View source for Handycam

{{Short description|Brand name used by Sony for its camcorder lineup}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox camera
| camera_name=Handycam
| image=[[File:Handycam.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert|upright=1]]{{pb}}[[File:Sony Handycam DCR-SX63.jpg|frameless|upright=1]]
| caption=Sony Handycam DCR-SX63
| maker=[[Sony]]
| type=[[Camcorder]]
| date={{start date and age|1985}}
| made_in=Japan
| predecessor=[[Betamovie]]
| vidrecord=Various formats; see [[#Models|§ Models]]
}}
'''Handycam''' is a line of [[camcorder]]s made by [[Sony]] and introduced in 1985.

Handycam was first used as the name of the first [[Video8]] camcorder in 1985, replacing Sony's previous line of [[Betamovie|Betamax-based models]] of camcorders. The name was intended to emphasize the "handy" palm size nature of the camera, made possible by the then-new miniaturized tape format. This was in contrast to the larger, shoulder mounted cameras made before the creation of Video8, as well as competing smaller formats such as [[VHS-C]].

== Formats ==
Sony has continued to produce Handycams<ref>[http://www.cnet.com/topic/sony-handycam.html HandyCam – CNet]</ref> in a variety of guises ever since, developing the Video8 format to produce [[Hi8]] (equivalent to [[S-VHS]] quality) and later [[Digital8]], using the same basic format to record [[digital video]]. The Handycam label continues to be applied as recording formats evolve, such as adopting the [[MiniDV]], [[MiniDVD]], and [[MicroMV]] formats, and then later using [[hard disk drive]]s and [[flash memory]].

== Functionality ==
=== Night vision ===
[[File:NSPSDCR-HC40E.jpg|thumb|''NightShot Plus'' switch on a Sony Handycam DCR-HC40E]]
Select flagship Sony Handycam models feature infrared night-vision dubbed ''NightShot'' (sometimes referred to as ''"NightShot Plus"'' on some models), which utilizes an infrared light-emitting diode and an infrared filter that is mechanically attached and detached to the sensor in order to enable the camcorder to record video footage in complete darkness (''"Nightshot 0 lux"'').<ref name=Manual-2006>[https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/2672/26723793M.pdf Sony DCR-SR90E/SR100E operation manual (2006)]</ref> This feature has been occasionally used with [[Ghost hunting|paranormal investigators]] on Travel Channel's [[Ghost Adventures]].{{cn|date=July 2019}}

=== Metadata ===
[[MiniDV]] tape Handycam camcorders record a time code and video recording parameters (such as [[light sensitivity]] (in ''dB''), [[aperture]], [[exposure time]], and info) on an additional [[meta data]] track on the tape.<ref name=DCR>[https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/3278/32789841M.pdf Sony Handycam DCR-HC51E/HC52E/ HC53E/HC54E operation manual (2008)]</ref>

==Models==
[[File:Handycam-dvd.JPG|thumb|Sony Handycam DCR-DVD705]]
[[File:Sony DCR-HC40E.jpg|thumb|Sony Handycam DCR-HC40E]]
[[File:Sony HDR-CX380.jpg|thumb|Sony Handycam HDR-CX380]]
*[[Video8]] Handycam (1985-1989) (These continued for sale into the 90s)
*[[Hi8]] Handycam (1989-2007)
*[[Digital8]] Handycam (1999-2007)
*[[DV (video format)|DV]] Handycam (1995-)
*[[HDV]] Handycam
*[[DVD-Handycam]]
*[[MicroMV#MicroMV camcorders|MicroMV Handycam]]
*[[Hard disk drive|HDD]] Handycam
*[[Memory Stick]] Handycam (using Memory Stick Pro Duo. Up to 16GB)
*[[SD Card]] Handycam (with or without internal flash memory)
*[[4K resolution|4K]] Handycam

== See also ==
*[[AVCHD]]
*[[Camcorder]]
*[[List of Sony trademarks]]

==External links==
* [http://www.sony-mea.com/productcategory/cam-camcorder Handycam website of Sony Middle East and Africa]
* [http://www.sony.com.sg/microsite/handycam/index.html Handycam Camcorder page of Sony Singapore]
* http://www.sony-asia.com/microsite/handycam/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024058/http://www.sony-asia.com/microsite/handycam/ |date=2016-03-04 }}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Sony Corp}}

[[Category:Sony camcorders]]

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