and NFC 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p 4K @ 24p, 30p - – - Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ EVF Viewfinder 2015 Model Infrared NightShot® 100Mbps bit rate 5.1 Surround Mic	30x optical zoom 32GB Dual Flash High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8 inch Imager 29mm Wide Lens 3.0-inch screen w/460,000 Dots External Mic Jack Headphone Jack f/1.8-4.0 Lens WiFi and NFC 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p - – - Built-in Projector Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ - – - 2015 Model	30x optical zoom 8GB Dual Flash High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8 inch Imager 26.8mm Wide Lens 2.7-inch screen w/230,000 Dots - – - - – - f/1.8-4.0 Lens WiFi and NFC 1080p @30p, 60p - – - Built-in Projector Optical SteadyShot™ - – - 2015 Model	30x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8-inch Imager 26.8mm Wide Lens 2.7-inch screen w/230,000 Dots - – - - – - f/1.8-4.0 Lens - – - 1080p @ 30p, 60p - – - - – - Optical SteadyShot™ - – - 2015 Model

Sony Handycam FDR-AX100 4K	Sony Handycam HDR-CX900/B	Sony Handycam HDR-PJ790V
Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)
12x optical zoom Flash Memory 4K Ultra HD 20.1 megapixels 1-inch Imager 29mm Wide Lens 3.5-inch screen External Mic Jack Headphone Jack f/2.8-4.5 Lens WiFi and NFC 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p 4K @ 24p, 30p - – - Optical Steadyshot® EVF Viewfinder 2014-2015 Model Infrared NightShot®	12x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 20.1 megapixels 1-inch Imager 29mm Wide Lens 3.5-inch screen External Mic Jack Headphone Jack f/2.8-4.5 Lens WiFi and NFC 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p - – - - – - Optical Steadyshot® EVF Viewfinder 2014 Model Infrared NightShot®	10x optical zoom 96GB Dual Flash High Definition 24.1 megapixels 1/2.88-inch Imager 26.3mm Wide Lens 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.4 Lens Built-in GPS 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps Built-in Projector HDMI projector input Elevated Microphone Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ EVF Viewfinder 2013-14 Model Infrared NightShot®

Sony Handycam HDR-PJ340	Sony Handycam HDR-PJ340 Bundle Deal	Sony Handycam HDR-CX405 Bundle Deal	Sony Handycam HDR-CX330 Bundle Deal
Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)
30x optical zoom Dual Flash 16gb High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager 26.8mm Wide Lens External Mic Jack Built-in WiFi F1.8-4.0 Lens 1080p @ 60fps Built-in Projector 2014 Model	30x optical zoom Dual Flash 16gb High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager 26.8mm Wide Lens External Mic Jack Built-in WiFi F1.8-4.0 Lens 1080p @ 60fps Built-in Projector 2014 Model Bundle Deal	30x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager 26.8mm Wide Lens - – - - – - F1.8-4.0 Lens 1080p @ 60fps - – - 2015 Model	30x optical zoom Dual Flash 16gb High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager 26.8mm Wide Lens External Mic Jack Built-in WiFi F1.8-4.0 Lens 1080p @ 60fps - – - 2014 Model Bundle Deal

Sony Handycam HDR-CX290/B	Sony Handycam HDR-PJ230/B	Sony Handycam HDRPJ275/B	Sony Handycam HDR-CX240 Bundle Deal
Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)	Is this the best price? (Click for Reviews)
27x optical zoom 8GB Dual Flash High Definition 8.9 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager F1.9- 4.0mm Lens 29.8mm Wide Lens 1080p @ 60fps - – - 2013 Model	27x optical zoom 8GB Dual Flash High Definition 8.9 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager F1.9 – 4.0mm Lens 29.8mm Wide Lens 1080p @ 60fps Built-in Projector 2013 Model	27x optical zoom 8GB Dual Flash High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager F1.8 -F4.0 Lens 29.8mm Wide Lens 1080p @ 60fps Built-in Projector 2014 Model Built-in WiFi	27x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 9.2 megapixels 1/5.8″ Imager F1.8 – 4.0mm Lens 29mm Wide Lens 1080p @ 60fps - – - 2014 Model Bundle Deal

Sony’s FDR-AX33 4K Ultra HD Camcorder at CES 2015

Related Article: Smart-Review | 2015-2016 Camcorder Buying Guide (HD & 4K)

Glossary of Terms

Optical Zoom = This is the maximum zoom using the lens of the camcorder. A 10x zoom brings the action in about 10 times closer at its maximum. Flash Memory = This refers to the way the camcorder records video. Flash memory camcorders normally record to memory cards (SDHC). There are some that have no card, and just have a fixed amount of internal memory such as the Flip Camcorders. Dual Flash = This type of camcorder has both internal memory and can also record to memory cards. Imager Size = This refers to the Imager of the camcorder, where the light hits from the lens. This is like the retina of the eye. The larger the imager, the better the quality of the video and better low light performance. High end camcorders generally have a larger imager. Larger is better. A 1/2.6-inch imager is double the size of a 1/5.2-inch imager. WiFi and NFC = Sony 2014-2015 camcorders have both WiFi and NFC. This allows you to control your camcorder remotely, transfer video, or backup using your smartphone or tablet. All of this is done wirelessly. Low Light Lenses = Larger and faster lenses allow more light in for greater low light sensitivity. Lenses with low f stop specifications are considered fast lenses. The camcorders on this page all have fast low light lenses with an f stop of f2.8 or lower (lower is better). Megapixels = This refers to the camera function in the camcorder. This is the amount of megapixels available to take a snapshot picture while using the camcorder. 1080p 720p 60i 24p 60p video = camcorders can record video at various resolutions. Many can record at several different rates. 1080p is the current highest (blu-ray quality). 720p has about half the resolution of 1080p. Also keep in mind the frame rate of the video. Normal video is shot at 30fps (frames per second). 1080@60i is 60 interlaced frames, which is roughly equivalent to 1080p@30fps. Movie film is shot at 24fps (24p). Some camcorders can shoot at 60fps (60p) which will make the movie silky smooth and can be used for slow motion as well. 4K Camcorder = For 2014-2015, Sony has introduced Two compact 4K camcorders. A 4K camcorder has 4x the resolution of regular HD. This is movie theater type resolution. A 4K camcorder shoots at 3840×2160 or 8 megapixels of resolution. Normal Full HD only has 2 megapixels of resolution. Sony has introduced its first compact 4K Ultra HD Camcorder named the Sony FDR-AX100 4K Camcorder which has a huge 1-inch sensor, great for low light. In 2015 Sony introduced a super compact 4K Camcorder, the Sony FDR-AX33 4K Camcorder with Sony’s best Balanced Optical Steadyshot. Infrared NightShot = Some Sony camcorders allow shooting in total darkness. They shoot in infrared. Some have a built-in IR illuminator to light up the area with invisible to the eye infrared light. You see these type of cameras being used in reality shows, such as ghost hunters. Nightshot is available on the Sony HDR-PJ790V (2013), and the Sony FDR-AX100 4K Camcorder (2014) and Sony FDR-AX33 4K Camcorder (2015). External Mic Jack = This means that this camcorder is equipped with an external microphone jack or terminal to input an external microphone. There are a wide range of external microphones to choose from including wireless, surround sound, and others. An external microphone will improve the sound recording of your video. It bypasses the built in microphones. This feature is not available in the low priced Sony models. Wide Angle Lens = The wider the lens, the better. Sony has introduced wider angle lenses than previous year’s in its 2013-2014 models. A wider angle lens will allow you to get more of the scene in your videos than one that is not wide angle. This is important for indoor shots, when you want to get a whole group in the shot, or outdoors to get a panorama view of the landscape. So, for example, a 26mm lens is much wider than a 40mm lens. For Sony, the models with the widest lenses are the Sony FDR-AX33 4K Camcorder (2015), HDR-PJ810 (2014), the Sony HDR-PJ790 (2013), the Sony HDR-PJ650V (2013), and the Sony HDR-CX430V (2013) camcorders Sony Balanced Optical Image Stabilization (click for video) Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ = Sony has introduced a new type of image stabilization that claims to be 13 times better at dampening camera shake than previous models. The sample footage looks extremely steady. This will allow you to zoom in on subjects without the typical bounce you see in videos, and can help in low light situations. It may replace a Steadycam for some situations. This is a breakthrough in technology, and we feel it is a feature that will be much appreciated for handheld shots, especially in low light. Available on the Sony FDR-AX33 4K Camcorder (2015), Sony HDR-PJ670 (2015), Sony HDR-PJ810 (2014 model), the Sony HDR-PJ790V (2013), the Sony HDR-PJ650V (2013), and the Sony HDR-CX430V (2013) camcorders. Built-in Projector = Sony for 2014-2015 has implemented a built-in projector on LCD door, which will allow you to project your videos onto a wall or other objects. This technology has more light output of last year’s models, allowing up to a 100-inch video image. Sony is the only camcorder manufacturer with this feature. Available on the Sony HDR-PJ670 (2015), Sony HDR-PJ340 (2014 model), and the Sony HDR-PJ790 (2013). EVF Viewfinder = Most camcorders today do not have a viewfinder, but use their LCD screen to compose video. However, some high end camcorders do have an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF). The advantage of having an EVF is to use the viewfinder in bright sun, where the LCD may be hard to see. The Sony FDR-AX33 4K Camcorder (2015), Sony HDR-PJ810 (2014 model), and the Sony HDR-PJ790 (2013). HDMI projector input = All 2013-2015 projector camcorders now have an HDMI input, so that you can project not the video on the camcorder, but content (such as movies, pictures, or documents) from your computer, tablet, or smart phone. This includes the Sony HDR-PJ670 (2015), Sony HDR-PJ810 (2014 model), the Sony HDR-PJ790V (2013), and the Sony HDR-PJ650V (2013) camcorders. Elevated 5.1 Channel Microphone = The Sony HDR-PJ790 has a new Dolby 5.1 channel surround sound microphone that is elevated above the body of the camcorder. This helps to keep the microphone from picking up sounds from the camcorder, such as autofocus and handling sounds. It also allows you to place a furry wind screen (included) over the microphone, which cuts wind noise outside by 90%.

Related Article: Canon Camcorder 2015-2016 Model Lineup and Comparison

Related Article: Panasonic Camcorder 2015-2016 Model Lineup and Comparison

Related Article: Best Flash Memory Camcorder Reviews and Comparison

Related Article: Best Professional Camcorder Reviews and Comparison