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Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD 6.1MP High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
Sony HDR-CX7 High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder reviews For the first time, record High Definition directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo media card. The Sony HDR-CX7 includes a professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens and Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization, so you can capture the detail and clarity of high definition. Plus, you can take still images and video at the same time, all with exceptional battery life so you're sure to capture every moment. Sony HDR-CX7 Features 3.2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor The 1/2.9-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution in HD Mode; 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode) and still image performance (6.1-megapixel). Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require less power, providing better battery performance. Switchable HD/SD format recording The Sony HDR-CX7 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on Memory Stick PRO Duo media (sold separately). x.v.Color Technology x.v.Color technology can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than currently possible. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience. 10x optical/20x digital zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom. Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario- Sonnar T* lens Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare. 2.7-inch widescreen Hybrid touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display The 2.7-inch 16:9 LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resoltuion. The 211K-pixel screen also rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier. Smooth slow record By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen in the video. Memory Stick PRO Duo Media slot Capture still images up to 2848 x 2136 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick PRO Duo Media for easy trasfer to PCs for emailing, printing or shairing with other compatible Memory Stick PRO Duo devices. Dual record While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture a 4.6-megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo media. Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization system An advanced form of Sony's SteadyShot Image Stabilization system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of vide like some digital stabilization systems. Tele Macro function Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocussed so that the subject stands out. Active Interface Shoe Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories. Built-in intelligent flash For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows. Super NightShot infrared system With Sony's NightShot infrared system, capture video in total darkeness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away. Super NightShot mode automatically adjusts the shutter speed to increase picture brightness and clarity. Color Slow Shutter mode allows you to record in low light situations with full color detail by slowing down the shutter speed. Scene Selection modes Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sony HDR-CX7 high definition camcorder Customer Reviews & Ratings : Terrific Camcorder I bought this about two weeks ago and couldn't be happier. My first experience, I took it to my daughter's dance and took some outstanding HD videos. Playing it on my 50" HD plasma you can't believe your eyes. It is as you are watching a broadcast sports event. Still pictures are outstanding and the look and feel of this camera is awesome. The only thing I would suggest is to get yourself a cable to go HDMI. Sony should have included this but it's not that expensive to buy one. If you are looking for a video camera that is portable and easy to use, this is definitely the one. Not Compatible wih Mac The camera works great, but it does not work very well with a Mac. Sony's software is only for PC, which is hard to believe in this day and age. There is a way to make it work in iMovie, but I hope you have a few hours to download your video. Anyway, like I said, I'm not complaining about the camera itself (which is great), but I am very frustrated that this is even an issue. It's a GOOD, a BAD and an UGLY digital camcorder. I chose Sony HDR CX7 over Panasonic HDC-SD5, Samsung HMX10A and Canon HG10 after an extensive research. I want a camcorder that can record both in HD and SD format, using Flash memory card, and taking decent still pictures. The reasons why I bought it are listed in THE GOOD section. After using it for 3 weeks, I hate it in some areas. They're listed in THE BAD and the UGLY SECTION. THE GOOD BEAUTIFUL VIDEO QUALITY It records beautiful and sharp video even in SD format. The color is vivid and attractive. BEST STILL PICTURES It takes pictures in 6 and 4 mega pixels. The color are lively and bright. All the competitors take pictures in only 2 mega pixels. They look very bad compared to Sony's. Still, these pictures do not look as sharp as a digital point and shoot camera. No pictures taken by any camcorders look as good as the ones by cameras. NIGHT SHOT FEATURE You can shoot video in the dark by turning on the built-in infrared light. No competitors have this feature. SHOOTING VIDEO IN BOTH HD AND SD FORMAT Only Sony and Panasonic camcorders have this feature. I want mine to be able shoot movies in both HD (AVCHD) and SD (Mpeg2) formats. It's because I and the majority of my friends have regular TV's and DVD players. We think the price of HD equipment is still too high. HIGH-CAPACITY EXTRA BATTERY The battery that comes with my camcorder lasts only 2 hours. I bought an extra one, NPFH100 H Series Actiforce Hybrid InfoLithium Battery. It lasts approximately 7 hours. That's more than enough for me. NOISELESS RECORDING Because it uses flash memory card, the camera makes no noise. As a result, my video recording does not have any sound made by the camcorder. The same thing goes for any camcorder that uses the same technology THE BAD and THE UGLY SUPPORTING ONLY 8 GB of FLASH MEMORY The highest capacity of the memory sticks supported is only 8 GB. If you're recording in SD format, it will record for 4 hours. That's good enough for casual users. If you're recording in HD format, it lasts only 2 hours. That is short. I resolve this problem by using 2 memory sticks of 8 GB each. That gives me 4 hours of HD video or 8 hours of SD video. This is good enough for me. I wish it support 16 GB memory stick. PROPRIETARY INTERFACE AND HARDWARE This is one of the reasons I don't like Sony merchandise. It's because it costs me much more in the long run. Further more, I'm not able to use many better accessories made by other companies. For example, if I could use Sandisk Compact Flash card, it would cost less. SLOPPY ACCESSORIES Sound quality is not good unless you stand about 1 feet away from the object. It has too much echo. This is typical problem of all consumer camcorders made by all companies. So, I bought an external microphone, ECM-HGZ1 Shotgun Microphone. I ended up returning it to the store. It's because it's not better than the built-in one. It also looks and feels like a toy. If the camcorder did not use proprietary Active Interface Hot Shoe, I would be able to use pro external microphones made by other companies to produce excellent sound. Now, there's no way to record better sound with this camcorder. It does not have a line-in for microphone. If I want it, I'll have to buy pro -level camcorders which cost minimum $6500! BAD SOFTWARE SUPPORT I misplaced the software disc that came with the camera. So, I could not install the software browser to view HD video and picture files. I could not find full version of the software on Sony website! They have only the upgrade version. Luckily, I just found the original disc. In short, this is the best camcorder in its class which meets my needs. If only it used standard interface, then it would be an excellent equipment.
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