8.9MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor

1920 x 1080 50p in AVCHD

Wide Angle Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens

27x Optical Zoom and 50x Extended Zoom

Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization

2.7" Clear Photo LCD Display

Intelligent Auto Mode

Built-in USB Cable for Power and Data

Direct Copy to HDD Without a PC

The PAL Sony HDR-CX280E Full Camcorder utilizes an 8.9MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens for capturing Full HD 1080/50p video and 8.9MP still images. The camera records HD using the AVCHD codec with user selectable data rate options. The Zeiss lens offers a 35mm equivalent of 29.8mm on the wide end of the focal range, and the optical zoom ratio is 27x. In addition, a 50x Extended Zoom gets you even closer to the action.

Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode compensates for camera shake, and users can monitor and playback recorded footage via the 2.7" Clear Photo Plus LCD display. Other key features include a built-in USB cable for charging or data output, the Event Browse feature, the Direct Copy feature, and an Intelligent Auto Mode capable of automatically selecting the most suitable camera settings for the subject.

8.9MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor

Sony's back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor is specifically designed for compact cameras and camcorders. The sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, which maximizes the light gathering area per pixel and renders better results in low light conditions.

1080/50p and 8.9MP Still Images

Create high definition 1920 x 1080 50p videos and 8.9MP still images. HD video is recorded in high quality AVCHD at user selectable data rates, while SD video is recorded MPEG2.

29.8mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens

The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens is designed specifically for compact camcorders. It features a 35mm equivalent range of 29.8 to 953.6mm with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The lens has an optical zoom ratio of 27x with a 50x Extended Zoom.

Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting.

2.7" Clear Photo LCD Display

The 2.7" (16:9) Clear Photo LCD display features 230K dot resolution and displays sharp, bright, vivid images, enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

Intelligent Auto Mode

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings.

Built-in USB 2.0 Cable

The built-in, high-speed USB 2.0 cable allows for easy connection to your computer for charging or file transfer, without the need for separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it's out of the way until you need it.

Direct Copy and Highlight Playback

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 HDTV, allowing you to utilize the camcorder's handy playback features. 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.

USB Charging

You can charge the camera by using the built-in USB cable connected to a computer in approximately 2.5 hours.

PlayMemories

Sony offers it's PlayMemories Online service. You can upload your photos and videos to this service with a PC or MAC, using downloadable software. The PlayMemories service is available in the U.K., France and Germany.

Camera

Sensor 1/5.8" CMOS

Backside Illumination Yes

Pixel Gross 2,390,000

Effective Pixels 2,290,000 @ Video 16:9

1,710,000 @ Video 4:3

2,290,000 @ Photo 16:9

1,710,000 @ Photo 4:3

Optics

Focal Length 2.1 - 57

35mm Equivalent Focal Length 29.8 - 953.6 @ Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Video

36.4 - 1164.8 @ Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Video

29.8 - 804 @ Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Photo

29.8 - 984 @ Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Photo

Maximum Aperture 1.8 - 10

Zoom Optical: 27x

Extended: 50x

Digital: 320x

Recording

System PAL

Recording Media Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo (Mark 2) Up To 32GB

Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD/SDHC/SDXC Up To 64GB

Video Format High Definition

AVCHD (MPEG4)

1920 x 1080p / 50 fps (28Mbps)

1920 x 1080i / 50 fps (24Mbps)

1920 x 1080i / 50 fps (17Mbps)

High Definition

AVCHD (MPEG4)

1440 x 1080i / 50 fps (9Mbps)

1440 x 1080i / 50 fps (5Mbps)

Standard Definition

MPEG2

720 x 576i / 50 fps (9Mbps)

Aspect Ratio 16:9

4:3

Still Image Resolution JPEG: 8.9 Megapixel, 3984 x 2240 (16:9)

JPEG: 6.7 Megapixel, 2992 x 2240 (4:3)

Channels 2.0-Channel Stereo

Audio Format Dolby Digital 2ch

Display

Display Type LCD

Touchscreen No

Screen Size 2.7"

Pixel Count 230,000

Resolution 960 x 240

Aspect Ratio 16:9

Rotation Opening Angle: 90°

Features

Image Stabilization Optical

Scene Modes Preset: Yes

Lux 6 (1/50 shutter speed)

3 (1/25 Shutter Speed, Low Lux Mode ON)

Shutter Speed 1/6-1/10000sec

White Balance Modes Auto

Indoor 1

Onepush

Outdoors

Built-in Mic Yes

Built-in Speaker Yes

Built-in Light/Flash Light - No

Flash - No

Input/Output Connectors

Outputs 1x Composite Video (out)

1x HDMI D (Micro)

1x USB 2.0 Built-in USB Cable

1x Proprietary Sony's Multi Connector

Microphone Input No

Headphone Jack No

General

System Requirements Windows

XP (SP3)

Core 2 Duo 2.40GHz Processor or greater

512MB RAM

USB 2.0 Interface

1024 x 768 Pixel Resolution

Windows

Vista (SP2)

7

8

Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Processor or greater

1GB RAM

USB 2.0 Interface

1024 x 768 Pixel Resolution

Mac

OS X 10.5 to 10.7, 10.8

Battery Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.2-8.4VDC, 500mAh

Providing up to 1.5 Hours per Charge

Charging Method AC Adapter

USB

Charging Time 2.5 hours

Power Consumption Operating: 18 W

Operating Temperature 32 - 104°F (0 - 40°C)

Dimensions (WxHxD) 1.9 x 1.1 x 3.2" / 48.0 x 29.0 x 81.0 mm

Weight 5.29 oz / 150 g