Sony HDR-XR160 High-Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black)

I got this product and partially happy with it compared with my Sony TRV-340 digital8 camcorder.

Something I want to point out:

Features: I don't like the battery release button because it is at the bottom of the camcorder. When using it with tripod, it is very difficult to change the battery if tripod adapter is used unless the adapter is small or using FV-100 battery to avoid the problem.

Sound: It captures the sound quality very good and much powerful if zoom mic is enable.

Picture: It is good enough in standard video and quite good in 1080p capture. If viewing on the LCD panel, video quality is quite good for both formats. However, video quality looks too much brightness when viewing in computer or DVD player.

Manual low light mode (3LUX): It is a big surprise to me it works so well. Without any zoom in or out, I captured a clear video from the bed room using the light from the bathroom (light source 40W was about 6 feet way and pointed directly to the object behind the camcorder). But it is grainy if the zoom is used. It was also grainy if capturing a scene 15 feet away from the camcorder using light reflection, light source was about 10 feet behind the camcorder and pointed 90 degree angle. But I prefer to have it at 1.5-2 LUX.

Optical Zoom: 30x is so good and quiet.

Recording/Photo mode: Sometime it captures the photo while recording by itself in standard recording mode. It never happens in HD mode. It is weird but it is not hurting anything.(7/21/2011)

Auto focus: It is about ½ time slower compared to my digital8 in my opinion.

Auto Gain works automatically ONLY in playback mode when using LCD panel.

Overall I grade this camcorder(below $600) 4-4.5 stars at consumer level camcorder. If it has 3 CMOS sensor and 1.5 LUX, it is my 5 star camcorder($2000+).

As applicable for all items this product (HDR-XR160) also as has pros & cons.

PROS:

1. 30x optical zoom is simply amazing.

2. Highest clarity (27Mbps) HD video gives you stunningly clear picture quality. Especially in daylight/outdoor.

3. Different scene modes serve the usual needs. Eg. Fireowrks, Twilight etc.

4. 5.1 channel capture is a great to have feature.

5. Directional mic works well & audio clarity is crystal clear.

6. Image stabilizer works/helps the usually shaky video shoots and makes it so smooth that you will forget that there was any shake.

7. USB charging feature helped me at many occasions where i could not find any power switches. Just connect to your laptop & charging starts.

8. 160GB hard disk is the best to have when you are shooting HD videos. It allows nearly 13.5Hrs of highest quality 1080p recording.

9. Very handy to use & compact in size.

CONS:

1. Night indoor scenes are not as clear as daylight scenes, even at highest quality of HD shoot.

2. In "Low lux ON" mode you will see a grainy video, even at HD quality. Hence, this mode is completely useless.

3. Autofocus is not very quick/fast. Especially if target object is moving away from camera.

4. Worst part: If you want to do a manual focus on the fly, you have to use touch screen to do precise focus. This feature is simply not a user firendly one.

5. No mini-HDMI cable supplied along with the product.

6. Because of USB rest place present in the strap, sometimes you may not feel comfortable holding the camera for longer time.

Except these CONS, I feel it is worth buying for all other good features of this product.

Sameer

Buy Sony HDR-XR160 High-Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) Now

This is a great camcorder. Did a lot of research on the camcorders and this was the newer version of another great camcorder. Do not need a memory card as all info can be saved to the hard drive then transferred to your computer. Another great feature is it has a usb cord in the hand strap so you can easily connect to your computer to download or charge the battery.

Read Best Reviews of Sony HDR-XR160 High-Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) Here

This camera has very good zoom. I can see stuff through this camera that I cant see in real life with my own eyes. The picture quality is very good outdoors but indoors its a little grainy even on the highest quality recording. The camera captures audio very well and colors well too. The menu is very simple and easy to use and the software that comes with it is nice too. The hard drive is really helpful because you dont have to buy expensive memory cards. The battery life is about an hour and 40 min on the highest quality recording and the hard drive holds 16 hours on the highest quality. The camera is also very light and looks great. Only downside is that its kind of expensive and you might be able to find a camera with similar features thats maybe $100 less.

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I am very happy with this camera. We use it for typical family videotaping. The picture quality is excellent, and it works very well with iMovie. Imports into iMovie are very fast, at least 2X real time (i.e. import 10 minutes of video in 5 minutes or less) on my iMac. I am especially impressed with the image stabilization, as I am not a "steady handed" person. You would not know it with this camera, however.