Equipped with a 160GB hard disk drive, the Sony HDR-XR260VE HD Flash Memory PAL Camcorder can record up to 63 hours. It shoots Full HD 1920 x 1080 / 50p video and can also take 8.9 megapixels still images. It features a back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor that's ideal for low-light situations. Plus, it features a wide angle Sony G Lens that supports 30x optical zoom and 55x extended zoom. There's also a 3.0" touch screen Clear Photo LCD display for easy recording and instant playback.

The HDR-XR260VE comes outfitted with several video enhancing features. It has Golf Shot for frame by frame slow motion video analyzing. There's also a Tracking Focus function that follows selected subjects as you record. The microphone features 5.1 channel surround sound for dynamic and vivid surround audio. The camcorder also has Intelligent Auto, which supports 180 different scene combinations. There's even a wind noise reduction function that provides clear voice recording and Geotagging with a built-in GPS receiver and NAVTEQ maps. For professional shooting, the camcorder has a headphone jack for monitoring and a microphone jack for using external mics. The camcorder supports Clear Phase stereo speakers as well.

Sony added a few playback and connection conveniences as well. The HDR-XR260VE features Event Browse, which groups video and stills by each particular recording session automatically. It also has a Highlight Playback function that creates movies with transitions and soundtracks for you automatically. With the HDR-XR260VE, you can use the Direct Copy feature to transfer your HD footage directly to a hard drive without even using a PC. However, if you do want to upload videos onto Facebook and YouTube, the camcorder comes with a built-in USB cable, as well as editing and application software.

Full HD 1920 x 1080 / 50p Recording & 8.9 Megapixel Still Image Capture

The HDR-XR260VE offers 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution letting you record your adventures and memories in exceptional Full HD quality. The camcorder is capable of 50p recording and 1080/50p playback via HDMI. You can use the camera's HDMI output to view your footage on a compatible HDTV in stunning clarity with incredible detail and smooth playback. You can also use the camcorder to capture 8.9 megapixel still images

160GB Hard Disk Drive

A built-in 160GB hard disk drive can record and store up to 63 hours of high definition video footage using the HD LP mode. In addition, "HDD Smart Protection" gives you peace of mind by helping to prevent any recorded video and images from being lost if the camcorder is accidentally dropped

Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization with Active Mode

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture

30x Optical Zoom & 55x Extended Zoom

The camera's 55x extended zoom works in conjunction with 30x optical zoom to get you even closer to the action while maintaining a fair distance and high definition image quality

Back-Illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor for Superb Low-Light Video

Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony's back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the Exmor R CMOS sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel, so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions

Wide Angle G Lens to Capture More of What You Want

Experience the pinnacle of Sony lens technology with the professional-quality G Lens. Engineered for superior optical performance, Sony G lenses deliver brilliant, accurate color reproduction and sharp, amazingly detailed images. In addition, the 29.8 mm focal length in Photo and Video Modes offers a broader perspective for enhanced wide angle shooting

Clear Photo 3.0" Touch Screen LCD Display (230K)

The 3.0" Clear Photo LCD touch screen panel displays sharp, bright and vivid images that let you compose a shot more easily - even outdoors. It also enables you to change settings to best represent the scene

Built-In USB Cable for Easy File Transfers & Charging

The high-speed, built-in USB 2.0 cable allows for easy connection to your computer for charging or file transfer without having to remember any separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it's out of the way until you need it. Plus, charging your camcorder is faster than ever; for every two minutes of charge time you get one minute of recording time

Intelligent Auto (180 Different Scene Combinations Possible)

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from ten distinct scene modes and wind noise reduction. There are 180 different combinations possible and the ten modes include Landscape, Backlight, Twilight, Spotlight, Low Light, Macro, Portrait, Baby, Walk, Tripod and Wind Noise Reduction. The camcorder utilizes an advanced sound processor and sophisticated noise reduction algorithms to reduce wind noise by up to 10dB compared to other models. In addition to reducing low frequency noise, iAuto also suppresses mid- and upper-frequency noise, resulting in clearer, more enjoyable sound

Tracking Focus Follows Selected Subjects

Tracking Focus works as an extension of Face Detection to allow you to select an object with a touch of the LCD panel and have the focus follow the selected object, even if it leaves the frame and returns

Dolby Digital 5.1 Channel Surround Microphone

The Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recordings capture active sounds coming from all directions, so you can experience your home movies the way you experienced them while recording

Expanded Recording with External Microphone Jack

The camera features a dedicated mic input for expanded audio recording options

Event Browse for Grouping Photos & Videos Automatically

Event Browse conveniently groups your images and videos together for easier viewing. The date range that Event Browse groups your pictures and videos is easily adjusted to suit your needs. Plus, when used with the Highlight Playback feature, making and sharing a highlight reel from your event is easy and fun

Highlight Playback Creates Movies with Transitions for You

Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You can even pin-point the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel

Wind Noise Reduction for Clear Voice Recording

Wind Reduction reduces noise and interference that is produced when wind passes over the microphone, giving you a clearer and more enjoyable sound experience

Geotagging with Built-In GPS Receiver & NAVTEQ Maps

A built-in GPS receiver makes the HDR-XR260VE an ideal choice for travelers. The receiver gives you the ability to view your current location on the LCD map display, as well as "tag" your shooting locations. Tagged videos and still images can be reviewed and played back using the Map Index function on the camcorder or once downloaded to your PC using the supplied PlayMemories Home software. Additionally, the receiver automatically adjusts your camcorder's clock to the proper time zone

Direct Copy to External HDD without a PC

Store your home movies by copying videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV, allowing you to utilize the camcorder's handy playback features

Clear Phase Stereo Speakers for True & Dynamic Sound

Bring your video alive with Clear Phase stereo speakers. Drawing on Sony's high-end audio expertise, renown S-Master digital amplifier technology is utilized to produce more true-to-life sound

Golf Shot

Building on the slow-motion capture capabilities of Smooth Slow Record, Golf Shot captures a few seconds of motion as a sequence of up to 22 still images, which can be viewed/printed individually or as a composite "sequence shot" image, perfect for analyzing the nuances of a golf swing, tennis serve and other fast action

PAL Recording Camcorder

The HDR-XR260VE PAL HD Camcorder is designed for use outside North America. It's made for countries that support the PAL color encoding system. Phase Alternating Line or PAL recording is used in several regions around the world - including: North Africa, East Africa, Western Europe, Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South America (Brazil/Argentina), Great Britain, Australia and Oceania (South Pacific Islands). PAL camcorders usually record using 25p or 50i frames per second (fps), while NTSC camcorders usually record using 60p/60i/30p fps. North America supports NTSC recording, which means a PAL camcorder is not compatible with TVs and HDTVs in the United States and Canada