Sony Alpha NEX-VG10

About three years ago, the first DSLRs with HD video capability appeared, offering the benefits (over HD camcorders) of much larger sensors (for much better low-light/high-ISO performance and limited “filmic” depth of field), relatively low cost and interchangeable lenses. But these cameras, while excellent still cameras, had some drawbacks as video cameras: They were designed for still photography, where you hold the camera in position for a few seconds, not for long video “takes,” and they had limited autofocusing capabilities.

Now Sony—long a big name in camcorders and more recently a prolific producer of DSLRs—has put a big APS-C sensor in a real camcorder, shooting 1080 full HD video and 14-megapixel still images, and taking interchangeable lenses, at a very attractive price. Meet the NEX-VG10.

Free Pro Video-Editing Software
NEX-VG10 owners can download free Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 video-editing software, which makes it easy to create dramatic HD movies, including adding video effects, background music, titles, transitions and more, then share your movies via DVD, Blu-ray disc or even online.

Full HD Video
Of course, this camcorder can shoot HD video. You can choose between 1920×1080 or 1440×1080, each recorded at 60 fps (59.95i) and captured at 30 fps (29.97p). Video is recorded in AVCHD format using MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) compression.

		Dual Media Like the NEX-5 and NEX-3, the NEX-VG10 can record images on Memory Stick PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo/PRO-HG HX Duo media, as well as SD/SDHC/SDXC media. 3.0-Inch Tilting LCD Monitor One thing lacking on most video-capable DSLRs is a tilting/swiveling true camcorder LCD monitor. The NEX-VG10 has one, a 3.0-inch, 921,000-dot, 16:9 wide-screen format unit that rotates open and swivels 180°. There’s also a 1,152,000-dot eye-level electronic viewfinder.
Built-In Stereo Microphone The NEX-VG10 comes with a Quad Capsule Spatial Array stereo microphone that incorporates four precision-placed microphone capsules for excellent front-side directionality and stereo separation. There’s a microphone jack for utilizing an external mic, as well as a headphone jack for audio monitoring. There are dual accessory shoes; one is the Alpha flash shoe and the other is a cold shoe for mounting accessories like a shotgun mic.	Still-Image Capability Many camcorders can shoot still images, but the NEX-VG10 can shoot very high-quality ones in two formats and three sizes: in standard 3:2 format, 14, 7.4 and 3.5 megapixels; and in wide 16:9 format, 12, 6.3 and 2.9 megapixels. You can shoot still images at up to 7 fps, at ISOs from 200 to 12,800. The NEX-VG10 also incorporates Auto-HDR, Handheld Twilight and Anti-Motion Blur.	14.2-Megapixel APS-C Sensor Like the recently introduced NEX-5 and NEX-3 mirrorless interchangeable-lens models, the NEX-VG10 features a 14.2-megapixel Sony Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. The first Sony still-camera sensor capable of full HD video, the 23.4×15.6mm sensor has a standard APS-C focal-length factor of 1.5x (a 100mm lens on the VG10 frames like a 150mm lens on a 35mm camera).
Interchangeable Lenses The NEX-VG10 features the same Sony E lens mount as the NEX mirrorless cameras and uses the same lenses. The very compact E-series lenses provide all camera features. Sony A-mount (and Konica Minolta Maxxum) SLR lenses can be used via an optional adapter, with manual focusing only. Like the other NEX cameras, the NEX-VG10 doesn’t have sensor-shift image stabilization, but a number of the E-series lenses feature Optical Steady Shot stabilization. (The camcorder does feature sensor-shift dust reduction.) The NEX-VG10 is sold with an 18-200mm E-mount zoom lens (equivalent to a 27-300mm unit on a 35mm camera). The lens that comes with the NEX-VG10 is specifically designed for shooting video. It includes Optical Steady Shot image stabilization with Active Mode. This 18-200mm model is the only E-mount lens that includes Active Mode.

Specifications

Image Sensor: 14.2-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS
Max. Resolution: 4592×3056 pixels
Sensor Size: 23.4×15.6mm (1.5x)
Video: 1920×1080/60i AVCHD, 1440×1080/60i
AF System: 25-point contrast-based
Shutter Speeds: 30 to 1/4000 sec., B (still); ¼-1/4000 sec. (movie)
ISO Settings: 200-12,800
Continuous Firing Mode: 7 fps (still images)
Recording Format: JPEG (still); AVCHD (video)
Metering: 49-segment, CW, spot
Storage Media: Memory Stick PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo/PRO-HG HX Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC
Dimensions: 3.8×5.2×11.6 inches with an 18-200mm zoom
Weight: 21.9 ounces (body only); 45.8 ounces (with battery, memory card and 18-200mm zoom)
Power Source: Rechargeable NP-FV70 InfoLITHIUM battery
Estimated Street Price: $1,999 (with an 18-200mm zoom)
Contact: Sony, (877) 865-7669, www.sonystyle.com