Sony NEX-VG20 User Manual

Interchangeable lenses 

The NEX-VG20 is compatible 

with Sony's E-mount series of 

smaller, lighter lenses which are 

optimized for video shooting with 

silent operation and AF as well as 

Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses (via 

optional LA-EA2 A-mount adapter) 

to open up a world of creative 

options. 

Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor 

The same sensor format that 

Sony builds into the standard 

size α DSLRs. With approximately 

19.5 times the surface area of 

conventional camcorders, the 

Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor 

makes getting cinematic video 

with a shallow depth of field video 

a breeze.

Up to 24Mbps AVCHD™ 2.0 

video  

The NEX-VG20 can capture video 

in full 1920x1080 high definition at 

up to 24Mbps for amazing clarity 

and detail, ideal for recording 

on to Blu-ray Disc™ media since 

the AVCHD™ 2.0 codec is highly 

compatible with the Blu-ray Disc 

format.   

CinemaTone presets and 24p 

recording for cinematic quality 

video

For extra control over image 

expression, CinemaTone 

technology is used to deepen 

the color and recreate film-like 

color tones. Combined with 24p 

recording, you’ll have some of the 

tools you need to fulfill your need 

for cinematic expression.

16.1MP RAW Still Images at up 

to 6fps 

Enjoy incredible DSLR-quality detail 

and clarity with 16.1MP RAW still 

images and even catch fast action 

sequences with a continuous burst 

rate of up to 6fps.   

Quad Capsule Spatial Array 

Stereo Microphone  

High quality video requires high 

quality audio. The Quad Capsule 

Spatial Array stereo microphone 

contains four precision placed 

microphone capsules that are 

perfectly angled at 45 degrees 

to provide exceptional front-side 

directivity and stereo separation. 

Mic/Headphone jacks

Dedicated mic and headphone 

inputs allow for attachment 

of external microphones (like 

shotgun microphone ECM-CG50 

for pin point sound recording) and 

headphones to monitor sound.

Optical SteadyShot™ w/ Active 

Mode3  

Optical SteadyShot™ image 

stabilization with Active Mode3 

built-in supplied lens compensates 

for greater degrees of camera 

shake to deliver stunningly smooth 

video. 

Accepts α DSLR A- and E-mount 

lenses5

Using the LA-EA2 adaptor (sold 

separately), you can attach the full 

selection of α A- an E-mount system 

lenses, which includes 27 current 

models, dozens of Minolta A-mount 

lenses, and an installed base 

of millions of lenses worldwide. 

Operational restrictions apply.5

Sony Vegas

®

 Movie Studio HD 

Platinum 11

Included free of charge via 

download, Sony Vegas

®

 Movie 

Studio HD Platinum 11 allows 

you to easily add video effects, 

background music, titles, text, 

transitions, and much more. 

Everything you need to create 

dramatic HD movies like a pro. 

Share your creations via DVD, 

Blu-ray Disc™ media, or upload to 

the web – all from one easy to use 

program.

Full Manual Control 

With full manual control of Iris, 

Shutter Speed, Gain, White 

Balance , Recording Volume, via 

convenient hot keys and jog dial, 

you will be able to adapt to almost 

any lighting condition to get the 

best shot. 

Advanced controls with 

expanded focus, zebra, and 

peaking

The NEX-VG20 provides advanced 

capture and control features that 

are often considered the domain 

of  professional cameras including 

expanded focus for precise 

manual focus control, zebra and 

peaking for precision focus and 

exposure adjustments. 

3.0" Xtra Fine LCD™ 270o swivel 

display (921k pixels) 

TruBlack™ technology brings 

remarkably higher contrast and 

brightness to the camcorders 

3.0” Xtra Fine LCD™ Touch Screen 

display, delivering more natural, 

realistic colors and easier viewing 

in bright conditions by reducing 

glare. The swivel display also allows 

for easy viewing of the LCD in 

different shooting positions. 

Dual Accessory Shoes (Alpha 

Hot/ Universal Cold)

The dual accessory shoes open 

the door to many accessories for 

both still and video photography, 

including shotgun microphones 

and external flash lighting.

Six Creative Style settings

Control how the camera processes 

your images with six finishing 

styles: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, 

Landscape, Sunset and B&W. 

You can even fine-tune contrast, 

saturation, and sharpness to your 

personal taste.

Auto HDR (Photo Mode)  

Unleash your creativity with Sony’s new interchangeable lens 

Handycam

®

 NEX-VG20 camcorder. Featuring a 16.1-megapixel Exmor™ 

APS HD CMOS sensor for gorgeous depth of field, this camcorder is in 

a class of its own. Record  1920x1080/24p AVCHD™ video for smooth 

cinematic scene content and  capture DSLR-like photos in RAW and 

JPG.   

NEX-VG20