CAMERA FEATURES
1/3-inch Type, 2.97-megapixel CMOS Sensor
The HVR-A1U incorporates one 1/3-inch type primary color CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor with a total pixel number of 2.97 million and a 4:3 aspect ratio, which has been developed based on Sony’s many years of experience in developing imaging devices.
This CMOS sensor can produce high-quality images with high sensitivity and low noise levels, which is superior to most of traditional CMOS sensors due to advantages such as its unique pixel design, which optimizes the photo-sensor area in each pixel, and advanced noise reduction technique. Another key advantage of this CMOS sensor is its high-speed processing capability. Since data captured using a single CMOS sensor for high-definition format recording is extremely large, it would take considerable time to transfer and process by traditional methods. With the Sony CMOS sensor, such large data can be processed at an incredibly high speed thanks to its flexible multi-channel readout structure. Use of the CMOS sensor also allows even large amounts of HD- resolution data to be processed with amazingly low power requirements, thus making the camcorder’s overall size extremely compact. Lastly, CMOS sensors can eliminate vertical smear, even though the pixel size is small.
Enhanced Imaging Processor (EIP)
The EIP is Sony’s newly developed image processing IC intended for high-speed processing of large amounts of data captured by the CMOS sensor. In addition, the EIP employs the unique algorithm that first separates image data into texture patterns and brightness components and then processes these two elements independently. This makes it possible to have high details in the blacks as well as in brightly illuminated areas of the picture, delivering a clear image with a wide dynamic range even under backlight conditions2.
Combined use of the EIP and CMOS sensor allows the camcorder to provide extremely high image quality with a high level of gradation and detailed image reproduction.
2 Available when the new Backlight Compensation function is activated.
Optical 10x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Zoom Lens
The HVR-A1U is equipped with the new Carl Zeiss Vario- Sonnar T®* high-definition lens with 10x zoom function. Its fully coated glass is the same as used on Carl Zeiss prime lenses, producing sharp, high-contrast images, with virtually no chromatic aberration.
Electronic Super SteadyShot System
The Super SteadyShot™ system used in the HVR-A1U detects horizontal and vertical movements and electronically compensates for unsteady camera handling. The active image area (the number of pixels used) in the CMOS sensor is automatically adjusted for the Super SteadyShot system to achieve the best performance at each zoom position.
Full Scan Mode
The HVR-A1U camcorder offers a Full Scan mode, which allows the camcorder to capture images with the resolution of approximately two million pixels at every zoom position when the Super SteadyShot system is off. With this mode, images of higher picture quality can be obtained.
