Sony Handycam HDR-CX500V

I have a Panasonic SD-700 and I thought that this Sony Hanycam HDR-CX500V right here is its nemesis. They surely have similar same qualities, while one has the downside and the other has the upperside, and vice versa.

First thing first. Here's the technical details:

• 1920 x 1080 high definition video recording
• 12 megapixel still image capture
• 1/2.88" "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superb low-light video
• Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active Mode
• 1080/60p playback via HDMI™ and compatible HDTV

I have owned the camera since the day after it was released and have used it quite a bit. I will also continue to update this review as I spend more time with the camcorder.

Size / Comfort / Ergonomics
The camera is very compact, and one might be taken back by its small form factor. The hand strap is quite comfortable, adjustable, and secure. As expected the buttons to record, zoom, and swap between photo / videocamera mode are nicely placed for thumb and forefinger. I wonder, however, if someone with large hands may find the button manipulation a bit awkward - but that may be the case with most newer compact video cameras.

Camera / Image / Sound Quality
- I was impressed by the quality of the video, including the various HD options. Of course Standard Mode didn't look good on my HDTV, but it's nice to know that one can capture movies in lower quality if one is running low on memory. A min-HDMI cable can be used to view footage directly on a HDTV.
- There doesn't appear to be any distortion around the edges of the video footage.
- Low-light performance is spectacularly good, beating my expectations.
- The 12MP shots look crisp and even the 8.3MP pictures while shooting video look quite good. The flash is more powerful than most camcorders I considered.
- I would like to get a wide-screen lens but I'm unsure of which one to pick. Sony VCL-HGA07, Sony VCL-HGE07, or something else. Any recommendations?
- The zoom microphone is good and sensitive enough for home use.

Useful Features
- When I first showed my dad some freehand footage of my neighborhood, he thought I was using a tripod! That is how well the 3-way shake-cancellation feature performs. For novices, the 3-way feature operates in 3-dimensions (up and down, side to side, back and forth) and stabilizes any erratic, staccato movements. This feature becomes much less effective when fully zoomed in.
- The small wireless Remote Control is handy, but there isn't anything exceptional about it compared to other manufacturers.
- Instant start-up upon opening the LCD screen. Flash memory also makes the overall recording process very fast.
- The slow-motion capture allows a few seconds of video capture in, just that, "super slow motion." Makes sense for sporting / high speed events, where a parent can capture a child's new baseball swing or triple lutz in great detail
- "Face / Smile Detection" recognizes faces and even creates an index of faces on the LCD. Clicking on a person's face will take one directly to that person's scene in the video footage. Very nice when kids want to see themselves in a long video!
- "Face Priority" allows the user to prioritize a particular face with respect to focus / exposure. Haven't used it yet so can't comment further.
- GPS retains the geographic coordinates of the location (called "geotagging") where the picture / video was taken, and throws it onto a map viewable on the LCD or on your computer. It still feels a bit gimmicky but it can be quite useful for someone who travels a lot (especially on road-trips) and doesn't want to keep manual tabs on where the shots were taken.
- The Assignable Dial can be used to assign manual controls, and can be maniuplated by the right-hand thumb.
- One-touch disc burn requires a particular Sony DVD burner, which is an added expense.
- Haven't used the accessory shoe yet, but will update this review when I do.

Battery
The battery lasts about 90 minutes during continuous video capture from my experience, but this is, of course, dependent on all the features being used.

Software
The accompanying Picture Bridge software was quick and easy to install. It's not very useful beyond its most basic purpose - (1) to transfer content from camera to computer and (2) to convert video from AVCHD format (a compressed high def format that is Blu-ray compatible and has "m2ts" file extension) to more consumer-friendly formats like MPEG. Third-party video editing sofware (like Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, etc.) will be for anything fancier. If I were a Sony Marketing exec, I would have included a trial version of Sony Vegas in the box (to perpetuate the media brand synergy) instead of peddling unessential advertising materials. Silly.

Other
- The camera's menu navigation isn't completely intuitive but it isn't nerve-wracking either.
- LCD screen icons are meaningful and can be turned off too.
- The touch-screen is not as sensitive as I would have liked, but it may be designed that way to reduce accidental touching of the LCD. Hence not a con.
- Night-vision is eerie but effective.
- The camera shell feels luxurious - nothing cheap about it.
- The dark gray gun-metal look is very attractive.
- The Sony HDR-CX520V Camcorder is identical to the CX500V with the exception of more memory - it has 64GB compared to 32GB for this model. For $100 - $200 more, it may be worth it to some.

Cons
- No viewfinder but I can live without it.
- Sony's Memory Cards can be quite pricey relative to the SD cards used in Canon video cameras. But as long as one keeps moving content off the camcorder and re-using the flash memory, it should not be an issue.
- Sony could have thrown in a basic camera case or a bloody Mini-HDMI cable for goodwill given the high price of this camera. Fret not though as there is a perfectly good cable on Amazon at a very fair price: Mediabridge HDMI to Mini-HDMI 10ft cable
- Sony Picture Bridge software isn't great, but I think it's better than Canon's Pixela suite. The process of transfering content to a computer still feels a bit cumbersome.
- LCD Screen stays on during content transfer (via included mini-USB), which is a waste of energy in my view.
- The operation tones used in the camera can either be on full-volume or switched off completely. Does anyone know how to manipulate its volume?

Decision to buy
I debated between the Sony HDR-CX500V, Canon VIXIA HFS100 HF S10, and Canon VIXIA HFS10. I chose the Sony model because of its HD image quality and powerful feature-set, including the 3" touch-screen LCD screen, 32GB of on-board flash memory, 12MP still camera shots, dual capture mode (video & 8MP still shots simultaneously), etc. I also wanted a camera that had built-in memory but not in the form of a hard-drive, tape or DVD - I've come to learn the hard way that the fewer the moving parts, the less likely my friends are to turn the device into a snazzy paper-weight. The 3-way shake-cancellation was the icing on the Sony cake.

Summary
The Sony HDR-CX500V video camera is a fine piece of work from Sony, and aside from the small set of cons, I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a solid family and "prosumer" video camera.

Sony NEXVG10 Full HD Interchangeable Lens Camcorder (Black)

Finally!!! After waiting like a century or so, there's a movement from video department! Those video camera users are already irritated with those SLRs that can shoot video. Please stay with your weapon guys, use it to take still pictures.

I will say that the attempt footage looks great, if there's able light. But if you shoot article with a busy, afresh texture, moire patterns appearance up - actual annoying. Added Sony camcorders in this amount ambit appearance a actual advantageous adjudicator arrangement in areas of blown-out whites, Sony absitively to omit that in this camera - weird.

Another aberrant blank is in the still pictures - yes it takes abundant stills BUT doesn't save them in RAW format, aloof JPEGs. The basal cameras in the NEX band save in RAW. Why would Sony do this? It makes no sense. If this affair attempt in RAW, Sony would accept the hottest camera on the planet.

Controls -you can ascendancy best of the functions manually, but you accept to go through an arrangement of odd agenda functions to do it. I accept that an accessible firmware amend will accomplish this abundant easier, but for now it's aloof a pain. Addition affliction - you accept to leave the adviser aperture accessible all the time to admission the controls - you can about-face the adviser off and aloof attending through the viewfinder (thankfully).

Glass - the included 18-200mm lens is actual nice - acceptable affection bottle with aloof abundant annoyance on the zoom to accumulate it smooth-I don't absence a motor zoom at all. I bought the wide-angle 16mm lens-which I additionally like - and it's a bit added acceptable than in low ablaze than the included lens. I apparently won't get the 18-55mm lens (it seems affectionate of redundant). Sony has promised added lenses in the E-mount line. Lens alteration is fast and easy.

Mac Users

Sony and Apple - what a sad news that is. You can acceptation footage into Final Cut Pro with Log (Lag?) and Transfer, but you won't like how it looks or performs. There are about-face and "wrapper" utilities out there that work, sorta. You're added acceptable off application Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 with files from this camera. I adopt FCP, but files from this camera attending and assignment added acceptable in Premiere Pro. If you alone use FCP, this camera is not for you - until Apple and Sony can achieve their differences and FCP is updated. Windows users accept added options with Sony's own Vegas program, Avid and others.

Sound-The onboard mic is appealing good, and there is a mini jack for an alien microphone (no XLR input) but Sony absitively to omit chiral akin ascendancy - alone automated levels for sound. Once afresh Sony bare article that its added price-class camcorders have. If you accept to use the onboard audio, aggregate sounds OK-until you hit a quiet atom - again the auto accretion pumps up and whatever allowance babble there is hits you at multi-decibels - which agency you'll absorb a lot of time in column bath allowance noise. If you're austere about sound, you'll accept to use an alien complete recorder. (Zoom makes some acceptable ones)

Camera Band Holders - The designers at Sony did not anticipate this through. Absolutely absolutely bad placement. If you accept a $2,000 camera in your hands, you accept to put a close band on it. Sony put the band holds in a abode area your band will awning the almanac button AND baffle with the accessible adviser door. It wouldn't be as big a accord if you didn't accept to accumulate the adviser aperture accessible to admission the controls. I've approved putting both band clips on aloof the advanced holder-which is a little better, but still a pain. Why didn't Sony put the holders on the basal of the camera, area they would not baffle with the controls? A mystery.

No anamnesis agenda is included with this camera. If you adjustment it, you'll charge to shop for cards so you can absolutely use the camera. Shop for the fastest better cards you can afford. Anamnesis is appealing bargain these days, and it's odd that Sony didn't accommodate at atomic a 1 gig card. Not a big deal, but odd.

This assemblage has the abeyant to be a abundant camera for it's price. The annoying menus, the abridgement of RAW book storage, the auto-only audio levels, the moire patterns, no adjudicator arrangement and the band holders accumulate it average. Sony could fix abounding of these problems with firmware updates - and conceivably they will. I'll add to this analysis afterwards the advancement comes out.

If you shop for this camera for planned shoots (like indy films or web videos) and accept an alien audio recorder-you'll like this camera a lot. You can get admirable assignment done on it. The bottle and the big sensor can accord you some of the best-looking footage accessible in a camera in this amount range.

If you're a alive accident ballista - this apparently isn't your camera, yet.

Event shooters would adulation to accept a abundant amalgam video/still camera. No RAW files and the agenda admission to controls aloof won't accomplish it for those who dream of the absolute camera.

One of these days, Sony or Cannon or Nikon or Panasonic or somebody will put it all calm the appropriate way - and shooters will absolutely action with tooth and attach to get their paws on that camera. The blow of the industry will again blitz agnate articles to the market.

C'mon manufacturers! Which of you is accommodating advertise us what we absolutely want?

FIRMWARE UPDATE

All it does is accommodate auto-focus for Sony Alpha-mount lenses. Nothing added than that. I don't own any of those. Sony did accommodate a MAC adaptation of the update, which is nice.

FURTHER THOUGHTS (after a ages with the camera)

Another problem: the covers over the assorted ports (power, USB, etc...) are captivated on with artificial hinges, rather than the elastic "plugs" acclimated on some added Sony camcorders. Not good. I'm absolutely accurate with my cameras, but still managed to rip off the one that covers the ability accumulation port. On my earlier Sony cameras (some are added than 10 years old with abundant usage) this never happened.

Another awe-inspiring "feature"- back you breeze a still, the camera makes a affected SLR bang babble - and it's LOUD. Back you use HDR or one of the added fast multi-shot modes, you get three or added of these loud outbursts out of the camera. There's no way to about-face this complete off or bottomward (I asked one of Sony's online "experts"). You can about-face off the autofocus "beep" (which is almost aural anyway) but not the apparatus gun cacophony of absolutely demography a photo. Sony needs to fix this, the babble serves no purpose. Sometimes the photo/video guy doesn't appetite to be the loudest being in the room.

I absolutely appetite to adulation this camera, I've attempt abounding hours on it now, additional taken 100s of stills. For the best part, it all looks great. I've gotten acclimated to the bad-humored airheaded (sorta) - but I still don't like them. I use an alien complete recorder, but I ambition I didn't accept to sometimes. If it attempt RAW still files and had chiral ascendancy over the audio, I'd shop for addition one. If Sony's basal NEX cameras accustomed best cutting times, I'd shop for one of those today. (The NEX 3 and 5 additionally ache the loud "shutter" problem.)

There are lots of association out there autograph Sony and allurement (pleading, begging) them not to attenuate their cameras. So far it hasn't been too effective. I'm academic that some business ability absitively that barter would be captivated to pay added for an carefully bedridden camera.

TO SONY'S MARKETING DEPARTMENT:

Take a attending at the NEX VG 10 user groups on Vimeo and added sites, additional booty a attending at the comments your own site. I apperceive you've awash a lot of these cameras, but I agreement that you won't be able accumulate them abounding if you aloof fix a few of the firmware issues that your barter are allurement for. You could accept the hottest camera in the world! Isn't that what you want? (Maybe you could absolution a few added e-mount lenses while you're at it?)

Panasonic HDC-SD60

Most of Panasonic's updates with the HDC-SD60 took abode beneath the hood. We're actual aflame to analysis the camcorder with its fresh 1/4.1-inch CMOS sensor and we should see some stronger after-effects over aftermost year's models. The HDC-SD20 (the antecedent archetypal to the SD60) alone had a 1/6-inch CMOS sensor.

Other centralized improvements accommodate the 25x optical zoom lens on the SD60 as able-bodied as an upgraded angel stabilization system. Panasonic continues to use optical angel stabilization (OIS) in all of its camcorders, but now these fresh models affection both Active OIS and Power OIS. We're absolutely agog to get the HDC-SD60 into our labs to analysis this fresh Power OIS feature.

Panasonic didn't absolutely change annihilation with the compression arrangement on its 2010 camcorders. These fresh HD models still use AVCHD compression, which is congenital on the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec. Panasonic additionally didn't admission the best bitrate for recording video with these fresh HD camcorders. They all still top out with a bitrate of 17Mbps—which is decidedly lower than the 24Mbps beam offered by AVCHD. Both Canon and JVC accept 24Mbps settings on their customer camcorders.

Panasonic doesn't accommodate a cast freshcomputer application amalgamation with the HDC-SD60. Instead, the camcorder ships with an adapted adaptation of HD Writer AE (this year its adaptation 2.0). The 1.5 adaptation of thecomputer application was appropriate abundant for importing your footage, but we won't apperceive what affectionate of updates accept been fabricated to the affairs until we get a archetype of the fresh adaptation to try out.

Since the HDC-SD60 annal AVCHD video, the camcorder charge appear with the admonition that you'll charge a actual able computer to assignment with the footage. AVCHD files can booty consistently to acceptation if you accept a apathetic computer—and they can booty a continued time on appropriate computers as well. If you plan on accomplishing all-encompassing alteration with AVCHD footage, accomplish abiding you accept a computer (and abundant adamantine drive space) that is up to the challenge.

We're a bit afflicted that Panasonic didn't action added improvements to its chiral controls or touchscreen interface. The arrangement is aloof as accessible to use as it was aftermost year, but the touchscreen arrangement isn't accessory for ambience absolute chiral controls. Still, you can consistently move to higher-end models if you appetite admission to lens rings or ascendancy dials. The HDC-SD60 additionally didn't appearance us too abounding fresh interface appearance added than an added account acclimatize advantage (color temperature) and the fresh smile bang setting. We are somewhat absorbed by the fresh Wind Noise canceller setting, however, and we'll try to amount out a acceptable way to analysis the affection of that affection in our labs.

Overall, we're appealing aflame about the HDC-SD60. The camcorder is basically the HDC-SD20, but with an bigger lens and sensor, so we are assured acceptable things from our achievement testing.

image source: http://samsungdatacables.net

Sony DCR-IP5

Sony has absitively that acknowledging two agenda customer formats (MiniDV and Digital8), one added than any added camcorder manufacturer, isn't enough. Sony's best recent entries into the camcorder bazaar are the IP alternation is the MicroMV format. Sony's $1,299 DCR-IP5 Network Handycam is a matchbox, accumbent camcorder, recording MPEG-2 assimilate the fresh MicroMV cassettes.

The IP5 has a 680K pixel CCD, recording 500 curve of resolution. About the CCD absolutely annal alone 380K pixels. The camcorder includes a 10x optical, 120x agenda zoom. The camcorder does not accommodate a headphone jack, or a mic ascribe jack. The minimum lux is rated at 7. The camcorder weighs 12 oz, and is 1 7/8 in. wide, 4 in. tall, and 3 1/8 in. long.

The IP5 is a tiny camcorder, advised for users who are attractive for an ultra-compact. The camcorder is thin, with the LCD awning on the larboard and the array backpack on the right. The 2.5 in. LCD swivels so you can blur yourself, about clashing best camcorders, the LCD awning folds up and out (from the top of the camcorder), instead of out and up (from the ancillary of the camcorder). Next to the battery, abutting to the advanced of the camcorder, are in / out ports, including: USB, MicroMV's appropriate FireWire (more on this later), Composite (using Sony's mini-connector), and the DC Ability connector.

The LCD screen can swivel out, turn around and fold back against the side of the camcorder to face out. The LCD screen is also touch sensitive, and it is used to navigate menus and options in the camcorder.

Above the LCD is a very small zoom controller and a record button. In the back of the camcorder is a color viewfinder, which has to be pulled back in order to be used. The power switch, which switches the camcorder from video recording, to VCR mode, to Network / Memory Stick mode, to off. Located in the back is also a tape eject button. The Microphone is located on the top of the camcorder towards the back. This is really problematic because chances are you will touch the microphone with your hands while you are recording, creating unnecessary background noise.

The camcorder comes with Movieshaker, Sony's consumer video editing software. Although the camcorder uses Firewire, it's not compatible with existing Firewire. The camcorder can connect to computers using existing Firewire ports, but only Sony's Movieshaker software can recognize the software. Existing video capture programs are not able to record the special MicroMV Firewire. The MicroMV Firewire also can not transfer video to and from existing Firewire camcorders and decks.

The MicroMV format records MPEG-2 video, and can hold one hour of video. Digital8 and MiniDV camcorders afford 25 MegaBits per second for video, whereas MicroMV only uses 12 MegaBits per second. The MicroMV tapes include 64KB of Memory for storing index information about the contents of the tape.

The DCR-IP5 is small, small enough to fit in your pocket. The camcorder is designed more for the casual user who is not interested in shooting quality video. The camcorder is so small its hard to shoot stable video with it, and it feels awkward on a tripod. No microphone in or headphone jacks coupled with the top mounted mic means audio is pretty much out of your control. The video quality is certainly lower quality than existing digital camcorders. The camcorder seems more than a gadget than a true "memory recording device". I wouldn't recommend this camcorder with such a high price tag of $1,299 unless you need an ultra small camcorder for some specific reason, like spying. Chances are if you need a camcorder this small, you're going to be using it for some super shady activity that you shouldn't be doing in the first. There are other small camcorders available that shoot on MiniDV at higher quality with more features and at a less price. In the end, the DCR-IP5 is a gadget that I wouldn't recommend.

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V

In what's apparently the best absorbing development in customer camcorders appropriately far in 2009, Sony serves up the Handycam HDR-XR500 series, a brace of hard-disk-based AVCHD camcorders that accommodate the bifold firsts of congenital GPS and a fresh Exmor-R back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Admitting the GPS aspect isn't absolutely accessible for prime time--because of a array of limitations, it's added of a fun-to-have change than a reliable feature--the fresh sensor and G-series lens aggregate delivers abundant video quality. Toss in some advancements to its SteadyShot angel stabilization arrangement and a solid consumer-oriented affection set and you accept a acceptable combination--albeit one abject bottomward by the awkward touch-screen interface and a aerial price.

On the appropriate side, on either end of the adamantine deejay beneath doors, sit a array of ports and connectors. To the advanced is a proprietary jack for blended and basic output, USB, and mini HDMI, and to the aback are 3.5-millimeter headphone and mic jacks.

Bigger and added than best customer camcorders, the XR500V/XR520V will fit in a apart anorak abridged but will apparently annoyance it bottomward a bit. Because of the size, though, it's as able to anchor as the camcorders of yesteryear, with a abasement aloft the adamantine drive to bore your aback fingers into, and it feels decidedly sturdy. All the aperture covers feel actual absolutely attached.

There are two models in this series, identical except for the hard-disk size: the HDR-XR500V includes a 120GB drive (14.5 hours best affection video), while the XR520V doubles that for 240GB (29.3 hours at best quality). We activated the HDR-XR500V for this review.

At the advanced of the camcorder you'll agenda the big-barreled lens with cyberbanking lens awning belted by a beam (there's no congenital video light) and chiral dial. Admitting you baddest the absence action for the punch in the menus, to about-face amid the adjustments the punch controls--focus, exposure, AE shift, and WB shift--you columnist the axial button in and authority it. Figuring that out appropriate a cruise to the abbreviate documentation. The punch operates abundantly responsively to ascendancy these features. One disappointment, though, is the abridgement of absolute ascendancy over bang speed, iris, or audio levels as analogously priced models offer.

The XR500V/XR520V incorporates a large, aciculate 3.2-inch affectation with Home, zoom, and almanac buttons on the bezel. In its alcove sit the covered Memory Stick Duo Pro slot, affectation toggle, Easy operation button, direct-to-DVD button for use in affiliation with Sony's DVDirect Express VRD-P1 DVD Writer, and speaker. There are additionally absolute playback and Power buttons; you use the closing to override the on/off operation back you abutting the LCD or cull out the EVF.

Two switches ascendancy the GPS and low-light cutting modes. GPS support, adumbrated by the "V" at the end of Sony's camcorder artefact names, comprises a congenital antenna and in-camera geotagging of videos and photos. Sony licenses NAVTEQ's Chic 4 map abstracts to accommodate anchored maps aural the camcorder and links to GPS satellites. (Geotagging and map abstracts isn't accessible for all locations, so analysis afore you shop for or travel.) The accomplishing is fun, but limited. You can use the geo abstracts for a map affectation of all your videos, which Sony serves up in-camcorder on a map. The Chic 4 abstracts doesn't accommodate artery names or alike a complete set of landmarks; for instance, actuality in NYC it shows the Flatiron architecture and Teddy Roosevelt's birthplace, but not the Empire State Building. It marks galleries and museums, but not parks. Once you download the video to a PC, your options for video are alike added limited. Unlike with photos, there's no metadata accepted for autumn the advice with the files. As a result, Sony has to abundance it in a sidecar book with abstracts that can alone be parsed by its always annoying Account Motion Browser software.

Unfortunately, the camcorder couldn't get a GPS lock actuality in Manhattan. While that's an accepted botheration amid the alpine buildings, some accessories do administer to get a accessible lock. It formed accomplished added upstate on the banks of the Hudson river, however.

While the LCD is ample abundant to abutment the touch-screen operation, the card arrangement is ailing designed, as it's been for the aftermost several ancestors of Sony camcorders. Sony is acutely acquainted of this, as it overhauled the user interface back it formed out the HDR-TG5V this spring. It's breach into two sections, Home and Options menus. The aloft is for settings you can't change while shooting, such as allotment HD against SD, quality, 2-channel or 5.1-channel audio, or SteadyShot Active/Standard/Off. The closing is for those you ability appetite to change while recording, including atom meter/focus, acknowledgment adjustments, affairs arena modes, or toggling the flash. Quick--which card do you aces for enabling Face Detection or Smile Shutter? I'd anticipate Options, but it's Home. There's aloof too abundant arch abrading and card bouncing to acquisition any accustomed ambience back you charge it. (For a complete briefing of the XR500/XR520's appearance and card system, you can download the PDF manual.)

The lens achievement and video affection absolutely angle out on this model. Its G-series lens, based off the aforementioned eyes as Sony's dSLR lenses, seems to bear as acceptable (or alike better) after-effects than the accomplished Zeiss T*-coated lenses on antecedent prosumer models. Video looks sharp, and there's no arresting fringing or aberration. Plus, the lens focuses decidedly close. I ambition it could focus a little faster while panning, but that's not unusual. The AF and autoexposure systems accomplish appealing quickly, admitting as with best AF systems it frequently gets abashed amid beginning and accomplishments objects--that's breadth the touch-screen-based atom focus and atom beat appear in handy.

The SteadyShot stabilization arrangement works able-bodied as usual, and the fresh Active mode, which compensates for lower-frequency motion than handshake, like walking, makes a big aberration (though not bedrock steady). It's alternative because the beyond advantage breadth can aftereffect in some resolution abasement about the edges of the images, admitting I couldn't atom any on my analysis shots. Alike the LCD is added acceptable than usual; it's ample and retains afterimage in absolute sunlight, and in aggregate with the chiral focus punch is able for assuming chiral focus. While the EVF feels a bit baby and coarse, the blush and acknowledgment appears almost accurate.

The audio sounds acceptable as well, and the mic is sensitive, admitting it could absolutely use a wind filter. Still photos attending OK, admitting as you'd apprehend at the accustomed 12-megapixel resolution--interpolated up from the sensor's built-in 6 megapixels--photos attending overprocessed with occasionally animal bend artifacts. The 6-megapixel shots attending better. However, they should all book abundantly up to 8x10.

Aside from the acid interface, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and XR520V are abounding by a aerial price. They're full-featured customer HD camcorders, but models targeted at home video creators are activity for at atomic $250 less, abnormally back those users are usually accommodating to abandon the EVF. In their bulk class, you apprehend added prosumer-oriented chiral controls. So admitting actuality about first-rate camcorders, you'll apparently be aloof as blessed with article a little cheaper.

Video quality, while imperfect, still ranks aerial for a customer model. Its colors are bright, saturated, and accurate, and there's a fair bit of activating range; as is archetypal of its class, it still shows a addiction to draft out highlights, but with a lot beneath abridgement of both the highs and lows than usual. The detail in acutely high-bandwidth scenes, such as a active baptize fountain, can get a little mushy--a college bit bulk than its 16Mbps best ability advice in cases like these--and there's some jitter on rapidly affective capacity like a banderole luffing in the wind.

Though the back-illuminated sensor isn't new, this is the aboriginal time we're seeing it in a product. The technology, which flips the layers so that the photosites are aloft the electronics breadth they can get added light, absolutely seems an able way to advance low-light performance, the continuing anemic aspect of customer camcorders. The camcorder absolutely fares able-bodied in low ablaze compared with all its competitors, advancement a decidedly sharp, saturated account with alone a bashful bulk of angel noise. Low Lux approach seems added able than best low-light modes, alone accepting up if necessary. It absolutely produces a brighter angel than accepted mode, with alone a bashful access in angel noise, no slow-shutter-speed artifacts (it won't bead beneath 1/30 sec), and actual little desaturation. Compared with the accepted chic leaders, all from Canon, the low-light video looks added pleasing; admitting there's a blow added noise, it produces added acceptable midtone and adumbration reproduction, for added acceptable perceived sharpness, and with added saturated colors. However, none of them do a abundant job of advancement white antithesis in low light

Panasonic HDC-TM300

Like the HS300 we advised beforehand this year, the Panasonic HDC-TM300 (MSRP $1299.99) is an accomplished camcorder in about every detail. It has absorbing video performance, boasting able colors and low babble in ablaze ablaze and low ablaze alike. The TM300 additionally had hasty still photo capabilities—better than the all-inclusive majority of customer camcorders.

The TM300 annal accomplished video in all lighting conditions, captures decidedly acceptable still photos, and has aloof about every affection you could appetite in a customer camcorder. Combine that with some convenient automated controls and you accept a compound for one of the best camcorders of 2009.

The Panasonic HDC-TM300 (MSRP $1299.99) is the beam anamnesis agnate of the HDC-HS300, which we advised beforehand this year. Without the beefy adamantine drive, the TM300 has a slimmer contour that's added adequate to authority and easier on the eyes. However, it still has the absorbing video achievement that drew our approval back we advised its hard-drive-based sister model.

Most of the flagship camcorders from assorted manufacturers this year are not arch performers in low light. Their aerial resolution sensors are not conducisive to aerial sensitivity; the consistent footage is dimmer than accepted back you're not recording in ablaze light. The TM300 and its sister models from Panasonic absolutely assume to be an barring to this rule. They accepted to crave alone 9 lux to aiguille at 50 IRE on our waveform monitor—a decidedly added good account than was angry in by best customer camcorders this year. We ability brainstorm that this achievement is due to the three-sensor arrangement acclimated by Panasonic, but it would be alone speculation.

What's more, the TM300 is an complete joy to use for beginners and avant-garde videographers. It's adequate to hold, accessible to use, offers a cardinal of able automated angel acclimation tools, and has a deluge of chiral controls and appropriate features. Whether its the viewfinder and chiral ascendancy lens arena or the able AF/AE Tracking option, consumers of every ilk accept affluence of acute affidavit to shop for this absorbing camcorder. The Panasonic HDC-TM300 is calmly one of the best camcorders of 2009.

image source: www.reovlele.com

Canon Vixia HF S21

While Canon spent a acceptable accord of accomplishment convalescent the appearance for the HF S21, it didn't do abundant (if anything) to advance the video achievement of the camcorder. In our testing, the HF S21 absolutely did worse with blush accurateness than aftermost year's HF S11, although it did do hardly added good with video accurateness and low ablaze sensitivity.

The new-and-improved flagship camcorder from Canon is Vixia HF S21 ($1399 MSRP). With 64GB of centralized beam memory, two SD/SDHC anamnesis agenda slots, and a cast fresh touchscreen LCD, Canon appears to accept put in absolutely an accomplishment in revamping aftermost year's HF S11.

As for the improvements on the HF S21, we thoroughly enjoyed them for the best part. The cyberbanking viewfinder is a amusement to see, and the 3.5-inch LCD absolutely helps back you're framing a shot. We had our doubts about Canon's fresh touchscreen system, but it added or beneath won us over in the end. The blow arrangement didn't assignment able-bodied for authoritative absolute adjustments or abyssal assertive menus, but appearance such as atom focus and AF/AE tracking formed so able-bodied with the touchscreen that we were able to absolve its faults. We additionally admired the slight modifications Canon fabricated to its ascendancy dial, the amplification of assertive chiral controls (like accretion control), and the attendance of two SD/SDHC anamnesis agenda slots (the camcorder is additionally accordant with SDXC cards).

The HF S21 is allotment of the HF S alternation from Canon, which additionally appearance the HF S20 and HF S200 (all three are fresh models for 2010).

Pros should additionally adulation the actuality that the Canon HF S21 offers a built-in 24p almanac mode—a affection that was ahead bare on non-tape customer camcorders. Canon additionally still has its PF30 and PF24 modes that almanac at 60i, but actualize the attending of 24p and 30p anatomy rates.

Overall, the HF S21 is an absorbing camcorder; it has aggregate the HF S11 has and more. The alone downside is that Canon didn't advance the video achievement enough. With arresting fresh flagship models actuality appear by Sony, JVC, and Samsung we'll accept to delay and see if the improvements Canon fabricated were abundant to accumulate it abreast the top of our ratings.

Sony Handycam HDR-FX7

While $3,500 is rather expensive for some people and wouldn't call this Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 a budget version of its older sibling, but you can still save up to $200 by buying this instead of HDR-FX1 that priced $3,700. Just like its brother, HDR-FX7 is a three-chip, "prosumer" HD video model; has almost the same feature set and design. But when we're talking about sensors and optics, what it has is completely different and effectively make it an altogether different camcorder.

One of the change I would like to mention first is that while the HDR-FX1 has a practical, 12x zoom lens with an excellent (for a camcorder) wide-angle start of 32.5mm (35mm-equivalent). For the HDR-FX7, Sony sacrifices some wide-angle attitude for a more marketing-driven 20x zoom monster.

The small body and streamlined feature set also put the FX7 more firmly in the prosumer category. It weighs about 3.3 pounds with tape and its 2,200 mAh NP-F570 battery. Well you can see the huge cavity in the battery pod, and that's because the camcorder can accommodate the 6,600 mAh NP-F970 as well, for triple the battery life. The battery lasts a reasonably long time, but it won't charge while the camcorder is on, which can be quite annoying. If you think that would annoy you as well, you'll probably want to spring for the external battery charger.

Rather than the three CCDs of the HDR-FX1, the HDR-FX7 uses a trio of Sony's 1-megapixel ClearVid CMOS chips, the same sensor technology used by the single-chip HDR-HC3. CMOS technology typically draws less battery power than CCD does, and Sony rates the HDR-FX7's battery life at about 8 hours, compared with the HDR-FX1's 6.5 hours. Each of the HDR-FX7's sensors has a lower resolution than the HDR-HC3's, though.

On the lens barrel are servo-controlled zoom and focus rings and a dial for adjusting exposure. Focusing via the ring works very well, especially when used in conjunction with the Expanded Focus button that falls under your left thumb; popping into EF mode zooms the view of the middle of the area for easier manual focus. A one-push override provides an autofocus lock that you can tweak manually, which makes it much faster to focus on hard-to-lock subjects; just use the override to focus on something nearby, then manually adjust for the subject. There's also a two-step neutral-density filter control, which I really like.

Sony compromised on the location of frequently--but not ubiquitously--used options. Buttons for backlight and spotlight compensation and shot transition presets are gone, replaced by six buttons (three on the barrel, three under the LCD) to which you can each assign one of 15 controls, including Steady Shot, color bar display, and focus peaking. I think a couple of those still deserve their own keys, such as Steady Shot. However, the company did address one of our complaints about the HDR-FX1, so you can now use focus peaking and Zebra stripes simultaneously. Gain, shutter speed, and white balance still have their own dedicated buttons. And a handy Status Check button, which sits next to the custom-setting Picture Profile control, pulls up all your current settings, because there's a lot to remember.

Now here's a little downside. People who are accustomed to midrange camcorders will have little trouble adjusting to the HDR-FX7; using it is very much like using models such as the older HDR-HC1 or the Panasonic AG-DVX100B. When shooting at eye level, your right hand controls only zooming and snapping still photos. The bulk of the operational burden--and the weight of the camcorder--falls on your left hand.

Now I'm not too crazy about the zoom-ring operation, however, which in typical servo fashion has no defined beginning or end point. I much prefer the zoom rocker, which has a nice, responsive feel. A lens cover is built into the bundled lens hood, which is great if you leave the lens hood on all the time. If you take it off, as I do, it's not so great.

Though it has a cold (unpowered) accessory shoe, it does have a powered mic minijack--a completely undocumented and ambiguously labeled mic jack and accessory shoe. In fact, the audio support on this model is seriously underwhelming; it basically consists of the built-in mic, the aforementioned jack, and a single input volume control which doesn't allow for adjusting the stereo channels individually. Call me cynical, but it seems intentionally limited to keep from cannibalizing the market for the almost identical pro model, the HVR-V1U, which provides 2 XLR inputs (and some other stuff) for another $1,000 or so. There is a headphone minijack, however.

Sony packed enough features into the FX7 that you should feel like you're getting your money's worth. It records 1080i HD video, as well as standard MiniDV, to tape. Each of the three, 1/4-inch ClearVid sensors has a 1.1-megapixel gross resolution, for effective video and still resolutions of 1 megapixel for 16:9 and 778K in 4:3 mode. The 20x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens--one of the good Zeiss lenses--covers the 35mm-equivalent angle of view as 37.4mm-748mm (16:9) and 45.7mm-914mm (4:3), with a nice maximum aperture of f/1.6-2.8, and the camcorder supports a shutter speed range of 1/4 secpnd to 1/10,000 second. As you'd expect, it incorporates Sony's Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization technology.

Other ports include a LANC terminal for controlling external devices, component and HDMI output, and a FireWire (i.Link) connector. You can snap stills to a Memory Stick Duo Pro and download them to your PC via the USB 1.1 connection.

Overall, the HDR-FX7 performs quite well. It has a smooth, responsive zoom, a quick autofocus system and a usable manual-focus mechanism, combined with a bright 3.5-inch LCD that's pretty good in direct sunlight and excellent eye-level viewfinder. Similarly, the video quality in both bright sunlight and dim interiors is pretty impressive--within the limitations of the HD video format.

Because of its weak audio options, as well as a lack of time-code controls and other editing-friendly essentials, I wouldn't recommend the Handycam HDR-FX7 for budding indie filmmakers, despite the attractive price for those users. The admittedly more expensive Panasonic AG-HVX200 remains my top choice for prosumers who put the emphasis on "pro." But if you want lots of video adjustment options and have only basic audio needs, the HDR-FX7 will can make a great HD starter camcorder for early-stage wannabes.

If you have this camcorder, or any other camcorder, then what are you waiting for? Go out there and shoot!

image source: hd-camcorders.com

JVC Everio GZ-HM400

The GZ-HM400 ($999 MSRP) is packed with extra controls than its brother, GZ-X900. Also, it has 32GB of internal memory, and a splendid adjustment dial. Unfortunately, it still has some low light difficulties.

Compared to JVC GZ-X900, GZ-HM400 is the better buy. But let's compare it to other camcorders. The competition at the top is stiff and the high-end models from Panasonic (such as HDC-TM300 and HDC-HS300) still got the rule baton. The other camcorders like Canon HF S11, Sanyo VPC-HD2000, and Sony HDR-XR520V also each have their benefits and they offer similar performance to the JVC GZ-HM400. I'll tell you why.

The GZ-HM400 has two letdowns, and it is significant: (1) poor low light performance, and (2) uncomfortable right-side design. The uncomfortable design on the HM400's right side may sound like a minuscule problem to some, but it is a problem nonetheless. I wonder why JVC didn't put more effort into making the HM400 more comfortable to hold. It does look cool, but again, many camcorders look cool AND comfortable.

image source: www.techfever.net

Canon Vixia HV30 Camcorder

Canon HV30 Camcorder is, just like Sony Handycam HDR-HC9 to HC7, the newer black paint version of its predecessor, Canon HV20, with small lists of upgrades. We already know that the HV20 is the best in its year for its image quality, and you have to spare me by not reviewing it here, because you'll get the idea by reading the Canon HV30 Camcorder. Let's continue...

The good thing about this little fella is that you can get better image quality white cheaper price than Sony HDR-HC9 or even HC7. But ergonomically, HV30 has poor quality.

Shooting with the HV30 feels easy and natural. Canon places the most frequently used options--notably exposure compensation and microphone level--under the control of the set button/joystick. Other shooting options--program, shutter- and aperture-priority, cine, and scene modes, white balance, image effects, and still-image mode--get called up via the function button and navigated with the joystick. Since your thumb controls all of the activity, it's pretty straightforward and fluid to use.

The HV30 uses the same 1/2.7-inch 3-megapixel CMOS sensor as the HV20, capturing 1,440x1,080 (1080i) HD or wide-screen SD video (despite Canon listing 1,920x1,080 resolution in its specs, HDV does not support 1920-pixel horizontal resolution). For SD, it downconverts to fit MiniDV 720x480 format. The camcorder also incorporates the same f/1.8 10X zoom lens, which uses the company's Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization, a technology that tweaks the results based on feedback from its image processor. As long as you use the eye-level viewfinder instead of the LCD, which lets you better brace the camcorder, the stabilization works very well zoomed to its maximum. Since it's harder to keep the camcorder steady when held out in front of you, the stabilization will likely be less effective.

You can still find the HV20 in stores with significantly less price than the HV30. Well, both are usually cheaper than Sony HDR-HC7 or HC9 anyway. In my review, I forgot to mention that HC9 and HC7 have this annoying touch screen issue. Well, if you ask me, I'd put Canon brothers on my buying list and put Sony brothers to someone-with-more-money's buying list.

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Sony Handycam HDR-HC9

Sony brought an updated Exmor imagers and Bionz processors on nearly all of its new HD camcorders, while the 2008 product HDR-HC9 right here was left with the same 1/2.7-inch CMOS chip found on the HDR-HC7. As a reminder, HC7 costs you around $1,400 on its first appearance in the market.

Compared to HC7, HC9 got five not-so-good-but-not-so-bad-either upgrades:

• Manual Focus Peaking in red, yellow, or green,
• Spot Focus + Meter (which merely combines Spot Focus and Spot Meter),
• a lens hood,
• a center marker,
• and cool looking black coat.

The lens hood and the coat makes it look a little bit more professional than its brother, the HC7. Also, Sony cut the HDR-HC9's MSRP back to $1,099. It's $200 less than the initial price of the HC7.

The HC9 received only five upgrades: Manual Focus Peaking in red, yellow, or green, Spot Focus + Meter (which merely combines Spot Focus and Spot Meter), a center marker, a lens hood, and a dangerous all-black finish. Sony also slashed the HDR-HC9’s MSRP back to a respectable $1,100, though - $300 less than the initial price of the HC7

The range of choices in high definition is growing every year. The serious shooter will likely want to stay with HDV over the other formats, as it continues to offer the highest video quality and editing options. Sony and others are clearly putting the marketing push on newer media like flash and HDD. These are undeniably more convenient for the majority of camcorder owners who are not serious editors. The important thing for a consumer to decide is how they intend to use their camcorder.

Now, Sony still can't get the best out of HV30 (image quality wise), but I have to put two thumbs up in Sony's construction. Later on I'll review about the Canon HV30 and Canon's other products, and you'll know why Sony's products can stand up to more abuse by the owner.

For those who are serious about having the best video quality, consider the Canon HV30. If you want to wash your hands of tape camcorders forever, look to high definition flash media, such as the Panasonic HDC-SD9 or Canon HF10. Hold off on Sony’s HDR-CX7, as it’s due for a replacement soon.

image source: camcorderinfo.com

Sony Handycam HDR-HC7

First, I gotta put my thumbs up for Sony's accomplishment by fitting this much horsepower into a package as small as this HC7. If you take off the battery and look at it, you realize just how little space is used for the real mechanics.

For the performance, the video quality it produces is stunning, but only when you have strong lighting (e.g. exterior scene). It's like seeing an HD football game program in 1080i, if you get my point. However, in low light the quality drops off. In fact, at first blush I don't see any real improvement over the HC1's relatively poor performance in low light. Of course you have the night shot feature but that makes everything look like night footage from Survivor. But if you put this as your personal camcorder or for minor purposes, then there's no problem.

As for the new feature that called X.V. Color, you can actually ignore it. X.V. Color is a feature that will give you more life-like color performance. We'll get to this in my other article. The point is, you gotta have a TV that also support X.V. Color to see it, or otherwise, you'll get undesirable results. So, go as the default says: X.V. Color -> Off.

Many experienced ones that have tried this camera would probably say that its wide angle is not wide enough for them. Yes it's true. So the solution is you will have to purchase a wide angle adapter. Not efficient.

The almost 7 megapixel (6.1) still is really something, but then again, you'll want some of your pictures taken by wider angle lens, so perhaps you'll look for camcorder that has lesser quality in still but wider angle in lens. This is dilemma.

Just like its brothers (HC1, HC3), HC7 can shoot stills while shooting video, and what makes it more interesting is that it can capture up to 4 megapixels while shooting in video. It doesn't produce "video frame goes freeze" pictures anymore, and this is one of its advantage.

Here's a trick I hadn't read about and I don't know if it's been present on previous units. But I figure if I didn't know about it most others won't either. While playing back the video you've already shot you can press the Photo button and grab digital stills to the memory stick. It's like saying "Damn, I wish I could've taken a picture of that moment" and then being able to go back in time and take it. These pics are back to 1.3 megapixels but you'd be amazed how really good they look. Forget any experiences you may have had with standard def freeze frames - these look beautiful.

I don't like the position and operation of the power/mode switch. On the HC1 turning the camera on was a simple thumb movement. It's now more of a two handed procedure.

The lack of a focus ring on the HC-7 is especially annoying as is having to step through a myriad of touch screen MENU items to adjust iris, shutter speed, color, and focus and almost everything else. The zoom lever requires practice to get smooth, slow, steady zooms. The optical stabilzation is okay but not nearly as good as my TRV900.

They put a quality hinged access door over the video / firewire / lanc/ headphone ports. But there's still the flimsy tethered covers for the mic jack, power / charge port, HDMI, and the accessory shoe that feel like even if they're handled with TLC, they'll eventually break free. Those are really the only complaints I have about the camera.

I love the automatic lens cover. I appreciate the top loading cassette mechanism. Both the viewfinder and LCD screen are bright and have adequate resolution.

Hope this review was helpful.

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