SONY | SONY STYLE.COM

Great Video

Pros: Great Video

Cons: Requires other programs to use video on hard drive

It took a little research and time in order to understand how to use this camcorder. If you're interested the following link explains the Sony AVCHD video format: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD The only softward I've used to edit and publish the video format is Pinnacle Studio (I've used versions 11&12) and with minimal effort you can learn how to use the programs and use your camcorder to its full capacity. The files are stored on your camcorder so you have to use the docking station to extract them to your computers hard drive. The camcorder comes with softward that allows you to download the videos/pictures. After you've donwloaded them to your computer you can edit them with softward compatible with AVCHD video format. A quick search on the internet should turn up several that work. I think the Pinnacle system is easy to use and understand, following is a link to their product website: http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/ProductsAZ.htm I have created cool videos of family vacations, etc and burned them to DVD with great results. The AVCHD format is supposed to be compatible with BLURAY players provided you have the ability to write and burn to BLURAY disk. I know Pinnacle Studio 12 lets you convert to the BLURAY format but I think you have to have the BLURAY burner drive so I have yet to try it. I would recommend this camcorder to anyone that wants a great video and is familiar enough with computers to not be intimidated by the extra work required to download, edit, and share the videos. If you're looking for a plug and play camcorder this isn't the right camcorder for you.

Excellent Image Quality! Great Camera!

Pros: HDD so you never have to change a tape/DVD/Memory Stick, Quick-On feature.

Cons: Placement of IR light causes shadow if using Wide lens. Only 15X Zoom. Terrible Low Light Focus.

Replaced a Sony DVD Camcorder with this unit and it's better in practically every way except for the above mentioned cons. Recording time on included FH60 battery is about 1.5 hours, on optional FM100 battery another 6-7 hours. Placement of the Active Interface Shoe seems to have been thought out poorly as it seems a video/IR light mounted that far back would cause a shadow, especially if used with a wide lens. Low light video is grainy, but that doesn't bother me much.

Do NOT Buy This Camera!!!!

Pros: Great video quality.

Cons: You can't do anything with the video once you record it.

This camera is not compatible is Mac in general and iMovie, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro, etc. specifically. It records in a format (.MTS) that is not recognized and the only way to work with the video is to first convert the files ... which is extraordinary tedious, time consuming, and in the end you lose the HD quality. And if you're thinking, I'm a PC person so I won't have a problem, think again. All of the above to PCs as well. This camera is basically a $900 DVD player, look elsewhere!!! I know I will until Sony gets its act together and produces something compatible with Mac.

Didn't like vibrations and noise

Pros: great picture, very good zoom

Cons: Don't like noise and vibration

I bought this camera to make some pictures from a truck. That was impossible, due the camera shut off after a couple of minutes. The movies are great. But don't use it in loud environment, it will turn of immediately. I like Sony products, but now I will buy another brand.

NOT SURE YET

I like most of the features offered. The first indoor recording with natural light using the "HD" option gave me a "GRAINY" background when played back on my plasma t.v. I expected a very clear high definition image picture \ movie! I even purchased their mini HDMI cable to transmit this movie to the screen but the movie still has a very grainy image. I contacted their online support for answers but go no help in solving this problem.