Tomorrow never dies
We tend not to cover binoculars much here on HEXUS, but sometimes - especially if it's a Friday afternoon, a gadget comes along that's worth sharing with you just for the general shiny coolness of it all.
Sony has just launched what it's calling the ‘world's first digital binoculars with HD video [1080p] recording, zoom, autofocus and SteadyShot.' In essence, the DEV-5 and DEV-3 are a combination of binoculars and an HD camcorder - hence the headline.
They also record stereo audio, have a GPS chip for geo-tagging, and HDMI port and, having two sets of lenses, even offer a 3D mode.
There's not much more to add other than to give you an image and specs below, and to remark that these look pretty cool. This may all be old-hat to those familiar with the binoculars game, but to the relatively uninitiated this is a James Bond level of gadget sophistication that no doubt will come with and equivalent price tag when they launch in November.
Key technical specifications
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Model name |
DEV-5 |
DEV-3 |
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Video recording format |
2D HD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compatible 3D HD: MPEG-4 MVC/H.264 AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compatible |
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Video resolution |
2D HD: 1920x1080/60p, 50p (PS), 1920x1080/60i, 50i (FX,FH), 1440x1080/60i, 50i (HQ,LP) 3D HD: 2x 1920x1080/60i, 50i |
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Still Image Max. Effective |
7.1 megapixels |
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Still Image Size (Photo Mode) |
7.1 megapixels (4:3) (3072x2304) 5.3 megapixels (16:9) (3072x1728) 1.9 megapixels (4:3) (1600x1200) 307K pixels (4:3) (640x480) |
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Lens |
Dual G Lens F1.8 - F3.4 |
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Image sensor |
2x 1/4 type (4.5mm) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor |
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Image stabilisation |
Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active mode [wide(3D)/ wide to tele (2D)] |
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Viewfinder |
Diopter Adjustment: Yes (-3.5 - +3.5) Apparent field of view: 35.6°(16:9) Interpupillary distance: 55- 75mm |
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Magnification (Movie Mode) |
x0.9 - x10(2D:Digital zoom is OFF) / x0.9 - x20(2D:Digital zoom is ON) / x0.5 - x5.4(3D) |
x0.9 - x10(2D) / x0.5 - x5.4(3D) |
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Magnification (Photo Mode) * |
x0.5 - x20 (16:9) / x0.3 - x15 (4:3) |
x0.5 - x10 (16:9) / x0.3 - x7.5 (4:3) |
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Minimum Focus Distance |
Movie Mode: 2D: Approx. 1cm (Wide) / Approx. 80cm (Tele) 3D: Approx. 80cm (Wide) / Approx. 7.5m (Tele) Photo Mode: Approx. 1cm (Wide) / Approx. 80cm (Tele) / Approx. 25cm (Tele Macro) |
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Audio recording format |
Dolby Digital 2ch Stereo |
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Recording and Playback Times (32GB Memory Card) |
2D HD PS: Approx. 2h30m 2D HD FX: Approx. 3h00m 2D HD FH: Approx. 4h05m 2D HD HQ: Approx. 7h20m 2D HD LP: Approx. 12h50m 3D HD 3D: Approx. 2h30m |
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GPS |
Yes (without map display) |
- |
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Interfaces |
(HD video) HDMI output (mini) /Component Video Out (SD video) A/R remote (Composite / Component / S video out USB Type A, mini-AB/USB2.0 Hi-speed Headphone (stereo minijack) / microphone (stereo minijack) (Power supply) DC-IN |
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Compatible recording media |
Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2) / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC (no internal memory) |
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Weight (approx.) |
Approx. 1.2 kg (body only) |
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Dimensions (approx.) |
Approx. 219(W) x 155(H) x 88 mm(D) (Body only including protrusion) |
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Battery type |
InfoLITHIUM with AccuPower Meter System (V Series) |
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Power Consumption in recording |
2D HD: 4.2W (FX) 3D HD: 4.8W |
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Power Requirements |
6.8V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor) |
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Recording time |
2D: Approx. 3h05m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 6h10m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery) 3D: Approx. 2h40m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 5h20m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery) |
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Playback time |
2D: Approx. 4h50m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 9h40m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery) 3D: Approx. 4h20m NP-FV70:(fully charged battery) Approx. 8h35m NP-FV100:(fully charged battery) |
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Supplied accessories |
Rechargeable Battery, Pack (NP-FV70), AC adaptor/Charger AC-L200C(D), Power Cord, Large Eyecup, Lens Cover, Finder Cap, Neck Strap, Carrying Case, A/V Connecting Cable, USB Cable, CD-ROM (Video Camera Application Software), Operating Guide |
Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FV70), AC adaptor/Charger AC-L200C (D), Power Cord, Neck Strap, A/V Connecting Cable, USB Cable, CD-ROM (Video Camera Application Software), Operating Guide |
* Resolution is reduced at zoomed magnifications.
