Sony Handycam NEX-VG20 Camcorder Review

Motion

Motion captured by the NEX-VG20 looked very good in all frame rates, and we were impressed by Sony's ability to keep the rolling shutter effect under wraps. Rolling shutter, which is a problem attributed to many cameras and camcorders that feature very large image sensors, add a wobbly, jell-o-like effect to video that usually involves panning or quick movements with the camcorder. With the VG20 the effect was nearly unnoticeable in our tests using the 60i and 60p frame rate, although the effect was more prominent in the 24p record mode.

Motion also looked crisp and had very little blur in all three frame rates. The 24p mode may have produced the crispest image overall, but its motion is obviously choppier than the 60i and 60p settings. Part of that "choppiness" is what gives the 24p setting its cinema-like aesthetic. Additionally, artifacting wasn't an issue in the camcorder's highest-quality recording modes (no matter what frame rate we used). More on how we test motion.

See below for a full discussion of the available resolution and frame rate options for the NEX-VG20