Sony HDR-CX500V

Motion (8.30)

We liked the way the Sony HDR-CX500V captured motion, but we found models from Canon and JVC did a better job in this test. Another downside of the Sony camcorders is the fact that they only record HD video at 1080/60i, while other manufacturers offer alternate frame rates (Canon has a 24p and 30p mode and Panasonic has a 24p Digital Cinema setting).

The CX500V rendered motion essentially identical to the Sony HDR-XR520V (this makes sense, as they are essentially the same camcorder under the hood). We noticed a bit more artifacting on the Sony than we saw on high-end models from Canon and JVC, and there was more trailing and blur present on the CX500V’s image.

The Panasonic HDC-TM300 also didn’t do as well as the Canon HF S11 and JVC GZ-HM400 in our motion test. It had roughly the same amount of artifacting as the Sony HDR-CX500V, although we felt the Sony had a bit less. The TM300 does have the benefit of a 24p recording option, however, which is something not found on any consumer camcorder from Sony.

The Canon HF S11 did very well in our motion test. Its image looked crisp, had very little artifacting, and was fairly smooth. The camcorder also offers two alternate frame rates, 24p and 30p, which is a strong benefit for people who are looking for a different aesthetic than what is produced by regular 60i video.

Based on pure motion rendering quality, we have to say the JVC GZ-HM400 is at the top of the pack. The camcorder’s sharp, artifact-free image was a pleasure to see, and the motion looked incredibly smooth. The only problem with the JVC is that it doesn’t have a 24p or 30p recording option, although the camcorder does have three low-quality slow motion modes that shoot at 120fps, 300fps, and 300fps. More on how we test motion.