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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Colour & Noise Performance
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03.Motion & Sharpness Performance
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04.Low Light Performance
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05.Compression & Media
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06.Manual Controls
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07.Still Features
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08.Handling & Use
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09.Playback & Connectivity
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10.Audio & Other Features
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11.Panasonic HDC-TM700 Comparison
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12.Canon HF S21 Comparison
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13.JVC GZ-HM1 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Specs and Ratings
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16.Comments
Sony HDR-CX550VE
Previous: Part 10
Audio & Other FeaturesNext: Part 12
Canon HF S21 Comparison
Sony HDR-CX550V versus Panasonic HDC-TM700
• The HDC-TM700 is slightly cheaper than the HDR-CX550V, but it has half the amount of internal flash memory.
• The TM700's 50p record mode offers unsurpassed video performance, but the clips are have compatibility issues with most editing programmes.
• The HDC-TM700 is the better camcorder, but the CX550V is worth a look due to its competitive price.
The HDC-TM700 is the best camcorder we've reviewed so far in 2010, but since Sony dropped the price of the HDR-CX550V down to £1100 it actually compares quite well with the TM700 as far as value goes. With the CX550V you're getting twice the internal memory of the TM700 (64GB vs. 32GB), which goes a long way in determining a camcorder's value. Still, the HDC-TM700 is the superior performer thanks to its 1080/50p record mode that delivered stunning results in all of our tests.
Feature-wise, the two camcorders are very similar, but the Panasonic again has a slight edge. The TM700 has more manual controls, more features, and a 25p Digital Cinema mode along with its 50iand 50p recording options. The Sony does have a bigger, better LCD, a slicker menu design, and a significantly wider lens.
We say go with the HDC-TM700 over the Sony HDR-CX550V—unless you're concerned about editing compatibility with Panasonic's 1080/50p clips (most editing programmes can't handle the 50p clips right now). If this scares you then the Sony HDR-CX550V is worth a look. Plus, Sony is one of the only manufacturers to include SD recording options on its consumer camcorders as well as its default HD modes—something that can be very helpful for people who are on the fence as to whether they are ready to shoot in HD or not.
| Comparison Specs | ||
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| Sony HDR-CX550V | Panasonic HDC-TM700 | |
| Price | £1100 | £930 |
| Primary Recording Media | 64GB internal flash memory | 32GB internal flash memory |
| Secondary Recording Media | SD/SDHC/Memory Stick PRO Duo card slot | SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.88-inch CMOS | Three 1/4.1-inch CMOS |
| Effective Pixel Count | 4.15 megapixels | 7.59 megapixels (3.05 megapixels x3) |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| LCD | 3.5-inch with 921,000 pixels | 3-inch with 230,400 pixels |
| Viewfinder | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 490g | 440g |
| Dimensions | 66 x 74 x 143mm | 66 x 69 x138mm |
| HD | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Rates | 50i | 50p, 50i, 25p (Digital Cinema) |
| Compression | AVCHD | AVCHD (except for 50p mode) |
| Maximum Bitrate | 24Mbps |
28Mbps (1080/50p) 17Mbps (1080/50i) |
| Optical Zoom | 10x | 12x |
| Stabilisation | Optical with active mode | Optical with Power OIS mode |
| Scores | ||
| Sony HDR-CX550V | Panasonic HDC-TM700 | |
| Colour | 6.96 | 11.99 |
| Noise | 10.78 | 10.81 |
| Video Sharpness | 11.32 | 13.57 |
| Low Light Sensitivity | 2.49 | 6.30 |
| Low Light Colour | 5.83 | 8.34 |
| Low Light Noise | 11.09 | 11.27 |
| Stabilisation | 11.95 | 11.47 |
| 100% Crop Bright Light Comparison | |
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Sony HDR-CX550V 100% Crop |
Panasonic HDC-TM700 100% Crop |
| Video Sharpness Score Comparison |
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Shop for the Sony HDR-CX550VE
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