Sony Handycam HDR-UX20 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on May 5, 2008 8:33 AM
|
Advertisement
|
||||||||||||
Ease of Use (7.5)
It’s a Sony DVD camcorder with Easy mode. What more could you ask for? Yes, Easy Mode transforms any Sony into an idiot-proof autopilot machine—all the shooter needs is the Record Start/Stop button and maybe the zoom toggle, if they’re feeling it. When the HDR-UX20 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $588.99) is set to Easy Mode, the Function menu disappears, Home menu items dwindle, and onscreen LCD buttons enlarge to twice their original size. The Function menu is not available in Playback mode either. All image adjustments are made automatically. Easy Mode is the magical elixir for any video novice.
Outside of Easy Mode, operation not as cushy, but it’s still better than something like Panasonic, which can be a little intense for beginners. Sonys are geared toward the consumer who wants something they can turn on, point, and shoot. The HDR-UX20’s Home menu is just as intuitive as an ATM screen, and most options are arranged in a logical array. All Manual Controls are located in the Function menu, and most administrative functions can be found in the Home menu. However, the touch screen responsiveness was not as good as it was on the 3.5-inch screen HDR-SR12 (Review, Specs, $834.99). We often had to push the buttons more than once to get the desired effect.
The only red flag we see with the HDR-UX20 is its ability to record via three different forms of media. DVD, Internal Flash Memory, and Memory Stick PRO Duo cards will be difficult to keep track of if you opt to use all three. Our recommendation? Don’t use all three. In fact, stick to one form of media. If you prefer DVDs for their quick playback, record to DVD. If internal flash memory means one less thing to carry in the camcorder bag, then go for it. Those who prefer solid state will obviously want to take advantage of the Memory Stick PRO Duo slot. Just don’t mix and match—it’ll save you clumps of hair.
Handling (5.0)
The HDR-UX20 strays significantly from the previous generation HDR-UX1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $639.00) (Review, Specs, Recent News, $729.95) and HDR-UX7 (Review, Specs, $729.95) (Review, Specs, $762.19) when it comes to design. Sony went with a tall upright camcorder body, which aids portability and attributes to a sleek, sexy look. Well, this consumer-driven architecture comes at a hefty price for the advanced power shooter. A tall, upright camcorder is awkward to grasp and disproportionate in terms of weight. You’ll find that it’s easier to shake the HDR-UX20 than it is the massive HDR-UX1. Not only does stabilization take a blow, but manual adjustment is shafted as well. Sony nixed the Cam Control dial found on the HDR-UX7—long gone are the days of the HDR-UX1’s Cam Control lens ring. You’ll have to rely on the 2.7-inch LCD screen, which was also downgraded from the HDR-UX1’s whopping 3.5-incher. Consumer is the name of the game for the HDR-UX20.
As far as grip goes, you’ll be palming the DVD hatch, but make sure your fingers don’t make it over to the microphone. You’ll have to arch your fingers for them to remain on top of the DVD hatch. The index finger aligns with the Zoom toggle quite well, but the Zoom toggle is embedded too deeply and remains flush with the body of the camcorder. We could have used a little extra plastic here. The Record Start/Stop button falls too far below the thumb, causing you to bend your thumb at a steep angle to reach it. Sayonara, wide, fat camcorder goodness—the HDR-UX20 possesses very few traits from its older siblings.
 |
| The HDR-UX20 (left) and the HDR-SR12 (right) are a study in design contrasts. Overall, we preferred the low, fat body of the SR12. With the addition of the Cam Control Dial on the front, the SR12 handled like a champ. The UX20 was strictly point-and-shoot. |
At least the extendable viewfinder is a nice attempt by Sony. It certainly looks flashy with its metallic AIS shield. However, the viewfinder only extends to a distance that is flush with the battery. If you upgrade to the bulkier NP-FH70 battery, you will get a nice chunk of hard plastic in your face. Also, the DVD hatch takes anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds to open, so you must possess an ample amount of patience. The Memory Stick PRO Duo slot also looks stylish, but loading and unloading a card is a very unstable process. The glossy frame of the LCD cavity cause a card to glide to and fro, as if it’s on a bed of grease. If you’re shooting on a bridge or structure with holes and a very long drop off, you can say goodbye to your Memory Stick PRO Duo.
Menu (6.0)
Sony’s Home menus never fail to offer stellar ease of use and intuitive navigation. Unfortunately, the HDR-UX20’s 2.7-inch LCD screen is too small for most fingers, whereas the HDR-UX1’s 3.5-inch LCD screen offered a lot more breathing room. Since the HDR-UX20 also skimps on external controls, most operations are heavily menu dependent. This means wading through the numerous pages just to access SteadyShot or Zebras, which should be in the Function menu, but hide out in the Home menu instead. On a screen this small, buttons are not as responsive and you’ll find yourself pressing on the same LCD screen location numerous times before anything useful happens.
To access the Home menu, press the Home button located in the upper left hand corner of the LCD screen, or the Home button located on the LCD panel. The Home menu is Sony’s administrative menu, and contains the following options:
|
Home Menu |
|
| Camera | Movie, Photo, Smooth Slow Record |
| View Images | Visual Index, Movie Index, Photo Index, Playlist |
| Others | Delete, Photo Capture, Movie Dub, Photo Copy, Edit, Playlist Edit, Print, USB Connect, TV Connect Guide |
| Manage Media | Movie Media Set, Photo Media Set, Finalize, Media Info, Media Format, Unfinalize, Repair Image Database File |
| Settings | Movie Settings, Photo Settings, View Images Set, Sound/Display Set, Output Settings, Clock/Language, General Set |
The Home Menu
The Camera menu, which contains all Manual Controls, can be accessed by pressing the Camera button located in the lower right hand corner of the LCD screen. The Camera menu contains the following options:
| Camera Menu | |
| Camera 1 |
Focus, Spot Focus, Tele Macro |
| Camera 2 |
Exposure, Spot Meter, Scene Selection |
| Camera 3 |
White Balance, Color Slow Shutter, Super NightShot |
| Camera 4 |
Fader, Digital Effect, Picture Effect |
| Camera 5 |
Record Mode, Built-In Zoom Mic, Micref Level, Flash Mode |
The Camera menu
Portability (6.5)
Though we’ve roasted the HDR-UX20 for its lack of handling qualities, it’s certainly easier to tote around than the HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7. The HDR-UX20 measures 58mm x 93mm x 134mm (2 3/8 in. x 3 ¾ in. x 5 3/8 in.) and weighs in at 560g (1 lb. 3 oz.). You can slip this baby into a large coat pocket and it will suit a small camcorder bag well. If you plan on just using the Internal Flash Memory, then you don’t have to worry about toting around media—DVD lovers will have to stock up on mini DVD-Rs. Memory Sticks might be a better route because they take up far less space and are easier to shoot with.
 |
 |
|
| 2.7-inch LCD with a 211,000 pixel resolution | The extendable viewfinder |
LCD and Viewfinder (8.0)
The HDR-UX20 is equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a 211,000-pixel display. The LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. The HDR-UX20’s LCD screen is a downgrade from previous generations, such as the HDR-UX1, which features a 3.5-inch display. This make menu navigation a cumbersome task, as menu buttons take multiple presses to spring into action. The LCD panel is outfitted with a handy strip of controls consisting of Home, Zoom Out, Zoom In, and Record Start/Stop buttons.
The HDR-UX20 also has an extendable color viewfinder that clears about an inch off the back end of the camcorder. The viewfinder does not pivot upward and is not constructed with a rubberized eye cup, but rather a plastic frame in its place. The HDR-UX20’s viewfinder only extends to a length that is flush with the battery, which means if you opt for the higher capacity NP-FH70, the viewfinder will not ante up. It seems like Sony just threw the viewfinder on the HDR-UX20 as an afterthought—we want to see the pivoting, rubberized glory of Sonys of yore.
Battery Life (10.0)
We tested the life of the HDR-UX20's NP-FH60 rechargeable battery pack by recording continuously in the highest quality setting with the LCD flipped open. OIS was disabled and video was shot in manual mode. When the Internal Flash Memory reached its maximum capacity, the external power supply was connected while the previous clip was wiped before filming resumed. The HDR-UX20's battery lasted 100 minutes and 14 seconds (1 hour, 40 minutes, and 14 seconds), which is a fairly decent run.
|
Advertisement
|