Sony Europe has just unveiled its brand new digital high definition video camera The HDR – HC3E an upgrade to the highly appreciative Sony HDR-HC1. The Sony HC3E is lighter smaller and produces better image quality than its predecessor making it perfect for every group and type of use. The HC3E has what Sony calls ClearVid CMOS sensor which records movies with higher sensitivity resulting in better picture quality. Still images are recorded at 4MP and with the Enhanced Imaging Processor pixel data is captured for realistic and bright pictures.

The Sony HC3E is capable of recording still images at 2.3 MP while shooting movie footage thanks to the Dual Rec function. Another great feature is the Smooth Slow Rec function slow motion effects on high speed recordings are possible. Smooth Slow Rec can record upto 200 fields as compared to 50 fields/second in the normal mode. Sony has kept in mind the growing popularity of HDTV and thus made the HC3E HDMI ready. With this feature one can playback audio and video without compromising on the digital image by sending uncompressed high quality HD signals.

The 2.7 inch LCD is a winner too with its clear and sharp display. There is an Anti Reflection Coat on the screen to make it viewable even in bright sunny conditions. Sony has incorporated a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, with a 10x Optical Zoom to produce brilliant vibrant and sharp images even at a minimal distance. The camera is also extremely elegant and compact in design weighing only 500g making it very easy to use. No word on pricing yet but expect the camera to hit the stores around April 2006.

Check out the official website for more details.