Very interesting Sony have decided we are not all going to follow the HD Pied Piper after all, instead they now decide to back peddle and introduce the DSR-PD175 mini DVCAM camcorder, just when we were all about to auction our spare mini DV tape on EBAY.

Even more interesting is the fact that this camcorder is in-fact a Sony HVR-Z5 without HDV…this is such a backwards step by Sony. Tom Hardwick pointed out in DV INFO that this is nothing more than a Z5 without the HDV badge, it even tells us in the Sony PR “It uses the same chassis as the state-of-the-art HVR-Z5E HDV Camcorder introduced in 2008”..OK it’s £500 less than a Z5 but why should you buy the exact same camcorder for £500 less with no HDV. This also gives us a heads up with it’s low light capabilities as it will be no better than a Z5 which I have reviewed and can be viewed in the VIDEO TUTORIAL section of this blog.

The price is disappointing for one reason…it’s SD, no interchangeable lens and TWO YEARS OLDER TECHNOLOGY (2007 for 2008 launch)…£2500 would have been nearer the mark.

The Sony line..

Class Leading Standard Definition Handheld Camcorder

The DSR-PD175P is simply the best standard definition handheld camcorder ever produced by Sony. It uses the same chassis as the state-of-the-art HVR-Z5E HDV Camcorder introduced in 2008 with many of the same advanced features, including the all-new high performance Sony G-Lens which combines a ClearVid array and advanced Exmor image-processing technology for class leading picture quality and low light performance.

The weight distribution and control layout of this chassis has set new ergonomic standards for handheld operation, while operational flexibility is further enhanced by support for the HVR-MRC1K Compact Flash Solid State recorder. In every respect, the DSR-PD175P is a natural successor to the legendary DSR-PD170P Camcorder for customers who need the highest performance and latest technology but don’t currently have a requirement for High Definition.

DVCAM is the global standard for professional Standard Definition acquisition introduced by Sony as a higher performance, more reliable version of consumer DV while retaining full compatibility. Its advantages are further extended by a comprehensive product range, including Master Series VTRs tailored to broadcast requirements. Typical DVCAM applications range from wedding videography to corporate video and broadcast television. It is the ultimate ubiquitous digital broadcast and professional tape format.

Sony’s Exclusive High-performance G Lens

Discover the exceptional optical performance of Sony’s G Lens. This sophisticated lens incorporates Sony’s unique optical technology and unparalleled quality control. Moreover, it’s been optimised to perfectly complement the camcorder’s advanced image sensor and image-processing technology, thus expanding your shooting possibilities.

Express yourself more fully with the utmost precision of Sony’s G Lens.

Major ‘G’ Lens Features on the DSR-PD175P

• The camcorder’s 29.5mm wide-angle, 20x optical zoom ‘G’ Lens offers a field of view that’s ideal for many shooting situations, ranging from broad landscape shots to close-up shots where it is difficult to obtain sufficient distance from the subject.
• Two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements reduce the chromatic aberrations caused by differences in light refraction to minimise colour fringing. The advanced 10-group, 15-element lens structure also includes three compound aspheric lenses for images that are crisp and clear, even when shooting at a high zooming ratio.
• Advanced optical lens technology enables Sony’s Exmor Sensor system realise sharper images with higher resolution and less noise, even when shooting in very low light.
• The six-blade iris diaphragm is almost circular, which allows operators to incorporate creative background blur into their shots for beautiful visual effects.

Natural-touch Lens Operation

The ergonomic layout of the zoom, focus and iris control rings makes operation of these three functions possible with just one hand.

The zoom function can be controlled by any of the following:

• The lens barrel ring
• The lever at the lens grip
• The lever on the camera handle

A high-speed zoom mode is also available. The digital extender system increases the zoom ratio to approximately 30x.

The iris control ring can be customised via the menu to:

• Select and control the iris or the exposure
• Open and close iris direction

The exposure function is ideal for varied shooting environments that range from very dark to very bright, allowing easy one-handed control using single-ring operation.

Sony’s Super SteadyShot system (optical) helps you achieve a stable picture, even when camera handling is unsteady.

Three built-in ND (Neutral Density) filters – 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64 – help to vary the depth of field with iris control.

Cutting-edge Imaging System With Exmor Technology

The DSR-PD175P boasts cutting-edge features including unique Exmor technology which maximises the potential of the camcorder’s imaging system. This includes the same column-parallel A/D conversion and dual noise-cancelling method used in Sony’s top-of-the-line camera models. Multiple A/D (analogue to digital) converters on each pixel row convert analogue signals to digital as soon as they are generated, unlike traditional technology that only has one A/D converter on each chip.

Exmor technology helps eliminate the influence of external noise, which can often enter the signal chain during transfer to the A/D converter. As a result, you get high-quality digital signals with extremely low noise.

By adopting this groundbreaking technology, the Exmor Sensor system enables the DSR-PD175P to achieve a low light sensitivity of just 1.5 lux (At 1/25 shutter, auto iris and auto gain).

Progressive Scan Mode

The DSR-PD175P provides SD-quality 25p footage. The 25p image captured by the sensor system is recorded as an interlaced signal by dividing each frame into two fields. This enables compatibility with current editing and monitoring equipment that only accept interlaced signals, while maintaining the quality of the 25p image.

Progressive scan mode is suitable for feature films, documentaries and music videos, where the content is required to have the filmic look.

Picture Profile

Up to six different picture set-ups, including gamma and colour settings, can be registered in the memory as a Picture Profile™. This labour-saving function allows operators to easily recall customised picture set-ups for various shooting conditions. It is also useful for matching footage shot at different times or for multi-camera operation.

Smooth Slow Rec

The Smooth Slow Rec function of the DSR-PD175P enables smooth slow-motion playback by capturing images 4x faster than normal (200 fields/s). In this mode, quad-speed images are captured for six seconds, stored in the built-in buffer memory, and then recorded to tape (in either DVCAM or DV format) as slow-motion pictures lasting 24 seconds.

This quad-speed image capture is the fastest speed available on any compact handheld camcorder.

Smooth Slow Rec is ideal for sports or nature photography, where the action can be viewed more easily in slow motion, and opens up many creative possibilities.

Shot Transition Function

The Shot Transition™ function allows for smooth automatic scene transitions. After you have programmed a shot’s START and END point settings (e.g., for zoom, focus, iris, gain, shutter speed and white balance) and pressed the start button, a smooth picture transition takes place over the duration of the shot by automatically calculating the intermediate setting values.

Transition types can be selected from a choice of LINEAR, SOFT STOP and SOFT TRANS, and transition time can be set from 3 to 90 seconds.

DVCAM/DV Selectable Recording

The DSR-PD175P adopts the DVCAM format, which is the worldwide standard SD format for professional handheld camcorders.

If you require a longer recording time, the DSR-PD175P is also capable of recording and playing back DV format signals (SP mode only).

Assignable Features

The DSR-PD175P provides up to seven ASSIGN buttons for quick access to frequently used functions suitable for variable shooting conditions. Some default functions are pre-assigned by name.

The assignable functions are AE Shift, Back Light, Colour Bars, Digital Extender, End Search, Expanded Focus, Fader, Focus Macro, Hyper Gain, Index Mark, Marker, Peaking, Photo, Picture Profile, Push Auto Iris, REC Review, Ring Rotate Direction, Shot Transition, Smooth Slow REC, Spot Light, Steady Shot, TC Reset and Zebra.

XtraFine LCD Panel

The DSR-PD175P is equipped with a 3.2-inch-type widescreen XtraFine™ LCD panel on the front of its handle. This has a high resolution of approximately 921,000 pixels, which allows for easier focus adjustments. It can also display virtually 100% of the recorded picture area at a colour temperature of approximately 6500K.

XtraFine EVF

The 0.45-inch-type XtraFine EVF (Electronic View Finder) has approximately 1,227,000 pixels and three independent LEDs for red, green and blue colours. This technology allows users to monitor objects with remarkable colour reproduction accuracy and high resolution*.

The EVF has a choice of colour or black-and-white display modes. It also displays virtually 100% of the picture area at a colour temperature of approximately 6500K.

* When the camcorder is panned quickly, or when an object on the screen moves quickly, the R/G/B primary colours may be seen on the object in the EVF momentarily

InfoLITHIUM L Series Battery Compatibility

The DSR-PD175P uses the same L series batteries as the DSR-PD170P, so you can use your existing chargers and batteries

Versatile Audio Input Selection

The DSR-PD175P offers a versatile choice of audio inputs. It features a newly designed high-quality built-in stereo microphone, as well as two XLR audio input channels for connecting to either professional microphones or an external-line audio source. A 48V microphone power source can also be supplied.

By adjusting the INPUT ASSIGN switch located on the side panel of the DSR-PD175P, you can easily assign the two audio input channels to either the built-in stereo microphone or an external-line audio source, or dedicate one channel to each and record them separately or mixed.

When assigned to one channel, the built-in stereo microphone acts as a wide-directional monaural microphone.

On-handle Zoom Lever and Rec. Start/Stop Button

In order to facilitate zoom control and recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom lever and a rec. start/stop button have been added to the carrying handle. The rec. start/stop button has a hold function to prevent accidental operation.

The three-position slide switch located on the side of the handle lets users select the zoom control type from FIX, VAR and OFF. In FIX mode, zoom speed is determined by the speed setting selected in the menu, where eight speeds are available. In VAR mode, zoom speed can be adjusted manually using the zoom lever.

HYBRID Solution With HVR-MRC1K

The DSR-PD175P is ready for HYBRID DVCAM/DV operation, when connected to the optional HVR-MRC1K Memory Recording Unit via an i.LINK connector. In HYBRID operation, you can simultaneously record video footage to both a tape and a standard CompactFlash (CF) card.

Three recording options:

• Synchronous recording
• Relay recording
• HVR-MRC1K-only recording

For user convenience, the DSR-PD175P can display status information of the HVR-MRC1K on its LCD. This status information includes:

• Connection status
• REC status
• Remaining CF recording time

The recording time on a 16-GB CF card* in DVCAM and DV format is approximately 72 minutes.

* At least 133x speed and 2-GB capacity is required.

One-touch Clip-type Microphone Holder

A one-touch clip-type microphone holder makes it easy to attach and remove the microphone for quick storage.

Digital Still Camera Function With Memory Stick Duo

The Memory Photo function allows the camera to be switched to progressive scan mode for capturing still images. Files can be recorded on Memory Stick Duo™ media in a choice of two sizes: 1080×810 pixels (4:3) or 1440×810 pixels (16:9).