HDR-PJ760V
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A near-excellent handy camera in the History...
Where is the NightShot functionality?. It could be really the best in the Handycams History, but is there always to be removed?...
July 22, 2012
State of the art
Sony HDRPJ760V camera review.
Picture quality is exceptional. This is truly Blu-ray quality. The default recording mode is Standard HQ: 1440 x 1080/60i. You can boost this up 3 steps to PS: 1920 x 1080/60p and it totally fills up my Sony 52? HD display with amazing video. Then the Dolby 5.1 sound works.
Stabilization is the best I have ever seen and my techy friends are still trying to figure out how Sony did it. I am totally impressed. Stabilization does not work with the VCLHGA07B wide angle lens. I guess you could leave stabilization turned on but there will probably be distortion as the lens moves in different directions.
The projector really works. It is practical.
The GPS function is another surprise that is very nice. You can?t use it to navigate with but it tells you where the picture was taken. It took me a while to realize the zoom on the top rear of the camera was used to zoom in and out on the GPS map.
The automatic settings work extremely well. Manual operation is seldom needed. You can touch any part of the screen and the camera will adjust for focus and light. (If you have that feature turned on.
There are many features in Camera/Mic settings to choose from. Smile detection really works but it also interprets a grimace as a smile.
The 2 LEDs on the front serve as lights and flash. They work very well. I also have a light that plugs into the hot shoe on top of the camera but the existing lights are better.
Shooting at night with this camera will impress you.
The sun shield is good but it is difficult to use in conjunction with lens filters. With a filter installed the shield will not lock into place and will revolve freely. You will have to steady it with one hand or it will pivot into the picture. It is possible but very difficult to use this camera lens shade while your polarizing filter is installed.
Playback functions are good and things work well with the remote control. Just use the HDMI cable to plug into an HD TV and the supplied software makes for easy viewing. There are cables for plugging into older TVs but you will miss what this camera can do.
Edit/Copy functions are adequate. You can copy from internal memory to external memory. 96GB of storage is adequate for 7 hours and 40 minutes of recording in 1920 x 1080/60p Blu-ray quality. Then you have the external memory.
The onboard microphone is a good as it gets for onboard mics. The wind cancellation function works exceptionally well. The 5.1 sound interpretation is good.
I have an older Sony Bluetooth wireless lapel Mic which attaches to the hot shoe and it is compatible with this camera. It works perfect. You can contact tech support and they can tell you what is compatible.
Shot gun mike, ECMCG50, is listed in the accessories for this camera but it won?t fit unless you also buy the VCT55LH bracket. Once you install the shot gun microphone it works great. Extensive testing revealed a valuable addition to a movie camera. So where do you store the shot gun mic? It is 12? long and will not fit in the camera bag. Go to Academy and buy a pouch used for a pistol with a long barrel. The shotgun mic and its bracket fit perfect. Ad a strap and you?re ready to go.
Another version of this camera does not have the view finder and is difficult to use in sunlight. These cameras have an option to brighten the LCD which will make viewfinder observation easier in bright light. I?m an old timer and like the view finder. Pull it out and the camera turns on. Then you can tilt the viewfinder upward.
Gripping is not the best for all hands. I ordered the pistol group but it is on 6 weeks back order.
Connections on the camera are OK. Two options for USB connection exist. HDMI is there and an older A/V connection type.
The Operating Guide could have larger print but there is the downloadable version for personal printout. The manual is OK but could be a little better.
Transfer of data files from the camera to computer is much simpler than the tape drive cameras. You just do a copy with Windows Explorer using a USB connection. This camera is totally compatible with Windows 7 and programs like Adobe Premier CS6. The supplied software makes it easy to transfer, view and organize your video and picture files.
Camera battery time is not as long as I would like but more expensive batteries are available. Sony uses proprietary batteries on most cameras so your old batteries will not work. I would not consider trying. Batteries will be a significant expense.
Filters for this camera come in 2 different types and I have no idea what is what. I believe one accommodates the wide angle lens and the other does not. Nobody knows what is what. I got a few basic filters from another party and they are fine.
Video cameras never have enough wide angle capture me. This one is good but a VCLHGA07B wide angle lens makes it better for indoor shooting. With the wide angle lens installed you cannot use filters or the sun shade. I also do not believe stabilization should be on when using the wide angle lens, so a tripod will help.
The menu system is ok but I find it difficult to find what I am looking for. Is the function control in one menu or another? On a small camera there is just so much room for physical buttons. With a little time the LDC menu is acceptable. I don?t know how to make it better.
In buying a camera of this type you have to consider the accessories carefully. A shooting grip may be essential for some people. Filters for the camera should always be considered to improve the picture and protect the 52mm lens threads.
I had problems purchasing the camera and accessories from Sony but the camera itself is exceptional. The next step up from this camera is the 3D version with 2 lenses. The next improvement after that will probably record a person?s thoughts on the audio line and automatically delete clothing from the video. More men will take up video cameras. Don?t wait; this camera is as good as it will get for a long time.
June 21, 2012
Good Camcorder But Need To Improve
GOOD:
-Flash become light for recording movie.
-Projector: very interesting.
-Flash card: less moving parts, less worn out.
-96GB: good for a long trip, only need some extra batteries.
-SD: more storage to record if needed.
-Carl Zeiss lens.
BAD:
-GPS: very weak signal. Sony is not good in GPS technology, can't compare to the other GPS company.
-Can't use flash when in movie mode, even not recording. My old model HDR-HC3 can do it.
-No shoulder strap supply: it is an inconvenient.
-Can't use SD & internal memory card at same time.
-Only 10x for optical.
-While recording at highest quality FX: can't take picture.
-It take 6 sec in order to start recording: better than old model but still slow.
-Expensive.
June 9, 2012
Great camcorder
Let me start by saying this camcorder rocks! The picture is amazing, the 5.1 audio recording sounds great, the projector works awesome in a dark room, the new anti-shake lens works REALLY REALLY well. The built-in usb cable was a great idea! It came with a micro hdmi cable in the box! The things I do not love about it are 1. the angle you have to hold it when you are recording for a long time. This problem is with all small camcorders not just Sony. The angle is just not good. I guess I just need a tripod or a monopod. 2. It doesn't come with a battery charger so if you get a second battery for 99 dollars you will have to spend another 39 dollars for the charger(for 1600 bucks the charger should be in the box). 3. There are no lens filter available yet.
April 19, 2012
