Sony HDR-CX7 Camcorder Review

Of the multitude of high definition camcorders Sony has released this year, the HDR-CX7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $769.95) is undoubtedly the most fetching to the eye. Gone are cumbersome, bulky elements like a tape deck, DVD bay, or a lot of on-board ports and jacks. The problem with throwing out the bath water, of course, is keeping hold of the baby. Unlike its sibling camcorders, the HDR-CX7 lacks a lot of manual control features and interfaces, like the control dial, that helps justify the big price tag. The result is a very pricey point-and-shoot that looks cool and shoots well in adequate lighting, but could use a bit more horsepower in some key areas.

The Front (7.5)
The front of the HDR-CX7 is all lens barrel. The 10x optical zoom Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens has a focal length of 5.4mm-54mm, aperture range of f/1.8-2.9, and a 37mm filter diameter. Depending on what mode you shoot in, the 35mm equivalent focal length may vary: 40-400mm in 16:9 Camera mode, 49- 490mm in 4:3 Camera mode, 40-400mm in 16:9 Memory mode, and 37-370mm in 4:3 Memory mode. A 37mm filter diameter is a popular size for filters and lens attachments, and unlike add-on mics and lights, you won’t be limited to proprietary Sony equipment. Throwing a wide angle lens on the HDR-CX7 will not only make it look even stealthier, but will significantly increase the field of view. The HDR-CX7 features an automatic lens enclosure, which eliminates the negligence factor when it comes to protecting the lens. To the left of the lens is a small flash. To the right of the lens is a structural wing, hosting the record tally lamp and remote sensor.

The Right Side (5.5)
It becomes quickly apparent that the HDR-CX7 is merely a jazzed-up lens barrel with a hand strap, which has its upsides. On the right side, that’s pretty much what you’ll be latching onto. A textured plastic strip lies at the base of the lens barrel, providing added bulk for a proper grip. Believe it or not, this camcorder is a comfort king. The HDR-CX7’s hand strap is what we expect to see on models within this price range—thick, padded, and constructed of high grade, breathable materials. In addition, the hand strap is positioned perfectly, creating minimal camcorder flop. The Movie mode, Camera mode, and battery charge lamps are embedded along the back ridge, followed by the circular flash button, rounding out the minimalistic right side of the HDR-CX7.

The Back (5.0)
The back of the HDR-CX7 looks like a small thatched roof house with a chimney. Its triangular top houses the milled circular mode dial, which functions as the on/off control and the Video mode/Camera mode toggle. Beneath the mode dial is the HDR-CX7’s battery pack, which rests within a profoundly cavernous battery chamber. Upgrading to a mammoth battery pack will not hamper your shooting experience because the battery chamber is so deep and there is no viewfinder to battle with. To the left of the battery is a vertical column of rugged plastic ports. The larger top segment shelters the HDMI and AV out terminals, while the small bottom segment encases the DC jack. The port covers feature small finger tabs at the top and bottom for easy access.

The Left Side (6.5)
The HDR-CX7’s sleek left side is relatively bare until you pop open the 2.7-inch LCD screen. Within the LCD cavity is a row of lustrous round buttons: back light, display/battery info, memory stick scene access, and playback. The NightShot switch and Easy button are located below. Toward the bottom of the LCD cavity you’ll find a small art deco-style playback speaker and Memory Stick PRO Duo slot. Unfortunately, the Memory Stick PRO Duo slot door opens downward, forcing you to remove the HDR-CX7 from a tripod to change a card. However, since the tripod mount is embedded to the extreme right of the camcorder’s bottom, its placement allows enough clearance for a small to medium head to fit. A thin column of buttons lines the left side of the LCD panel: home, zoom in/out, and record start/stop. All in all, the HDR-CX7 is equipped with essential, convenient controls that manage to pump up the style factor, as well.

The Top (7.0)
Up top, the HDR-CX7 makes use of a majority of its real estate. The 5.1 channel Dolby Digital built-in microphone is planted at the bow of the ship. The only issue with this design is that a wandering pinky will have the tendency to obscure the microphone, leading to uneven, muffled sound. Behind the built-in microphone is a Sony proprietary AIS (Active Interface Shoe) hot shoe, concealed by a burly plastic shield. An external video light or boom mic would look preposterous in conjunction with a fish-eye lens and mega battery on the HDR-CX7 due to its size, but Sony provides the option. Toward the back you’ll find the somewhat flattened zoom toggle and photo button. The zoom toggle does not extend out far enough and is more resistant to motion than most levers.