Sony HDR-CX550V Handycam Camcorder Review
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When you think about stunning video capture, think about the Sony HDR-CX550V camcorder. With its 1920 x 1080 high-definition video capture and its 12 megapixel image capture, the camcorder is purely built to satisfy the most enthusiastic fan that seeks only the highest quality compact camcorder. Although with so many HD camcorders currently in the market, the wisest choice a user can make is to get a camcorder like this Sony HDR-CX550V as it is rated highly for the extra features that can only make the purchase a worthy investment.
Sony HDR-CX550V
Sony has been one of the most reliable brands in the world, and the HDR-CX550V camcorder can summed what Sony is all about. The first impressive feature of the camcorder is it only weighs around 490 gram with battery which means it can be considered as light in weight with a dimension of approximately 66 x 74 x 143mm. Where other camcorder failed, the Sony HDR-CX550V succeed especially while recording low light shots as the easy low-light sensitivity image clarity will reduce existing grains thanks to the highly improved back-illuminated CMOS sensor – the “Exmor R”.
The image stabilization feature integrated in the HDR-CX550V is Sony’s Optical Steady Shot™ that also act as the image stabilizer with 3-Way Shake-Cancelling to balance the recording to deliver smooth videos. The function also works on still image captures ranging from normal to wide angle shots to the full telephoto shots. Sony can pride themselves with the G Lens, a technology developed by Sony to provide only professional quality and performance from their HDR-CX550V camcorders.
The G Lens delivers accurate color reproduction, detailed and sharp images as well as a broader wide angle shots with its 26.3mm focal length and 10x optical zoom and 120x digital zoom on the G Lens. Another special feature on the Sony HDR-CX550V is the geo-tagging features for both videos and still images that can also be used as a built in GPS receiver that is supported by NAVTEQ.
There is a variety of shutter speeds depending on the recording mode can be set for the G Lens: 1/8-1/1500 for Scene Mode; 1/60-1/1500 for STD Mode, 1/30-1/1500 for LOW LUX Mode; and 1/240-1/1500 for the Smooth Slow Recording Mode. The HDR-CX550V camcorder also comes with a full range Auto/Manual focus control on the touch panel, making it look sleeker in design. Sony also has added some advance features that has enhanced the camcorder such as the face detection, Smile Shutter™, golf shot, intelligent auto for various recording more and the NightShot™ Infrared System.
The Sony HDR-CX550V comes with an impressive built-in memory of 64GB, PRO Duo™ MARK2 Media memory stick for additional recording needs, and the SD/SDHC/SDXC media. The camcorder also includes a USB2.0 hi-speed port, BRAVIA® Sync™, and a headphone jack. The image capture uses the universal and handy JPEG format with video formats including MPEG4 and MPEG2 formats. The complete camcorder box package comes with an AC adaptor, A/V cable and connecting cable, application software CD-ROM, a rechargeable NP-FV50 battery pack, USB cable, remote control and a lithium battery to power up the Sony HDR-CX550V camcorder.
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AetherL says on October 30th, 2010 at 4:21 pm:
Pros: – Image Stabilization capability is best in class
- Wide(r) angle lens (28mm equivalent) then competitors
- SDHC cards now accepted
- Best in class low-light performance
- 24 MB/sec recording rate now standard for 1080i filming
Cons: – No wind filter, which is frustrating for outdoor use
- Does not include 24p Processing
- Panasonic 700 Camcorder includes Time Lapse Recording, which is neat but not present on the Sony. And yes, the Panasonic TM700 includes a Wind Filter as well.