Sony shows off consumer 4K Handycam prototype at CES
updated 10:55 pm EST, Thu January 10, 2013
Company mum on details
Ultra HD televisions stole the show this year at CES, however none of the companies brought along a consumer-level 4K camera. Sony is a partial exception, showing off an extremely early prototype of a 4K Handycam that is claimed to be geared for the mainstream market.
As a point of clarification, Sony is one of many companies that inaccurately uses the terms 4K and Ultra HD interchangeably in its marketing materials. True 4K is actually 4096x2160, used natively by many theater projectors and other professional equipment, while Ultra HD is cropped to 3840x2160.
None of the Sony representatives we talked to were willing to talk about any details surrounding the prototype, which was placed under a protective cover to keep anyone from touching it. It appeared to be merely a concept shell with 4K and Handycam logos.
Although the company promises its prototype is the first in the industry to be aimed at the consumer market, we expect the price tag to be significantly higher than anything else within the "Handycam" family. Obviously a 4K model would be the flagship, and the prototype looks like a cross between the NEX-VG30 and HXR-NX5U (which sells for $4000).
It is unclear wether the 4K Handycam is in the late stages of development, or if Sony simply fabricated the shell just as a concept to show off at CES.
