Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 Camcorder Review

by Jeremy Stamas
Published on Jun 26, 2009 1:00 PM

 
Intro Product Tour
Color & Noise Performance Motion & Sharpness Performance
Low Light Performance Compression & Media
Manual Controls Still Features
Handling & Use Playback & Connectivity
Audio & Other Features Sony MHS-CM1 Comparison
Kodak Zx1 Comparison Flip UltraHD Comparison
Conclusion
 Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings


Conclusion
As far as ultra-compact budget camcorders go, the MHS-PM1 ($169.99 MSRP) has a few big features that help set it apart from the rest of the crowd. Its rotatable lens design is an excellent innovation, as it allows for easy access to self-shooting and helps you get shots at tough angles. The variety of size options and scene modes available on the camcorder are also fairly unique in the ultra-compact market.

Other than that, however, the MHS-PM1 is a fairly ordinary budget camcorder. It was a decent performer in most of our testing, although it showed a glaring weakness with low light sensitivity. It also had slightly different numbers than its sister model, the MHS-CM, which is likely due to the different lenses featured on the two camcorders. One of the PM1's big disappointments was in still image performance, where it failed to live up to its 5-megapixel classification.

Of course, the MHS-PM1 falls short the same place the MHS-CM1 failed—ease of use. Although it comes close, the MHS-PM1 doesn't have the idiot-proof simplicity of the Flip UltraHD or the rest of the Flip camcorders. Its menus have too many options, its buttons aren't well designed, and the embedded software is too complicated for beginners. Still, the MHS-PM1 can be a good option for people who want something just as portable but more complex than the Flip. Also, it is significantly less expensive than both the Flip UltraHD and Flip MinoHD.
Comparisons (Page 15 of 17)    



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