New Sony DCR-PC350 Digital Camcorder offers 3 Megapixel picture quality in compact package

Highly portable movie maker features stunning lenses and Handycam Station

Berlin, 1st July 2004 -For such a compact camcorder, the new Sony DCR-PC350 (DCRP350) is about to make a big impact in the personal video market.

Armed with a 3 Megapixel CCD with Primary Colour Filter and the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens system for maximum light and colour sensitivity and precise capture of moving images, the Sony DCR-PC350 is certain to offer the best picture quality among compact camcorders of a similar size.

Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder:An ideal family camcorder

Ideal as a family camcorder, the Sony DCR-PC350 digital camcorder is able to provide this compact functionality because of its companion Handycam Station. This gives the latest Sony camcorder access to a maximum range of connectivity options and charges the battery when docked, but enables the Sony DCR-PC350 to be as compact and as portable as possible when recording.

Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder: 20% smaller than previous 3 Megapixel Sony camcorders

"The Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder is twenty percent smaller than previous 3 Megapixel Sony camcorders, but provides the same picture quality." said Nicolas Barendson, General Manager, Personal Video, Sony Digital Imaging Europe. "Its size and features make the Sony DCR-PC350 the ideal family camcorder and equipped with the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens and 3-Megapixel CCD with Primary Colour Filter, it is more than a match for rival products. Sony customers demand wide connectivity and ease of use, so we have simplified the connection and transfer process through the use of our Handycam Station."

Sony DCR-PC350: Handycam Station allows easy connection to TV or PC

"The Sony Handycam Station is always ready," continued Barendson. "All you need to do is shoot your video, dock the Sony DCR-P350 camcorder in the Handycam Station and instantly control the playback on widescreen TV with the supplied remote control, or transfer the footage to your PC for editing."

The unique Primary Color Filter is comprised of RGB filters for more accurate colour reproduction, while a greater number of pixels in the filters leads to higher light sensitivity. As well as higher resolution images, improvements brought by the 3 Megapixel CCD with Primary Colour filter include enhanced video colour reproduction and more accurate skin tones, even if the camera’s Automatic Exposure is misaligned. Combined with Sony’s enhanced signal processing, the 3 Megapixel CCD also allows more accurate reading of exposure levels, detecting any changes in brightness in a more natural fashion. Thanks to the greater coverage of the 3 Megapixel CCD, the Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder can capture video in true 16:9 widescreen, so there is no scaling or extra image processing required for playback on today’s popular widescreen televisions, resulting in further enhancements to the picture quality.

Sony DCR-PC350:takes great stills too!

The DCR-P350 camcorder can also store still images on Sony Memory Stick Duo and the 3 Megapixel CCD helps here too, with reduced noise on images taken at any of the camera’s high quality image resolution settings (2016 x 1512 / 1600 x 1200 / 640 x 480).

Another strength of the Sony DCR-P350 digital camcorder is the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens which features a 10x Variable Optical Zoom (8.5x for Camera-Memory Mode) and the renowned T* lens coating for minimising reflections, enabling superb video images even when capturing a moving object. Combined with the 3 Megapixel CCD, the quality this provides sets the Sony DCR-PC350 above many other camcorders of comparable size.

Equipped with its Handycam Station, the Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder is always ready for action. The Handycam Station enables connection to a PC via i.LINK or USB connections, so the camcorder can be used as a live Web cam or for use in video editing applications. Simply connect the CR-PC350 camcorder to your Sony VAIO via the Handycam Station and you can create your own DVD easily, using the Sony ‘Click to DVD’ software. The Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder also connects to a TV via an AV cable to enable you to playback the movies or still images stored on your camera.

The Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder is ready for the latest technology too - when docked in the Handycam Station you can connect to a DVD recorder via i.LINK, preserving the high digital quality of your footage as you transfer it to a DVD disc. All the while your Sony DCR-PC350 battery is charging, so when you want to start shooting, simply pick up the charged camcorder and go.

Sony DCR-PC350:Hybrid LCD screen

The Hybrid LCD screen is another winner for the Sony DCR-PC350. Sony LCD technology enables the viewer to frame and playback video even under high contrast conditions. In addition the LCD screen is a ‘Touch Panel’, with a streamlined user interface for quick and easy access to camera functions and battery charge information.

Continuing the theme of ease of use, the LCD screen also features a second record button as well as a second zoom button on the frame, for greater control of recording. A manual focus ring, intelligent accessory shoe and built-in light add to the creative options available to the user. To protect the new Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder from dust and damage, Sony provides the LCM-PCM semi soft carrying case as an optional accessory. A perfect fit for the camcorder it can be worn as a waist or shoulder bag and includes a small additional pouch for batteries and to store an additional Sony Memory Stick safely. The Sony DCR-PC350 camcorder will be available in September 2004

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