| Features: |
| * 1.0 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD™ CCD Imager | 1/5.5" Advanced HAD™ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 690K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance. | * MiniDV Recording | Offers up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution, 3X the color bandwidth and a significantly higher signal/noise ratio, to provide spectacular video performance. | * 12X Optical/480X Digital Zoom | The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms. | * Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® Lens | Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. | * Progressive Shutter System | A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition. | * Analog To Digital Conversion with Pass-Through | Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam Camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage. | * Super SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System | Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera “shake” without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems. | * 2.7" wide Touch Panel SwivelScreen™ LCD Display1 (123K Pixels) | Provides excellent viewing clarity for both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect with improved resolution. The high resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. | * Handycam® Station | The supplied Handycam® Station provides quick and easy connections to a TV for viewing or to a PC for editing and sharing video. Just placing the camcorder on the Handycam® Station instantly makes the connections. No need to search for cables or wires when charging or playing back. | * USB Streaming | Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder’s tape. It’s like having your own video conferencing system. | * i.LINK®2 DV Interface | A digital high-speed bi-directional interface which provides Audio/Video communication between two compatible devices. This connection allows for pure digital transfer between devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, such as camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards and PCs. | * InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System3 | Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony’s rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening “memory effect”. Sony’s exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen. | * Picture Package™ Software | Easily organize still images and video, and turn them into stunning music videos using the supplied software. | * Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo™ Media | Capture still images at 1152x864 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo™ Media for easy transfer to PCs for e-mailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick™ devices4. | * Tele Macro Function | Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocussed so that the subject stands out. | * Active Interface Shoe | Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories. | * Super NightShot® Plus Infrared System | With Sony’s Super NightShot® Infrared System you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 20 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems. | * Stamina® Battery Power Management System | Using the optional NP-FP90 InfoLithium® Battery, the DCR-HC42 can continuously record for up to 8 hours on a single full charge5, providing extra long battery life. | * Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes | Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset & Moon modes. | * Picture Effects | Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony’s Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone, Solarize, Pastel and Mosaic. Effects available in Playback mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone and Solarize. | * Battery Information | At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. The display will show how much the battery is charged, in 10% increments and the recordable time left when using the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. | * Manual Focus | Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder’s auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment. | * Easy Handycam® Button | Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam® button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are “locked out” leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational. | | Specifications: | | * Imaging Device: 1/5.5" 1070K Gross Pixel CCD | * Video Actual: 690K Pixels | * Still Actual: 1000K Pixels | * F: 1.8 – 2.5 | * Focal Distance: 3 – 350mm (Telemacro) | * 35mm Conversion: 48 – 576mm (4:3) – Camera; 46 – 628.5mm (16:9) – Memory; 40 – 480mm (4:3) – Camera | * Filter Diameter: 25mm | * Optical Zoom: 12X | * Digital Zoom: 480X | * Carl Zeiss® Lens: Yes, Vario-Tessar® | * Focusing: Full Range Auto/Manual (Touch Panel) | * SteadyShot® Image Stabilization: Yes, Super SteadyShot® | * Minimum Illumination: 7 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot® Plus Infrared System) | * NightShot® Infrared System: Super NightShot® Plus | * Shutter Speed: 1/2 – 1/4000 (AE Mode) | * Viewfinder: Color, 123K Pixels | * LCD: 2.7" Color1 (123K) | * Accessory Shoe: Yes, Active Interface | * Video Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Special) | * Audio Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Stereo, Special) | * Interface Connector for Handycam® Station: Yes | * USB: Yes (On Handycam® Station) | * USB Streaming: Yes | * LANC (Accessory) Terminal: Yes | * Memory Stick™ Compatibility2: Yes, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ | * Headphone Jack: N/A | * Microphone Input: N/A | * White Balance: Auto/Outdoor/Indoor/One-push | * Exposure: Yes, Touch Panel (24 steps) | * Power Consumption (VF/LCD/VF+LCD): 2.6W/3.0W/3.2W |