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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4062 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: HDRXR520VE.CEH
• Released on: 2009-01-11
• Dimensions: 1.10 pounds

Features

• HDR-XR520VE Black HD 240GB HDD Camcorder Incredible record time superlative picture quality and smart features FeaturesRecording TypeHD HDD Megapixel6.63 Optical zoom12 xDigital Zoom120 xMicrophone connectivityYes Headphone connectivityYes Compatible memory cardsMS Duo LCD Screen Size3.2 InterfaceUSB 2.0 Hi Speed HDMI FirewireNo Supplied AccessoriesAC Adaptor AV Cable NP-FH60 Battery Battery Charger USB Cable Wireless Remote Software Warranty1 Years RTB

Manufacturer's Description

The XR520 combines serious performance with smart features to deliver exceptional picture quality. Its pairing of the advanced Sony G Lens and sensitive Exmor R CMOS sensor brings a new level of creative possibility to your filming. A massive built–in 240GB hard disk drive sets you free to record up to 101 hours of full HD1080 footage, while auto functions like Optical SteadyShot Active Mode and Face Detection help make sure the results look great every time. The same goes for stills. A 12 megapixel resolution your photos will look as good as those from a high–quality digital camera. And with Smile Shutter automatically snapping every smile, you’ve got more memories to look back on. Sony has achieved a world first by introducing GPS technology to a select number of camcorders, including the XR520. Geotagged stills and videos enrich your viewing experience, letting you retrace your memories as interactive online maps.

Increased creative possibilities
The XR520 packs a real punch with its pairing of the new Sony G Lens and the Exmor R CMOS sensor. The advanced optical design of the lens includes low–dispersion aspheric glass elements for crisp, clear images. Noise on those images is reduced by the Exmor R CMOS sensor, which increases the amount of light reaching the photo detector. Complementing lens and sensor is the powerful BIONZ processor, which supports high–speed shooting. Together, these three features mean you’ll get great results, even in dimly lit interiors or at dusk. Add to this an optical zoom that extends to 12x magnification and you have the capability to shoot with amazing detail even when the subject is at a distance.

See the exact location of your clips and still images with GPS mapping View larger

Mapping your memories
The sensitive GPS receiver inside the XR520 makes it perfect for taking on your travels. If you’re on the move it’ll track your position and geotag all your clips and still photos. Then when you finish shooting, you can see the exact locations of your videos and stills with maps on the LCD screen. Back home, PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software means you can retrace your memories across online maps and find all your favourite places again.

Keeping the picture steady
When you’re zooming in on close details, handshake can ruin what was otherwise a great shot. Optical SteadyShot Active Mode is always on, boosting anti–shake performance by up to ten times compared to conventional optical stabilisation systems. So you get beautifully composed images, even if you’re filming on the move.

Longest ever full HD recording time
The XR520 comes with a built–in 240GB hard disk drive which offers you an incredible 101 hours of HD recording time. No need now to worry about running out of space, or to stop and change discs or tapes, just flip open the LCD screen and start recording. If you’ve got a long holiday planned, why not pack an optional Memory Stick for even more recording time, or extra storage? With the optional DVD burner you can transfer videos straight from camcorder to DVD with one touch disc burn. Or save your footage to PC with super–fast USB 2.0 connection.

The large touchscreen puts menus, settings and clips at your fingertips View larger

A real wide screen
At 3.2", the XR520’s Xtra Fine LCD touchscreen offers a generous viewing area for composition, settings selection and playback. Framing and focusing are that bit easier thanks to its high resolution and increased contrasts. The same goes for playback, with videos appearing clearer and more lifelike than ever. Because it’s a touchscreen.

Colour and sound taken care of
The detail delivered by recording in full HD is enhanced by x.v.Colour technology, which almost doubles the range of colours that can be accurately reproduced on screen. Playback on any HD ready TV or PC, and you’ll see how closely your clips match real life. That goes for sound, too: 5.1 surround sound recording with zoom microphone captures crisp, clear audio, adding an extra dimension of realism to your videos.

Smart automatic functions
Now you can make sure that even the trickiest scenes look great in playback, thanks to auto functions taking the guesswork out of matching settings to subject. Take sun–drenched backlit scenes: the D–range Optimiser adjusts exposure and contrast to counter the effects of high–contrast conditions, so you can clearly see faces in the foreground. And when faces are your focus, Face Detection will help make sure everyone looks their best, adjusting the camera’s settings to deliver clear, natural skin tones.

Smile Shutter automatically shoots still photos whenever your subjects smile, without interrupting your recording View larger

High quality photos too
The XR520 isn’t just about great moving pictures, you can take high quality stills on it too. Press the shutter and catch all the action in 12 megapixel resolution. At this size, you can make a high quality poster print at up to A3, or crop the image without losing any of its crisp detail. If you’ve seen a great photo opportunity, you don’t have to stop filming. The XR520 will capture 8.3 megapixel still images even while you’re recording movie footage. If you’re at a party or special event and there are lots of happy faces around you, select Smile Shutter and it’ll automatically shoot still photos whenever your subjects smile, without interrupting your recording.

Long–lasting power
Great action can come and go in a moment. QuickStart means you’re ready to begin filming within seconds of flipping open the LCD screen. You can record continuously for up to 6 hours on one charge of the optional InfoLithium battery. Then, when you’re in standby mode, power consumption is ultra–low, so you’re all set to catch that memorable moment.

Menus and settings are just a tap away, while innovative technologies arrange your clips as thumbnails, for easy search. Film Roll Index splits long scenes into chapters, so it’s quicker to locate that particular moment you’re after. And Face Index means you can track down close ups of family and friends without having to sit through masses of footage.

Highlight Playback automatically extracts scene highlights and adds a soundtrack, so you can enjoy a mini–movie of your special moments View larger

Effortless movie editing
With Highlight Playback, you can get all your favourite clips edited together automatically. Enter a range of dates and a series of stand–out shots will be joined together, with a choice of musical soundtracks and transition effects. The end result is a mini–movie featuring all your special moments.

Easy sharing and quality viewing
Managing your growing video collection is hugely simplified by PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software included with the XR520. Just install it on your PC and it provides a perfect archive for your videos which are all just a click or two away. You can arrange them by date, by person, and search through them quickly. From here you can burn them to disc, send them to friends or upload them to sites.

If you connect your XR520 or computer directly to an HD Ready TV you can view your video in spectacular HD on the big screen. If your TV is a BRAVIA which supports PhotoTV HD, you’ll be able to experience even more lifelike HD images, bursting with detail and colours. And with BRAVIA Sync you’ll be able to use the TV remote to navigate through all the clips and photos stored on your XR520.

‘Sony’, ‘BRAVIA’ and their logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks acknowledged.

Box Contains

• Sony XR520 HD Handycam Camcorder
• AC Adaptor (AC-L200)
• AV Cable (Multi - No S-cable)
• Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FH60)
• USB Cable
• USB Driver
• Editing Software (Picture Motion Browser)
• Wireless Remote Commander (RMT-835)

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Customer Reviews

Produces excellent quality videos
I upgraded from a Sony TG3 High Definition Digital Camcorder as I wanted something with a bit more flexibility and video quality. I'll be keeping the TG3 as a lightweight carry camera and using the Sony HDRXR520VE for serious shooting.

Compared to the TG3 the Sony HDRXR520VE's footage is definitely sharper and less noisy - especially in low light. before buying I was concerned the difference might be too small to notice but in fact it's very clearly better. The quality of photos is also much better - the TG3 produced photos of poorer quality than my mobile phone's digital camera! The Sony HDRXR520VE's photos are much more acceptable - not as good as a image only camera but good enough for holidays snaps.

One tip is to change the default image stabilising from active mode to standard. I was finding in stable situations ( i.e. if I was handholding whilst leaning on a wall ) the active mode actually introduced a slight judder itself!

Active mode stabilising should be used for when walking/running while filming or if in a car or on a boat. Otherwise the standard stabilising seems to work better unless you have particularly shaky hands.

Focusing tip. I've noticed in low light situations ( for example indoors under artificial lights ) the camcorder has some problems focusing especially when zoomed out to wide angle. It often keeps adjusting the focus. This is easily fixed - zoom in half way and let it focus - then press the manual focus wheel button ( at the front ) to fix the focus and then zoom out to wide angle.


Pros:

* Video quality is excellent

* Photo quality good

* Fairly easy to use once you work out the menu structures

* Optional underwater kit useful

* Allows filters - Sony polarising filter is useful

* Mic jack to allow external microphones

* Excellent image stabilising


Cons

* Bulkier than a little mini cam

*A few more buttons to save using menus would be nice

*Some switches recessed and could be easier to use - for example the light sensitivity switch

* Mic suffers from noise even on mildly windy days - though a lot of camcorders do. Either use an external mic ( such as the Sennheiser MKE 400 ) or buy a wind reduction cover such the Stick-On WindCutter ( available cheaply online from the states )

* Menus can take a bit of navigating sometimes. For example changing the level of image stabilising takes a few menu navigations.

New Sony Camcoder
Dear Friends

Very good camcoder and brilliant still pictures as well. very light in weight and easy features to play around. I think I found best about the machineis the sysn software and how it gets transferred to the computer instantly with no hassles.

So good product over all. No draw back you have to be very still for clicking good still pictures

Sony HDRXR520VE, "A portable television studio"
If you want a High Definition camcorder, with excellent features, tons of space, then this is it.

I looked at a lot of professional reviews on various sites, and each one comfortably gave this camera over 9/10 each time.

I have no complaints with regards to the picture or sound quality, it is simply superb.

It comes bundled with software that allows you to burn HD Discs or SD (standard def) versions of your HD video, and even that looks like its in High Def.

The zoom is extremely powerful, which picks up on amazing detail.

An excellent feature is the "Smile-Capture", which recognises smiling faces during filming then takes an automatic 12 Megapixel picture.

We used this at my 30th Birthday party last month and it truly did capture a lot of happy moments.

As usual the camera comes with a standard 1 year warranty with Sony.
But to be safe, I extended that to 5 years (unlimited claims), with Domestic & General.

The camera itself is very small, as Dr Brown said in Back to the Future, "Amazing, a portable television studio".

Read the professional reviews online, then make the right choice.