Handycam was launched in 1985 as the name of the first Video8 camcorder which Sony used to market its camcorder range. The previouse line of Betamax-based models then stopped after Handycam was being launched. The name Handycam resembles the “handy” palm size nature of the camera, made possible by the new miniaturized tape format. This was in marked contrast to the larger, shoulder mounted cameras available before the creation of Video8, and competing smaller formats such as VHS-C.

Sony has continued to produce Handycams 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.

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