Sony Webbie HD MHS-CM1 Camcorder Review

by Kaitlyn Chantry
Published on Mar 3, 2009 2:18 PM

 
Intro
Product Tour
Color & Noise Performance Motion & Resolution Performance
Low Light Performance Compression & Media
Manual Controls Still Features
Handling & Use Playback & Connectivity
Audio & Other Features Flip Mino HD Comparison
Kodak Zi6 Comparison Flip Mino Comparison
Conclusion Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings


Product Tour Summary
• A huge sensor, but a low-end lens
• Simple, rectangular design that puts function before beauty
• Comes in orange, purple, and silver
• All the basic functions are mapped to exterior buttons, making menu navigation all but unnecessary for simple point and shoot operation
• Most buttons, hinges, and port covers feel relatively sturdy
Introduction (Page 2 of 17) Color & Noise Performance

Lens & Imaging System


The Sony MHS-CM1 is a modest camcorder, by many measures, but packed with some impressive specs. Inside, you'll find a huge 1/2.5-inch CMOS chip with a gross pixel count of 5,040,000. On the surface, that would seem to provide the makings of one of the best performers of the year. However, there's much more to video quality than simply the sensor. In fact, it's likely that Sony simply inserted a chip from one of its still cameras, surrounding it with a lackluster processor, lens, and manual control system. Our testing showed that the Sony MHS-CM1 produced incredible video resolution for a camcorder in this price range, but other aspects of performance were not so good.

The lens is on the low-end. The f/3.3 maximum aperture does not exactly scream "low light champ" and the 37-degree wide angle is weak compared to full-featured camcorders.

Lens   Sensor
Filter Diameter No filter thread for attachments   Type CMOS
Focal Range 6.4 - 31.4mm   Size 1/2.5-inch
Focal Range (35mm equiv.) 38 - 190mm (4:3)
41 - 203mm (16:9)		   Pixel Count (Gross) 5,040,000
Aperture f/3.3   Pixel Count (Effective) 2,073,600
Lab Tested Wide Angle* 37°
* How We Test Wide Angle

Front

An f/3.3 lens with a focal distance of 6.4 - 31.4mm
 
The LED light is weak and only illuminates a few feet
 
The built-in mic is mono, not stereo
 

Right

  External speaker for playback
  AV-out, USB, and DC power ports  

Back

The D-pad is used for menu navigation and for quick access to some controls.
This nubbin inside the D-pad is not a joystick. Rather, it functions as a confirmation button.
 
The playback mode button
 
 
  Record on/off button
 

Left

  Power button
Menu button
Upload button
2.5-inch LCD with a 153,600-pixel resolution   The MemoryStick card slot  
  The Size/ Quality button is, confusingly, also the Trash button  
 
 

Top

  Still photo button Hand grip  
  Zoom toggle  

Bottom

  Tripod mount
  MemoryStick card slot  

In The Box

• AC Adaptor
• Rechargeable internal battery pack (non-removable)
• Component A/V cable
• RCA A/V cable
• USB cable
• Picture Motion Browser software version 4.1
• Wrist Strap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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