Sony has just announced the HXR-MC88, an entry-level HD palm-sized camcorder with fast Hybrid Auto Focus.
Key features
- Fast Hybrid Auto Focus system
- 1” type Exmor RS image sensor
- Combination of phase-detection AF + contrast AF
- Touch operation
- 12x optical zoom, which can be increased to 24x with Clear Image Zoom
- Digital extender, zoom performance can be further increased to 48x
- XLR x2 audio input terminal and microphone holder
- Built-in four-step ND filter
- AVCHD recording
- Simple live solution when used with the MCX-500
The HXR-MC88 looks like it would be a good solution for vloggers, in-house content creators, people wanting a simple BTS camera solution, or anyone who needs an all-in-one, compact, lightweight camcorder.
The HXR-MC88 uses a 1” type Exmor RS image sensor and BIONZ X imaging processor. With a decent zoom range, two on board XLR ports, built-in ND filters, and Phase Detection AF and Contrast AF, it certainly ticks a lot of boxes.
We believe the HXR-MC88’s 1.0″-type Exmor R CMOS sensor has 14.2 million effective pixels, approximately the same size as Super16mm film frame.
Sony has released plenty of HXR series camcorders in the past, including the 4K capable HXR-NX200. The HXR series is varied, with models featuring different sensor sizes, resolutions, codecs, features, and capabilities.
The HXR-MC88 looks to offer very similar functionality and performance to the Sony HXR-NX100 Full HD NXCAM Camcorder (USD $1,498.00) but it doesn’t seem to have the same integrated zoom lens that features individual lens control rings for focus, iris, and zoom.
Appearance wise, the HXR-MC88 shares more in common with Sony HXR-NX80 4K NXCAM.
The HXR-MC88 is certainly at the lower end of the series as it is only capable of recording HD in AVCHD. In saying that, it should be capable of providing decent imagery given it is using a 1” type Exmor RS image sensor.
Price & Availability
We don’t yet have a price for the HXR-MC88, although I would expect it to cost under $1,000 USD. It is expected to start shipping in July.
