Sony HDR-UX1 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Sep 29, 2006 1:00 AM
|
Advertisement
|
|||||||||||
Comparisons
Sony HDR-HC3
These camcorders are similar in terms of design, and both boast Sony’s ClearVID CMOS sensor – an impressive imager that yields excellent HD resolution, and great color. The major difference between the two camcorders in terms of performance is in their video compression with the tape-based HDR-HC3 using HDV compression, and the HDR-UX1 opting for the newer AVCHD format. While the two camcorders produce similar video, we think HDV looks better with its 25Mbps data rate vs a max of 12Mbps on this AVCHD camcorder. The UX1 produces a comparable picture – but the noise and compression artifacts are a big problem. In terms of options and features, the UX1 comes out far ahead, with a multifunction ring and a mic jack in addition to the Active Interface Shoe that the camcorders share. In the end, the UX1 comes out ahead on the basis of its better feature set – and an MSRP $100 lower than its cousin – but it’s a close call. We'd say if you want the highest video quality go with the HC3, but frankly, the video on the UX1 is certainly quite good, plus you get a camcorder with much better features and a lot more expandability. If you're spending this much on a camcorder, you should be using it to it's fullest capabilities and the UX1 will allow you to do that.
Sony DCR-DVD505
The DCR-DVD505 is Sony’s top of the line standard definition DVD camcorder, and it’s a great piece of equipment that performs just like the HDR-UX1 in standard definition mode. That’s no surprise given that fact that both camcorders are equipped with a 1/3” ClearVID CMOS sensor. The big question for users weighing the merits of these two camcorders is, how important is HD to you, and are you equipped to reap the benefits of higher resolution now? If your answer to that question is yes, and you’re willing to shell out an extra $300 for the HDR-UX1, there is really no contest. With the HDR-UX1, you’ll also get a nice multifunction ring, as well as a mic input and HDMI terminal.
Canon HV10
This year’s batch of HD consumer camcorders produces very sharp and good looking video, but these both the HDR-UX1 and Canon’s HV10 are hobbled by growing pains. The HV10 is extremely compact, and produced amazingly sharp video in good light that was hands-down superior to the noisy image produced by the Sony. Despite this strong showing in “normal lighting” the HV10’s performance flagged in low light. This notable performance difference likely stems from the fact that the two camcorders use competing compression methods. The disc-based HDR-UX1 employs AVCHD compression, and the tape-based HV10 sticks with tried and true HDV.
Other than performance, each camcorder brings significant strengths and weaknesses to the table. The HDR-UX1 has a great control ring, and separate dedicated mic and headphone jacks – both lacking on the Canon. The Sony also supplies an HDMI jack and some major ease of use benefits over the HV10. However, the HV10 is the smallest HD camcorder on the market, and packs more picture control options into its diminutive profile. Yet the Canon is a bear to handle given its awkward upright design. In the end, its tough to call a winner between these camcorders, but we can say the Sony triumphs for it's control options., mic jack, heapdhone jack and HDMI jack. Unless you specifically want something incredibly tiny, and don't care about any advanced features, you should stick with the UX1 - its worth it.
JVC GZ-MG505
JVC’s $1300 is one of the top HDD camcorders on the market, and in certain respects it has an edge over the HDR-UX1, particularly when it comes to manual controls – but in video performance there is no contest. The Sony enters the ring with a 1/3” ClearVID CMOS sensor vs the smaller 1/4.5” CCD on the GZ-MG505, and with HD capabilities, it produces much sharper video. Handling is a draw – the Sony is easy to use, has an excellent zoom toggle, and a very nice multifunction ring. JVC has a joystick, and its menu structure is nicely designed, and easier to navigate than Sony’s touch screen. Although it lacks the ring control, the Everio adds better control over gain, exposure, and shutter speed while both camcorders have a mic jack. In the end, its not really fair to compare a standard definition camcorder to a high definition camcorder. If these camcorders both shot HD video, we’d give the JVC our thumbs up based on its superior manual controls and menu design.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
Point-and-shooters are those folks who like to turn on a camcorder, press record, and let their camcorder’s electronic brain take care of the heavy lifting. If you’re someone who considers Auto mode your best friend, this camcorder is a very solid choice. It’s easy to use, and performs well in full auto mode – but for better video in decent light, you may want to consider Canon’s HV10.
Budget Consumers (3.0)
This is not a cheap camcorder, but only Canon’s HV10 serves up HD video for less. At $1400, the HDR-UX1 can only be considered a bargain when you compare it to prosumer camcorders that cost significantly more – such as Sony’s HVR-A1U, which sells for close to $2000 on the street.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (5.0)
The HDR-UX1 is a decent Still Photo/Video Camera hybrid, especially considering its an HD camcorder. Stills max out at 2304 x 1736, or 4MP, and you can record photos to MemoryStick Duo while shooting video. It’s not a replacement for a decent digital still camera, but more than most consumer camcorders on the market, this one swings both ways with aplomb.
Gadget Freaks (8.0)
The HDR-UX1 is not the ideal camcorder for dedicated gadget freaks. Other than its multifunction ring and the deservedly wow-inducing Smooth Slow Record feature, it’s a camcorder that closely resembles many other Sony models including the DCR-DVD505 and the HDR-HC3. Canon’s miniscule HV10 rates higher on the coolness scale simply because it's so damn small.
Manual Control Freaks (6.0)
The HDR-UX1 got us excited when we saw the multifunction ring, and it's a fine control. The Cam Control button, located near the ring on the camcorder's lens barrel adds to the efficiency of the ring by allowing users to toggle through ring functions via an external button. All this adds up to a camcorder with manual controls that are implemented even better than on Panasonics with their joystick-based manual control interface. While Panasonics do offer more in terms of independent manual controls, including over gain, the ring on this Sony should be even more appealing to many manual control freaks.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
Two words: AVCHD Handycam. AVCHD is not a pro format, and Handycam’s offer everything but robust professional feature sets. The HDR-UX1 is not the camcorder for you if you fall into this category.
Conclusion
The Sony HDR-UX1 is a great camcorder. Sony has finally brought to market an HD model with all the features that users demand after creating a hole when they replaced the HDR-HC3 with the HDR-HC1. The multifunction ring is great and reminds us of one of our favorite camcorders ever, the Panasonic PV-GS400. The mic jack, heapdhone jack, and HDMI port are things that really distinguish this model from other HD models (including Sony's) in the field and justify it's slightly higher price tag.
However, we know that you know the specs. The real question is how does AVCHD compare to HDV? AVCHD didn't outright disappoint us, and we can proudly say it's the first MPEG-4 camcorder that didn't look absolutely terrible. The video is sharp and the colors are great. That being said, there are some compression issues. Are the compression issues going to affect normal users and prosumers? It's unlikely. Do those compression issues probably prevent the HDR-UX1 from being used in truly professional situations like wedding and event videography? That's more likely. We think most professionals won't be comfortable with the amount of compression used. On top of that, there are HUGE workflow issues with the HDR-UX1 that aren't solved yet. AVCHD video also requires an enormous amount of horsepower from your computer, which may set this format back even further.
What's the bottom line? The HDR-UX1 is potentially great for the prosumer who wants to get features like a large LCD screen, improved control, and more inputs and outputs that will allow them to make great videos. The HDR-UX1 is like a shrunk down Sony A1 (the prosumer HDV model) with audio control and picture control that prosumers want; and haven't seen on an affordable model under $2,000 since the Panasonic PV-GS400. What is so refreshing about it is this very fact; that Sony has bucked the "over-simplification" trend for once and given us what we all want. We're so happy about that and all the great features of this camcorder that we want to look past the compression and editing issues. As we said (and as it has been stated to us again and again), solutions will arrive soon enough. When you take into account all the features, and not just performance, the HDR-UX1 is the best HD value under $1,500 currently on the market .
|
Advertisement
|