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Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V $959.00
By Jeremy Stamas June 23, 2011
Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V
Review Highlights

A built-in video projector

Generally decent performance

Not especially great performance, though

Little in the way of manual controls

Score Breakdown
7.3
7.6
9.5
5.3

Introduction

The Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V ($959 MSRP) seems like your average mid-range HD camcorder—until you notice there’s a built-in video projector on the back of the camcorder’s LCD. The projector is far from perfect, but it could be a valuable tool for those who want to recap their footage without the presence of an HDTV.

In addition to the PJ30V, Sony has three other “projector cams” in its 2011 line. The HDR-PJ50V has the same features as the PJ30V, except it is loaded with a 220GB internal hard drive that makes it a bit larger and heavier (and $50 more expensive). The HDR-PJ10 is the cheapest of the three models (around $700), but it does not have a GPS function and lacks a number of other features found on Sony’s other two projector camcorders.

This review is organized into 13 pages
Page 1
Product Tour

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Page 2
Design Read More...
Page 3
Performance Read More...
Page 4
Usability Read More...
Page 5
Features Read More...
Page 6
Sample Videos

A gallery of photos taken with the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V

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Page 7
Canon Vixia HF M40 Comparison
Canon  Vixia HF M40

We compare the HDR-PJ30V to the HF M40.

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Page 8
Panasonic HDC-TM90 Comparison
Panasonic HDC-TM90

We compare the HDR-PJ30V to the HDC-TM90.

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Page 9
Sony Handycam HDR-CX700V Comparison
Sony  Handycam HDR-CX700V

We compare the HDR-PJ30V to the HDR-CX700V.

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Page 10
Conclusion

Read our final conclusion of the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V.

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Page 11
Photo Gallery

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Page 12
Specs & Ratings

See all the scores for the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V.

Read More...
Part 13
Comments

Read what people are saying about the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V.

Add your comments...

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