SONY HXR-MC50U User Manual

HXR-MC50U

Digital HD Video Camera Recorderr

Sony is proud to announce the debut of the HXR-MC50U, today’s most compact
AVCHD professional camcorder. As simple as “just take it and shoot”, this
high-quality yet easy-to-use camcorder is the best solution for journalism and proof
recording. Extremely small, it is loaded with Sony’s latest technology, such as the
groundbreaking Exmor R™ CMOS sensor which enables subjects to be captured in
low light, and it fulfills the needs of journalists and directors who have been waiting
for precisely this kind of compact, high-sensitivity professional camcorder.
Furthermore, with its 29.8 mm (35 mm equivalent) wide-angle Lens G from
Sony and Optical SteadyShot (in Active mode), the user can get close to
subjects without worrying about camera shake - the HXR-MC50U is loaded
with everything needed for walking and shooting. And, for acquisition of
high-quality audio along with high-quality video data, a genuine external
microphone, the ECM-CG1S, and an dedicated microphone holder are included.

Wide-angle Lens

Sony’s Lens G™ is anything but an ordinary wide-angle lens. This
sophisticated lens incorporates Sony’s unique optical design
technology and quality control, giving exceptional optical
performance that’s on a par with some of the best lenses in the
industry. It delivers class-leading focal length as wide as 29.8 mm
in Video mode (35 mm equivalent) and has been optimized to
perfectly complement the advanced image sensor and image­processing technology to expand shooting possibilities. Besides
being able to reproduce fine details and high color fidelity by using
aspheric lenses and ED glass elements, it includes a six-blade iris
diaphragm that is nearly circular to ensure beautiful background
blur - a highly desired effect in any serious videography. Of
course, for even more dramatic wide-angle shooting, using a 0.75x
wide-angle conversion lens gives a staggering 22.4 mm focal
length in Video mode.

40mm (HVR-A1U) Conventional Model

29.8mm (HXR -MC50U) HXR- MC50U (Exmor R)

Exmor R™

An image sensor is one of the three key devices that determine
final image quality in a camcorder. Sony’s Exmor R CMOS sensor
is capable of producing superb image quality even in low-light
conditions. This unique sensor incorporates exclusive back­illuminated technology that places metal wiring beneath the photo
diode (light-receiving material), enabling the CMOS sensor to
utilize incidental light more efficiently. This effectively doubles the
sensitivity in comparison to conventional CMOS sensors, a
dramatic boost in sensitivity that gives rise to superb low-light
performance that was impossible to achieve previously. Now,
users can shoot high-quality footage in bright daylight and record
superb video in dimly lit indoor scenes and outdoor night scenes.
Furthermore, with the newly improved autofocus in low-light
conditions, the camcorder snaps into focus very quickly.

External Microphone

The HXR-MC50U comes with a genuine external microphone, the
ECM-CG1S. This state-of-the-art monaural microphone allows
users to acquire high-quality sound with high directivity. The
specifications of this external microphone are ideal for the needs
of voice recording in interviews and for news gathering purposes.
It is mounted on the camcorder using the included dedicated
microphone holder which is attached to the HXR-MC50U.

Supplied Microphone and
dedicated holder

1

Optical SteadyShot™ w/Active Mode

The new Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode ensures smooth movie
footage in various shooting situations. In addition, innovative 3-Way
Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video
capture. This latest version of image stabilization technology realizes
images that are up to 10x more steady on the wide end than
conventional Optical SteadyShot images. As the user zooms in, an
intelligent digital image stabilizer starts to blend in and work together
with its optical counterpart to effectively reduce camera shake even
while zooming. This technology is also able to reduce shake in the
rolling direction that commonly occurs when shooting while walking.

SteadyShot off

* On Screen Image Simulated

SteadyShot w/Active Mode on

Manual Dial

*Please refer to the compatibility with HDR-CX550V for more information on using DVDirect
with HXR-MC50U.

Easy Archive Solutions

1 . Direct Copy is compatible with USB media that meets the following requirements

• USB media that meets the USB2.0 requirement.

• External HDD or USB memory under 2TB. AC powered external HDD is recommended.

• USB media formatted in the FAT32 file system. In the case when USB media is not in
FAT32 file system, reformatting is required and all data will be erased.
* There may be cases when USB media is not compatible with Direct Copy even when
all of the above is satisfied.

2 . When using Direct Copy, the camcorder needs to be connected to AC power.
3 . Using VMC-UAM1(supplied) cable when the HXR-MC50U is connected to External HDD.
4 . Connection via USB-hub is not supported.

External HDD

DVDirect

Compatible
DVDirect devices

• VRD-P1

• VRD-MC10

• VRD-MC6

Direct Copy

DVDirect & Direct Copy

Using the easily accessible assignable dial, users can manually
adjust key shooting parameters that include Focus, White Balance,
Exposure, AE Shift, and Iris priority and Shutter Speed priority.
Now, users can take full advantage of the six-blade iris available in
Sony’s Lens G in this model to achieve a highly desired out-of­focus effect in the foreground or background. Shutter speed can
also be controlled to express certain effects, such as the motion of
a waterfall, flying birds, etc.

When the HXR-MC50U is connected to the optional DVDirect
Express (VRD-P1) DVD writer via a USB cable, a single press of the
One Touch Disc button is all it takes to burn video footage onto a
DVD - without using a PC. This model is also equipped with a
down-convert function that enables DVD burning to standard
picture quality. Users can playback a DVD they just created simply
by pressing the Play button on the DVDirect Express when the
HXR-MC50U is connected.
Besides storing videos on DVDs, now with Direct Copy users have
the option of storing all valuable video data in an external HDD ­without using a PC. Users simply connect the HXR-MC50U to an
using USB Adaptor Cable (VMC-UAM1 supplied). Videos that have
not been copied to the external HDD can be copied with ease.

ACCESSORIES

Rechargeable Battery Pa ck

NP- FV50 (6.8 V / 7.0 Wh / 1030 mA h)
NP- FV70 (6.8 V / 14.0 Wh / 2060 mAh)
NP-FV100 (6.8 V / 26.5 Wh / 3900 mA h)

Wide Conversion Lens

VCL-HGA07B (0.75x)

* Must re move supplied lens hood.

Memor y Stick PRO-HG Du o

MS-HX32A (32 GB, 16 GB, 8 GB)

Memor y Stick PRO Duo

MS-MT32G (32 GB, 16 GB, 8 GB, 4 GB, 2 GB)

Tele Conversion Lens

VCL-HG1737C (1. 7x)

* Must re move supplied lens hood.

AC Adaptor/Charger

AC-VQV10

(AC 100 V – 240 V)

PL Filter Kit

VF-37CPKB

(When shooting throu gh reflectiv e
surfaces)

* Must re move supplied lens hood.

SD / SDHC Memo ry Card

SF-32N4

(32 GB, 16 GB, 8 GB, 4 GB, 2 GB)

Battery Charger

BC-TRV

(AC 100 V – 240 V)

ND Filter Kit

VF-37NKB

(When shooting in ex tremely brigh t
sunlight)

* Must re move supplied lens hood.

DVDirect Express DV D writer

VRD - P1
VRD - MC10
VRD-MC6

Acces sory Kit

ACC -V1BP (Include NP-FV100 and AC-VQV10)

* Availabl e end of Augus t

Shooting Grip with Mini Tripod

GP - AV T1

Remote C ommander

RM -AV2

2

244 (9 5/8)

176 (7)

74 (3)

144 (5 3/4)

85 (3 3/8)

Specifications

HXR-MC50U

General

Mass (w / Hood, Microphone w / o Recording

Dimension (W x H x D) (w / supplied Hood) 85 x 74 x 176 mm (3 3/8 x 3 x 7 in)

Power requirements Power requirements (AC adaptor / Battery) 8.4 V / 6.8 V
Power consumption Viewfinder HD: 3.4 W / SD: 2.5 W

Operating temperature 0 to +40 deg C (+32 to +104 deg F)
Storage temperature -20 to +60 deg C (-4 to +140 deg F)
Battery operating time Continuous recording time approx. 215 min (NP-FV70: fully charged batt.) / 430 min (NP-FV100: fully charged batt.)
Recording format Video format HD MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 (AVCHD)

Recording frame rate*

Recording / Playback time 175 min (2 h 55 m) with 32 GB Memory Stick PRO-HX Duo FX (24 Mbps) Dolby Digital 2ch recording
Still picture resolution (Photo mode) 12 megapixel 4000 x 3000 (4:3), 4000 x 2250 (16:9)
Zoom ratio Sony G Lens, 10x (optical), 120 x Digital Zoom
Focal length f = 3.8 to 38 mm

Focus Full range auto / Manual
Image stabilizer Active / Standard / OFF selectable
Filter diameter 37 mm

Camera Se ction

Imaging device 1 / 2.88-inch type ExmorR CMOS with ClearVid pixel array

Minimum illumination 3 lx (Low LUX mode, 1/30 shutter)
Shutter speed 1/8 - 1/10000 (Manual Shutter Speed Control)
Iris F1.8 - F3.4
Slow & Quick Motion function 240 fps (fixed) as Smooth Slow Rec

White balance Auto, outdoor (5800 K), indoor (3200 K), One-push (Touch panel)

Inputs / O utputs

Mic input Stereo mini jack (x 1) ø3.5 mm
A / V Remote Connector Video / S Video / Audio / Component Out / Remote
USB USB device, Mini-B / Hi-Speed (x 1)
Headphone output Stereo mini jack (x 1) ø3.5 mm
HDMI output HDMI mini connector (x 1)

Monitoring

Viewfinder 0.2 inch-type approx. 201,600 dots (300 x 224 x 3 [RGB]), 4:3 aspect ratio
Built-in LCD monitor 3.5 inch-type, XtraFine LCD, approx. 921,600 dots (1920 x 480), 16:9 aspect ratio

Built-in Mi crophone

Recordi ng Media

Internal Memory 64 GB Flash Memory
Type Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX*

Supplied A ccessories

*1: Due to variable bitrate, 24Mbps is the maximum bitrate for AVCHD FX mode and the average bitrate is being stated for FH, HQ and LP modes.
*2: The focal length is when SteadyShot mode is in Active mode Off.
*3: Compatible “Memory Stick” type : For AVCHD recording / Capacity: more than 1GB , For Standard Definition recording / Capacity: more than 512 MB
*4: Recommended Speed Class For AVCHD recording / Class 4 or higher, For Standard Definition recording / Class 2 or higher

Media, Battery)
(w / supplied Battery, Lens hood and

Microphone)
(w / option Battery NP-FV100, Lens hood

and Microphone)

(w / supplied Hood, Battery, and
Microphone)

LCD screen (normal brightness) HD: 3.6 W / SD: 2.7 W

Audio format HD Dolby Digital 2ch / 5.1ch, 16 bit, 48 kHz

1

470 g (1 lb)

670 g (1 lb 7 oz)

770 g (1 lb 11 oz)

85 x 144 x 244 mm (3 3/8 x 5 3/4 x 9 5/8 in)

SD MPEG-2 PS

SD Dolby Digital 2ch / 5.1ch, 16 bit, 48 kHz

AVCHD FX (24 Mbps) 1920 x 1080 / 60i / 16:9, AVCHD FH (17 Mbps) 1920 x 1080 / 60i / 16:9,
AVCHD HQ (9 Mbps) 1440 x 1080 / 60i / 16:9, AVCHD LP (5 Mbps) 1440 x 1080 / 60i / 16:9,
MPEG2 SD HQ (9 Mbps) 720 x 480 / 60i / 16:9, 4:3

(equivalent to f = 29.8 to 298 mm at 16:9 mode, f = 36.5 to 365 mm at 4:3 mode on 35 mm lens)*

Pixel Gross: Approx. 6631 K
Video Actual: Approx. 4150 K (16:9)

*The picture quality is degraded.

5.1ch Surround or 2ch Stereo microphone

SD / SDHC / SDXC Memory Card*

AC Adaptor / Charger [AC-L200], Rechargeable Battery Pack [NP-FV70], Power cord, Microphone (monaural)
[ECM-CG1S], Wind Screen, Microphone holder, Lens hood, Remote Commander [RMT-835],
Remote Commander) [CR2025],
(for external HDD) [VMC-UAM1], CD-ROM (Application Software “PMB” included)

4

Component A / V cable, A / V connecting cable, USB cable, USB Adaptor cable

3

Lithium Battery (for

Dimensions

2

Supplied Accessories

PMB System Requirements

®

• Microsoft

• Intel

Windows® XP Service Pack3 (32 bit),

®

Windows Vista
Windows

®

Service Pack2 (32 bit / 64 bit),

®

7

Core™2 Duo 2.26 GHz (for AVCHD playback)

• 1GBofRAM

• 500MBavailablehard-diskspaceforinstallation

• 1024x768display

• DVDwritabledrive

Unit: m m (inche s)

Recording Time

HD movie (w / 2ch Audio)

2 GB Mem ory Card 10 m in 10 min 25 min 45 min

4 GB Mem ory Card 20 min 25 min 55 min 95 min

8 GB Mem ory Card 40 min 55 min 115 min 195 min

16 GB Memor y Card 85 min 115 min 230 min 395 min

32 GB Mem ory Card 175 min 230 min 465 min 790 min

64 GB Int ernal Memor y 360 min 460 min 93 5 min 1595 mi n

Distributed by

AVCHD 24M (F X)

(1920 x 1080i)

AVCHD 17M (FH)

(1920 x 1080i)

AVCHD 9M (HQ)

(1440 x 1080i)

AVCHD 5M (LP )
(1440 x 1080i)

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permissions is prohibited.

Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo are registered trademark of Sony Corporation.

MK10691V1OHB10JUL

SD movie (w / 2ch Audio)

2 GB Mem ory Card 25 min

4 GB Mem ory Card 55 min

8 GB Mem ory Card 115 min

16 GB Memor y Card 235 min

32 GB Mem ory Card 475 min

64 GB Int ernal Memor y 965 min

STD 9M (HQ)

©2010 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.

The values for weight and dimension are approximate.

Sony and Sony logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

G Lens, Exmor, InfoLITHIUM, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO Duo,

AVCHD and AVCHD logo are trademarks of

Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

in the United States and other countries.

Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

SD, SDHC and SDXC logos are trademarks of SD-3C, LLC.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.