General Features
Video Camcorder Features
Digital Still Camera Features
Battery Information
Input and Output Notes
Installed Software
General Features
Internal 16 GB Flash Memory: The Sony HDR-CX260V has an
internal 16 GB flash memory which will allow you to record 1920 x 1080 Full HD
video and sharp 8.9 megapixel still images. Because a portion of the flash
memory is used for system management and/or application files, the actual media
capacity is approximately 12.8 GB.
Memory Card Slot: In addition to the built-in 16 GB flash memory, the
camcorder has a slot for a memory card. You can record video and photos onto
Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo cards up to 32 GB in capacity, as well as
Class 4 or faster SD, SDHC, and SDXC Memory Cards up to 64 GB.
3" Touch Panel LCD Screen: The 3" touch
panel Clear Photo LCD Plus screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution.
The high resolution 230,400 pixel (960 x 240) LCD screen rotates up to 270
degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp and detailed images for
monitoring or playback. In addition, the touch panel LCD allows you to navigate through the menu
system by touching the LCD screen. The LCD also features an adjustable
brightness and color level. You can
also power on this camcorder by simply opening its LCD display.
Note: This camcorder does
not include a separate viewfinder.
Imaging Device: The HDR-CX260V features an advanced 1/3.91" (4.6mm)
back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS imaging sensor with
5,430,000 gross pixels. The 2,230,000 effective video pixels provide excellent
detail and clarity. The unique image processing system of Sony's BIONZ allows
still image resolution equivalent to a maximum of 8.9 megapixels (3984 x 2240).
Wide Angle G Lens: The camcorder features a
professional-quality Wide Angle Sony G lens designed specifically for compact camcorders.
It has a 29.8mm focal length (35mm equivalent) in Photo and Video modes for
enhanced wide angle shooting.
Zoom: The camcorder's maximum optical zoom depends upon the
SteadyShot setting. With the setting at Active, the optical zoom is 30x. If SteadyShot is set to Standard or Off, the maximum optical zoom is
55x. Combined
with the digital zoom, the total zoom capability is 350x. Because the digital zoom
processes the image digitally, the picture quality deteriorates the more you zoom in. The
power zoom lever can be moved slightly for a slow zoom, or moved further for a
faster zoom.
Global Positioning System: The CX260V is equipped with a
built-in GPS which receives location data from any of the 24 GPS satellites
located above the earth and records it onto your movies and photos. You can
locate movies and photos with embedded GPS data on a map. You can also use the
data to display a map of your current location. The camcorder can use the GPS
data to automatically set the clock and the time zone.
Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization: Optical SteadyShot
image stabilization system compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to
deliver smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. The 3-way
Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture. You can choose between Standard SteadyShot, Active
SteadyShot, or Off.
Face Detection: The camcorder's Face Detection technology
recognizes faces and optimizes the camera settings for videos and still photos.
Videos and photos recorded using Face Detection are indexed according to the
faces detected in each scene. This allows you to search for what you want by
selecting the faces displayed in the index.
Focus Modes: The Sony Handycam HDR-CX260V features Auto Focus
and Manual Focus modes. When using Auto Focus, you can choose to focus on a subject in the center of
the screen or with Spot Focus, focus on an off-centered object. If you are
recording subjects other than people, you can touch the subject on the
touchscreen, and the camcorder will adjust the focus automatically as it moves
within the frame. For more difficult focusing situations, you can manually
adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel.
Spot Meter: You can adjust and fix the exposure to the subject, so that it is recorded in
suitable brightness even when there is strong contrast between the subject and
the background, such as subjects in the spotlight on a stage.
Scene Selection Modes: The following Scene Selection modes are available to suit your specific shooting requirements:
Auto, Night Scene, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight,
Beach, and Snow.
White Balance Adjustment: Sets the color balance to the brightness of the recording environment.
Your choices are:
-
Auto: The white balance is adjusted automatically.
-
Outdoor: The white balance is adjusted for the following conditions: Outdoors, night views, neon signs and fireworks, sunrise, sunsets, under daylight fluorescent lamps.
-
Indoor: The white balance is adjusted for the following conditions: Indoors, party scenes and studios where lighting conditions change quickly, and under the video lamps or
incandescent-like color lamps.
-
One Push: The white balance will be adjusted according to the present ambient light.
Back Light: You can use the
Backlight function to adjust the exposure for backlit subjects.
Guide Frame: The Guide Frame displays a frame
and grid around your subject and allows you to check the horizontal and
vertical position.
Data Code Function: The camcorder automatically records time codes along with the images you shoot,
so you can display the date and time during playback or editing.
Protect: You can protect movies and photos to avoid deleting them by
mistake.
Direct Copy to External HDD: With an optional VMC-UAM1 USB
adapter cable, you can save movies and photos on an external hard disk drive (HDD).
Once you have saved them to the HDD, you can also playback the images and videos
through the camcorder to a connected HDTV.
Power On By LCD: You can set the camcorder to automatically
power on when you open the LCD, and turn off when you close the LCD.
Video Camcorder
Features
Video Recording: The HDR-CX260V records
High Definition video in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios with 4 image sizes to choose
from. A Standard Definition recording mode is also available. The following
recording modes are available:
| Image Quality |
Bit Rate |
Pixels |
Aspect Ratio |
| High Definition |
| PS |
28 Mbps |
1920 x 1080 |
16:9 |
| FX |
24 Mbps |
1920 x 1080 |
16:9 |
| FH |
17 Mbps |
1920 x 1080 |
16:9 |
| HQ |
9 Mbps |
1440 x 1080 |
16:9 |
| LP |
5 Mbps |
1440 x 1080 |
16:9 |
| Standard Definition |
| HQ |
9 Mbps |
720 x 480 |
16:9, 4:3 |
Built-In Zoom Mic: The built-in Zoom Microphone allows you
to record sound with directivity as you move the power zoom lever. The
camcorder's microphone level can be set to Low or Normal. A 3.5mm minijack is
provided for connecting an optional external microphone.
Closer Voice: When recording people and faces are detected,
the Closer Voice feature records the voice more clearly. Closer Voice is only
available when using the built-in microphone. It will not function when an
external mic is used.
Divide Movies: The Divide
Movies feature allows you to divide movies on the internal flash memory of the
camcorder or on an inserted memory card. You cannot restore movies once they are divided.
Smooth Slow Record: Fast-moving subjects and actions which
cannot be captured under ordinary shooting conditions can be shot in smooth
slow-motion for about 3 seconds. The 3-second movie is recorded as a 12-second
slow-motion movie.
Golf Shot: Using the same technology as the Smooth Slow
Recording, the Golf Shot feature captures a few seconds of motion as a sequence
of up to 22 still images. These images can be viewed or printed individually or
as a composite sequence shot image. This feature is helpful in analyzing a golf
swing, tennis serve, or other fast action.
Digital Still Camera Features
Digital Still Image Recording: The HDR-CX260V can record still
images on either the unit's built-in 16 GB flash memory or on an optional memory
card (sold separately).
Image Resolution: Still images are recorded in the following
resolutions, depending upon the selected aspect ratio:
- 16:9: 3984 x 2440, 2816 x 1584, 1920 x 1080
- 4:3: 3008 x 2256, 2112 x 1584, 640 x 480
Capturing Still Images From Video: You can capture still images from
recorded video. The image size
is fixed depending upon the aspect ratio of the movie: 1920 x 1080, 640 x 360,
or 640 x 480. The recording date and time of the captured photos
is the same as the recording date and time of the movie. If there is no data
code on the movie, the recording date and time will be the date/time you
captured the photo from the video.
Self Timer:
This feature allows you to record a still image about 10 seconds after the "Photo" button is depressed.
Slide Show: You can
automatically play back images stored on the HDR-CX260V's internal flash memory or from a memory
card in a slide-show fashion.
Battery Information
Battery: This unit comes with an
NP-FV50 InfoLithium battery. The InfoLithium system exchanges data about its
actual power consumption with the camcorder for a more accurate estimate of
recording time available. Cold temperatures will increase battery consumption.
The battery can be charged in the camera using the AC adapter, or via USB. The
HDR-CX260V is compatible with Sony InfoLithium
V-series batteries:
| Battery |
Image Quality |
Recording Time |
Playback Time |
Charging Time |
| Continuous |
Typical |
AC |
USB |
NP-FV50
(980 mAh) |
HD |
145 min |
70 min |
225 min |
155 min |
280 min |
| STD |
155 min |
75 min |
240 min |
NP-FV70
(1960 mAh) |
HD |
300 min |
150 min |
465 min |
195 min |
545 min |
| STD |
325 min |
160 min |
490 min |
NP-FV100
(3700 mAh) |
HD |
600 min |
300 min |
925 min |
390 min |
1000 min |
| STD |
650 min |
325 min |
980 min |
Auto Shut Off: When powered by the battery the camcorder can be set to turn off automatically
if not used for 5 minutes.
Input and Output Notes
HDMI: The CX260V is equipped with a mini-HDMI (Type C) output
for connecting your camcorder to an HDTV. A 39" HDMI cable is included with the
camcorder. You can set the HDMI output resolution to 1080p/480p, 1080i/480i,
720p/480p, 480p, or 480i, depending upon the capability of the TV's input. The
Auto setting will output the signal according to the TV's capability. When
connecting the camcorder to a Bravia Sync-compatible TV via HDMI, you can
control play back on the camcorder by aiming the TV's Remote Commander at the
TV.
A/V Output: The camcorder features a proprietary Audio/Video
connection for use with the supplied A/V connecting cable for displaying the
camcorder's contents on your television. You can change the aspect ratio of the
camcorder's video output from 16:9 or 4:3 according to the screen aspect ratio
of your TV. You can also choose to display the camcorder's information, such as
the time code on the screen of your TV during playback from the camcorder. The
supplied A/V cable has a proprietary plug on one end and male stereo RCA audio
and RCA composite video connections on the other end.
Built-in USB: The camcorder has
a built-in male USB Type A plug and a 5' USB extension cable (Type A USB
female-to-Type A USB male) for connecting to a PC. Connecting to a PC via USB
allows you to download still images and
video files on the memory card or internal memory. You can edit and save your video files onto your
computer, then make DVDs of them using the downloadable Picture Motion Browser
software.
Microphone Input: A 3.5mm minijack microphone input is
included for connecting an external microphone. When an external mic is
connected, it takes precedence over the built-in microphone.
DC In Jack: The DC In Jack
is for use with the supplied AC adapter and charger.
Installed Software
Installed Software: The camcorder has built-in "PlayMemories
Home" (Lite Version
software that allows you to import images and video from the
camcorder to your computer, and view and store transferred images/videos. The
software also includes GPS Assist Data that can help the camcorder acquire your
location information quicker. It is
compatible with Windows 7 (SP1), Vista (SP2), and XP (SP3) operating systems
only. You can use iPhoto and iMovie software for importing video and photos on a
Mac.
