The Sony NEX-VG10E Interchangeable Lens Handycam (PAL) is the first-ever large sensor video camera, merging the rich colors, enhanced light sensitivity, and shallow depth-of-field of video DSLRs with the shape, size, and functionality of a camcorder. That means no more rigging out your video-enabled DSLR with accessories that cost twice as much as the camera--and no more funneling your video through the tiny sensors and fixed lenses of camcorders past. Along with access to Sony's growing line of E-mount and already established A-mount lenses (using an optional adapter), the NEX-VG10E provides an APS HD CMOS sensor that measures over 19 times the size of a conventional camcorder's! This translates into a significant upgrade in pixel size and image quality, allowing you to record truly cinematic-looking video that gives you creative control over what's in focus and what's not. Whether shooting 1920 x 1080 video or 14.2MP stills, creative control is the order of the day--from manually adjusting iris, shutter speed, white balance and gain to finding the perfect lens to capture the world as you see it. And if you need a little extra help keeping your images sharp and steady, the included 18-200mm OSS zoom (and its E-mount alternatives) is video-optimized to silently autofocus while providing optical image stabilization for potentially shaky shots. As on so many other camcorders, a bright, high-resolution 3" LCD screen swivels 180 for maximum viewing flexibility. (Try that on a 7D!) Further distinguishing the NEX-VG10E is an included Quad Capsule stereo microphone, which adds the precise, high-quality audio you'll need to match the lushness of your images. Headphone and external microphone jacks give you even more audio control. Of course, once the video has been captured (to your choice of Memory Stick or SD/SDHC card), you'll want to show off what you've done. The NEX-VG10E's AVCHD video is fully compatible with all editing software and can be easily burned to Blu-ray disc for HD playback. To make things even easier, Sony is including a free download of its popular--and extremely versatile--Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10, giving you all the tools you'll need to shoot and share the kinds of images that were once only the province of the pros! Interchangeable Lenses The NEX-VG10E is compatible with Sony's E-mount series of smaller, lighter lenses which are optimized for video shooting with silent operation and AF as well as Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses (via optional LA-EA1 A-mount adapter) to open up a world of creative options. Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor This is the same sensor format that Sony builds into the standard size DSLRs. With approximately 19.5 times the surface area of conventional camcorders, the Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor makes getting cinematic video with a shallow depth of field a breeze! Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone High quality video requires high quality audio. The Quad Capsule Spatial Array stereo microphone contains four precision-placed microphone capsules to provide exceptional front-side directivity and stereo separation. 14 MP Still Images at Up to 7 Frames per Second Enjoy incredible DSLR quality detail and clarity with 14MP still images and even catch fast actions sequences with a continuous burst rate of up to 7fps. E-Mount SEL18200mm OSS Zoom Lens The Sony E-Mount 18-200mm lens provides an 11x zoom ratio and effective focal range of 27mm-300mm (35mm equivalent) for superior versatility. Made to shoot video, it also includes a silent auto-focus system coupled with Optical Steadyshot image stabilization with Active Mode, giving you the flexibility of a removable lens with the ergonomics and operability of a Handycam camcorder. 1 Accepts DSLR A-mount Lenses Using the LA-EA1 adapter (sold separately), you can attach the full selection of A-mount system lenses, which includes 27 current models, dozens of Minolta A-mount lenses, and an installed base of millions of lenses worldwide (manual focus and full open aperture shooting only). Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 Included free of charge via download, Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 allows you to easily add video effects, background music, titles, text, transitions, and much more--everything you need to create dramatic HD movies like a pro. Share your creations via DVD, Blu-ray Disc media, or upload to the web--all from one easy to use program. (PC with internet connectivity required. Mac OS not supported.) Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video. 2 Up to 24Mbps AVCHD Video The NEX-VG10E can capture video in full 1920 x 1080 high definition at up to 24Mbps for amazing clarity and detail, ideal for recording on to Blu-ray Disc media since the AVCHD codec is highly compatible with the Blu-ray format. (High Definition AVCHD discs can be created using standard DVD media, the supplied software and a compatible PC. DVD media containing AVCHD footage may be played on a compatible Blu-ray Disc player/recorder, PC with supplied software or PlayStation3 devices. DVD media containing AVCHD footage should not be used with standard DVD based players, as the DVD player may fail to eject the media and may erase its contents without warning.) 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD 180 Swivel Display (921K dots) This beautiful, 921K-dot, high-resolution screen features TruBlack technology which brings remarkably higher contrast and brightness to the camcorder's 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD display, delivering more natural, realistic colors and easier viewing in bright conditions by reducing glare. The swivel display also allows for easy viewing of the LCD in different shooting positions. AF/MF Switch for Creative Control Whether you're shooting video or still images, the included 18-200mm lens will auto focus quietly and quickly. However, if you want to utilize MF, this simple switch will put you in the driver's seat. Auto HDR (Photo Mode) High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography captures more scene contrast than a single exposure can handle by taking three consecutive shots very quickly with different exposure values, then combining the best highlight/shadow detail from them for one incredible shot. Ideal for situations where severe backlighting is present and other high-contrast scenes. (Recommended for still subjects.) Anti Motion Blur (Photo Mode) Perfect for situations with poor lighting or when using a telephoto lens, Anti Motion Blur mode will take 6 consecutive shots in a split second, taking the best of each individual image and creating a single image with superior clarity and detail. Ideal for minimizing subject movement in low lighting conditions. Handheld Twilight (Photo Mode) Great for shots in the evening or times with little available light, Handheld Twilight mode will reduce the effect of camera shake when shooting a stationary subject by taking 6 consecutive shots then combining them all to create an image that would have been almost impossible otherwise. Mic/Headphone Jacks Dedicated mic and headphone inputs allow for attachment of external microphones (like shotgun microphone ECM-CG50 for pinpoint sound recording) and headphones to monitor sound. Full Manual Control of Video and Still Shooting With full manual control of Iris, Shutter Speed, Gain, and White Balance via convenient hot keys and jog dial, you will be able to adapt to almost any lighting condition to get the best shot. Creative Style Modes Control how the camera processes your images with six finishing styles: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset and B&W. You can even fine-tune contrast, saturation, and sharpness to your personal taste. Control Wheel + Hot Keys Unlike cameras that bristle with knobs, buttons and dials, the NEX-VG10E features a simple turn-and-click Control Wheel and strategically placed Hot Keys. It's elegant, uncluttered and intuitive. BIONZ image processor The brains of the camera are a refined version of Sony's BIONZ image processor. Its chroma noise reduction delivers high-resolution, low-noise photos even at higher ISO settings. It also enables fast processing for up to 7fps continuous shooting of data-intensive 14.2 megapixel images, and 6-image layering. The BIONZ image processor provides Data Noise Reduction, Faster Image Processing, and Data Compression enabling high quality 24Mbps video recording. Dual Accessory Shoes (Alpha Hot/Universal Cold) The dual accessory shoes open the door to many accessories for both still and video photography, including shotgun microphones and external flash lighting. Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) Dynamic Range Optimizer improves results with backlit subjects and recovers details hidden in shadows while maintaining highlight detail. Settings include Auto, Level with a choice of five operating levels and Off. HDMI output for HD Viewing Enjoy HD movies and stunning still images on a compatible HDTV via the camera's HDMI output (mini-HDMI-to-HDMI cable not included). Eight White Balance Modes These help you get the shot by optimizing the camera for specific shooting situations. Select from Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, and Custom modes. 25-point Auto Focus Twenty five AF points cover a very wide area of the scene, for accurate focusing even when the subject is far from the center of the frame. 3 Anti-Dust Technology Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CMOS sensor clean, resulting in consistently clear pictures. First a static-free coating on the sensor's low-pass filter helps repel dust. Then vibration automatically dislodges dust from the sensor, especially when you're changing lenses in between video sessions. Media Card Slot For cost-effective, convenient storage and sharing of your images, the camera accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC media (Class 4 or higher recommended). (Memory card is required. All are sold separately.)