Sony Announces a New Palm-Sized HD Camcorder for Professional-Quality Videos

Over the weekend, Sony presented a nimble, new camcorder — the HXR-MC88. Designed with exceptional picture quality and a practical build, the newest addition to the Sony legacy is fitting for the traveling creative or mobile filmmaker. 

Key features:

• 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS sensor
• BIONZ X Processor
• Fast Hybrid AF
• Dual XLR inputs
• Dual SD Card slots
• 24x Clear image zoom
• 48x zoom with digital extender
• Simple Live Solution with add-ons
• OLED Viewfinder
• 3.5” tiltable LCD screen
• lightweight and mobile

Getting technical:

Although relatively small, the HXR-MC88 is comprised of powerful components. The compact camcorder sports a 1-inch, 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS sensor and a BIONZ X Processor. The result is a versatile shooting companion that produces detailed images and sharp bokeh, even in low-light settings.

The 1.0-type sensor also helps to establish a reliable autofocus function. The MC88’s Fast Hybrid AF system uses phase and contrast detection to quickly focus on subjects, whether you’re capturing rapid sports movements or action-packed movie scenes. Users can simply touch the LCD monitor to select an area to focus on. Auto Focus Subject Tracking can be used to target one subject or be adjusted to shift between multiple objects.

The HXR-MC88’s zoom abilities are quite spectacular. The camcorder can zoom up to 12x on its own, or up to 24x with Clear Image Zoom, without losing image quality. Users are free to shoot in far, open space without compromising detail. If you’re in search of that telephoto shot, Sony’s Digital Extender can push that zoom to 48x.

The structural details:

The Sony HXR-MC88 is ideal for the mobile shooter — lightweight and simple. The camcorder weighs just over two pounds and comes with a handle for easy pivoting. The handle includes two XLR inputs for professional audio recording. The ability to record two clear channels of audio on the camcorder is a huge perk for shooters on-the-go — no more lugging around a field recorder and peeking at levels.

The MC88 offers two SD card slots, making the camcorder suitable for long periods of shooting. With Relay shooting, the MC88 switches cards when one becomes full, or users can opt for simultaneous recording to preserve two copies of their content. The camcorder saves footage in the widely compatible AVCHD format.

To maintain accurate preview and playback, the MC88 has an OLED Viewfinder and a 3.5-inch tiltable LCD monitor. The OLED viewfinder can be used for precise manual focusing and the LCD monitor can be used for precise autofocus selection, among other things.

The new HXR-MC88 is available for preorder for now at Adorama.