PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 26, 2009 – Sony’s newest high-definition viewfinder provides production professionals with a versatile eyepiece that delivers higher levels of color accuracy and reproduction than previous models.

            The new viewfinder, model HDVF-C30WR, is designed for use with many of Sony’s professional HD cameras and camcorders. These include Sony’s CineAlta™ F23 and F35 digital cinematography cameras, XDCAM® HD422 optical camcorders and HDCAM® camcorders, the HDC-1500/1000/1550/1400/1450 series of multi-format studio and field cameras and the HDC-3300 Super Slow Motion camera.

            “High-definition acquisition requires extremely precise focusing, allowing the operator to accurately see contrast and color levels when framing a shot,” said Rob Willox, director of marketing in Sony Electronics’ content creation group. “This new viewfinder was created to be extremely flexible for use with many of the camera systems across our entire product line.”

            According to Willox, the viewfinder is ideal for production professionals working in a range of applications, including television, motion picture production houses, rental houses, education, government and more.

            The new viewfinder has a 2.7-inch LCD screen (viewable area, measured diagonally), a pixel resolution of 960 by 540, and a new image processor – the same one used in Sony’s BVM-L230 LCD monitor. It provides comfortable and accurate framing and focusing operations by enabling more faithful color reproduction, with newand enhanced focus-assist functions.         

            A flexible mechanical design minimizes interference between the lens and the viewfinder, especially when attached to the F23 and F35 cameras.

            Improved focus assist features include 2x (dot by dot) magnification to smooth out diagonal edges and a color peaking function. Luminance levels are easily indicated by color. Improved luminance transition (panel gamma compensation) and 3D LUT color space compensation help to provide more natural-looking luminance and color accuracy.     

            The viewfinder includes an image inversion function (top/bottom and right/left), and selectable color temperatures are 6500K (standard), 5600K and 9300K. A new mechanism protects the LCD panel in direct sunlight, and a polarizing filter and IR cut filter attenuate the energy of sunlight.

            The HDVF-C30WR viewfinder is expected to be available in April at a suggested list price of $13,600.