Customer Review

269 of 273 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Great little camera for the money!, May 24, 2009
This review is from: Sony Webbie MHS-CM1 HD Camcorder (Orange) (Electronics)
Length:: 4:27 Mins

My video "review" isn't really a full review...it's mainly to setup some actual [handheld] footage taken with the webbie. Of course, with the video compression you won't see the actual HD footage, but it should still show up a bit crisper than the footage taken with the JVC GR-D770U in the very beginning of the video.

The footage with the Webbie taken at my desk looks yellowish, but it's because I have a yellow (normal 60 watt incandescent bulb) lamp at my desk. There is no manual white balancing on this camera, but if used with some 5100K fluorescent lights, you'll have a MUCH better picture.

You will NOT get professional features/results on a consumer camera in this price range. Period. Once you understand that, you'll be able to see this camera for what it is.

You WILL see pixelization in low light situations - this is true for ALL low-end consumer cameras. Unless you spend $1000 for an HD camera, you're simply NOT going to be able to film in the dark...especially not without picture degradation.

I rarely use the audio taken from the internal mic, so I can't say much about it. But it does appear to be unidirectional, and will pick up EVERYTHING in the surrounding area...especially wind noise. In quiet situations, you'll also hear the noise from the zoom and/or auto focus (you can really hear it in the section of the video with the cats).

There's no image stabilization, so either use it with a tripod, or don't drink an entire pot of coffee before shooting with it.

FOR THE MONEY, this is a good little camera - it's what I expected the camera to be.
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Comments

Tracked by 4 customers

Sort: Oldest first | Newest first
Showing 1-10 of 23 posts in this discussion
Initial post: May 31, 2009 8:12:13 AM PDT
James Goodin says:
helpful piece, I see the plus/minus of it but as you well point out for the cash one gets a lot as in most of the cams in this range. Nice cat footage!

Posted on Jul 9, 2009 9:09:20 PM PDT
Thank you so much for this video. It really did help me make a decision about buying the camera. I don't want to spend 1000.00 dollars for a camera and this seems like a great option. The video appears clear and the sound is ok. Thanks for taking the time to do this :)
Your cats are very pretty =^.^=

Jade

Posted on Jul 17, 2009 4:10:55 PM PDT
Marie says:
Thank you SO much for this review + the video, I really want this camera but it has so many bad reviews! After watching your video, its not as bad as everyone says it is, in fact I think its exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you so much again!

Posted on Aug 12, 2009 12:18:47 PM PDT
very nice job, very helpful...thanks a lot

In reply to an earlier post on Aug 21, 2009 8:44:57 AM PDT
A.S.C says:
Thanks for taking time to do this footage; it really helps in my decision to purchase one. Have read so many incomplimentary reviews which did not auger well for one to buy the webbie and for a first timer like myself who has never owned one other than digital cameras, it seems the ideal choice for a beginner and best yet - the price is right!

Posted on Aug 29, 2009 11:57:51 AM PDT
LaPlante says:
Thanks for the great vid. Sure wish we had some of dat rain here in California! Love the cats too!

Posted on Aug 30, 2009 9:02:47 AM PDT
Raul Marquez says:
Thanks for the review and sample clips.

Posted on Sep 6, 2009 9:39:02 AM PDT
Montalbano says:
Thanks a lot. Great review.

Posted on Sep 6, 2009 6:29:47 PM PDT
J. Waggoner says:
I'm looking at the Sony and the Flip and your review was very helpful in making my decision! Thanks for all your work!

Posted on Sep 11, 2009 3:29:03 AM PDT
Perry says:
Other reviewers said it has a 25 minute time limit on recording. Have you experienced this?
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Review Details

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3.1 out of 5 stars (99 customer reviews)
5 star:
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4 star:
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3 star:
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2 star:
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Reviewer

D. West
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Location: Dallas, TX United States

Top Reviewer Ranking: 144,059