Sony HDR-XR200V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

• Item Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001QBM9EM
• Item model number: HDRXR200V
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,562 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 1, 2009

Product Description

The HDR-XR200V records stunning, 1920 x 1080 high definition video and crystal clear still photos to a built-in 120 GB hard disk drive. In addition, the HDR-XR200V features a GPS receiver that can display your current location and remember where you shot your video, as well as Optical SteadyShotTM image stabilization with Active Mode for superior image smoothness. 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony Full High Definition quality. 4-megapixel still image capture lets you take high resolution digital photos. A built-in 120 GB hard disk drive can record and store approximately 48 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to 84 hours of standard definition footage (SD LP mode). In addition, HDD Smart Protection gives you peace of mind by helping to prevent any recorded video and images from being lost if the camcorder is accidentally dropped. A built-in GPS receiver makes the HDR-XR200V an ideal choice for travelers. In addition to automatically adjusting your camcorder's clock to the proper time zone, the GPS receiver also gives you the ability to view your current location on the LCD map display, as well as "tag" your shooting locations. Tagged videos and still images can be reviewed and played back using the Map Index function on the camcorder or once downloaded to your PC using the supplied PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software Map Index function Map Index uses the geotagging capabilities of the built-in GPS receiver to tag your shot locations on a map in the camcorder, offering a new way to easily search and find a desired scene by location or view where a scene was captured.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome camera with just one disappointment, April 30, 2009

By 

amcg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony HDR-XR200V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

In my opinion, the camcorder deserves 4/5 stars. The HD picture quality outdoors (rain or shine) is PHENOMAL. I got a similar picture in SD. It wasn't quite as sharp as HD but still an EXCELLENT picture. The sound quality is amazing. I had no problem with wind noise when outside on windy days. The camcorder itself is lightweight and I found the menus and buttons to be user-friendly. I read several negative reviews on the included Sony software but had no trouble installing it or using it. It does have limited capabilities but it was sufficient for me. The camera itself does have a "divide" option for cutting video. You choose where you want to divide and it will create and save a new clip. It also has excellent focus capabilities. It focuses very quickly when zooming in and out as well as moving left/right and up/down. I was overly impressed with its performance outdoors. Shooting indoors took me back a few steps and it could be that I expect too much in lower-light conditions. When the lights are on AND sufficient natural light is available through windows, the quality is REALLY good. During evening/night hours and during the day when its cloudy outside, the picture left me disappointed. The picture was grainy and the more I zoomed, the grainier it got. I did adjust the exposure and white balance which helped the situation but still left me wondering what I was doing wrong. I also played around with the different scene settings (sunrise, sunset, candlelight, etc...) but found the "auto" option to work the best. I would gladly welcome any suggestions or recommendations on helping the low-light situation. It's the only disappointment I have and it could very well be the operator.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Intermittent Video Slowdowns, October 17, 2009

By 

TopReviewer (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony HDR-XR200V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I purchased this camera a few months ago to film some important family events. When I got back, I watched the videos both using the mini-hdmi cable and also by putting the full size videos on a PS3 for native playback of AVCHD. In both cases, every so often, I would see a slowdown in the framerate. It would quickly recover but it was clear that the hard disk could not keep up with the data it was getting. I had the quality and size maxed out but that shouldn't matter. Calling Sony, they were very nice and offered to check it out but advised me to return it if I could. It might be my specific unit, or maybe a general product issue. I'm not sure.

As far as quality, I don't think any of the cameras in this price range can provide good low light photography. What was nice was the NightShot which lets you take video in total darkness. It also has 5.1 Surround Sound it captures. Battery life was good. It feels like a good, solid, well built-camera. If it wasn't for my experience with the occasional slow frame rate, I would still own it.

I'm surprised that as of this writing there are so few reviews -- 3. Other canon HD cameras seem to have a ton more reviews.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great camera for average non-professional use, January 7, 2010

By 

Guillermo Buscemi (Buenos Aires, AR) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony HDR-XR200V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought this HD camera after buying (and returning) a Sony DCR-SR47 SD camcorder. Differences are notorious (as well as the prices). DCR-SR47 camera simple didn't covered my expectations in terms of video quality. However, the HDR-XR200V did fully covered them. I used the camera in outdoors, where video quality is just awesome. No pixeling, full colors, full of light in videos. The "not that good performance" will be in indoors under low light condition, or just in outdoors, but at night. Wherever there is low light, the cam will not perform as well as where is full natural light. The reason is obvious right? It is a $700 camera, not a professional $1500 one. I won't say the quality in low light conditions is as bad as an SD camera, but it just decrease a little bit. You will see some kind of "points" appearing here and there, and the definition of the shapes won't be that clear as in fully sunlight, but it is still VERY respectful the quality. I would suggest buying this camera for home use, for going for vacations, enjoying in family and keeping VERY GOOD quality memories.