Sony HDR-UX1 AVCHD 4MP High-Definition DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
digital video cameras reviews
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List Price: $1,499.99
Features
• Record high-definition video on a DVD with AVCHD technology
• ClearVid CMOS sensor for high-quality HD and standard-definition images
• 3.5-inch widescreen hybrid touch-panel Clear Photo LCD
• Professional 30mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
• HDMI, USB 2.0, component, and composite connectivity |
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Electronics : This item is currently not available. |
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Sony HDR-UX1 AVCHD 4MP High-Definition DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥
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Very Good, but not Great
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A lot has already been said and there are some excellent reviews here (as well as elsewhere), but I just want to add my 2 cents. I purchased this guy a few months back, and have since purchased a light and a second battery for it (I'll talk about those shortly).
My favorite features include:
1. The 3.5" screen, which should be a must for ANY camcorder, as the 2.5" screens common today are worthless IMHO.
2. The sliding door for accessing the HDMI port as well as the other video ports. This is unique to Sony's UX1 and SR1 HD Camcorders (as far as I can tell) and is the BEST implementation I have seen to cover and uncover ports. Much better than the little plastic plugs that inevitably break-off and are lost.
3. Beautiful, detailed video.
My least favorite features include:
1. The stupid little plastic cover plug for the power port. As mentioned above, this camera has a great sliding door for all its video plugs. Inexplicably, Sony used the plastic plug for the power port, which is right next to the video ports and could have used the sliding door. Stupid. Mine is already threatening to break.
2. Short recording times. It is hard to blame Sony for the short recording time on DVDs. This is just a fact of life and the short time isn't limited to the HD DVD camcorders but it problematic for all DVD camcorders (though less so than here). You make a choice and you live with it. While lots of the reviews mention the dual layer DVDs out there, they are MUCH more expensive and I don't even really consider them an option. Luckily, the lower quality modes still look very good, especially when taping outside. For lower light situations, I would use the higher quality settings. Still, all of the video I take with this thing looks better than any standard def. stuff you may see. Also, related to the DVD issue is that the camera insists on popping up a little comment saying it recommends Sony brand DVDs every time I put in any other brand. This is completely annoying and Sony should rethink the way they try to lock you in to their own brand.
3. Automatic lens cover. Not having to bother with a cover is a great little addition to this thing.
Features I thought I wanted but could have lived without:
I haven't yet used the focus ring or the mic in or headphone out yet. I really wanted these, but in retrospect, they were unnecessary for my home use. The mic on this thing is plenty good, and I just don't want to mess with the focus at the end of the day.
Other notes:
I purchased a light and an extra battery here on Amazon and couldn't be happier with them. The light is the Sony HVL-HL1 and the battery is the same one that comes with the camera, the Sony NPFM50. The light is just right to give a boost to indoor recording and makes the picture MUCH better in low light situations. It's only 3 watts but seems VERY bright. It attaches to the hot shoe on the top of the camera. It's priced right and works flawlessly.
As for the grainy picture mentioned by many reviews, I haven't noticed anything distracting. Every camera has positive and negative aspects, but I am more than happy with the quality of video this thing takes.
I give this Camcorder 5 stars not because it is perfect, but if you weigh the price and the features, I'm not sure there is a better HD or SD camera out there right now. It would not be worth the list price, but at the price they have it for now, you simply can't beat it, as long as you can live with the DVD format. If that is a dealbreaker for you (it wasn't for me, obviously), it's a dealbreaker, but otherwise, this is by far the best buy at this price point. |
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Sony HDR-UX1 AVCHD 4MP High-Definition DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom digital cameras, camcorders for sale