Sony HDR-UX1 Camcorder Review

Scan Rates/24p (0.0)
The Sony HDR-UX1 records video at the standard 60i, and does not offer alternate scan rates such as 24p.

Other Features (6.0)
Multifunction Ring - The large multifunction ring is one of the best features of this camcorder. It is located at the front of the HDR-UX1 just behind the lens, has a textured gripping surface, and is almost as wide as an index finger. The ring is probably best used as a manual focus ring since that is the vital manual control, and in that capacity the ring is terrific. It is sensitive, and allows for fast and accurate focus adjustments that far surpass the non-ring manual focus controls found on most consumer camcorders.

The ring can also be assigned to other manual controls, including Exposure, AE Shift and WB (White Balance) Shift. To switch from, say, exposure, to focus, users have the choice of pressing and holding the Cam Control button near the ring itself, or using the Camera Settings menu.

Smooth Slow Record - Smooth Slow Record is the coolest feature on some of Sony’s newest camcorders, including the HDR-UX1, and produces slow-motion footage that can be played back almost immediately – after 12 seconds in the case of this camcorder. The camcorder does this by increasing the rate at which fields are recorded by a factor of four, from 60fps to 240fps, and can only record three seconds of footage at a time in this mode. Predictably, video shot in Smooth Slow Record mode is darker, because the amount of light recorded per field is reduced in the same manner as fast shutter speeds darken an image. As a neat party trick, or for “analyzing golf swings” as Sony advertises, it’s a nice addition to the camcorder.

Super NightShot Infrared System - Like many other Sonys, the HDR-UX1 includes the Super NightShot Infrared System for shooting in low or no-light environments. The system employs the NS Light, an infrared lamp on the front of the camcorder body. In NS mode, the camcorder records images illuminated by the NS light, and the resulting video has a grainy greenish monochrome appearance that mimics night vision footage.

SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System - The Super SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System is a Sony-branded EIS (electronic image stabilization) system that Sony claims to be an “advanced” version of SteadyShot. According to Sony, the HDR-UX1’s EIS performs better than previous versions of the technology and does not result in degradation of the video image. EIS systems as they are typically deployed do result in a reduction of video resolution because they use part of the recorded image as an electronic buffer, while OIS (optical image stabilization) systems retain full picture resolution.