Sony HDR-UX7 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Oct 10, 2007 5:06 PM
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Comparison
Sony HDR-UX1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $729.95)
Before we get to the HDR-UX1’s ($1,500 MSRP) most notable difference – size – let’s talk video performance. In bright light, the HDR-UX1 looks better – better dynamic range and better sharpness. The HDR-UX7 (Review, Specs, $939.99) offered a superior color palette, but we saw an increase in noise and, in some instances, more artifacting. In the end, the HDR-UX1 cranks out a cleaner image. In low light, the HDR-UX1 was better still. The 1/3-inch CMOS has fewer and larger pixels. The UX7’s next-generation, 1/2.9-inch CMOS packed in the pixels too densely, resulting in a noisy image. This is surely disappointing to those who prudently chose to wait out Sony’s first-generation kinks, even though they were chomping at the bit for a high definition DVD camcorder.
Architecturally, the HDR-UX1 is a giant when pinned up against the HDR-UX7. The first-generation AVCHD Sony is approximately 20 percent bulkier. The only other major difference between the two comes down to external manual controls. The HDR-UX1 features a huge, multifunctional ring around the lens while the HDR-UX7 opts for a smaller dial protruding from the front. Both controls function beautifully and are light years beyond the cheap Cam Control wheels found on the HDR-HC7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1128.56) and Canon HV20 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $903). So, it’s truly a test of principle. Do you want the latest—even if it’s not the greatest? Or are you willing to confide in a camcorder that offers better video quality and a Cam Control ring? Yes, shoot for the HDR-UX1. You can find it online for around $600.
Panasonic HDC-DX1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99)
The Panasonic HDC-DX1 ($1,399 MSRP) is one ugly camcorder—there’s no way around it. In fact, this AVCHD behemoth was such a dud, Panasonic slashed the price, then replaced it with the completely revamped HDC-SX5. Don’t be intimidated by the HDC-DX1’s list price—you can find it online for just more than $400. Yikes. We’ll consider the HDC-DX1 a mulligan, Panasonic.
In terms of video quality, both the HDC-DX1 and HDR-UX7 show signs of AVCHD compression from artifacting, resulting in chunky clusters of messy pixilation. However, the HDC-DX1 exhibited far less noise in bright light. On the other hand, the HDR-UX7 produces a sharper image. In low light, the HDC-DX1’s three 1/4-inch CCDs produced a brighter image with less noise. Sadly for the HDC-DX1, video performance is one of the few one-ups it has on the HDR-UX7.
The HDC-DX1 is a monster, saddled with a steep disc hatch and preposterous battery that juts out like a diving board. It’s not fun to handle, by any means. The HDC-DX1 offers more manual controls and audio gain, but it’s not worth it—its body design is just too clunky. In this case, you don’t have to go for the HDR-UX7, but you can’t settle on the HDC-DX1.
Canon HR10 (Specs, Recent News, $0)
Canon’s first stab at the AVCHD DVD market, the HR10 ($1,199 MSRP) shares the same imaging system with its disk drive and tape-based HDV counterparts, the HG10 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $499.95) and HV20, only it has a slightly lower bitrate than the HG10. All three high definition powerhouses feature 1/2.7-inch CMOS chips with 2,960,000-pixel resolution. We haven’t had a chance to test the HR10 yet, but you can expect a strikingly similar video performance to the HG10. The HDR-UX7 cannot hold a candle to the HG10’s imaging in either bright or low light, so expect the same outcome with the HR10.
As far as construction and handling goes, the HDR-UX7 takes the cake. The HR10 does not have an accessory shoe or Cam Control apparatus of any sort. The HR10 comes equipped with a smaller 2.7-inch LCD screen and an afterthought of a viewfinder. The HR10 does offer a rear-mounted joystick, superior to the touch screen. There seems to be a pattern this year—Sony is releasing well-crafted camcorders with a decent video performance while Canon is specializing in cheap construction and superior imaging. Video performance always prevails, so the Canon HR10 is the winner.
Panasonic HDC-SX5
We haven’t gotten our hands on the HDC-DX1’s replacement yet, but the HDC-SX5 ($899 MSRP) looks more promising—at least in specs and pictures. We also had a chance to film with this camcorder at a Panasonic press event, and the video looked good. Unfortunately, handling hasn’t improved. The HDC-SX5 flaunts a battery that sticks out even further than the HDC-DX1’s. We thought it wasn’t possible, but Panasonic managed to wow us in the wrong way yet again. Just like the HDC-DX1, the HDR-UX7 feels better in hand and offers a larger 3.5-inch LCD screen and Cam Control dial. Like all Panasonics, the HDC-SX5 is equipped with a killer set of manual controls and a rear-mounted joystick. The SX5 also has the benefit of hybrid recording – storing video to either DVD or SDHC cards. This is the kind of flexibility that could put Panasonic over the top. Stick around to see if the HDC-SX5 has what it takes to usurp Sony’s top of the line HDR-UX7. This will be a close race.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters
Nothing says point-and-shooter like a Sony DVD camcorder with Easy mode and massive touch screen LCD. Shooters planning to venture beyond autopilot should be wary of the HDR-UX7’s short record times and stubborn AVCHD format.
Budget Consumers
One-thousand dollars is not within the ballpark of most budget-conscious consumers, but the HDR-UX7 delivers with decent video performance, a solid construction, and advanced features. The Panasonic HDC-SX5 is the least expensive high definition DVD camcorder to date, but it has not yet hit the market. We’re also expecting to see new models from all manufacturers by mid-2008.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
We’re talking about high definition video here—stills are an afterthought. The HDR-UX7 can capture stills up to 6.1 megapixels in size, but that’s interpolated. Aside from a flash, you won’t find many other still features on this camcorder. The HDR-UX7 cannot record video to Memory Stick. Sorry, hybrid lovers.
Gadget Freaks
That multifunction Cam Control dial is looking mighty tempting. Ooh, and Smooth Slow Record. The HDR-UX7 is AVCHD as well? Gadget freaks might have to reconsider their stance on DVD camcorders.
Manual Control Freaks
We usually grill Sonys for the consumer-level manual controls and uninviting touch screen interfaces, but the HDR-UX7 redeems itself with that trusty Cam Control Dial.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists
No DVD camcorder, even high definition, will excite a pro.
Conclusion
The Sony HDR-UX7 is a study in contrasts. Manufacturers make no bones about target marketing camcorders with laser-like accuracy. It is widely acknowledged that DVD camcorders are aimed squarely for the hands of new parents and young families – those who want ease of use and instant compatibility with the other devices in their home.
So Sony goes ahead and delivers this HDR-UX7. The camcorder has, without a doubt, the best suite of controls of any Sony camcorder this year: a large dial for making adjustments, optical image stabilization, a 3.5-inch screen, a mic jack, and a headphone jack. Sony loaded on all sorts of extra controls like AE Shift, WB Shift, zebra patterns, multiple color space modes, and more. So there goes the simplicity factor. Then it matches the DVD media with the AVCHD codec, which is compatible with virtually nothing in the average home.
The ease of use crowd is confounded, and the camcorder enthusiasts don’t want anything to do with DVD that can only hold 15 minutes of video. Nobody wins. Now, we can’t fault Sony for wanting to push a camcorder like the HDR-UX7. It’s a huge money-maker. It manufactures the Sony Vegas software for editing. It produces the DVD players that can play back your finalized discs. It makes the HDTVs that display your high definition video as well as the new x.v. Color. Oh, it also makes the MemorySticks that capture your still photos and the flashes, lights, and mics that go in your accessory shoe. The camcorder isn’t the problem – it’s your outdated lifestyle. Get with it. It’s a Sony world. You better catch up or you’ll be left behind.
We’re sorry, but we can’t get behind this. Sony makes a lot of decent camcorders, but this is not one we recommend. In addition to the reasons listed above, the image quality has gone downhill since last year. That’s a mistake for which a manufacturer should be held accountable. Sony has testing labs. It knew the low light performance would go down if it packed too many pixels onto the chip. But it also knows misinformed consumers like to see high pixel counts. That’s bad math, and it hurts credibility in the long run. There were a couple winning features, but we’ll pass on the HDR-UX7.
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