HDR-CX700V
4.6
5
7
7
My reaction to the HDR-CX700V
I just purchased the HDR-CX700v as a replacement for my DCR-HC90 HandyCam [insurance claim money]. The CX700 lacks the intermittent recording that was so great to record changing cloud formations, people boating on a lake, stormy weather or just moving people. Another difference was its lack of software support for the Macintosh platform. That is a major disappointment and almost a deal breaker. Although the retailer I purchased this from insists Sony supports Mac a phone call to a very helpful service center at Sony said otherwise. To activate/enable the GPS to work you need to install something from the enclosed DVD that is not Mac compliant. Therefore the GPS does not work for us Mac users. However, the resolution is spectacular. The zoom is smooth and easy to control. There are many new features and upgrades. The screen although brilliant in sunlight is slightly awkward to use. The previous HC-90 allowed me to create a personal screen of functions I used most often. The CX700 does not [I miss that]. The CX-700 body is smaller than the HC-90 to handle. I would have preferred something larger for my hand [6 ft stature] and fingers. My greatest negative issue though with this CX-700V model is the viewfinder. The diopter setting you set when using the viewfinder does NOT hold or stay when telescoping the viewfinder to a closed and then open position. It must be reset every-time. This is also a criticism posted by another reviewer somewhere on this web page. The viewfinder was one of the selling features when compared to the 550 model. I chose this 700 model because it was Sony?s best in its class camcorder. I had my choice of the entire market for camcorders. Although these are my criticisms the DCR-HC90 is no longer available causing me to find the best of the new models out there. I have purchased various Sony products for decades and am a loyal user. However the competition is becoming stronger and better.
May 6, 2011
Beware Viewfinder
I agree if you want to use viewfinder you must refocus micro diopter wheel EVERY Time.
It really lowers the quality of this camera.
April 12, 2011
Great Camcorder - Beware Viewfinder
Love every aspect of this camera except viewfinder. Diopter adjust wheel is floppy loose. Everytime you pull out viewfinder, focus changes. I have tried repeatedly to see if it's user error or what, but nothing works. Spoke to SONY. They said techs would have to look at unit. Ordered replacement from Amazon instead. Exactly the same. This is not an issue on my 2008 SR11. Sooo, story is; if you want to use viewfinder you must refocus micro diopter wheel EVERY Time. Further, the slightest jar knocks wheel out of focus. I am seriously considering returning again and getting model without viewfinder. Doesn't seem right to pay for something you can't use.
April 7, 2011
Good Camera!!
Love It!!!! Put it through heavy testing and it does a great job. No way to burn 60p video to BLU-RAY but you can always convert to 30p or 24p then burn till they make a way to burn 60p. Colors are great, stabilization is unreal, sound is really good too. I would however say that taking pictures with this thing is bad but I don't intend to use this for picture taking just home videos mostly. Great for those who like to walk and record a lot. Type kevmaninc on youtube if you want to see some test video in NYC.
March 25, 2011
