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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Comparisons / Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Comparisons / Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery

Performance

The HDR-UX7 is equipped with Sony’s top imager this year, a 1/2.9-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor. It has a gross pixel count of 3,200,000. The effective pixel count in 16:9 is 2,280,000. In 4:3, it’s a 1,710,000 effective pixel count. Last year’s top imager, a 1/3-inch CMOS with a gross pixel count of 2,100,000, was shifted to the next model down, the HDR-UX5. We saw the same differentiating factor in the standard definition models, the DCR-DVD408 and DCR-DVD508. At first glance, the specs on the 1/2.9-inch sensor seem more compelling, but there’s a potential problem. As we pointed out in the DVD508 review, the 1/2.9-inch has a 52 percent increase in pixels, but only a 3.45 percent increase in surface area. Thus, the pixels are much smaller, which will likely hurt low light performance and increase noise. Fortunately, a high definition camcorder has an advantage over standard definition, being able to retain far more information. We’ll let our testing be the judge.

We shot a DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde chart chip chart at an even 3000 lux. The HDR-UX7 did not show any discernable increase in noise in this bright light compared to last year’s HDR-UX1. The standard definition DCR-DVD508, using the same chip, showed more noise relative to the sharpness. This is a promising result, as it indicates that a high definition compression can hide more of an imager’s faults.

There are a handful of competing models in the UX7’s space. The prime hitters are the Canon HR10, and the Panasonic HDC-DX1, both high definition DVD camcorders. We have not yet reviewed the HR10, but have done extensive testing with the Canon HG10, an AVCHD camcorder that records to hard disk. The bit rate is slightly higher, but they share every other spec in common. The HG10 topped Sony yet again, with a cleaner, sharper imager and more vibrant colors that don’t push saturation too hard. This has truly been Canon’s year in terms of video performance. The HDR-UX7, however, still holds a few handling and feature advantages.

The Panasonic HDC-DX1 showed a lot less noise in bright light, but also lacked some of the sharpness we liked in the HDR-UX7. In most shooting, the Panasonic’s three-chip imaging system was able to deliver a better color balance. Sony tends to warm the image, which is kind to skin tones but ultimately inaccurate.

Shooting with the HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7 revealed some interesting differences. In shots with a wide range of highlights and shadows, the UX1 looked better. Whether by the larger pixels on the chip or some other reason, the UX1 retained more information in those areas. The UX7 had a slightly sharper image with the same shots, but this advantage was offset by the increased noise, even in bright light.

Framing shots with a lot of fine detail – a leafy tree, in this case – drew out more distinctions. Both camcorders showed their merits and faults. The HDR-UX7 produced better color, with more vivid and varied greens and blues. On the downside, there was a great deal of artifacting. The HDR-UX1 produced a cleaner picture, but the color was not as good. The camcorders performed similarly with simpler outdoor shots, such as those with a lot of shadows and highlights or complex patterns.

Overall, we have to side with last year’s HDR-UX1 for producing a cleaner imager – less noise and better dynamic range. We’re hoping this carries down to the HDR-UX5, which sports the same imager as the UX1. This offers people a chance to find the camcorder easier than a discontinued model and save a few bucks by not purchasing the top of the line model.

Video Resolution* (16.5)*

The Sony HDR-UX7’s video resolution was tested by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart and looking at the playback footage on an HD monitor. This test looks at the final outputted image of the camcorder, not the more generous resolution of the chip the manufacturers like to promote. We found the camcorder was able to produce a horizontal resolution of approximately 600 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) and a vertical resolution of 550 lw/ph. This score is on par or slightly below other AVCHD camcorders.

Low Light Performance* (4.31)*

The first section of low light testing involves shooting our DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chip chart at an even 60 and 15 lux, then comparing them against past camcorders. At 60 lux, the Sony HDR-UX7 managed to retain a good amount of color information. Unfortunately, we saw a big upshot in noise – the same problem shared with the standard definition DCR-DVD508. Last year’s HDR-UX1 and DCR-DVD505 used a 1/3-inch CMOS with a gross pixel count of 2,100,000. This year’s HDR-UX7 and DCR-DVD508 have a slightly larger imager (1/2.9-inch) with a much higher pixel density (3,200,000). Smaller pixels hurt low light, which is clearly evident in our tests. All four camcorders showed roughly the same exposure and color information at 60 lux. However, there is a major increase in noise with the 1/2.9-inch models. Fortunately, Sony has outfitted the 1/3-inch CMOS sensors in two models this year, the standard definition DCR-DVD408 and the HDR-UX5.

At 60 lux, the Canon HG10 produced a cleaner image with stronger colors and far less noise. The Panasonic HDC-DX1 exposed brighter, which would have brought out more detail except for the overall softness of the image. We saw the same issue at 3000 lux. The DX1 lacked the sharpness of any of the Sonys or Canons.

At 15 lux, the HDR-UX7 was very noisy, and most of the color information was lost. The HDR-UX1 performed better on both fronts. The Canon HG10 was better than both of these, as was the Panasonic HDC-DX1.

The second part of the low light evaluation involves lowering the light at a slow, steady rate until the camcorder is outputting a peak 50 IRE (a measurement of exposure). The HDR-UX7 was able to produce 50 IRE at 16 lux. This was roughly the same as the other top-tier Sonys this year. It was half the showing the Canon HG10 managed, requiring only 8 lux.

Finally, we test the color accuracy, noise, and saturation by shooting a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart at 60 lux and running frames through Imatest imaging software. The HDR-UX7 managed to produce a color error of 7.95, which was very good. The noise level was 1.365 percent, which was higher than average. The saturation was 75.05 percent.

In short, the "improved" imager on the HDR-UX7 did not improve anything in low light. We suggest looking at the HDR-UX1 or HDR-UX5 as a substitute if you plan on doing a lot of low light shooting.

Stabilization* (7.73)*

We tested the ability of the HDR-UX7’s SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) using our custom-built shake emulator, crafted exclusively for CamcorderInfo.com. Two speeds were used to simulate typical shake patterns. Speed one is akin to a casual walk down the sidewalk with camcorder in hand. Speed two is more along the lines of a bumpy car ride or light jog while holding the camcorder. The HDR-UX7 produced a 76.92 percent shake reduction at speed one and a 78.57 percent reduction at speed two. The DCR-DVD508, Sony’s top of the line standard definition DVD camcorder, performed slightly better, but exhibited a strikingly similar margin between speeds. Higher-end Sony DVD camcorders are performing quite well, and seem to generate the least amount of difference between speed one and speed two, most likely due to their size, construction, and OIS effectiveness.

Wide Angle* (9.6)*

To attain the HDR-UX7’s maximum field of view, we set the camcorder on a tripod with the zoom pulled back, LCD flipped out, and SteadyShot disabled. A vertical laser was used to measure the left and right angles. The difference between angles was then subtracted after viewing the recorded footage on an external monitor. The HDR-UX7 displayed a maximum depth of field of 48 degrees, which places the camcorder on par with competing models.

 

 

 

 

Format

Compression* (7.0)*

The Sony HDR-UX7 records high definition in the AVCHD codec, which is still rather young. AVCHD has a lot of potential, because it allows HD video to be stored on any number of recording media, including DVD, disk drive, and flash memory.

The complaints right now center on the fact that the codec is not living up to its potential. AVCHD specifications claim it can record up to 24 Mbps. To date, no camcorder has come close to this speed. The HDR-UX7 is among the slowest, because current technology prohibits DVD write speeds from surpassing 12 Mbps. This is the camcorder’s highest quality setting, labeled HD HQ+. Other quality settings include HD HQ (9 Mbps), HD SP (7 Mbps), and HD LP (5 Mbps). We always recommend shooting in the highest quality.

The camcorder also records in standard definition MPEG-2. However, you can’t mix and match standard definition and high definition on the same disc. The camcorder formats the disc in either one or the other. Standard definition quality settings include HQ (9 Mbps), SP (6 Mbps), and LP (3 Mbps).

Media* (4.5)*

The Sony HDR-UX7 records video to 8 centimeter DVDs, sometimes called miniDVDs. The camcorder accepts the -R/-RW/+RW and +R DL (Dual Layer) formats – a nice wide selection so that whatever store you stop into will probably have a disc you can use.

Single layer discs can hold approximately 15 minutes of video in HD HQ+, 20 minutes in HD HQ, 25 minutes in HD SP, and 32 minutes in HD LP. Dual layer discs can hold a little less than twice those capacities.

Editing* (4.0)*

The AVCHD format has been around for a little more than a year now, and editing the footage has gotten only slightly easier. Since January 2007, several pieces of editing software have been updated for compatibility with AVCHD footage. Actually working the footage remains an incredibly frustrating process, however. Importing 15 minutes of video transfers at almost realtime speeds – this seems to defeat the purpose of moving away from tape media.

The Sony HDR-UX7 ships with Picture Motion Browser V.2.0.04. This allows for very basic importing, clip editing, and exporting. There are also some rather lame themes to choose from that automate text and transitions. The most powerful editing software right now for the AVCHD format is probably Sony Vegas 8.0. Vegas is compatible only with Sony-brand AVCHD camcorders – Panasonic and Canon owners will need to look elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (8.0)

The HDR-UX7 has good automatic controls, typical for a Sony camcorder. The auto exposure adjustments are the swiftest, shifting in about two to three seconds. The auto focus is good, as long as the contrast is apparent. When it’s too dark or when the subject has a low contrast, like a light carpet, it can take a few seconds.

The weakest auto control was the white balance. When shooting a hallway with a single fluorescent light, the image took on a strong green cast. In mixed lighting, such as incandescent and fluorescent, it over-warmed the image. Only a manual white balance would fix both of these. Strangely, the HDR-UX1 did not have the same problems.

As with most Sonys, the HDR-UX7 has a number of "one-touch" controls that aid in image quality without requiring the shooter to have a great knowledge about image theory. Two of the most popular are Spot Focus and Spot Meter. Both controls, located in the Camera menu, create a frame around the image on the LCD. If you are unsatisfied with the focus or exposure in a certain part of the picture, simply touch the area you want corrected. The Spot controls are accurate as long as the subject you’re touching is large. Smaller areas will require the real exposure and focus controls.

The camcorder offers a number of Scene modes which can help in specific environments that are tricky to expose for. Settings include Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, and Snow.

The Scene modes menu

Overall Manual Control (6.5)

The manual control on the HDR-UX7 is, strangely, the best of any Sony high definition camcorder this year. We say strangely because the DVD recording medium has so clearly been marketed at the casual point-and-shoot user. Why then, did Sony outfit its top DVD camcorder with a large, grippable dial while the top HDV, hard disk drive, and flash memory camcorders all have a puny dial on the side of the lens barrel, if anything at all? We don’t know, but we lament it. The dial on the UX7 works very well. Every camcorder should be so lucky.

To put this praise in context, you should know that all the 2007 AVCHD models are handicapped versions of the previous year’s models. The 2006 HDR-SR1 and HDR-UX1 both featured a large multi-function control ring around the lens. The knob on the UX7 is the best of this year, but disappointing in the grand scheme. Sony has a history of packing a bunch of great features into their debut models, then stripping features away over the years.

Like the HDR-SR7 and last year’s AVCHD models, the dial on the HDR-UX7 grants control over four features: focus, exposure, AE Shift, and WB Shift. To activate the controls, push in on the button in the center of the knob. A small menu appears in the lower right of the screen with each of these options, as well as a Reset tool to wipe away any adjustments you’ve made. The whole set of controls, in conjunction with the knob, work very well.

The rest of the controls are accessed via the Touch Screen menu. An external knob alleviates a lot of our complaints about touch screen operation, but you can’t use the knob for everything. The HDR-UX7 uses the "Home menu" structure, which has an intuitive layout. It has a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s quite efficient.

As with most Sonys, the UX7 lacks shutter speed and aperture controls. These are the only things keeping this from being a truly powerful camcorder … well, that and the fact a DVD can only hold a few minutes of footage.

*

Zoom (5.0)*

The zoom control is the same as found on the HDR-UX1, HDR-CX7, and HDR-SR7 – a low-profile, rocking toggle located near the rear of the top. The toggle is well positioned for the forefinger, but we’ve seen a lot better this year. The Panasonic HDC-DX1 and HDC-SX5 have a higher profile toggle for better control. The Canon HR10 does not, but the Canon HG10 has a full-on professional rocker control.

When zooming, a progress bar appears in the upper left corner, but there is no numerical value given for what the zoom power actually is.

Zoom Power Ratio (10.0)

The optical zoom extends to 10x, which is the average for an upper-tier consumer camcorder. Don’t be fooled by big zooms. Optical laws require that a larger imaging chip must have a smaller zoom and remain in a compact body. Inflated zooms usually accompany lower-end camcorders.

The digital zoom is kept to a refreshingly conservative 20x. This means the pixels are only being expanded to twice their actual size. Compare this with camcorders that extend to a 800x or 1000x. Good for Sony for keeping a level head.

Focus (6.0)

The focus controls are located on the first page of the Camera menu. Via the touch screen, the manual focus control clutters up the screen with graphics to such a degree that it’s hard to see the subject. In order to focus, you push buttons on either side of the screen. The 3.5-inch LCD makes it easier to focus than most camcorders, but is in need of an enhancement tool to aid accuracy. Most HD camcorders from other manufacturers include an instant digital zoom when focusing, or a peaking tool that adds color to areas of the shot that are in focus.

The better focusing control is controlled via the knob on the front. Push in on the button in the center to engage the Dial Setting menu and select focus. When engaged, a small hand appears in the lower right side. Turning the knob to make adjustments can be comfortable at some angles and awkward at others. If you plan on manually focusing during a shot, be sure you can reach the control comfortably. When spinning the knob, the numeric value of the focal distance actually appears on-screen – a novelty in consumer camcorders. The values are given in meters, so Americans will need to brush up on the metric system.

The focus control when in use with the dial

Exposure & Aperture (6.5)

The primary exposure control is virtually identical when accessed by either the touch screen or the control knob. Via the touch screen, the control is located on the second page of the Camera menu. When engaged, a large set of icons appears on-screen, including a plus and minus button and a scale. The scale indicates the exposure range, which includes 32 increments. If engaged via the control knob, the same scale appears much less obtrusively – about one-half the size and tucked down at the bottom of the screen.

The AE Shift feature is located exclusively on the control knob. It ranges from +/-4. The effect is less dramatic than the primary exposure tool., and is more useful for making small shifts. Each increment has roughly half the effect of a full increment in the primary exposure scale.

The AE Shift control in action

Shutter Speed (0.0)

The Sony HDR-UX7 does not include shutter speed control.

White Balance (7.0)

The primary white balance control is located on the third page of the Camera menu. There are four options: Auto, Indoor, Outdoor, and One Push (manual). Most manufacturers include more presets than this. The UX7 certainly could have used some, as the Auto white balance proved to be lacking.

Making a manual white balance is easy. Simply point the camcorder at a white or neutral gray surface and press One Push, then the internationally-recognized "white balance symbol" button. It takes about four seconds for the camcorder to makes its adjustment.

The WB Shift, like AE Shift, is a subtle tool useful for correcting small adjustments in white balance. A good example would be outdoor shooting on a cloudy day where the temperature shifts constantly.

The WB Shift control in action

Gain (0.0)

The Sony HDR-UX7 does not include any options for gain.

Other Manual Controls (4.0)

X.V. Color - X.V Color is a Sony-branded term for the relatively new xvYCC color space implemented in a select number of camcorders and televisions. In short, the term color space refers to how many colors and which colors are used in an application. xvYCC offers approximately 1.8 times the color space of traditional sRGB. Very few televisions are capable of displaying this color space right now, so the option is very forward looking. If you plan on replacing your camcorder in a few years, you can discount X.V. Color as a compelling feature.

Zebra patterns - Zebra patterns is a useful tool that allows you to monitor exposure as you shoot. When activated, the camcorder creates black and white stripes in areas that are overexposed. There are two settings, 70 and 100. These numbers refer to IRE levels, a measurement of exposure. Seventy is a conservative setting, and you may still be able to make out detail in these areas. Anything in the shot peaking at 100 IRE is totally blown out. The stripes will not appear on exported video.

Guideframes- When activated, a grid appears on-screen, breaking the shot up into nine segments – the classic "rule of thirds" for cinematographers. The lines do not appear on the outputted footage.

Auto Slow Shutter- The Auto Slow Shutter feature allows the camcorder’s shutter speed to drop down as low as 1/30 of a second, rather than the default 1/60. This can help in low light.

Color Slow Shutter- Much more drastic than Auto Slow Shutter, the Color Slow feature allows the auto shutter to drop very low, seemingly 1/2 to 1/4 of a second.

 

 

 

 

Still Features

Still Features* (9.0)*

In Still Photo mode, the HDR-UX7 can capture still images only to Memory Stick in the following sizes: 6.1 megapixels (2848 x 2136), 4.6 megapixels (2848 x 1602), 3.1 megapixels (2048 x 1536), and VGA (640 x 480). Images can be saved in Fine or Standard quality. In Video mode, still images can be captured to Memory Stick simultaneously while recording video to DVD in two sizes—4.6 megapixels (2848 x 1602) and 3.4 megapixels (2136 x 1602). Though the HDR-UX7 has the capacity to capture fairly large 6.1-megapixel images, it is worth mentioning that this is an interpolated image. A camcorder with a single chip can’t actually produce any more resolution than the number of pixels on that chip. The UX7 comes equipped with 3,200,000 pixels, making the 2048 x 1536 image the native resolution. Any stills larger than that have been interpolated. This means while the image is bigger, it does not contain any more information than the 3.1-megapixel image.

Nearly all the manual controls available in Video mode are also available in Still Photo mode, including the Cam Control dial. In addition to manual controls, the HDR-UX7 features a Red-Eye Reduction setting and Self-Timer.

The HDR-UX7 is equipped with a flash mounted to the left side of the lens. The flash can be set to Normal, High, or Low. There is no Self-Timer or Burst mode. However, on a camcorder geared toward high definition video, still images should not be expected to be the HDR-UX7’s strong suit.

Still Performance* (8.97)*

We tested the Sony HDR-UX7’s still photo quality by shooting a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart and running those stills through the Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. At best, the camcorder was able to produce a color error of 6.69, which is rather good. The noise level measured 1.7075 percent and saturation measured 107.6 percent.

In order to get these scores, we had to lower the exposure by one degree. Though you’ll never see it or be able to control these factors directly, the EXIF data revealed that in Auto mode the camcorder used an aperture of f/3.4 and a shutter speed of 1/60. Lowering the exposure one notch shifted the aperture to f/4.0.

In practical terms, the still photos looked very good. Sony generally manages to produce vivid pictures with good sharpness.

Still Resolution* (26.32)*

The still resolution was tested by shooting an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart and running those stills through Imatest imaging software. At best, the camcorder was able to produce an approximate horizontal resolution of 1405 line widths per picture height (lw/ph), with a 1.12 percent clipping and a undersharpening of 7.12 percent – and a vertical resolution of 1246 lw/ph, with a 1.01 percent clipping and an undersharpening of 11.5 percent.

In order to get this best score, we had to raise the exposure by one degree. In Auto mode, the camcorder was shooting at an aperture of f/4.8 and a shutter speed of 1/90. The best score kept the f/4.8 aperture but slowed down the shutter speed to 1/60.

 

 

 

 

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (7.5)*

Sony camcorders have some the best automatic controls on the market. When the HDR-UX7 is placed in Easy mode, troubles drift away as the shooter is only required to press record, allowing the camcorder to do all the grunt work. In this state of autopilot, LCD buttons double in size and manual controls are prohibited. Many point-and-shooters will never see the light of day outside Easy mode—it’s just too comfortable and safe. In that respect, Sony has created a mega-marketing magnet for beginners. Even Grandma can operate a Sony. As long as the HDR-UX7 is not taken out of Easy mode, the average consumer will coast along.

The root of the HDR-UX7’s problems stem from three key factors—compression, media, and editing. The AVCHD format is still relatively new, so it has some kinks to work out. If you shoot in the highest quality (HD HQ+), a typical DVD disc will offer only about 14 to 16 minutes of recording time. That’s it. DVD discs in general are the worst form of media to work with because of their capacity and fragility, but the combination of AVCHD compression and DVD discs will not treat your wallet well. Be prepared to stock up on a significant amount of backup discs in order to record for even a couple of hours.

Then again, who wants to repeatedly swap discs while all the action is passing them by? Oh, and at the end of the day you’ll have to finalize each disc, which can take up to 10 minutes per disc. Mini DV tapes offer 60 minutes in SP mode and do not need to be formatted or finalized, and hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders reign supreme with their massive internal storage capacities. If you’re looking for the least amount of hassle, an AVCHD DVD camcorder is not the way to go.

Handling* (6.5)*

Before we delve into ergonomics, let’s take a gander at the HDR-UX7’s competition. The only other high definition DVD camcorders on the market are the preposterously bulky Panasonic HDC-DX1 and Canon HR10, which shows design and dimensions closer to the compact Canon DC50. On the other end of the spectrum, Hitachi has been formulating a Blu-ray monster within its laboratories. The DZ-BD7H flaunts some foreboding architecture and appears to be as much of a challenge to hold as the insane HDC-DX1. That leaves the HDR-UX7 comfortably in the sweet spot for handling. The HDR-UX7 is most closely related to the DCR-DVD508. The camcorders feel nearly identical in hand. Sony has seriously slimmed down the HDR-UX7 in comparison to its first generation predecessor, the HDR-UX1. Stacked next to each other, the HDR-UX7 is about 20 percent smaller than the HDR-UX1. The bottom line is that the HDR-UX7 is the best-handling HD DVD camcorder currently on the market.

Though the HDR-UX7 has shed some unwanted bulk, it’s still a large machine. When you slide your hand into the hand strap, you’ll find your fingers will rest comfortably atop the round DVD disc hatch. The thumb fits flush with the record start/stop button, the index finger aligns with the zoom toggle, the middle finger rests within a shallow valley, and the ring finger and pinky arc along the edge of the hatch. Due to the HDR-UX7’s size, Sony can afford to mount the built-in stereo microphone to the top, as the pinky has a slim chance of scraping over it and creating unwanted sound. As mentioned in the tour, we could have used a nicer hand strap—the HDR-UX1 and HDR-HC7 feature padded, breathable mesh panels sewn into the inside of their straps. Nevertheless, the HDR-UX7 feels balanced and welcomes a long day of shooting.

And now for a special surprise—Sony’s 3.5-inch LCD screen. We have finally seen the light! Well, it’s been awhile. The last time we had the pleasure of handling a 3.5-inch LCD screen was last year with Sony’s HDR-UX1 and DCR-SR1. If you’re going to utilize touch screen technology, you’d better equip your machine with a large enough monitor to accommodate the surface area of a typical adult fingertip. The HDR-UX7’s massive LCD screen is an example other manufacturers should follow.

Though we love the huge LCD screen, we should mention its on-screen buttons are still a royal pain to press. We sometimes had to push as many as eight times before the camcorder sprung into action. Frustration mounted in the testing room—we can only imagine what it’s like at your child’s ball game between the HDR-UX7’s exceedingly short recording times, finicky LCD buttons, and tortoise-speed disc hatch release mechanism. In addition, take into account the amount of smudging the screen will accumulate due to repeated handling. At the end of the day, power shooters should consider taking a 2.7-inch LCD screen with rear-mounted joystick (Panasonic and Canon) over Sony’s 3.5-inch consumer magnet.

Manual control adjustment on almost any Sony is no picnic. Panasonic and Canon utilize a one-handed camcorder operation setup with the implementation of rear-mounted joysticks. They’re quick, accurate, and will not leave the LCD screen smudged up like a Sony. JVC has its LCD-mounted joystick, which is the next best thing.

Luckily, Sony has a solution. The HDR-UX7 features a large, easily gripped Cam Control dial mounted to the front of the camcorder. The dial offers independent control over Focus, Exposure, AE Shift, and WB Shift. The HDR-UX1 touts a superior control—the Cam Control ring mounted along the end of the lens barrel—but the HDR-UX7’s dial is as good a substitute as we can hope for. This is the best handling device of any Sony camcorder this year. The HDR-SR7 and HDR-HC7 are both equipped with an even smaller, low-profile dial on the side. The large knob on the UX7 looks practically professional by comparison.

Another highlight on the HDR-UX7 is its pivoting viewfinder, which flips upward approximately 40 degrees toward the shooter. The Panasonic HDC-DX1 features a viewfinder that simply telescopes out, while Canon does not appear to pour even an ounce of thought into alternative monitoring. Nearly all of Canon’s camcorders feature viewfinders devoid of a rubberized eyecup that do not extend or pivot. It’s nice to see a manufacturer reach out to the more advanced crowd of shooters who know the power of a viewfinder.

Menu* (6.0)*

The HDR-UX7 utilizes Sony’s most recent menu structure, which was initially debuted on the HDR-UX1 and HDR-SR1. We refer to it as the "Home menu" and it will, in fact, make you feel at home. Between the menu’s organized, tabbed structure and magical button selection sounds, the HDR-UX7 employs the ultimate consumer interface.

The Home Menu

In order to access the Home menu, which is Sony’s version of an Administrative menu, press the home button in the upper hand corner of the LCD screen. You can also press the round home button along the LCD panel. A tabbed menu appear, containing five main categories that consist of the following options:

The HDR-UX7’s manual controls can be found within the Camera menu, located in the bottom right corner of the LCD screen. The Camera menu is comprised of the following options:

 

The Camera Menu in action

The HDR-UX7 also features a mini Cam Control dial with its own submenu that activates when the center button of the dial is pressed for longer than two seconds. A small list of four manual controls appears in the bottom right corner: Focus, Exposure, AE Shift, and WB Shift. To scroll up, turn the dial to the left. To scroll down, turn the dial to the right. The center button selects a particular option.

The Dial menu below

 

Portability* (5.0)*

This is no little JVC Everio, people, but the HDR-UX7 is a vast improvement over the HDR-UX1 in terms of portability. The HDR-UX7 is approximately 20 percent smaller than the gargantuan HDR-UX1, measuring 72 x 87 x 145mm (2 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5 5/8-inches) and tips scale at 690 grams (1 pound 8 ounces). Leave room in the camera bag for extra DVDs—you’ll need it. If you plan on shooting in the highest HD quality setting, one disc will last you a whole 15 minutes. That’s right, 15 minutes. You’ll want to invest in a backup battery for longer shoots, as well, though the HDR-UX7’s battery performance is admirable.

LCD and Viewfinder* (9.0)*

The HDR-UX7 is equipped with a prodigious 3.5-inch LCD screen with a 211,200-pixel resolution. Despite the coveted increase in dimensions, the LCD screen shares the same resolution with its step-down sibling, the HDR-UX5. Therefore, the image is not as sharp as it could be if Sony had upped the resolution. The LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the camcorder's body and rotates up to 270 degrees. The screen itself does an honorable job fighting off solarization at steep angles. A row of flat buttons are located along the bottom of the LCD panel, consisting of record start/stop, zoom out, zoom in, and home—though there is also a home button located in the upper left corner of the LCD screen. An oddly designed plastic tab secures the LCD screen in place. We imagine active users will eventually break this nubbin off by accident, which shouldn’t have any effect.

Another perk on the HDR-UX7 is its pivoting viewfinder, extending upward approximately 40 degrees. Though the viewfinder does not feature a rubberized eyecup or telescope out, we give props to Sony for actually doing something with the viewfinder, compared to most manufacturers—namely Canon. The dioptric adjuster is located along the bottom ridge of the eyecup.

**

Battery Life*** (12.1)*

We tested the life of the HDR-UX7’s NP-FH70 rechargeable battery pack by placing the camcorder in Manual mode, flipping the LCD screen out, disabling SteadyShot, and recording continuously. When a disc reached its maximum capacity, the external power supply was connected and the battery was removed while the disc was reformatted.

The HDR-UX7 exhibited a battery life of 121 minutes and 19 seconds (2 hours, 1 minute, and 19 seconds), a performance that is remarkably close to the HDR-UX1’s 121 minute and 38 second performance. Both camcorders ship with different battery packs, yet churn out an almost identical battery life. The DCR-DVD508 only lasted 101 minutes and 31 seconds.

 

 

 

 

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio* (8.5)*

The HDR-UX7 has a great deal of flexibility when it comes to audio input. It comes equipped with a 5.1-channel Dolby Digital stereo microphone mounted to the top of the camcorder. This is only slightly better than the standard stereo mics Sony puts on its other camcorders. Luckily, the UX7 also features a microphone-in and headphone-out jack. In addition, the camcorder sports a proprietary fit Active Interface Shoe (AIS) up top, which is compatible with a number of Sony boom mics and video lights. With all these inputs, you’ll never have to settle for an onboard mic again.

The onboard options for adjusting sound are, unfortunately, lacking. Unlike the Panasonic HDC-DX1, the HDR-UX7 does not offer any control over audio aside from onboard microphone levels that can be set to Normal or Low. The Panasonic HDC-DX1 and HDC-SD1 both offer independent gain control over multiple channels, in addition to a zoom function. Sony doesn’t even throw a wind cut function on the HDR-UX7.

Playback* (4.0)*

Like any Sony that features the Home menu structure—including the HDR-UX1 and DCR-SR1—playing back recorded video clips and stills could not be easier. This may be the one instance where a touch screen LCD proves a favorable option to a joystick – at least the joysticks on the JVC Everio camcorders. In order to activate the Playback menu, press the playback button in the lower left corner of the LCD screen. There is also a playback button within the LCD cavity.

The Playback screen is characterized by a grid-like grouping of six or 12 thumbnail at a time, alternated by shifting the zoom toggle. Each thumbnail represents a video clip. Along the bottom of the Playback screen is a panel of controls consisting of Video mode, Video Playback, Photo mode, and Video Playback Options, which contains the following selections: Add, Add All (to Playlist), Delete, Delete All, and Divide.

To play a clip, simply touch its corresponding thumbnail and it will begin playing. A handful of playback controls line the bottom half of the LCD screen: Previous Clip, Next Clip, Stop, Rewind, Play/Pause, Fast Forward, and Playback Options. While playing back a clip, the Playback Options now offer Volume and Data Code control. Playing back still images is nearly identical, only the Playback Options are composed of Print, Slideshow, Delete, and Delete All options.

Connectivity* (10.0) *

Most of the HDR-UX7’s ports are located along the bottom of the camcorder’s left side. Two thick plastic strips encase the Mic and Headphone jacks and Component and HDMI terminals. Concentrating most of a camcorder’s connectivity within the left side is generally not the best idea. Cables can obscure the LCD screen during playback, and Mic and Headphone jacks must be routed accordingly. We’re quite pleased to see the return of these improved audio options after it seemed they were disappearing from the consumer camcorder landscape.

Around back, a small plastic door flips up to reveal the AV-out terminal and DC-in jack. The door is difficult to access due to the looming battery. To the right of the battery you’ll find the Remote (LANC) jack and USB terminal, both housed by a rugged plastic tab.

The Memory Stick Duo slot is located within the LCD cavity and does not feature a cover other than the closed LCD screen. Cards can be inserted and removed via an internal spring-loaded mechanism.

On top, Sony’s proprietary hot shoe (AIS) is shrouded by a thick plastic square anchored to the body of the camcorder by a flimsy plastic strip. Of course, only Sony products are compatible with the AIS.

 

 

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Sony HDR-UX7 ships with the following items:

-AC Adapter

-Power Cord

-Component Cable

-A/V Cable

-USB Cable

-Wireless Remote Commander

-NP-FH70 Rechargeable Battery Pack

-CD-ROM: Handycam Application Software

-Operating Guide (Manual)

This is a standard set of components for a $1,000 AVCHD camcorder. For the serious videographer, an external mic, large backup battery, and plethora of DVDs should do the trick. Though with 15 minutes of recordable time per disc in the highest HD quality setting, be prepared to lay down some significant cash.

Other Features* (4.0)*
*Super NightShot Infrared System - *In order to see things that go bump in the night, Sony created Super NightShot. When plain old NightShot is activated via the NightShot switch on top of the camcorder, recorded footage will don a greenish tint that offers more detail than could otherwise be captured. When the Super NightShot setting is activated from within the Home menu, the HDR-UX7 emits an infrared beam, offering an even brighter (green) image. Either way you slice it, NightShot is a niche tool with limited practical use.

The Super NightShot mode in action

*Digital Effect(s) - *Digital effects are generally lame on any consumer camcorder, and are no different here. Just press the D. Effect button in the Options menu and you’ll see a whole bunch of … wait a minute. There’s only one digital effect and it’s Old Movie. This casts a sepia tone and slows the shutter speed. Not very useful.

The Old Movie mode

*Picture Effects - *At least Sony provides more than one picture effect, which are Photoshop-like filters that can be set before recording footage. Your options are Sepia, Black and White, and Pastel.

The Picture Effects menu

*Smooth Slow Record - *If you want to record some truly awesome slow motion clips, take advantage of Sony’s Smooth Slow Record feature. When Smooth Slow Record is selected, video is recorded at a quadrupled 240 fps for some buttery, fluid action. The downside to Smooth Slow Record is that it can only handle three seconds of recording. These are immediately rendered in-camera and outputted as 12-second clips – four times slower. In this mode, video quality suffers a great deal, creating grainy, dark pictures.

*Fader - *Sony includes this transition tool that allows you to fade in and out of clips each time you hit the record button. Choose between black or white.

*Data Battery - *When the HDR-UX7 is turned off, press the display/battery info button in the LCD cavity. A screen appears featuring a horizontal battery life meter measured in percentages. The display also provides the remaining recording time when using the viewfinder and the LCD screen.

*Backlight Compensation (BLC) - *When a subject is underexposed due to strong backlighting, activate the BLC control and the HDR-UX7 will boost the exposure.

 

 

 

 

Comparisons / Conclusion

Comparison
Sony HDR-UX1
Before we get to the HDR-UX1’s ($1,500 MSRP) most notable difference – size – let’s talk video performance. In bright light, the HDR-UX1 looks better – better dynamic range and better sharpness. The HDR-UX7 offered a superior color palette, but we saw an increase in noise and, in some instances, more artifacting. In the end, the HDR-UX1 cranks out a cleaner image. In low light, the HDR-UX1 was better still. The 1/3-inch CMOS has fewer and larger pixels. The UX7’s next-generation, 1/2.9-inch CMOS packed in the pixels too densely, resulting in a noisy image. This is surely disappointing to those who prudently chose to wait out Sony’s first-generation kinks, even though they were chomping at the bit for a high definition DVD camcorder.

Architecturally, the HDR-UX1 is a giant when pinned up against the HDR-UX7. The first-generation AVCHD Sony is approximately 20 percent bulkier. The only other major difference between the two comes down to external manual controls. The HDR-UX1 features a huge, multifunctional ring around the lens while the HDR-UX7 opts for a smaller dial protruding from the front. Both controls function beautifully and are light years beyond the cheap Cam Control wheels found on the HDR-HC7 and Canon HV20. So, it’s truly a test of principle. Do you want the latest—even if it’s not the greatest? Or are you willing to confide in a camcorder that offers better video quality and a Cam Control ring? Yes, shoot for the HDR-UX1. You can find it online for around $600.

Panasonic HDC-DX1
The Panasonic HDC-DX1 ($1,399 MSRP) is one ugly camcorder—there’s no way around it. In fact, this AVCHD behemoth was such a dud, Panasonic slashed the price, then replaced it with the completely revamped HDC-SX5. Don’t be intimidated by the HDC-DX1’s list price—you can find it online for just more than $400. Yikes. We’ll consider the HDC-DX1 a mulligan, Panasonic.

In terms of video quality, both the HDC-DX1 and HDR-UX7 show signs of AVCHD compression from artifacting, resulting in chunky clusters of messy pixilation. However, the HDC-DX1 exhibited far less noise in bright light. On the other hand, the HDR-UX7 produces a sharper image. In low light, the HDC-DX1’s three 1/4-inch CCDs produced a brighter image with less noise. Sadly for the HDC-DX1, video performance is one of the few one-ups it has on the HDR-UX7.

The HDC-DX1 is a monster, saddled with a steep disc hatch and preposterous battery that juts out like a diving board. It’s not fun to handle, by any means. The HDC-DX1 offers more manual controls and audio gain, but it’s not worth it—its body design is just too clunky. In this case, you don’t have to go for the HDR-UX7, but you can’t settle on the HDC-DX1.

Canon HR10
Canon’s first stab at the AVCHD DVD market, the HR10 ($1,199 MSRP) shares the same imaging system with its disk drive and tape-based HDV counterparts, the HG10 and HV20, only it has a slightly lower bitrate than the HG10. All three high definition powerhouses feature 1/2.7-inch CMOS chips with 2,960,000-pixel resolution. We haven’t had a chance to test the HR10 yet, but you can expect a strikingly similar video performance to the HG10. The HDR-UX7 cannot hold a candle to the HG10’s imaging in either bright or low light, so expect the same outcome with the HR10.

As far as construction and handling goes, the HDR-UX7 takes the cake. The HR10 does not have an accessory shoe or Cam Control apparatus of any sort. The HR10 comes equipped with a smaller 2.7-inch LCD screen and an afterthought of a viewfinder. The HR10 does offer a rear-mounted joystick, superior to the touch screen. There seems to be a pattern this year—Sony is releasing well-crafted camcorders with a decent video performance while Canon is specializing in cheap construction and superior imaging. Video performance always prevails, so the Canon HR10 is the winner.

Panasonic HDC-SX5
We haven’t gotten our hands on the HDC-DX1’s replacement yet, but the HDC-SX5 ($899 MSRP) looks more promising—at least in specs and pictures. We also had a chance to film with this camcorder at a Panasonic press event, and the video looked good. Unfortunately, handling hasn’t improved. The HDC-SX5 flaunts a battery that sticks out even further than the HDC-DX1’s. We thought it wasn’t possible, but Panasonic managed to wow us in the wrong way yet again. Just like the HDC-DX1, the HDR-UX7 feels better in hand and offers a larger 3.5-inch LCD screen and Cam Control dial. Like all Panasonics, the HDC-SX5 is equipped with a killer set of manual controls and a rear-mounted joystick. The SX5 also has the benefit of hybrid recording – storing video to either DVD or SDHC cards. This is the kind of flexibility that could put Panasonic over the top. Stick around to see if the HDC-SX5 has what it takes to usurp Sony’s top of the line HDR-UX7. This will be a close race.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters

Nothing says point-and-shooter like a Sony DVD camcorder with Easy mode and massive touch screen LCD. Shooters planning to venture beyond autopilot should be wary of the HDR-UX7’s short record times and stubborn AVCHD format.

Budget Consumers

One-thousand dollars is not within the ballpark of most budget-conscious consumers, but the HDR-UX7 delivers with decent video performance, a solid construction, and advanced features. The Panasonic HDC-SX5 is the least expensive high definition DVD camcorder to date, but it has not yet hit the market. We’re also expecting to see new models from all manufacturers by mid-2008.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid

We’re talking about high definition video here—stills are an afterthought. The HDR-UX7 can capture stills up to 6.1 megapixels in size, but that’s interpolated. Aside from a flash, you won’t find many other still features on this camcorder. The HDR-UX7 cannot record video to Memory Stick. Sorry, hybrid lovers.

Gadget Freaks

That multifunction Cam Control dial is looking mighty tempting. Ooh, and Smooth Slow Record. The HDR-UX7 is AVCHD as well? Gadget freaks might have to reconsider their stance on DVD camcorders.

Manual Control Freaks

We usually grill Sonys for the consumer-level manual controls and uninviting touch screen interfaces, but the HDR-UX7 redeems itself with that trusty Cam Control Dial.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

No DVD camcorder, even high definition, will excite a pro.

Conclusion

The Sony HDR-UX7 is a study in contrasts. Manufacturers make no bones about target marketing camcorders with laser-like accuracy. It is widely acknowledged that DVD camcorders are aimed squarely for the hands of new parents and young families – those who want ease of use and instant compatibility with the other devices in their home.
   So Sony goes ahead and delivers this HDR-UX7. The camcorder has, without a doubt, the best suite of controls of any Sony camcorder this year: a large dial for making adjustments, optical image stabilization, a 3.5-inch screen, a mic jack, and a headphone jack. Sony loaded on all sorts of extra controls like AE Shift, WB Shift, zebra patterns, multiple color space modes, and more. So there goes the simplicity factor. Then it matches the DVD media with the AVCHD codec, which is compatible with virtually nothing in the average home.
  The ease of use crowd is confounded, and the camcorder enthusiasts don’t want anything to do with DVD that can only hold 15 minutes of video. Nobody wins. Now, we can’t fault Sony for wanting to push a camcorder like the HDR-UX7. It’s a huge money-maker. It manufactures the Sony Vegas software for editing. It produces the DVD players that can play back your finalized discs. It makes the HDTVs that display your high definition video as well as the new x.v. Color. Oh, it also makes the MemorySticks that capture your still photos and the flashes, lights, and mics that go in your accessory shoe. The camcorder isn’t the problem – it’s your outdated lifestyle. Get with it. It’s a Sony world. You better catch up or you’ll be left behind.

We’re sorry, but we can’t get behind this. Sony makes a lot of decent camcorders, but this is not one we recommend. In addition to the reasons listed above, the image quality has gone downhill since last year. That’s a mistake for which a manufacturer should be held accountable. Sony has testing labs. It knew the low light performance would go down if it packed too many pixels onto the chip. But it also knows misinformed consumers like to see high pixel counts. That’s bad math, and it hurts credibility in the long run. There were a couple winning features, but we’ll pass on the HDR-UX7.

 

 

 

Meet the tester

Michael Perlman

Michael Perlman

Editor

Michael Perlman is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

See all of Michael Perlman's reviews

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