CNET Editor's rating: 8.0 out of 10
Reviewed by
Philip Ryan
Review date: 08/09/07
The good: Excellent video and performance; impressive still photos for a camcorder; adequate manual controls; docking station included.
The bad: No wind filter; USB on dock only, not on camcorder; doesn't include Mini HDMI cable; no viewfinder.
The bottom line: As the flash-memory-based equivalent of the HDR-SR7, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 serves up the same pleasing performance and quality as its hard-drive cousin.
Join me, if you will, along the slow march toward the obsolescence of tape in video. We've definitely got a long road ahead of us, but it's fun to notice how much camcorders have changed already. On the one hand, tapeless camcorders such as Sony's Handycam HDR-CX7 give product designers the freedom to make smaller, sleeker camcorders. On the other hand, we've yet to see a model that records in the AVCHD format, as this one does, match the quality of the footage we've seen from tape-based models using the HDV format. However, for an AVCHD camcorder, this does produce very nice video, and will likely blow your socks off if you're used to a standard-definition camcorder.
Though it's been on the market in various camcorders for a while now, the AVCHD format has been slow on the uptake in software for editing and playback. Lori Grunin's recent blog post outlines which software titles are compatible and notes whatever glitches she has found when using those programs. Ultimately, the easiest way to watch your HD video is still a direct connection to your HDTV, but there is a modest, and slowly growing, list of software out there if you like to watch on your computer or edit your footage.
Sony's designers definitely made the most of the fact that the HDR-CX7 records its video to MemoryStick Pro Duo cards. The camcorder is little more than a lens and LCD screen in terms of size, though that's both a positive and negative thing. Sure, you can fit the CX7 into almost any bag, and even a large jacket or sweatshirt pocket, but the ergonomics of the grip are a little off. It's certainly more comfortable to hold than Panasonic's SD-based HDC-SD1, but since there's no eye-level viewfinder, I often found myself holding it higher than I would some camcorders, and at a slightly odd angle. Also, since your hand basically covers the right side and top of the CX7, Sony was forced to put a handful of buttons on the left side, behind the LCD screen. That's never a very good move, since you can't readily see that spot when you're shooting, and if you do need to use one of those buttons while capturing video, you'll likely shake the camera horizontally while pressing it. Of the buttons placed there, the backlight compensation button is probably the most worrisome, since it's highly likely you'll use it on the fly, while most of the others would be used before or after shooting.
As usual, the HDR-CX7's main interface is its LCD touch screen. Even though the LCD is 2.7 inches in size, it still felt a bit small as a touch-screen interface. The main virtual buttons are big enough, but ancillary buttons, such as the OK button in the upper-left, or the X (cancel) button in the upper-right of some screens are rather tiny. On more than one occasion, I accidentally hit one of the bigger buttons when trying to hit the tiny ones. Combine that with the fact that the touch screen requires such an extensive tree of submenus, and the thrill of a touch-screen interface starts to wane pretty quickly. Still, some people say they like this kind of interface, so make sure you try it out in a store first to see if you like it before you buy.
Following a recent trend in camcorders, the CX7 doesn't include a minijack microphone input. If you want to add an accessory mic, you have to use one of Sony's in the CX7's Active Interface Shoe (aka proprietary hot shoe), which provides an interface and power for accessories. You have two options to send video to your TV directly from the camcorder. You can either use a mini-to-full-size HDMI cable, or use the composite AV breakout cable included with the CX7. Given that they are rather rare right now, it would've been nice for Sony to include the special HDMI cable, as Canon does with the HG10. A third option is to use the dock, which has the same composite AV out as the camcorder, as well as a component output (also via a breakout cable), and a Mini USB jack to connect to your computer. I was surprised that Sony didn't include a normal-size HDMI jack on the dock. It would've been a really nice touch.
Sony did include some great features though, such as the automatic lens cover, flash for still photos, and a nice complement of manual controls. While it doesn't include the SR7's shutter speed control, the CX7 does have the same exposure shift; manual, indoor, outdoor, and auto white balance; Spot Focus and Spot Metering; Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization; and Super NightShot infrared mode for shooting in the dark. Since the CX7 doesn't include Sony's CAM CTL dial (as the SR7 does), you have to adjust focus on the touch screen, which isn't quite as nice as the dial, but works well nonetheless.
Since the HDR-CX7 records its video to a MemoryStick Pro Duo card, you should plan on buying at least one high-capacity card. On a 4GB Pro Duo card, the HDR-CX7 can fit 32 minutes of best-quality, HD video. Stepping up to an 8GB Pro Duo ups that to a little more than an hour. By contrast, the HDR-SR7 can fit up to eight hours of the same level footage onto its 60GB hard drive.
Footage from the CX7 is very nice. The camcorder's Zeiss T lens is very sharp and Sony's Super SteadyShot does an excellent job of taming hand shake. Its 10X optical zoom might seem tame next to the 30X+ zooms now finding their way into lower-end models, but at a 400mm 35mm-equivalent on the telephoto end (in 16:9 mode), it's got plenty of reach. Plus, by keeping the optical zoom range within reason, you get more reliable stabilization across the entire zoom.
Both the autofocus and metering systems perform quite well, adjusting quickly to changes in subject, lighting, and environment. I was particularly impressed with the autofocus' ability to keep up with changes in zoom and quick changes between near and far subjects. The camcorder's white balance does a very good job. While colors aren't quite as neutral as I've seen in some other models, it's still very close and colors are well saturated and look realistic. Still images are definitely above average for a camcorder. Depending on the shooting conditions, you should be able to get pleasing letter-size or smaller prints.
As long as you don't mind the limited software compatibility and added cost of buying a few high-capacity Pro Duo cards, Sony's Handycam HDR-CX7 is a really nice AVCHD camcorder. As software catches up and flash memory prices continue to drop, it will only become that much more attractive, and the smaller physical size that goes along with a flash-based camcorder will wow your friends and make it more practical to have your camcorder with you when you want it. If Mini-DVDs appeal to you more than flash-memory cards, Sony also makes the HDR-UX7, which can record AVCHD video onto 8cm DVDs and is very similar to this model, though not quite as small in size.
4 out of 10 - Mediocre after capturing the video, it's down hill
I purchased this and immediately hit a road block... I edit video and need to convert file formats for different ...
I purchased this and immediately hit a road block... I edit video and need to convert file formats for different programs, but Sony doesn't give you this options for the HD format. They allow me to convert to a smaller sized mp4, but that's it. The software also crashed my computer, so I had to uninstall it. What's wrong with using a shared file format, which would give the user freedom. This is poor user oriented design, and I'll stay away from Sony because of it. Apple is another company that operates with similar business objectives. Both are over priced and eliminate the right to choose.
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by dwayn3 (see profile) -
August 14, 2007
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Tiny best quality video I have ever had from a video camera
Purchased this for a recent trip to Hawaii. Video is amazing I can almost smell the frangipane. Ulead Video studio ...
Purchased this for a recent trip to Hawaii. Video is amazing I can almost smell the frangipane. Ulead Video studio handles the output like a champ and will burn a HD-DVD compatable dvd. Highly recommended
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by dreward (see profile) -
July 24, 2007
8 out of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Wonder sony has this substandard product on their line and cnet rated it 8
I am first time writing a camera review. I wanted to let others know how it's frustating after finding ...
I am first time writing a camera review. I wanted to let others know how it's frustating after finding the best model availalbe and then get disappointed with it's performance. Also how other reviews are misleading.
I wanted the best flash memory based HD camera which is compact. purchased this camera after reading a lot and found out that it fails short of many expectations.
On very second day the camera started giving me buffer overflow data error message after recording for 30 seconds. probably this happens when recorded in XP mode. The easy mode also did not generate error. I formatted the memory stick which is a high speed sony brand pro duo but still the error did not go away. There was no way I could record, I took it back to store where after taking long time and demonstrations to convince their technicians that the camera is defective I was able to return it without restocking fee. I had seen couple of reviews about data error but I thought it could be related to their media or happening rarely and decide to buy. The camera is not very easy to operate with one had. My earlier dcr pc105 was so good to hadle with one hand without any shaking. With this model you have to use other hand not to let it shake, Then you have to fumble looking for zoom and picture button. auto focus is not fast. My pc105 was lot better in autofocusing. This model takes long before it can focus. picture appears washed out without enough color depth. Andy awfully grainy in low light. The picture quality is marginally better than SD take camera in day light. Night shots are better with old SD tape cameras. I was very much in favor of Sony being the best brand out and all my old purchases were sony brand. However this model has disappointed me a lot. I will now start looking for Canon.
data error in XP mode, grainy picture in low light, washed out picture without enough colors, uncomfortable to hold and use with one hand, auto focusing issues
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by cnet_Ajit (see profile) -
April 9, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Great video (with a few caveats)
best camcorder i have owned, 3 complaints: 1. OIS not cutting it at far tele end. (i fixed this by ...
best camcorder i have owned, 3 complaints: 1. OIS not cutting it at far tele end. (i fixed this by discovering that the sony default is to lower the shutter speed, turned this off and now cx7 keeps shutter 1/60 or more and raises the iso instead, OIS is now 100% effective. 2. Indoors must keep lens in widest position or risk focus hunting. not much i can do about this but i find that indoors i rarely zoom so it is not a big deal. 3. no viewfinder, very sad as a) no diopter adjustment means reading glasses to use cx7 and b) harder to hold cx7 steady with lcd door open, on cam's with viewfinder i can close the door and hold very steady w/both hands.
overall, dont hesitate to buy this, the video is shockingly sharp and clear (compared to SD cams) and easy to edit (at least in iMovie). Also easy to take stills while filming.. however stills do have a lot of shadow noise...
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by cheezr (see profile) -
March 8, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Very small with stunning HD, great stabalizer, slow motion record, A+
I bought this camcorder from Circuit City open box for 700. and very glad i did. I also have the ...
I bought this camcorder from Circuit City open box for 700. and very glad i did. I also have the HDR-HC1 minidv hd camcorder and the video looks more clear on the cx7. I an very impressed with the Optical stablization seems that when i watch the video i can pause into a great snapshot picture. The downside to this camera is the memorycard space. 4gb is about an hour. Carrying a backup hdd or extra cards is a good idea. Battery life is excelent at 75 min with lcd use. It feels and looks compact and lite compared to hdd camcorders. I would recomend camcorder if upgrading to hd or from most other hd camcorders, this one is hard to beet!
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by Mistafixit (see profile) -
December 18, 2007
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Excellent video and inexpensive, high quality accessories
This camcorder produces awesome videos both in good lighting and dim lighting. The still shots are very good as well......
This camcorder produces awesome videos both in good lighting and dim lighting. The still shots are very good as well...almost as good as a good digital camera.
However, its not full HD (1440x1080 not 1920x1080) but from what I can tell in my research on these machines most of the 1920 consumer cameras achieve that resolution by further compression of the video stream for a picture that may not be any better than a 1440 capture. I don't think the average home videographer could be disappointed with this product.
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by Snootpelt (see profile) -
November 5, 2007
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Great camera to carry around in the dusty back country...light, straightforward and quick operations
I purchased the CX-7 with a focus on the future. I'm tried of buying the bulky, tried and true, ...
I purchased the CX-7 with a focus on the future. I'm tried of buying the bulky, tried and true, only to end up with technology that is close to obsolescence. The CX-7 is a darling of Sony's lineup of AVCHD units. The lack of the fragility of a harddrive and the solid state design that does not open the guts up to dust like the tape units do. Never have to clean the heads, etc. convinced me to buy this for my Africa trip...where I had great opportunity to capture exotic game living life in the bush. The videos I now have of "the big five" are of astounding quality and color. I can't think of a way to improve the handling of my CX-7 unless it were to offer a quick-focus button. And even this was not an issue during my need for quick-to-shoot requirements on the game reserve. Thanks Sony.
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by ChillyBilly13 (see profile) -
April 20, 2008
8 out of 10 - Excellent Best overall value sub $1k HD camera
A lot of quality is packed into this tiny unit. My Sony HDRFX1 HDV cam is finally resting in my ...
A lot of quality is packed into this tiny unit. My Sony HDRFX1 HDV cam is finally resting in my equipment bag. The pic quality is STUNNING. Obviously the $3,000 FX1 performs better under low light and has deeper depth of field, otherwise, the CX7's 1920x1080i resolution performs even better than the 1440x1080i pic quality from the big brother FX1.
Not sure why others had complained about the artifacts during fast moving scenes. If you set to the highest HD setting (XP mode) I really can't visually see any artifact. I was shaking the camera just to challenge the AVCHD encorder and the pic looked artifact-free.
Other may have complained about no viewfinder but I just have to say, I purchased this camera with my mindset as a consumer, not a video professional. I just need the bare essentials to do the job. btw the LCD performed OK under direct sunlight.. thx to the brightness control.
I took the mem stick out of the camera and played directly from my PS3!
Having video clips copied as files into Sony Vegas for video editing was a bit of a challenge. The CD that came with the camera took 45+min to install on my PC with all sorts of junks.. Micorsoft .NET 1.1, DirectX runtime, whatever...
Currently I haven't found a way around this but the initial conversion from mem stick to .m2ts file requires that stupid software made by Sony. I have Sony Vegas 7b and I had to upgrade to Sony Vegas 7e in order to import .m2ts files. After that I am all good to go.
On the 6mpx still side, the pic and the on-camera flash worked beautifully. However, when you load the pic into photoshop and view its actual size, ITS BAD: "Chromatic Disperson" if you know that I'm talking about. I hope Sony will improve this for their subsequent models.
Extra things to buy: $50-$200 memory stick $50 Small, light duty monopod (a must, wobbing & shakes on your HD video will make your audience puke!) $50 Extra battery .. 62min in "Rec Mode" is not enough between pauses.
Takes photos while movie recording,
Accessories hot shoe,
USB 2.0 compatibility,
Touch-screen control,
Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording,
Progressive shutter system,
PictBridge support
Remote control
Remote control - Infrared
Software
Sony Picture Motion Browser,
Drivers & Utilities
Included Accessories
Docking station
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
None
Display
Type
LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Microphone
Type
Microphone - Built-in
Connections
Connector Type
USB,
HDMI output,
Composite video/audio output,
Component video output
Expansion Slot(s)
1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo
Audio Input
Audio input type
Microphone
Microphone type
Built-in
Microphone Operation Mode
Surround
Microphone Technology
Electret condenser
System Requirements for PC Connection
Operating System Support
MS Windows XP Professional,
MS Windows Vista,
MS Windows 2000 SP4 or later,
MS Windows XP Home Edition
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