Sony HDR-UX7 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jan 10, 2007 3:00 PM

Intro Performance
Format
Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons / Conclusion
Related Articles

News: Pixela's New DVD Burner · Even More AVCHD Editing: Pinnacle Studio 11 · AVCHD Editing Is Here - Sony Vegas 7.0e and Ulead Video Studio 11



 
The Front
The front of the HDR-UX7 is identical to that of the HDR-UX5 and is similar to recent Sony HDD camcorders like the HDR-SR1 and the new HDV camcorders, HDR-HC5 and HDR-HC7. All these camcorders display a relatively large lens barrel on their front ends, with some controls sprinkled around its rims and in its crags. In the case of the HDR-UX7, the camcorder features a nice dial control that is distinctly different and better than those of the HDR-HC7 and HDR-HC5. While we lament the loss of the dial seen on the UX1, this dial nonetheless offers a workable manual control alternative to Sony’s touch screen interface. This dial is located just below and to the right of the lens barrel and sticks out a like a tiny appendage from the camcorder body. The only other feature on the front of the camcorder is its flash. It is a vertical one that curves around the left side of the lens barrel.
 
 
The Right Side
The user grips the HDR-UX7 from the right side. The right side also contains the camcorder’s DVD disc drive. A thin, small strap runs the length of the right side. There is nothing else on this side of the camcorder. The DVD drive, enclosed by the right side, is big enough to provide a comfortable grip. It really feels more secure in the hand than a tape-based camcorder, although, I wouldn’t feel comfortable shaking it though).
 
 
The Back
The back of the HDR-UX7 holds its battery pack, mode switch, primary record button, viewfinder, and a couple ports. The camcorder’s A/V out and DC in ports are located underneath the camcorder’s battery pack. The most dominant feature is the camcorder’s battery pack that juts out significantly from the back of the machine. This is an unfortunate, though perhaps inevitable, byproduct of the body design since DVD mechanisms are inherently larger than tape transporters. With the HDR-HC7, Sony designed a deeply recessed battery slot that gives the HDV camcorder a more svelte appearance while keeping the battery from bumping against your cheek while using the viewfinder.
 
The HDR-UX7’s viewfinder cannot be extended, but it does tilt upwards to provide some distance from the protruding battery.
 
The Left Side
The left side of the HDR-UX7 is the camcorder’s main control center. It features the camcorder’s primary menu navigational device an LCD screen with Sony’s revamped touch menu. The 3.5” makes the touch screen menu much easier to use than smaller screens of the past, and addresses some of the usability issues we've hit touch screens hard for in our reviews.
 
Underneath the LCD screen, the user will find the camcorder’s MemoryStick PRO Duo slot along with a series of buttons for Easy mode, Display/Battery Info, and Playback mode The buttons are well-placed since it moves less important buttons under the screen and out of the way. 
 
The strip of ports located beneath the LCD cavity is also well-placed. Along this strip, running left to right, are the camcorder’s microphone input, headphone jack, component out, and HDMI output, Moving toward the front of the camcorder from this port strip, one finds the camcorder’s assignable dial control. This control, while functionally similar to the HDR-HC7 (and other past high-end Sonys), is designed for better control. It also looks prettier and has a more substantial feel than the dial found on its prior brethren.
 
 
The Top
The top of the HDR-UX7 holds the camcorder’s built-in 5.1 Surround Sound microphone and proprietary AIS (Advanced Accessory Shoe). Rarely used buttons on the top include NightShot and Backlight, as well as the sliding latch used to access the disc drive. The camcorder’s zoom toggle and photo capture button are located behind the latch. Unfortunately for users with large hands, the zoom toggle falls under my middle finger instead of my index finger, a problem I experience on most Sony camcorders this year. I also prefer microphones to be on the front of the camcorder, but it seems that Sony’s built-in surround sound microphones are usually right on top, leading me to suspect that they will pick up more unwanted noise.



<< Format | Auto / Manual Controls >>