Sony HDR-UX1 First Impressions Camcorder Review

The Front
The front of the Sony HDR-UX1 is dominated by the lens barrel, which is much larger than the one on the DCR-DVD505, giving this model a more serious appearance. (Don't laugh. Appearence counts for a lot when you're trying to comport yourself as a professional, or even a serious hobbyist.)  The lens is a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with a 30mm filter diameter and automatic lens cap, and it is recessed in a matte box which provides better than usual glare protection.  The multifunction manual control ring is the most notable feature on this camcorder's front because it is so unusual to see a true control ring on a consumer camcorder, especially from Sony.  Not many features we've seen on camcorders of late have excited us as much as this ring.  With a studded surface, it spans nearly a finger's width, giving it real tactile substance and has a smooth, precise feel.  Inside the ring and above the lens is a built-in flash that has a design similar to the DCR-DVD505.  Below the lens barrel, and set back on the camcorder’s base, is the HDR-UX1's infrared sensor.

The Right Side
The right side of the HDR-UX1 houses the camcorder’s DVD disc mechanism, which closely resembles the one found on the DCR-DVD505.  It's here that we encountered one of a few usability drawbacks on the camcorder.  We had trouble opening the DVD comapartment door wide enough to permit easy access to the media because it ran into the handstrap. We must grant them that this was a hand-built model and might not necessarily suffer the same problems in a production model.  We hope that Sony corrects this problem by the time the product hits the market next month.  Forward of the DVD disc hatch just behind the multifunction ring is the external microphone jack, and above the jack is a Flash Button. At the opposite end of the hatch just forward of the viewfinder is a headphone jack. The camcorder’s hand strap extends from along the base of the right side and is angled down slightly towards the lens end of the camcorder. Sony’s handstraps may be the best on the consumer camcorder market, and this one is typically well-padded and comfortable.

The Back
The back of the HDR-UX1 is capped by a color electronic viewfinder which is oriented just left of the camcorder body’s midpoint. To its right is the Mode Switch, which follows the familiar Sony toggle design and is within easy reach of the right index finger when the camcorder is held. Below the Mode Dial are two lights, which indicate whether the device is in video or still camera mode. The Record Start/Stop button is located just below the indicator lights. At the base of the right edge is a remote control jack. The battery, below the viewfinder and to the left of the controls, occupies the bulk of the camcorder’s rear. The battery release is at the camcorder’s bottom edge below the battery slot.

The Left Side
A widescreen LCD screen, measuring a generous 3.5”, dominates the left side of the HDR-UX1. This large screen also appeared on the DCR-DVD505, and we're thankful to see its return. A large, high resolution screen and is an important feature on camcorders that record high definition video where it aids image assessment. The HDR-HC1 and HDR-HC3 only had 2.7" LCDs, and the upgrade is quite welcome. The screen opens to 90 degrees from the camcorder body on a hinge that seems to be durable enough to handle its bulk. Like most consumer camcorder LCDs, it rotates through 270 degrees and can be folded into the LCD cavity with the screen pointing out. Along the bottom of the LCD frame are buttons for Record Start/Stop, manual focus (W and T), and an LCD Home Button, which calls up page one in the menu.

A number of controls are located inside the LCD cavity beginning just left of center with a small Reset Button and a Display/Battery Info Button. Just to the right is a port cover release switch (more on that below) and the camcorder’s onboard speaker. On the right side of the LCD cavity is a USB port and below that is a Memory Stick Duo card slot.

Below the LCD, along the camcorder’s base is a retractable port cover that is opened using the release switch in the LCD cavity. We like the retractable port cover much more than the usual “dangling hatch” design found on most consumer camcorders. It’s a small detail, but one Sony’s designers deserve credit for implementing on this camcorder. The retractable port cover conceals the AV Out, Component Video Out and HDMI Out ports. Just to its right, and protected by its own standard port cover is the DC In. On the lens barrel, forward of the LCD hinge, are three controls: an LCD Back Light Button, a Manual Control Button, and a Nightshot On/Off switch.

The Top
On top of the HDR-UX1, just behind the lens, is the camcorder’s built-in microphone, followed by a proprietary Advanced Accessory Shoe which accommodates Sony accessories (such as the heavily advertised Bluetooth clip-on microphone). A hard plastic cover conceals the shoe. Near the lens barrel and above the DVD compartment is a switch that opens the disc hatch. At the opposite end, near the camcorder’s back, are three controls operated by the index finger when shooting. The Mode Dial sits at the back edge of the camcorder body, with the Zoom Toggle slightly forward. The small Photo Button is nestled in between the Mode Switch and Zoom Toggle.