Learn something about Sony Handycam HDR-FX7

Sony has categorized the HDR-FX7 as a consumer camcorder, despite the very un-consumer MSRP of $3500 and a very prosumer design and manual control suite. Ah, were it only so that people shopped by imposed categories. Instead, of course, they shop by price, and Canon’s XH A1 makes a very persuasive contender at a mere $500 more. How can Sony compete? The FX7’s ClearVID CMOS sensors make a great impression in bright light, but under low light conditions the performance falls to pieces. The FX7 has a pleasing, portable feel and solid image controls, but the XH A1 offers a great deal more control and makes it more accessible. The XH A1 has a ton of great audio features and the Sony FX7… doesn’t, omitting XLR inputs and external audio level controls. We like the HDR-FX7 in itself. It comes from a good family, improving in some points over the HDR-FX1, and harkening back to the DCR-DVX2100 and even XV1000. But in a comparative, competitive market, it simply can’t hold a candle to its mainchallenger.

The good: Excellent overall video quality; responsive focus and zoom.

The bad: Menu navigation doesn't circle back; useless manual; anemic audio support.

The bottom line: The Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 is an excellent high-definition camcorder from a video perspective, but it's less satisfying if you're an audio control freak.

Key Features
Recording System:NTSC
Optical Zoom:20x
Media Type:Mini DV
Resolution:1.1 MP
Screen Size:3.5"
Weight:58 Oz.

Optical Sensor
Sensor Type:3 ClearVid CMOS
Sensor Size:1/4"

Lens System
Focus Adjustment:Automatic

Exposure
Exposure Modes:Automatic

Camera Flash
Flash Type:None

Memory / Storage
Supported Flash Memory:Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo

Display
Screen Details:LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3.5" - color
Display Size:3.5"

Microphone
Microphone Operation Mode:Stereo

Battery
Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific

Resolution
Effective Still Resolution:1.0 MP

File Format
Digital Video Format:DV, MPEG-2
Still Image Format:JPEG

Other Features
High Definition Video Support:1080i