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General Features
Video Camcorder Features
Digital Still Camera Features
Battery Information
Input and Output Notes
Software and Computer Information
General Features
2.7" Touch Panel SwivelScreen LCD Screen: The 2.7"
(16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution.
The high resolution 123,200 pixel (560 x 220) LCD screen rotates up to 270
degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp and detailed images for
monitoring or playback. Mirror mode allows you to view a mirror-image of the
subject you are shooting in the LCD screen when the screen is rotated 180
degrees, but the image will still be normal when recorded. In addition, the LCD
doubles as an "on-screen" touch panel, allowing 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 viewfinder.
Flash Memory: The Sony DCR-SX41 has an internal 8 GB flash memory which will allow you to
record video and still images. When recording video, the camcorder records in Dolby Digital 2-channel stereo audio using the built-in microphone.
The video can be shot in either a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
Hybrid Recording: Hybrid recording technology delivers a new level of flexibility for transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing
devices. Hybrid Recording allows you to record to the camcorder's internal flash memory, or choose instead to record to removable Memory Stick PRO Duo media. You can even select from various dubbing
functions to easily copy video or still images from the internal flash memory to Memory Stick media without using a PC. Images recorded or transferred to Memory Stick media can be played directly on
your PC.
Advanced HAD CCD:
The DCR-SX41 features a 1/8" (2.5mm) Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD
imager with 680,000 gross pixels. The 410,000 effective video pixels in 16:9
mode or 340,000 effective pixels in
4:3
mode provide excellent detail and clarity for exceptional digital video up to
500 lines of horizontal resolution. The 340,000 effective still pixels in
4:3 and 250,000 effective still pixels in16:9 mode provide exceptional digital
still photography performance.
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens: The camcorder features a
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens designed specifically for compact camcorders.
Zoom: The camcorder has a
60x
Optical Zoom for bringing your subject up close. It also features a selectable
120x or 2,000x digital zoom. Because the picture is
processed 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.
SteadyShot Picture Stabilization: SteadyShot picture stabilization system uses motion sensors to remove unwanted
picture shake without compromising picture quality like some other digital
stabilization systems.
Focus Modes: The Sony Handycam DCR-SX41 features Manual,
Auto Focus, Spot Focus, and Tele Macro modes.
- Manual Focus: With manual focus, you can manually
adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing
also allows you to control the focus in difficult situations where either
the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to
perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded
environment.
- Auto Focus: You can also select automatic focusing.
When using autofocus, you can choose to focus on a subject in the center of
the screen or with Spot Focus, focus on an off-centered object.
- Spot Focus: You can select and adjust the focal point to aim it
at a subject not located at the center of the screen.
- Tele Macro: This feature is useful when shooting small
subjects, such as flowers or insects. You can blur out backgrounds and the
subject stands out clearer. You can recorded subjects as close as 19-3/4 inches
in Tele-Macro mode.
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.
Exposure Modes: The Sony Handycam DCR-SX41 features the following Auto and Scene Select Exposure Modes:
- Auto: Select this mode to automatically record pictures
effectively without the preset scene select modes
- Scene Select Modes: The following Scene Select modes are available to suit your specific shooting requirements:
- Twilight:
maintains the darkening atmosphere
of the distant surroundings in twilight scenes
- Candle: maintains the dim atmosphere of a
candlelit scene
- Sunrise/Sunset:
maintains the atmosphere of
situations such as sunset and sunrises
- Landscape: allows you to shot distant subject
clearly
- Fireworks: select to record all the splendor
of fireworks
- Portrait:
brings out the subject such as
people or flowers while creating a soft background
- Spotlight: prevents people's faces from
appearing excessively white when subjects are lit by strong light
- Sport:
minimizes shake when shooting fast
moving pictures
- Snow: help with shooting in very bright white
conditions
- Beach:
prevents people's faces from appearing dark in strong light or reflected light
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.
Guideframe: The Guideframe displays a frame
around the recorded images and allows you to check the subject's 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.
Saving Video: Due to the limited capacity
of the internal flash memory (8 GB), you should save the video data to some type of external media such as a DVD-R or a computer. You can save the videos recorded on the camcorder as described below:
- Memory Stick Pro Duo: You can copy the images recorded on the
camcorder's internal flash memory to an inserted Memory Stick Pro Duo card within the
camcorder, without the use of a PC.
- Picture Motion Browser
Software: By using the software of the supplied CD-ROM you can save images on a DVD or the hard disk of your computer. You can use several methods to do this:
- One Touch DVD Burn: You can save images and files with ease
by pressing DVD Burn button on the camcorder and using the supplied Picture Motion Browser
software. This feature allows you to backup what is on the internal flash memory with the
still images being recorded first.
- Easy PC Backup: You can also transfer and save video files that are too
large for a DVD to the hard disk of your computer.
- Creating a DVD With
Selected Images: In addition, you can save images imported to your
computer on a DVD. You can also edit those images.
- DVD Recorders/Writers: You can dub images played back on your camcorder to other recording devices,
such as VCRs or DVD recorders/writers. You can connect the device in either of
the following ways.
- A/V Output: The
camcorder features a proprietary audio/video output, that when used with
the supplied composite A/V cable or optional S-video/Audio cable, allows
you to transfer content to your VCR or DVD/HDD recorder.
- USB Port: You can dub to compatible DVD writers, such as the DVDirect Express (158VRDMC5), using the camcorder's USB port and supplied USB cable.
Formatting: You can delete all
the images on the internal flash memory of the camcorder to recover recordable free space to
allow you to write in by formatting the camcorder.
Protect: You can protect movies and photos to avoid deleting them by
mistake.
Easy Handycam: When the Easy
Handycam mode is activated, most of the camera settings are set to the automatic
mode, only basic functions are available, and the screen font size increases for
easy viewing. This mode makes recording and playing back recordings less
intimidating, even for first time users.
Power On By LCD: The camcorder will automatically power on when you open the LCD, and turn off when you close the LCD. This feature can be turned on or off as you desire.
Lens Cap: The built-in lens cap opens manually with a switch located on the side of the lens.
Video Camcorder
Features
Video Recording: The Sony DCR-SX41 has a
8 GB internal flash memory and supports Memory Stick PRO Duo media (sold separately) which will allow you to
record video. When recording video, the camcorder records in
stereo audio using the built-in microphone. You can select a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect
ratio for your video recordings. You have three choices of video recording resolution
quality:
| Video Recording and Playback Times |
| Media / Recording Mode |
HQ |
SP |
LP |
8 GB
Built-in Flash Memory |
120 minutes |
170 minutes |
360 minutes |
16 GB
Memory Stick PRO Duo |
235 minutes |
340 minutes |
715 minutes |
Movie Dubbing: You can dub movies recorded on the internal flash memory to an inserted Memory Stick Pro Duo card within the camcorder without
the use of a PC or other external dubbing device.
Fader Modes: You can record a transition between scenes, using a white fader or a black fader.
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.
Face Index: Face Index makes it easy to find and play back
the right video scene. Using Face Detection technology, Face Index indexes your
video footage according to the faces detected in each scene. When it's time to
play back video, simply search for what you want by selecting from among the
detected faces displayed in the index
Film Roll Index: Like chapters in a book, Film Roll Index helps you easily find desired scenes in video footage. When using this feature, the camcorder
previews the beginning of scenes and can create scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12
seconds and 1 or 5 minutes).
Create Playlist: You can create
a playlist of your favorite videos for playback using the internal flash memory or
optional Memory Stick Pro Duo card. A Playlist is a list showing
thumbnails of the movies that you have previously recorded and selected. The
original movies are not modified even though you edit or delete the movies in
the Playlist.
Divide Movies: The Divide
Movies feature allows you to divide movies on the internal flash memory of the
camcorder or on an inserted Memory Stick Pro Duo card. You cannot restore movies once they are divided.
Digital Still Camera Features
Digital Still Image Recording: The DCR-SX41 can record still images on
either the unit's built-in 8 GB flash memory or on an optional Memory Stick Pro Duo memory
card (sold separately). Still images are recorded on the internal flash memory in the
default setting.
Image Resolution: Still images are recorded in 4:3 aspect ratio
with a resolution of 640 x 480 or at 16:9 aspect ratio with a resolution of
640 x 360 for easy image transfer to your computer so you can e-mail or print
your still photos.
Copying Still Images: You
can coy still images from the camcorder's internal flash memory to an
inserted Memory Stick Pro Duo card within the camcorder.
Capturing Still Images From Video: You can copy still images from video of the internal flash memory to an optional Memory Stick
Pro Duo card or vice-versa.
Self Timer:
This feature starts to record your still image in about 10 seconds after the "Photo" button is depressed.
Visual Index: The Visual Index
allows you to view back either six of your still images at one time on
the LCD screen from the camcorder's internal flash memory or optional memory stick.
Date Search: You can locate the point on the internal flash memory or inserted Memory Stick Pro Duo card where the recording date changes.
Slide Show: You can
automatically play back images stored on the flash memory of the DCR-SX41 or from an optional Memory Stick Pro Duo in a slide-show fashion.
Battery Information
Battery: This unit comes with an
NP-FH30 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.
Optional Batteries: The DCR-SX41 is compatible with Sony InfoLithium H-series batteries. The following optional batteries can also be used with this camcorder:
- NP-FH100: 6.8V, 28.5 Wh (3900 mAh)
- NP-FH70: 6.8V, 12.2 Wh (1800 mAh)
- NP-FH50: 6.8V, 6.1 Wh (900 mAh)
Battery Life: The approximate charging, recording and play back times using the supplied NP-FH30 battery are as follows:
- Charging Time (full charge): 115 minutes
- Continuous Recording Time: 100 minutes
- Typical Recording Time: 50 minutes
- Playback Time: 135 minutes
Note: Typical recording time
shows the time when you repeat recording start/stop, turning the
power on/off and zooming.
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
A/V Output: This
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. An optional A/V connecting cable with S-Video is also available.
USB Port: The
camcorder has
a mini-USB Ver.2.0 jack for connecting to a PC via the supplied USB cable. Connecting the to a PC via USB allows the computer to access the
information on the camcorder's internal flash memory. You will be able to download still images and
video files to your computer. You will be able perform the One Touch DVD Burn.
This will also allow you to back up the files recorded on the flash memory onto a
DVD. You can edit and save your video files onto your computer, then make DVD's
of them using the Picture Motion Browser software that is supplied with the DCR-SX41.
The camcorder can also be used as an external storage
device, convenient for archiving, storing and transporting your videos and still
images.
Memory Card Slot: The camcorder features a memory card slot for recording
video or still images using Memory Stick Pro Duo memory cards. Still images are recorded
on the internal flash memory in the default setting.
DC In Jack: The DC In Jack
is for use with the supplied AC adapter and charger.
Software and Computer Information
Included Software: The included
software allows you to transfer images and video from the
camcorder to a computer hard drive and view and store transferred
images/videos. The supplied CD-ROM includes:
- Picture Motion Browser Ver.4.2.00
- Handycam Handbook
- Product Registration
Picture Motion Browser Software: You can enjoy the following functions after installing the supplied Picture Motion Browser Software to your PC:
- Creating a disc
- Importing images to a computer.
- Viewing and editing imported images
- Uploading movies and photos to websites
Computer Requirements for Picture Motion Browser (Windows Only):
|
Operating System |
Windows XP SP3
Windows Vista SP1
(64-bit editions and
Starter editions are not supported) |
|
CPU |
Intel Pentium III 1 GHz or
faster |
|
Memory |
256 MB or more
|
|
Hard Disk |
Disk volume required for installation: 500 MB
(5 GB or more may be
necessary for creating DVD discs) |
|
Display/Graphics |
1024 x 768 or higher |
|
Applications |
DirectX 9.0c or later
(This product is based on Direct X technology.
It is necessary to have DirectX installed) |
|
Others |
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed port
DVD burner
CD-ROM drive (for installation) |
