Sony Handicam HDR-CX550V:
Given its accouterments a large G series lens, 64GB memory built in memory, 3.5-inch LCD, EVF, headphone, mic jacks, and shutter d iris controls the Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V's price of $1000 is a value for money. It may be a bit painful, but not much of a surprise. One of Sony's two nearly identical high-end models for its other version, the CX550V differs from its sibling, the XR550V, primarily with its recording media and by having a slightly different body design. Their designs differ only because of their storage media. The XR550V's 240GB hard drive versus the CX550V's flash memory.
Let us have look into HDR-CX55V pros and Cons.
Pros:
- Image Stabilization capability is best in class
- Wide(r) angle lens (28mm equivalent) then competitors
- SDHC cards now accepted
- Best in class low-light performance
- 24 MB/sec recording rate now standard for 1080i filming
- Full manual feature set for video; geotagging for video is fun, if not very practical; autofocus system performs very well.
- No wind filter, which is frustrating for outdoor use
- Does not include 24p Processing
- Panasonic 700 Camcorder includes Time Lapse Recording, which is neat but not present on the Sony. And yes, the Panasonic TM700 includes a Wind Filter as well.
- Annoying menu system
- relatively big, heavy and expensive
- Not-full-HD video quality; cumbersome touch-screen interface.
Specifications of Sony Handicam HDR-CX550V:
- Sensor: 6-megapixel Exmor R CMOS
- Lens(with Active SteadyShot disabled): 10x,f1.8-3.4,29.8 - 298mm (16:9)
- Min illumination (lux): standard: 11, low light: 3, Night Shot (IR): 0
- EVF: Yes.0.2 inch 201,000 pixel
- LCD: 3.5-inch 921,000-dot touch screen
- Primary media: 64GB flash; SDXC
- HD recording: AVCHD:1080/60i @ 24, 17 Mbps; 1,440x1,080/60i @ 9,5 Mbps.
- Manual shutter speed and iris: Yes.
- Accessory shoe: Yes.
- Audio: 5.1 channels;mic, headphone jacks
- Body dimensions (WHD, inches): 2.6x3x5.8
- Operating weight (ounces): 17(est)
- Price: ~$1199.99
