Sony HDR-UX1 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Sep 29, 2006 1:00 AM
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The Front (9.0)
In several respects, the HDR-UX1 looks much like a scaled-up version of the Sony DCR-SR100 HDD camcorder introduced earlier this year. The most prominent feature on the front of the Sony HDR-UX1 is the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 10x optical zoom lens with a 30 mm filter diameter, identical to the lens on the SR100. The lens has a focal distance of 5.1 to 51 mm, and a 35mm equivalency of 41.3 to 485mm in 16:9 mode and 50.5 to 594mm in 4:3 mode. Like the DCR-SR100 and other higher-end Sonys, the lens has an automatic cover which opens when the camera is powered on. Significantly, the HDR-UX1 also has a multipurpose ring control at its front end, encircling the lens – a feature absent on the DCR-SR100. The ring is visible from the front as the silver ring around the black lens hood.
A small horizontal flash is mounted directly above the center of the lens, for use during still photo capture. Due to its placement, the in-camera flash will be covered if a lens attachment, such as a wide-angle adaptor is in use. To use the flash with a lens adaptor attached, users will need to purchase a Sony flash unit that is compatible with the Active Interface shoe on top of the camcorder. Below the lens are two sensors, for the remote control unit and the NightShot/Super NightShot recording modes. A tiny LED tally lamp is directly below the sensors. A metal wrist strap eyelet is visible at the lower left corner of the camcorder’s front. So much of the UX1's body layout is similar to the DCR-DVD505, that most of the scores run parallel. The front is almost identical.
The Right Side (7.5)
The right side of the Sony HDR-UX1 is where both the grip and DVD compartment of this camcorder are located. The wrist strap is a typical Sony design – well-padded and comfortable – with a slight downward angle from the back to the front of the camcorder’s body. Near the back of the body, above the point where the strap connects is a small port cover that conceals the headphone jack. The placement of this jack is a little problematic as its very close to the inside edge of the user’s hand when shooting hand-held. It’s likely that this placement will result in pressure on the jack that could lead to damage over time, so you should keep this in mind if you plan to monitor your sound while shooting.
The DVD compartment hatch occupies most of the surface area of the right side, and it opens towards the front of the camcorder on a rear hinge. The hatch opens wide enough to allow easy access for disc swapping, but I prefer top-loading models. Especially when shooting hand-held, it’s generally easier to access a DVD bay from the top, and it’s less likely that you’ll drop a disc than with a front-loading model like the HDR-UX1. Again, this is very similar to the DCR-DVD505, with the addition of the mic jack and headphone jack.
The Back (6.5)
The back of the Sony HDR-UX1 is occupied primarily by the battery slot, oriented vertically at the camcorder’s central axis. The battery pack release is on the base of the camcorder, adjacent to the battery, so it can’t be accessed when the HDR-UX1 is mounted on a tripod. Above the battery pack on the left side of the camcorder’s back is the EVF (electronic color viewfinder) with a relatively comfortable and large plastic eyepiece. The EVF does not extend, but it does tilt up to allow for better viewing angles. On the right side of the EVF is a dioptric adjustment lever that can only be accessed when it’s tilted up from the camcorder body.
Three small LED lamps are located to the right of the EVF, and indicate camcorder’s mode (camera or playback) and whether the camcorder’s battery is charging.
The Start/Stop record button is at the center right of the camcorder’s back, elevated slightly from the body of the camcorder. It’s comfortably situated for thumb activation when the camcorder is hand-held. At the top right corner, inset from the back surface of the camcorder is a standard Sony power/mode dial with positions for Off and On, and a toggle that switches between modes. Pressing the switch to the right when the camcorder is on, cycles through the camcorder’s modes. Everything is well-placed here, and we're pleased to see the MemoryStick Duo slot moved from under the viewfinder, as on the DVD505. It's a little more acccessible now in the LCD cavity.
The Left Side (9.55)
The left side of the Sony HDR-UX1 features a widescreen 3.5 inch LCD screen with 211,000 pixels. It’s a generously-sized screen similar to those on Sony’s other higher-end consumer camcorders, including the standard definition DVD-505. The LCD screen is opened by pulling a tab and the back edge of the LCD frame. On the bottom edge of the LCD frame, below the screen, are three alternate controls: from left are buttons for: record Start/Stop, zoom out, and menu home.
Several features are located inside the LCD cavity, including the MemoryStick slot, at the right side of the cavity. Above the card slot, behind a sliding protective door, is the USB port. Moving left, the on-camera playback speaker identifiable by a square mesh, and next to it is a vertical jack cover release. This slider is used to open and close a retractable port cover below the LCD cavity, and it’s a nifty feature we haven’t seen on the consumer market that’s better than the typical rubber port covers. To the left of the port cover slider is a button labeled Disp/Batt Info that is used to toggle information on the LCD on and off in camera mode, and to display detailed battery information when the camcorder is in standby mode.
Below the LCD cavity are a number of controls and the primary port cluster. Beginning from the left side is a button that provides instant access to playback mode followed by ports for AV out, Component out, and HDMI out. The DC-in port is located a the lower right corner, and is protected by its own run-of-the-mill rubber port cover. The big, sliding port cover is very cool, and prevents it from been torn off accidentally.
Along the lens barrel just behind the ring are three controls. At the top is the BLC (backlight compensation) button, labeled Back Light, and below that is a button that toggles the camcorder between manual and auto modes. Underneath that button is the NightShot on/off switch. The control ring is at the front of the camcorder, and has a rough surface that provides a sure grip.
The Top (7.75)
The zoom toggle on the top of the HDR-UX1 is just in front of the photo button, and has Sony’s typical rocking lever design. It’s a well-tuned control, and better than zoom toggles made by most other manufacturers. On the top of the lens barrel just to the rear of the ring is a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound microphone. Directly behind the four-channel microphone is a Sony’s proprietary Active Interface accessory shoe that accepts Sony products, including microphones, video lights and flashes. The shoe is covered by a plastic tab that snaps closely to the camcorder body.
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