Sony NEX-VG30H Preview

DSLRs have been all the rage in digital filmmaking in the last few years, stealing thunder away from handycams and camcorder cameras because of their larger image sensors and interchangeable lens capabilities, which mirrors Hollywood style filmmaking. So what Sony has done is take the image sensors and swappable lens abilities, and brought that into into the bodies of traditional camcorders, which are noticeably more accurate (and quiet) when it comes to auto focus, and much more capable in terms of audio recording and monitoring.

Sony announced two new handycams today. The flagship NEX-VG900 features the world's first 35mm full frame HD interchangeable lens camcorder. Our subject for today, the NEX-VG30H, picks up where last year's VG20H began.

Sony's NEX-VG30H includes a 16.1 megapixels APS-HD Exmor image sensor, is capable of Full 1080 HD video recording at 24p or 60p, features Optical Steady Shot to reduce hand vibrations, and is compatible with all E-Mount series lenses. If you buy the kit version (thus the H in VG30H), it will includine one SELP-18200 E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Power Zoom lens. There's a 3.0-inch vari-angle display on the side as well as an XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF. Audio recording comes in the form of the included Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone, capable of recording 2.0 or 5.1 Dolby Digital audio. Or, you can pick up the optional hot shoe accessory to use professional XLR microphones.

The Sony NEX-VG30H will be available in November for $2,700 and, as discussed above, includes an 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 power zoom lens. If you'd prefer to get the body only, that will sell for $1,800 under as model VG30 (not "H").