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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.Canon HF S100 Comparison
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12.Panasonic HDC-HS300 Comparison
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13.Sanyo VPC-HD2000 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Specs and Ratings
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17.Comments
Sony Handycam HDR-XR520VE
This review is organized into 17 parts
Next: Part 1
Product Tour
Introduction
The Sony HDR-XR520VE (£1,199) is a rather compact consumer camcorder with big features: a retractable viewfinder, a manual control dial, a 240GB hard drive, and a built-in GPS. In addition the XR520 has excellent noise levels and the motion is clear and smooth.
There are are few drawbacks to the camcorder. Some rather basic manual controls are missing for a camcorder this expensive. It lacks a 25p frame rate. There are too many switches and buttons, and the menus are confusing. Beginners may find it confusing, and advanced users may find themselves wanting more control. It does, however, offer excellent video performance, and some of the remaining features are pretty great.
| Section | The Good | The Bad |
| Product Tour | 1/2.88-inch Exmor-R sensor is supposed to improve low light performance |
design is more practical than elegant |
| Colour & Noise Performance | Noise is surprisingly low, footage clearer than the competition | Colours are less accurate and vivid than Canon and Panasonic |
| Motion & Sharpness Performance | Exceptionally sharp and smooth recording |
Compared to the Canon slightly more artefacting and trailing |
| Low Light Performance | Noise performance is impressive, colour accuracy and saturation good | Average low light sensitivity; no option for 25p frame rate to help improve performance |
| Compression & Media | Capability to record HD and SD video at several bit rates; large 240GB HDD |
Editing software holds no surprises; 16Mbps the highest bit rate |
| Manual Controls | Manual control dial is perfect to adjust focus, exposure, WB or AE shift | Not many colour or images controls; no manual aperture, shutter speed, or gain |
| Still Features | Concurrent still capture during video recording |
Few extras (no burst mode, ISO, etc.) |
| Handling & Use | Easy mode is really easy; movable viewfinder |
Confusing menu system, and clustered LCD cavity not very user-friendly; bad battery life |
| Playback & Connectivity | Plenty of ports, including microphone and headphone jacks, plus an accessory shoe | Intricate playback interface; port covers are weak |
| Audio & Other Features | Drop sensor protects hard drive, records 5.1-channel or 2-channel audio | Microphone poorly positioned; just basic audio controls |
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