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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(TM) image stabilization w/ Active Mode
- 1080/60p playback via HDMI(TM) and compatible HDTV
Product Details
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Product Description
The HDR-CX520V employs an advanced "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for excellent low light, 1920 x 1080 high definition video and 12 megapixel still images all to 64GB of internal flash memory. In addition, a built-in GPS receiver Geo-tags your videos and photos.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
I've owned this camera for a month now. Absolutely love it.
Pros:
* Excellent HD film under low-light conditions
* Turns on instantly
* Has night-vision
* Easy to operate
* Takes high res pics as you film
* Smile detection technology automatically takes a pic when all people in frame are smiling
* Small, nice fit, weighs next to nothing
Cons:
* The LCD is touch-sensitive and used for the menu to operate camera. (Not really a con unless it wears out from getting pressed on, but so far so good)
* Doesn't include HD cable to connect to TV, or separate charger
Pros:
* Excellent HD film under low-light conditions
* Turns on instantly
* Has night-vision
* Easy to operate
* Takes high res pics as you film
* Smile detection technology automatically takes a pic when all people in frame are smiling
* Small, nice fit, weighs next to nothing
Cons:
* The LCD is touch-sensitive and used for the menu to operate camera. (Not really a con unless it wears out from getting pressed on, but so far so good)
* Doesn't include HD cable to connect to TV, or separate charger
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Well, this is my first camcorder so I cannot say that I am much experienced with camcorder. However, I am very satisfied with this camcorder. There are several points that I want to write down. First off with the pro:
1. Being a photography type of guy, I am very picky with picture white balance, especially indoor pictures. The pictures should show as close to the real envirenment as possible. The pictures should not be too yellow or oversaturated with color from the incandescent lights that are installed in my house. White balance problem is one of the issue that I have to deal with alot of times when taking pictures indoor. I am happy to say that the white balance from this camcorder exceeds my expectation. I don't have to adjust the video color balance because the camcorder captures the color as is. Very nice.
2. Another thing that I am very excited about is the focus. I really wish my SLR camera can do this, but I don't think Nikon can do it. I have two kids, and taking pictures of their faces in focus is the most important thing. I can have each of them at each side of the frame and the camcorder can recognize their faces (with red square indicated around their faces) and focus accordingly. I wish I can do this with my SLR camera, but all the focus sensors are located near the center and only a few of them are cross type (more sensitive sensor that can help the lense focus faster). The most expensive professional lenses don't help. This camcorder can focus very well. I am extremely impressed.
3. Ease of use. What can I say. I took the camcorder out the box and just used it. No need for the manual. It's easy to get around the menu system. Although there are some little menu-browsing issues that should have been corrected in firmware update. Overall, the camcorder doesn't have too many unneccesary features that I don't need, just the features that I think are important to take videos without having to think. I like the "My menu" feature. I can customize it to include only the stuffs that I need when shooting videos. I can access "My menu" easily while filming too. This is great.
4. Touch screen. Being a photography guy, I can only say that I like to use the tilt screen to see what I am shooting instead of through the optical view finder. Being a person that likes to try new thing, I think filming using the LCD screen is great. Try raise the camcorder above your head as high as possible and shoot downward. Can you do that with the typical SLR camera? I think not. I can see everything on the screen and control my shooting using the same touch screen as well. Awesome.
5. Low light performance is great with this camcorder. You should see it to believe. It's better than anything I have tried. Sorry, this is my first camcorder. :-)
6. Oh my shaking hand goodness. This camcorder can really dampen my shaking hands. What can I say. I love it. I wish my wide angle and normal zoom lenses can do this. Make me wonder how the Sony in-camera stabilization work on their SLR cameras. I am interest.
7. Other good things: 64GB is pretty plenty; Very fast download to my computer too; It's light and small. My camera is about 5-10 times as heavy. :-( ; Full HD is good(1920X1280 @ 60 interlaced fields per second). Convert the AVCHD files to 24p or 30p using Adobe Premiere software or other software or just watch the 60i movies on interlaced TV for smooth playback.
Con? Not many considering what I paid for this compared to what I paid for my SLR camera and all the professional lenses I have. OK, one thing but just a little thing: the G lens from this camcorder shows a little too much barrel distortion. Maybe Sony should put the Zeiss lens on this camcorder. Nahhhh. I am happy with this purchase and the price I paid for it.
1. Being a photography type of guy, I am very picky with picture white balance, especially indoor pictures. The pictures should show as close to the real envirenment as possible. The pictures should not be too yellow or oversaturated with color from the incandescent lights that are installed in my house. White balance problem is one of the issue that I have to deal with alot of times when taking pictures indoor. I am happy to say that the white balance from this camcorder exceeds my expectation. I don't have to adjust the video color balance because the camcorder captures the color as is. Very nice.
2. Another thing that I am very excited about is the focus. I really wish my SLR camera can do this, but I don't think Nikon can do it. I have two kids, and taking pictures of their faces in focus is the most important thing. I can have each of them at each side of the frame and the camcorder can recognize their faces (with red square indicated around their faces) and focus accordingly. I wish I can do this with my SLR camera, but all the focus sensors are located near the center and only a few of them are cross type (more sensitive sensor that can help the lense focus faster). The most expensive professional lenses don't help. This camcorder can focus very well. I am extremely impressed.
3. Ease of use. What can I say. I took the camcorder out the box and just used it. No need for the manual. It's easy to get around the menu system. Although there are some little menu-browsing issues that should have been corrected in firmware update. Overall, the camcorder doesn't have too many unneccesary features that I don't need, just the features that I think are important to take videos without having to think. I like the "My menu" feature. I can customize it to include only the stuffs that I need when shooting videos. I can access "My menu" easily while filming too. This is great.
4. Touch screen. Being a photography guy, I can only say that I like to use the tilt screen to see what I am shooting instead of through the optical view finder. Being a person that likes to try new thing, I think filming using the LCD screen is great. Try raise the camcorder above your head as high as possible and shoot downward. Can you do that with the typical SLR camera? I think not. I can see everything on the screen and control my shooting using the same touch screen as well. Awesome.
5. Low light performance is great with this camcorder. You should see it to believe. It's better than anything I have tried. Sorry, this is my first camcorder. :-)
6. Oh my shaking hand goodness. This camcorder can really dampen my shaking hands. What can I say. I love it. I wish my wide angle and normal zoom lenses can do this. Make me wonder how the Sony in-camera stabilization work on their SLR cameras. I am interest.
7. Other good things: 64GB is pretty plenty; Very fast download to my computer too; It's light and small. My camera is about 5-10 times as heavy. :-( ; Full HD is good(1920X1280 @ 60 interlaced fields per second). Convert the AVCHD files to 24p or 30p using Adobe Premiere software or other software or just watch the 60i movies on interlaced TV for smooth playback.
Con? Not many considering what I paid for this compared to what I paid for my SLR camera and all the professional lenses I have. OK, one thing but just a little thing: the G lens from this camcorder shows a little too much barrel distortion. Maybe Sony should put the Zeiss lens on this camcorder. Nahhhh. I am happy with this purchase and the price I paid for it.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this camera about a month ago through amazon from J & R out of new york. I love the camera but would not purchase from J&R again. The camera does not come in the sony packaging protected by foam or anything. When the package was shipped by J & R in the shipping box they did not add any protective foam and I recieved the pacage thrahed. I know they cant control shipping care but the package would have been in a better condition if they would have packed it in crumpled papper, foam peanuts,or bubble wrap. It was like a knife in the heart to receive my thousand dollar camera in the condition I got it in. All this could have been avoided by a little common sense from the J&R shipping Dept. and about a minutes worth of time.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Step in the wrong direction for "Sony" camcoders line
Ever since Sony switched from famous Carl Zeiss® lens to own Sony G lens, serious problems started to appear:
- Day light videos become significantly darker and less sharp (... Read more
- Day light videos become significantly darker and less sharp (... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Tom Canny
Great camcorder.... but couple things you should know...
I won't give you the same GREAT things this camcorder is or does. I agree with everyone's assessment of the features and functionality and such. Read more
Published 22 months ago by LDMak90
Awesome video quality, unbelievable light
I was used to the previous generation of Sony's hard drive-based camcorders therefore I expected a lighter cam but this model is insanely light and the picture quality improved a... Read more
Published on February 8, 2010 by David Rivera Hernandez
AMAZING HD camcorder!
All I can say is, "WOW"!! After using a standard definition camcorder, this is light years ahead. The low light videos are perfectly exposed and display natural colors. Read more
Published on January 9, 2010 by William Ludwig
HDR-CX520V - a great camera..
Bought this about a month ago after my HDR-HC3 crapped out (the dreaded tape eject malfunction) and I can say that this is a very good camera. Read more
Published on December 23, 2009 by nash123
Excellent tiny camera for stills and video
I wanted a small HD camera for both video and stills - This camera gave me all that and more.
The HD video is excellent and in low light there is little to no grain. Read more
The HD video is excellent and in low light there is little to no grain. Read more
Published on November 25, 2009 by M. Holko
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