Sony HXR-MC88 Compact Full HD Camcorder

Entry-level Full HD professional camcorder suitable for education, corporate and vlogging

Designed to meet fast-growing demand for affordable, easy-to-use video production equipment, the HXR-MC88 offers latest generation imaging performance at breakthrough pricing for a wide variety of Full-HD applications. MC88 is an ideal camcorder for teaching video production, recording corporate or government presentations, vlogging and even video enthusiasts taking the next step forward.

The HXR-MC88 camcorder is lightweight and compact, but fully featured with Fast Hybrid Auto Focus, dual XLR professional audio, built-in ND filters and powerful 48x zoom (Using Digital Extender feature, which gives additional 2x magnification) for easy on-the-go shooting. A big 1.0 type Exmor RS sensor with BIONZ X processing engine offers superb light sensitivity, delivering bright high quality Full HD imagery that makes an immediate impact. A super high resolution OLED viewfinder and 3.5-type LCD give you complete confidence when shooting.

Features

Revolutionary imaging performance with Exmor RS
To deliver imaging performance previously impossible for a compact camcorder, a large 14.2-megapixel (effective) 1.0-type stacked CMOS sensor delivers beautiful background bokeh defocus effects and superior sensitivity for capturing high-quality images with less noise, even under dark or bright conditions. The sensor gives you low noise and less blur, because more light reaches the sensor, offering clear and steady pictures even in a dark scene with minimum illumination 1.7 lux (LOW LUX mode)(1/30 seconds).

To fully realise the potential of this large 1.0-type sensor, the MC88 integrates an advanced BIONZ X image processor to capture the full pixel readout of the sensor without pixel binning for vivid, pin-sharp imagery.

Auto Focus Creative Control
AF Drive Speed means you set the speed at which focus switches - rapid for a sports event and slow for a drama production. It's easy to get the results you need. AF Switching Sensitivity lets you lock tight to a single subject or fluidly switch focus - such as when shooting a line of runners. AF Track Depth allows you to choose a Wide depth of field when a subject is fast moving, while Narrow fine tunes performance for a subject at a consistent distance.

Superb quality monitoring with enhanced OLED viewfinder
You have superb monitoring options with the MC88's enhanced 0.39-type 2359 K dot OLED viewfinder and 3.5-type 1550K dot LCD. The super high-resolution OLED viewfinder offers excellent quality brightness, contrast and response, giving you better precision of manual focus operations and eliminating any colour-breaking phenomenon. The LCD gives you further flexible composition options.

ND filters
A built-in Neutral Density (ND) filter wheel includes positions for clear, 1/4 (2 stops), 1/16 (4 stops), and 1/64 (6 stops). This makes it easier to get all the advantages of shallow depth of field even in exterior day shoots, with no need to worry about bringing along and fitting a separate filter.

Dual media slots
To extend recording time and workflow flexibility, the HXR-MC88 is equipped with two memory card slots and is compatible with SDXC and SDHC cards as well as Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2) / PRO-HG Duo.(Memory Stick: Card Slot 1 only). Relay mode automatically switches recording from the first to the second memory card when the first is full; Simul mode allows simultaneous recording to two memory cards (for example, to create an immediate back-up version). The HXR-MC88's two start/stop buttons on the handle grip and camcorder body can independently start and stop recording on different memory cards while recording in Simul mode.

Remote operation
The HXR-MC88 features a standard remote interface (2.5 mm stereo mini-mini jack). Focus, zoom, rec start/stop and rec review can be controlled remotely using optional RM-1BP or RM-30BP.

Ultimate mobility with high-speed autofocus
The HXR-MC88 is palm-sized and ultra-lightweight to shoot in any situation, and its advanced Fast Hybrid AF system is designed to provide pin-sharp image quality at all times with complete creative control.

Enhanced Fast Hybrid auto focus with touch panel operation
Enhanced Fast Hybrid auto focus (AF) comprises a number of features: phase-detection AF, face detection and lock-on auto focus technology to estimate subject movement. They all work together seamlessly to capture fast-moving subjects with amazing sharpness. Moreover, an intuitive touch panel interface allows you to select an autofocus point with ease. MC88 makes it simple to capture the shots you need.

Wide-angle zoom lens with great control
The HXR-MC88 is supplied with a fixed 29 mm wide-angle ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens, ideal for capturing panoramic landscapes. The 12 x optical zoom can be increased to 24x with Clear Image Zoom, In addition, the digital extender can double this range again, up to 48x zoom.

The camcorder's lens ring enables smooth, natural adjustment of focusing or zooming, depending on which mode is selected; while the manual dial and buttons on the side of the body allow swift and easy adjustment of IRIS (aperture), ISO/GAIN and shutter speed.

Dual XLR inputs
The MC88 has two XLR connectors - so even if you remove the handle with its standard, easy-access XLR connector, then a second on the body is still available, making it ideal for applications such as shooting in a confined space, such as a car interior or when mounting on a gimbal.

AVCHD progressive recording
The HXR-MC88 supports well established AVCHD format recording so it's easy to integrate your content into today's proven Full HD workflows. Shoot Full HD (1920x1080) at 28Mbps at 60/50P with LPCM audio for up to 290 minutes recording time on a single 64GB SD Card.

Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe
The HXR-MC88 takes advantage of Sony's flexible Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe, which provides power, signal connections and coordinated on/off switching to compatible Sony accessories. For example, you can connect and control Sony UWP-D wireless microphone systems (sold separately). Please note that to use the MI-Shoe, the XLR handle must be removed.

Versatile connections for professional workflows
The HXR-MC88 features a Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe, HDMI, Multi/Micro USB jack, and remote interface to connect with and control remotely a wide variety of compatible Sony accessories, including creating a simple live solution when connected to the optional MCX-500 Multi Camera Live Producer and RM-30BP Remote Commander.

Simple live solution
The HXR-MC88 is designed to work seamlessly with Sony's MCX-500 Multi-Camera Live Producer, a robust and cost-effective switcher that makes it easy for one person to run a multi-camera live event shoot. When used with the MCX-500 and Remote Commander RM-30BP, a tally indicator will automatically appear on each HXR-MC88's LCD panel and viewfinder - a red icon indicates when the shot is live (PGM) while green indicates preview mode (PVW). The MCX-500 supports up to nine video inputs, five channel stereo inputs, including XLR with both internal recording and live streaming via Ustream, Facebook Live, and YouTube Live.