About the Sony Handycam® HDR-CX380
All aboard
The Sony Handycam® HDR-CX380, with the touchscreen LCD display deployed
All aboard
Cruise time! You've been waiting for months, and now it's time for you to be pampered. And what better camcorder to have with you than the Sony Handycam® HDR-CX380? From the highly regarded wide-angle Sony G™ lens and its impressive 30X optical zoom ratio, to the bright, clear and versatile 3" LCD touchscreen, this camcorder is made for documenting travel and vacation fun. There's a stiff breeze up on the promenade deck, but innovative touches like automatic wind noise reduction and "Closer Voice" technology make your subjects' voices clear and intelligible. And even in low light, the 'CX380 shines, with the light-sensitive lens feeding the camcorder's back-illuminated Exmor® R sensor.The 'CX380's touchscreen allows an easy way to control the camcorder.
The director calls "action"
Did we say action? This camcorder is made for it. With Optical SteadyShot® Image Stabilization, you can pan right along with your spouse's best wave-rider moves and bring home images that keep him stable in the frame. The innovative 3-Way Shake Canceling feature works to remove all the shimmies that can dog other camcorders.
Smile and snap
The 'CX380 takes excellent 8.9-megapixel still shots as well, with features like tracking auto-focus and face/smile detection making sure you don't miss any of life's best photo opportunities. The G lens offers a wide 26.8mm equivalent focal length when zoomed all the way out, so you'll be able to capture that impressive mountain and water vista as you're entering port.
Memory for your memories
Because this camcorder takes Memory Stick® media and SD cards, you can customize the amount of storage you have — with just a few cards you'll have hours upon hours of capacity waiting for when you need it. If you don't have any cards on hand, not to worry; this camcorder has 16GB of flash memory on-board, for up to 5 hours of HD video storage in LP mode. And the 'CX380 can also copy your memories to an external hard drive without the aid of a computer. For that, you'll need an optional USB adapter cable available from Sony (the VMC-UAM1 cable). Here's another trick: you can access media on that hard drive using the 'CX380's handy playback controls, and display those files on your HDTV via an HDMI connection from the camcorder.
The producer is built-in
Don't feel like editing your footage? Highlight Playback mode will identify and compile scenes from your day of shooting and make a short, engaging movie complete with music and transitions. You can even select the scenes you want in your day's highlight reel.
Product highlights:
Storage and Formats:
- records high-definition video to optional Memory Stick® PRO Duo or SD, SDHC or SDXC memory cards
- maximum video resolution: up to 1920 x 1080/60p (AVCHD 2.0 format); 1280 x 720/30p (MP4)
Features:
- 1/5.8" (3.1mm) back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS image sensor for improved detail and lower noise
- 16GB of built-in flash memory lets you start shooting right away, even without a memory card
- 30X optical zoom Sony G™ lens (55X extended mode; digital zoom to 350X)
- captures 8.9-megapixel still images in photo mode
- Dolby® Digital 2-channel audio from built-in zoom microphone (in AVCHD 2.0); MP4 recording produces 2-channel AAC audio
- 3.0" widescreen touch-panel LCD
- Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode and 3-Way Shake-Canceling compensates for greater degrees of camera shake than standard SteadyShot stabilization
- face detection mode with Smile Shutter helps you capture subjects at their best
- Intelligent Auto mode offers over 180 scene presets for easy, worry-free shooting
- automatic or manual focus
- Highlight Playback mode identifies key scenes from your shoot and creates a short movie complete with music and transitions
- automatic wind noise reduction
- Closer Voice feature works in combination with face detection to zero in on your subject's voice
Connections and Dimensions:
- built-in high-speed USB cable for video transfer to a computer
- micro HDMI output (cable included) for watching your videos on an HDTV
- 3.5mm stereo microphone input allows use of specialized microphones for better overall audio
- includes AC adapter/charger and rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-FV30)
- operating guide
- 2-9/16"W x 2-1/4"H x 4-15/16"D
- weight: 6.5 oz. without battery
- warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor
- MFR # HDRCX380/B
What's in the box:
Sony Handycam® HDR-CX380 owner's manual
- High definition digital camcorder (black)
- NP-FV30 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (7.2V/3.6Wh/500mAh)
- AC-L200C AC adapter with attached 67" DC output cord (DC output: 8.4V/1.7A)
- 40" AC power cord
- 40" USB extension cable (Male Type A USB on one end and female Type A USB on other end)
- 39" HDMI cable (full-sized HDMI on one end and micro-HDMI on other end)
- Operating Guide (Eng)
- Operating Guide (Span)
- Limited Warranty
- Online registration sheet
- Accessories brochure
Customer reviews for Sony Handycam® HDR-CX380
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More details on the Sony Handycam® HDR-CX380
Features & specs
General | ||
---|---|---|
LCD Screen Size (inches) | 3.0 | |
Viewfinder | None | |
Total Pixel Count | 2,390,000 | |
Effective Pixel Count for Video | 2,290,000 | |
4K Video | --- | |
High-Definition | Yes | |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9, 4:3 | |
Manual Focusing | Yes | |
Filter Diameter | N/A | |
Optical Zoom | 30 (55ext)x | |
Night Imaging | Low lux | |
Image Stabilization | Optical | |
Built-in Video Light | No | |
Built-in Memory | 16 GB Flash Memory | |
Max Recording Time w/ Included Battery | 90 min | |
Digital Still Camera Features | ||
Effective Pixel Count for Stills | 2,290,000 | |
Built-in Photo Flash | No | |
Still Image Aspect Ratios | 16:9, 4:3 | |
Inputs and Outputs | ||
USB Port | 2.0 High Speed | |
HDMI Output | Micro | |
Mic Input | 3.5mm | |
Dimensions | ||
Weight With Battery (ounces) | 8.1 | |
Width (inches) | 2-9/16 | |
Height (inches) | 2-1/4 | |
Depth (inches) | 4-15/16 | |
Warranty | ||
Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
Labor Warranty | 90 days | |
Image Sensor Warranty | 1 Year |
Product Research
General Features
Video Camcorder Features
Digital Still Camera Features
Battery Information
Input and Output Notes
Software
General Features
Memory Card Slot: The Sony HDR-CX380 Full HD camcorder 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.
Built-in Memory: In addition to memory cards, you can record movies and photos onto the camcorder's 16 GB built-in flash memory. Because a portion of the flash memory is used for system management and/or application files, the actual usable media capacity is approximately 15.5 GB.
3.0" LCD Touch Screen: The 3.0" LCD touch screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 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, you can navigate through the menu system by touching the icons on the screen. The LCD also features an adjustable brightness and color level. You can also power on this camcorder by simply opening its LCD display.
Imaging Device: The HDR-CX380 features an advanced 1/5.8" (3.1mm) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS imaging sensor with 2,390,000 gross pixels. The 2,290,000 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).
Sony G Lens: The camcorder features a professional-quality, wide angle Sony G lens. Sony G lenses deliver superior optical performance with brilliant, accurate color reproduction and sharp, detailed images. In both the Photo and Video modes, the 26.8mm focal length provides exceptional 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 Active the maximum optical zoom is 55x (Extended Zoom). Combined with the digital zoom, the total zoom capability is 320x. 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.
Optical SteadyShot Picture Stabilization: Optical SteadyShot compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, 3-way Shake Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture. You can choose Standard mode or Active mode of Optical SteadyShot.
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-CX380 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. For more difficult focusing situations, you can manually adjust the focus of the camcorder.
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.
Auto Back Light: You can use the Auto Back Light 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. You can also display the camera settings when recording movies or photos.
Protect: You can protect movies and photos to avoid deleting them by mistake.
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-CX380 records High Definition video in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios with 5 image sizes to choose from. A Standard Definition recording mode is also available. You can choose from the following recording modes:
Image Quality | Bit Rate | Pixels | Aspect Ratio |
---|---|---|---|
High Definition | |||
PS | 28 Mbps | 1920 x 1080/60p | 16:9 |
FX | 24 Mbps | 1920 x 1080/60i | 16:9 |
FH | 17 Mbps | 1920 x 1080/60i | 16:9 |
HQ | 9 Mbps | 1440 x 1080/60i | 16:9 |
LP | 5 Mbps | 1440 x 1080/60i | 16:9 |
Standard Definition | |||
HQ | 9 Mbps | 720 x 480 | 16:9, 4:3 |
MP4 | |||
MP4 | 1280 x 720/30p | 16:9 |
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.
Closer Voice: When the Closer Voice function is turned on, the camcorder detects faces and records the voices clearly. This function cannot be activated when using an optional external mic.
Auto Wind NR: The camcorder features an Auto Wind Noise Reduction setting which reduces noise and interference caused by wind passing over the microphones. With the Wind NR activated, you'll get clearer, more enjoyable audio.
Divide Movies: The Divide Movies feature allows you to divide movies on the inserted memory card. You cannot restore movies once they are divided.
Digital Still Camera Features
Digital Still Image Recording: The HDR-CX380 can record still images on a Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card (sold separately), or the built-in 16 GB flash memory. Still images can be recorded with the camcorder in the either Still Image or Movie mode (Dual Capture). Still images are recorded in the following resolutions, depending upon the selected aspect ratio:
- 3984 x 2240 (16:9)
- 2992 x 2240 (4:3)
- 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
- 640 x 480 (4:3)
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 memory card in a slide-show fashion.
Battery Information
Battery: This unit comes with an NP-FV30 InfoLithium battery (7.2 Volts, 500 mAh). 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 via USB in approximately 150 minutes. You can also charge the battery in about 115 minutes using the supplied AC adapter (AC-L200C). The HDR-CX380 is compatible with the following Sony InfoLithium V-series batteries: NP-FV100 (3900 mAh), NP-FV70 (2060 mAh), and MP-FV50 (1030 mAh).
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 CX380 is equipped with a micro-HDMI (Type D) 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.
Multi Connector: The camcorder features a proprietary Multi Connector for use with the optional VMC-15MR2 AV connecting cable for displaying the camcorder's contents on your non-HD 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 optional VMC-15MR2 AV 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 40" 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. You can edit and save your video files onto your computer, then make DVDs of them using the downloadable PlayMemories Home software.
Microphone Input: The CX380 has a 3.5mm microphone input that allows you to connect an optional stereo microphone, such as the ECM-AW3. Recorded audio is greatly improved when an external microphone is used, compared to the built-in microphones.
DC In Jack: The DC In Jack is for use with the supplied AC-L200C AC adapter.
Software
Downloadable Software: The camcorder has no built-in software for importing images and video from the camcorder to your computer. Instead, the PlayMemories Home software can be downloaded directly to your computer via the Internet (URL provided in the supplied Operating Guide). With PlayMemories Home, you can:
- Import images from your camcorder
- View images on a calendar
- Share images on "PlayMemories Online"
- Upload images to network services, such as Facebook and YouTube
- Create a disc
Compatible Operating Systems: PlayMemories Home is compatible with the following Windows Operating Systems: Windows 8, Windows 7 (SP1), Windows Vista¹ (SP2), Windows XP² (SP3)
² 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. Windows Image Mastering API (IMAPI) Ver.2.0 or newer is required to use disc creation function, etc.
Macintosh: PlayMemories Home software is not supported with Mac computers. You should use the appropriate software on your Mac to import images from the camcorder to your Mac and play them.
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I couod not have asked for a better adviser than Chad he answered all my questions abt this product ,although i have just started to use it ,it seems to be pretty easy , a really good price for what all it does
Solitareclayfan from Illinois