Sony HDR-UX7 Camcorder Review

by Michael Perlman

Published on Oct 10, 2007 5:06 PM
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Still Features (9.0)
 
 

The HDR-UX7's MemoryStick slot is
located in the LCD cavity
   
In Still Photo mode, the HDR-UX7 (Review, Specs, $0.00) can capture still images only to Memory Stick in the following sizes: 6.1 megapixels (2848 x 2136), 4.6 megapixels (2848 x 1602), 3.1 megapixels (2048 x 1536), and VGA (640 x 480). Images can be saved in Fine or Standard quality. In Video mode, still images can be captured to Memory Stick simultaneously while recording video to DVD in two sizes—4.6 megapixels (2848 x 1602) and 3.4 megapixels (2136 x 1602). Though the HDR-UX7 has the capacity to capture fairly large 6.1-megapixel images, it is worth mentioning that this is an interpolated image. A camcorder with a single chip can’t actually produce any more resolution than the number of pixels on that chip. The UX7 comes equipped with 3,200,000 pixels, making the 2048 x 1536 image the native resolution. Any stills larger than that have been interpolated. This means while the image is bigger, it does not contain any more information than the 3.1-megapixel image.

Nearly all the manual controls available in Video mode are also available in Still Photo mode, including the Cam Control dial. In addition to manual controls, the HDR-UX7 features a Red-Eye Reduction setting and Self-Timer.

The HDR-UX7 is equipped with a flash mounted to the left side of the lens. The flash can be set to Normal, High, or Low. There is no Self-Timer or Burst mode. However, on a camcorder geared toward high definition video, still images should not be expected to be the HDR-UX7’s strong suit.

 

The Still mode playback screens

Still Performance (8.97)
We tested the Sony HDR-UX7’s still photo quality by shooting a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart and running those stills through the Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. At best, the camcorder was able to produce a color error of 6.69, which is rather good. The noise level measured 1.7075 percent and saturation measured 107.6 percent.

In order to get these scores, we had to lower the exposure by one degree. Though you’ll never see it or be able to control these factors directly, the EXIF data revealed that in Auto mode the camcorder used an aperture of f/3.4 and a shutter speed of 1/60. Lowering the exposure one notch shifted the aperture to f/4.0.

In practical terms, the still photos looked very good. Sony generally manages to produce vivid pictures with good sharpness.

Still Resolution (26.32)
The still resolution was tested by shooting an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart and running those stills through Imatest imaging software. At best, the camcorder was able to produce an approximate horizontal resolution of 1405 line widths per picture height (lw/ph), with a 1.12 percent clipping and a undersharpening of 7.12 percent – and a vertical resolution of 1246 lw/ph, with a 1.01 percent clipping and an undersharpening of 11.5 percent.

In order to get this best score, we had to raise the exposure by one degree. In Auto mode, the camcorder was shooting at an aperture of f/4.8 and a shutter speed of 1/90. The best score kept the f/4.8 aperture but slowed down the shutter speed to 1/60.

 

 

 

 



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