Sony has introduced two new AVCHD, direct-to-DVD camcorders. These two new high-definition camcorders record footage directly to standard MiniDVDs. The first, the Sony HDR-UX5, features a 1/3″, 2.1 megapixel CMOS sensor. It has a 10x optical zoom, 2.7″ widescreen LCD, and records in 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. It also appears that the HDR-UX5 has lost the microphone and headphone jack found on its predecessor. Not really as much an upgrade from the previous Sony HDR-UX1 as a lower cost option of the two new models.
The Sony HDR-UX7 is at the top of the AVCHD line for now. It retains the microphone and headphone jack of its predecessor and adds on Optical Image Stabilization. The LCD screen is also increased to 3.5″. There is also a small dial on the front of the camcorder that can be assigned to different functions.
Both camcorders use the new “H” series batteries from Sony, which will allow for significantly increased battery life. Up to 25 minutes of footage can be recorded onto a dual layer disc in the highest quality mode. They will be available in March at MSRPs of $1,100 for the HDR-UX5 and $1,300 for the HDR-UX7.
