This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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
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This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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.
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This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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.
The 12 mega pixel stills are also excellent and comparable to any sony cybershot.
I love the size and ease of use.
If you are after a HD camera and an all in one with a decent still then this is the one.
Click on Order.
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This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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.
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This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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 little bit. I really like the recharger is built into the cam, no more hassles of traveling with a separate base/recharger.
Also the GPS capabilities are welcome. I miss the view finder for those situations where looking at the LCD screen is not practical. Also the new model is no longer carrying a Carl Zeiss lens.
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This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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. The picture quality is incredible, and the features are second to none. Still photos, at 12 megapixels are close in quality to my $1600 Nikon D90 camera.
I LOVE IT!!
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This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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. However, I believe there are a couple small things that people should know before purchasing. They are small and shouldn't get in your way of purchasing but they are little annoyances that I probably take too seriously.
First, at the price of this thing, Sony should give us a small case or bag of some sort to protect if not carry. Now, two slightly more annoying issues I've found with this camcorder: The auto focus tends to blur up if you're trying to get close ups or zoom in too quickly. You end up having to back off the zoom a bit or physically move the cam away from target a bit. I've experienced this typically with Sony... so no surprise there. The one other thing is the thin plastic shutter that opens and closes automatically to protect the lense. It works ok... However, there's a couple things that are annoying about it. First, if your battery dies while the camcorder is in use (shutter open exposing the lense) the camcorder will shut off with the shutter in the open position (keeping the lense exposed). This is reasonable BUT at least offer a small button or slide thingy of sort to allow you to manually shut that shutter and protect the lense. Also, the shutter, while in the closed position (protecting the lense) can easily open even when the cam is OFF. it's so weak/sensitive that you can touch it with your finger tip and gently slide it open. If it rubs against something in your bag or if it bounced around in a moving vehicle enough, the shutter will open and stay in the open position (exposing the lense). I have found the cam in this condition a few times and had to clean slight smudges off the lense. I don't understand why Sony wouldn't put some sort of reverse pressure spring to the shutter so that it is impossible to accidentally open and stay in the open position. Canon has similar shutters to protect the lense and theirs do NOT easily open when the cam is off. I'd like to see included some sort of lense cap. The shutter just doesn't properly protect the lense.
Overall, great camcorder for the money. Get the extra length battery and extra 32 Gig of memory (mem stick)... and you'll be happy with it for quite some time.
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This review is from: Sony HDR-CX520V 64GB Flash High Definition Camcorder (Black) (Electronics)
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. You can read postings on:
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many of the people posted their experience on this camera, and everyone is happy.
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