Sony's Full HD Multi-Purpose Camera Revealed

Sony has just introduced the HDC-P1 full high-definition compact multi-purpose camera.
The launch took place at the recent Power of Images event at London's Gibson Hall.
The new model is unique among other competitive "box" type cameras for combining of 2/3-inch CCD technology and a two-disc optical filter servo in a small and lightweight design, delivering superb picture quality and unrivalled performance.
Based on the proven performance of Sony's flagship HDC Series studio cameras, the new camera can be used in a range of unmanned and point-of-view HD applications, including stadiums, conference rooms, remote live cameras (beauty shots) or schools.
It is also ideally suited for use on robotic pedestals in automated broadcast studios. The compact body size also makes it a perfect choice for mounting, as a pair, on a 3D camera rig, giving all the advantages of the HDC studio cameras in a much lighter and smaller package.
Andy Hotten, Group Product Manager for live production products, said: "This camera satisfies a programme maker's requirement to combine high resolution images with extreme usability, with the ability to get the camera into previously unusable locations.
"As HD productions become ever more complex and the number of camera angles increase, flexible and multi-purpose products such as the HDC-P1, which offer image qualities comparable to studio cameras, are in greater demand."
The HDC-P1's 2/-inch, 2.2 million pixel CCD block, provides a sensitivity of F10 at 1080/50i. It supports a range of formats including 1080/50i., 59.94i and 720/50P, 59.94P with 23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF and 29.97PsF capabilities available as options through software upgrades.
The camera is also fully compatible with the existing range of studio control panels for the HDC studio range, making it easy to integrate them together in a networked control system.
The HDC-P1 high-definition multi-purpose camera is expected to be available in February 2010.
(KMcA/BMcC)