Sony HDR-CX230/B High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)

This video camera is perfect for me and my use for family and travel video recordings. I found the HD quality quite good, even in low light. I did not detect any graininess indoors and of course all outdoor videos were quite sharp and color true. I took video of some cranes walking around in the yard with the zoom and it was crystal clear, really beautiful. You could see the birds' eyes and feathers sharply. I was able to play all my videos back on my HDTV as well as on my mac computer, using iPhoto to import all photos and videos. I may not be a professional photographer, but I am quite happy with my purchase of this camera. While I can charge the camera using my laptop, I also purchased an extra battery and charger for travel.

I've owned video cameras, and without mentioning any of their names, I've got to give the Sony PJ230 all the stars in the sky. Where to start; The Operating Guide manual is written with full cross-reference and clearly laid out details that cover even a full printed map of all menus Five stars for the Operating Guide alone, next, the glass, image quality is superb thanks to a high performance Carl Zeiss lens, to which I must add, the most wonderful feature on the camera, for me, is the smooth zoom that is easy to control for dynamic and impressive slow zoom which can be pushed to a fast zoom all the while under the full control of the videographer. With 8.9 megapixels for the still camera, you have something that is suitable for wildlife images using the powerful (32x) optical zoom, or, take stills at the same time you are shooting video footage, all done without a glitch to either still or movie action on the fly. The controls are instinctive, unlike 'other' video cameras out there, Sony has put the control into the hands of the artist running the camera buy designing the camera to work ideally in the human hand. Other cameras I have worked with forget the human element and make you struggle to 'try' to get the shots you want, not so with the Sony Pj230, everything is available while you are shooting with natural hand and finger movement on the controls which are so well placed to keep you focused on your subject and not on the camera. Let me quit drooling on here about this camera and simply say there is nothing, not even at a professional level, that this camera does not address in a professional and complete manner. I dumped all of my other equipment in order to get a fresh shot at a documentary I am working on as well as footage to put together a screenplay that has hopes of making it to a theatre near you in the future. I've spent my entire working career in multimedia presentations so I recognize at good working tool. The Sony Pj230 is definitely one camera that is a keeper and a close 'right-hand' ally. I have not even begun to get into the bigger batteries, accessories and whatnot I have purchased also for this camera, but I will say, I believe you will find that it will open up possibilities for you no matter what job you have assigned to it. Simplicity of design, super light weight, small 'out of the way' size and powerful features will having you producing your best work yet. Some have said to spend more and get a "pass through" feature available on the more expensive models, but for my dollar, this camera does it all, and for my production interests it is the best thing since sliced bread IMHO.

Oh, BTW, the projector feature is amazing, something I could have lived without I'm sure, but since it really does work, and amazingly well, I'm very glad to have it as a 'fun' feature and recommend that also. Look at the specs. see that it delivers it all, and enjoy.

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Years ago, I decided to add a consumer video camera to my extensive array of 35mm Nikon camera bodies and lenses. I agonized over the format for a while--VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Super8 and probably others that I've forgotten. I decided to buy an 8mm-format Sony camcorder, because it was the smallest, lightest-weight one available. That was the key factor in my decision. The main reason I wanted the camcorder was to videotape hikes, backpacks and multi-day, cross-country treks all over the world, so it had to be small and light. It worked out great for that purpose for quite a while, until the batteries stopped holding a charge. I eventually stopped using it, and left it to gather dust in one of my home office cabinets.

With my interest in video recording recently rekindled, I took a look at modern camcorders and was overwhelmed by the enormous strides technology has taken since back in the day. Today's camcorders are true marvels of miniaturization and versatility. I opted to stick with Sony, a brand I've generally been satisfied with, and chose the HDR-CX230 as the model that offered the right combination of features and price for me. The whole thing is not much bigger than one of the batteries for my old 8mm, and it weighs far less. Amazing!

I like almost everything about the HDR-CX230. Although so far I've only scratched the surface of its features and capabilities, it is remarkably intuitive and easy to use. Swinging out the large side-panel screen turns the camcorder on--there's no separate power switch. The panel rotates on its universal joint to virtually any position, including facing forward. Three small buttons, for starting/stopping recording, zooming the lens and taking a still photo while recording video, fall readily to hand--or to fingers, actually--when you hold the camcorder. Most functions are set using the side-panel screen, which has a large, clear display and a clever mouse-like button in one corner to move the "cursor" among items on the screen and select them. There's a very short built-in USB cable that tucks into the hand strap when not in use--a longer cable is provided in the box, as is an HDMI cable. A door on the bottom accesses a slot into which you can plug an SDHC memory card to supplement the 8GB of internal memory. Video and audio quality are excellent, based on the few tests I've run, and should certainly be more than adequate for casual users. Professional video photographers may scoff, but the videos look and sound great to me.

Here're a few things potential buyers should know: The only way to charge the included lithium-ion battery (which is uncharged at purchase) is through the USB cable hooked up to a running computer. The HDR-CX230 box includes neither a battery charger nor an AC adapter. Also not included is an AV cable with RCA plugs to connect to a standard-definition television. Thus I bought two Sony NP-FV50 batteries, a Sony Travel Charger, three Sony 32GB SDHC Memory Cards and an AV cable separately. These accessories added a couple of hundred dollars over the price of the camcorder itself. You have to download software from the Sony website in order to transfer videos to a computer (it's a straightforward process), and you have to manually open the lens cover when you turn the camcorder on (don't worry, it'll remind you if you forget).

The Sony HDR-CX230 is a compact, capable, user-friendly camcorder that I enthusiastically recommend to anyone in the market for such a device. I've had lots of fun with it just in the short time I've had it, and I eagerly anticipate enjoying many years of video-making pleasure with it. In my opinion, it's a great product for a great price.

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I had to come in to defend this camera. I researched on Amazon camera to get for about 12 hours, I wanted 1080p/60p and this is the camera that delivers. I got my camera for $238, this is the only camera in that price range that shoots at 1080p/60p. Who needs an AC adapter, I love the USB charging. If I'm going to be out all day I can pop this thing in my book bag and charge it to my netbook, such a convenient thing. The quality of this camera is impeccable. The camera doesn't shoot in darkness, but how could it? Even in low light the video is much better then other cameras in its range from watching test video from every single model in the range off youtube. My only complaints are that it doesn't have a microphone port and it doesn't shoot 240p, I knew that going in and I'm okay with that. Again, quality is super sharp, super lightweight, feels super cheap, 8bg built in storage, 1080p,60p, what's not to love.

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I bought this camera at the suggestion of the man working in the camera section where I was shopping. I used it the very next day and found the camera to be so light weight, it was hard to hold steady and control. It felt empty or hollow and very cheap. When my hand was in the strap, I could not reach the zoom and then found my self holding the camera with my left hand and zooming with the right (very awkward).

Like others have said, the camera makes a lot of clunky noise when you use the zoom or another other buttons while recording. No matter how low I adjusted the volume, it was there. And loud. You would hear a constant click, click sound while the video played.

The lens cover does not open or close on it's own so it is hard to remember to close it when finished.

The screen is not a touchscreen and has a very difficult joystick-like button you have to use to navigate through all the selections. This made it VERY difficult to play, rewind, pause or even delete the videos you didn't want. I felt like I wasn't moving fast enough with that tiny little button and I'm actually pretty good with stuff like this.

The worst feature about this camera is that you can only charge it to your PC (there is no wall charger for the battery) and it takes, oh, FOREVER to fully charge. My final straw was when I finally had some videos and wanted to send them to my mom who lives a few hours away... I couldn't. The videos would only format to the Sony software and there is no way to convert them to a different type of file. Nobody else could see them when they opened the files I sent. I did some research and you have to buy another type of software to do this.

I took this camera back the following day and bought the Canon R400 and am EXTREMELY pleased.