Page 1
Sony
HDR-CX7 AVCHD
Camcorder
Tapeless
CX7
Sony Electronics, Inc.
1 Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
http://sonystyle.com
Entertainment
by Brandon Pinard
The HDR-CX7 is the
first Sony camcorder to
record AVCHD video directly to Sony’s Memory
Stick PRO Duo. The CX7
is very small and fits in
one hand easily. With
a collection of other
features, like its 1/2.9"
ClearVid CMOS sensor
and dual record mode,
the HDR-CX7 unveils a
new type of camcorder
functionality.
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Page 2
Sony
HDR-CX7 AVCHD
Camcorder
Fly-by
The HDR-CX7 is a stealthy-looking Handycam that is not much bigger than a 12-oz. soda can. It has a solid enough weight to provide for
some handheld shooting stability, and it takes 4.6-megapixel still images while simultaneously recording video. The CX7 is equipped with
Sony’s Super Steadyshot optical image stabilization system, which
minimizes the unwanted vibrations of handheld shooting. Many of the
CX7’s features reside in the touch screen navigation menu on the 2.7"
widescreen LCD. The LCD rotates 270 degrees for ease of viewing from
varying angles, which is key, as there is no viewfinder on this camcorder. The LCD is large enough for viewing but it can potentially be
cumbersome to users with clumsy or larger fingers. There are a number of recording modes such as beach, sports lesson, candle, fireworks
and sunrise, to name a few, as well as a host of other features that are
within the navigation screen menu options.
2.7" TOUCH LCD SCREEN
Instrumentation
A View Images playback button, located on the left side of the camcorder (with the LCD screen open) makes it simple to watch what has
been recorded by pressing a button and navigating the thumbnails on
the LCD screen. To play your videos, simply press Play on the touch
screen, and your video clips automatically play back. The playback
controls are embedded in the touch screen menu only. There is a film
roll index button, located next to the View Images button, that takes
you directly to the index. Additional features located on the left side
of the camcorder are the Nightshot mode on/off switch that allows
for low-light recording, the backlight feature and an Easy button that
switches the camcorder to full auto mode.
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Page 3
Sony
HDR-CX7 AVCHD
The 10x optical zoom rocker is located on the top rear of the
camcorder, right in front of the on/off switch, which also changes the camcorder from video to still mode. There is a Photo button present between the zoom rocker and the on/off dial. This
button can capture a still image while the CX7 is recording video
in either high definition or standard definition. The CX7 can
capture a digital still image of 6.1 megapixels in photo mode.
The images we captured turned out looking good, with nice
color saturation and clarity, even while zoomed in and moving
laterally. A hot shoe adapter located on the top-front of the lens
barrel is useful for attaching an external microphone or light.
Located on the back of the camcorder are the HDMI port, the A/V
out, the DC in and the Record button. The dock included with
the CX7 connects to the bottom of the camcorder. The docking
station includes a one-step disc burn button (functional with appropriate software on your PC) and has numerous ports to connect to a computer, printer or television. The dock also acts as a
battery-charging station while your camcorder is parked. While
most docking stations for camcorders serve as an added accessory, the CX7 dock is a necessity. The docking station supplies
the USB 2.0 and component connection to the HDR-CX7. This
alone makes it an essential component, unless you plan to use
only your HDMI output.
Camcorder
In Focus
There is a Smooth Slow record mode that is ideal for highspeed movement, such as a golf swing or aerial acrobatics. This
mode is easily accessible on the LCD screen by selecting the
home icon and then Smooth Slow record mode. We tested this
feature on a number of golfers, and the CX7 displayed smooth
images. However, the CX7 auto focus had a hard time getting a
sharp focus on the subject. Once manual focus is selected using the touch screen navigation, focusing can be performed on
the LCD screen.
TECH SPECS
Format AVCHD(HD), MPEG2-PS (SD)
Number of CCDs 1
Size of CCDs 1/2.9" ClearVid CMOS sensor
Pixels on CCD 3200(k)
Video Effective Pixels 2,280,000k
Focus Full-range auto/manual (dial, touch panel)
Shutter Speed Auto
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/500
Minimum Shutter Speed 1/2
Lens f-stop f1.8-2.9
Program Exposure Modes Touch panel (24 steps)
Optical Zoom 10x
Focal Length 40-400mm
Image Stabilization Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization system
Manual White Balance Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor
Viewfinder N/A
LCD Monitor 2.7" (211k pixels) wide (16:9) Touch Panel-Clear
Photo LCD Plus
Progressive Scan N/A
HD Modes 1080 (60i) AVCHD
Video Out USB 2.0 (dock only), Component (dock only),
HDMI, composite
Mono/Stereo Recording 5.1 Stereo
Microphone In No
VU Meters No
Manual Audio Level
Controls No
Headphone Jack No
Speaker Yes
Still Shot Media JPEG
Memory Card included No
Flash Yes
Wireless Remote Yes
External Battery
Charger Provided No, camcorder only
Battery Type InfoLiTHIUM
Tape Loading
Configuration N/A
Onboard Video Light No
Accessory Shoe Active interface shoe
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Sony
HDR-CX7 AVCHD
Camcorder
The AVCHD format's problems
with motion artifacts seems to
Audio
The CX7 comes equipped with a built-in 5.1-channel onboard
microphone. We tested the CX7’s onboard microphone in a
variety of sound scenarios, from a quiet golf course to a crowded
baby shower party. We were pleased with the overall performance of this camcorder’s built-in mic. Even at very close range,
semi-loud voices were not very muffled or distorted. When we
tested the microphone outdoors, again we were pleased with the
microphone's performance in picking up both ambient noise
and the sounds created by the golfer's swing and golf shot. We
were not able to hear the camcorder motor while recording in a
quiet setting. For picking up good-quality voice, the best results
were from in front of the camcorder and about 4 to 6 feet away.
Format
The AVCHD format's problems with motion artifacts seems to
be a thing of the past, and the HDR-CX7 is evidence of this new
direction for Sony camcorders. Testing the CX7’s motion compensation turned out great results with very few compression
artifacts and little ghosting. Under daylight conditions, the CX7
showed very sharp and smooth images. We were very pleased
with color reproduction. Under indoor lighting conditions, the
be a thing of the past, and the
HDR-CX7 is evidence of this new
direction for Sony camcorders.
CX7 still performed fairly well, with a slightly slower auto focus
and increased digital noise. Low-light conditions will definitely
be your biggest enemy in maintaining pristine images. Overall, we were pleased with the smooth motion of our recorded
images under indoor conditions. We tested the CX7’s image capabilities in a more difficult task with an ocean sunset, moving
along a freeway, and found the motion to be very smooth with
no visible artifacts, the auto focus quick and sharp and the color
vivid and accurate.
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Page 5
Sony
HDR-CX7 AVCHD
Camcorder
Tapeless Revolution
The HDR-CX7 is the first AVCHD camcorder to record to a Memory Stick. The
Memory Sticks we used were each 1GB and stored 7 minutes of HD video.
While the docking station makes it relatively easy to transfer and store video
and images to a computer, changing tiny Memory Sticks becomes a bit cumbersome. The immediate option is to purchase a Memory Stick or two of a
larger capacity. This seems to be the best option, unless you want to change
Memory Sticks every few minutes or download your footage after each use.
Recording to a Memory Stick saves time and money if you frequently purchase tapes and spend hours capturing your footage to your computer.
STRENGTHS
• Record AVCHD to memory stick
• Capture stills while recording video
• Smooth Slow Record mode
• Compact and lightweight
• High-quality HD video with accurate color
WEAKNESSES
• No viewfinder
• Manual controls embedded in
touch screen navigation system
SUMMARY
• A sleek and compact AVCHD
camera that records great-looking
video/still images directly to Memory
Stick, is relatively easy to use and
includes features that will appeal to
the consumer-level videographer.
Conclusion
With a positive step in the tapeless direction, Sony has produced a goodlooking and super-compact first-of-its kind consumer-level AVCHD camcorder that is relatively user-friendly and produces great-quality HD video.
This would be a great camcorder for anyone who wants to do handheld
video of almost any kind and great for a vacation or traveling where space
is limited.
PRICE
• $1,200
Brandon Pinard is Videomaker’s
video production assistant.
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