Sony Handycam HDR-CX760 Camcorder Review

Usability

In terms of handling and ease of use, we feel almost the exact same way about the HDR-CX760V as we did about the Sony HDR-PJ710V we reviewed a few weeks ago. They are very similar camcorders, after all, with the CX760V being slightly more appealing overall thanks to its stronger design and a few additional key features. The presence of an electronic viewfinder, even though it isn't all that comfortable to use, is an important feature on the HDR-CX760V (and it isn't found on the PJ710V). The viewfinder may be uncomfortable, but you'll be glad to have it if you're shooting video under direct sunlight where glare is an inevitability.

The automatic controls are fantastic on the camcorder, as they are on most Sony models, and the manual controls are extensive. Some may be miffed by the fact that the CX760V lacks a true manual mode where aperture and shutter speed can be controlled independently from one another, but this is the only setback on the camcorder (and it is something we hope Sony makes possible on next year's flagship). The control dial, while not perfect, is great for setting focus and it gives you the special ability to adjust various controls on the fly, and that's always a good thing.

Since the HDR-CX760V has identical auto controls to the Sony HDR-PJ710V we reviewed a few weeks ago, you can read about these controls in our PJ710V review here.