Sony unveils Handycam NEX-VG10E, the NEX step in lens-swapping camcorders

Sony is taking the lens-swapping format wars to the NEX level with the Handycam NEX-VG10E, set to be the first interchangeable lens camcorder to hit the market.

Sony's first lens-swapping camcorder will use the new E-mount lenses in its NEX system, and with the aid of an adaptor will also take A-mount lenses, as used by Sony Alpha dSLRs. The VG10 will come with an image-stabilised E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens in the box, offering 11x optical zoom.

The NEX camcorder was teased at the launch of the new format, where we first saw the Sony NEX-5. Set for release at the end of September 2010, the VG10 looks set to beat Panasonic's AG-AF100 Micro Four Thirds camcorder into filmmakers' hands.

The VG10 packs a large 14.2-megapixel Exmor APS-sized CMOS sensor. It captures 1080p full high definition video at up to 24Mbps bit rate in AVCHD format, on Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo or SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. Sound is recorded in stero with an external mic input for back-up. The screen is a flip-out 76mm (3-inch) display. A 1,440,000-dot viewfinder and headphone jack are also included.

We'll be getting our hands on the VG10 later this week -- keep it Crave for all the pictures and details!