Sony HDR-XR200V: Review

Posted to Camcorders 2009-10-30

Sony HDR-XR200V review:

The Sony HDR-XR200V HD camcorder is the latest in Sony's excellent Handycam series of camcorders. The XR200V is capable of recording in full HD 1920x1080p resolution and has a built-in 120GB hard drive. The unit also features hybrid storage, with the option of storing video on Memory Stick PRO Duo media. Videos and stills can also be copied from the hard drive to the Memory Stick media without a PC.

The XR200V also features a built-in GPS receiver for geotagging of videos, automatic face and smile detection and Optical SteadyShot mechanical image stabilization. The unit features a 1/5 inch Exmor CMOS sensor array which records 2.3 megapixel video images and 4.0 megapixel stills, a 2.7 inch 211,000 dot widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) LCD touch panel display and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T 15X optical zoom lens. The unit also features Dolby 5.1 channel surround recording with zoom mic function, a USB 2.0 interface and an HDMI output connection for direct connection to HD compatible devices.

Rating:

4.8 out of 5

Features

The XR200V is packed with features. It's a bit pricey when compared to most of the competition, but you get Sony quality and performance. The hybrid storage option is a real plus and the touch screen interface makes this camcorder a breeze to use. You can control most of the functions without taking your eyes off your subject, and the unit is much more compact than you would expect from a unit with a 120GB hard drive.

Performance

The XR200V takes excellent quality videos. The Zeiss optics produce excellent results at all focal lengths, and the long zoom combined with the optical image stabilization open up a lot of picture taking opportunities. The stabilization works quite well, and the zoom ranges from a useful wide angle to a long telephoto. Autofocus is fast and seamless, and the face detection autofocus works quite well. The smile detection shutter technology is a nice feature - it waits for the subject to smile before beginning the recording.

Summary

If you're looking for an HD camcorder with plenty of storage, the XR200V makes an excellent choice. The unit is well made, compact and easy to operate. The hybrid storage option is a big plus, as is the ability to transfer images and stills to Memory Stick without a PC. The HDMI output makes viewing your videos a breeze, while the USB interface means you can edit to your heart's content on your PC. All in all an excellent offering from Sony.

Pros

Full HD 1920x1080p recording
Built-in 120GB hard drive
Hybrid storage option with Memory Stick PRO Duo media
USB interface and HDMI output
2.7 inch 211,000 widescreen touch panel display

Cons

There are no cons for this product