Sony HDR-UX20 First Impressions Camcorder Reviewby Alfredo PadillaPublished on Jan 10, 2008 3:35 PM 
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Video Performance
The Sony HDR-UX20 (Review, Specs, Recent News, ) has a 1/5-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor with Exmor technology. Gross pixel count is 2,300,000 pixels with an effective pixel count of 1,120,000 pixels at 4:3 and 1,490,000 pixels at 16:9. This compares to last year’s Sony HDR-UX7 (Review, Specs, $0.00) that had a gross pixel count of 3,200,000 pixels and an effective pixel count of 2,280,000 pixels in 4:3 and 1,710,000 pixels in 16:9.
Typically, we expect that when a manufacturer shrinks their imager size and increase the pixel density, the noise will increase. However, Sony has implemented new capture and processing technology, borrowed in some regard from its Alpha line of SLR cameras. They claim that this system will offset any increase in noise from smaller pixels, but a few rounds in our testing room will be the ultimate judge.
Low Light Performance
The low light performance of the Sony HDR-UX20 may well be reduced from last year’s model, as the CMOS imager has reduced its surface area. This is an old maxim of those who follow the imaging industry, and one that manufacturers are quick to try and counter. Sony makes a few good points. First, there is the issue of material science, which means that the physical materials get a little better every year. Secondly, Sony has installed new noise reduction processes that should combat problems encountered by densely-packed chips. While these are both good points, we must remain skeptical until we can actually test the bloody things. No comment until then.