Find the perfect gift for everyoneSony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 (purple)
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: MHS-PM1/V
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- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The MHS-PM1 Webbie HD represents a step forward for Sony in the minicamcorder arena--but some quirks and only OK video quality prevent it from being compelling enough to best the competition.
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CNET editors' review
Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 (purple) price range: $129.00 - $149.99
- Reviewed by: David Carnoy
- Edited by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 04/22/2009
The good: Attractive design; captures video at 720p and 1080p "HD" resolution; memory-card expansion slot; swiveling lens; component video cables; rechargeable lithium ion battery.
The bad: Price doesn't include an optional memory card (onboard memory is limited to 12MB for capturing video); rechargeable battery doesn't recharge via USB connector; no integrated USB connector; no protective carrying case included.
The bottom line: The MHS-PM1 Webbie HD represents a step forward for Sony in the minicamcorder arena--but some quirks and only OK video quality prevent it from being compelling enough to best the competition.
Sony's first entry in the minicamcorder arena was 2007's NSC-GC1 Net-sharing Cam. That model didn't fare too well in our review, but Sony seems to have learned from that experience as evidenced by its new line of YouTube-friendly budget camcorders, dubbed "Webbie HD" models. The MHS-PM1 Webbie HD follows in the footsteps of models like the Flip Video MinoHD, with a vertical, almost cell-phone-like design. (Sony also makes a horizontal, more traditional and slightly more expensive version, the MHS-CM1, which features a 5x zoom lens.)
It may not be quite as small as its Flip Video and Creative competitors, but it's compact, measuring 4 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide by 0.9 inch deep and is lightweight at 4.2 ounces with battery. It's attractively styled and easily fits in a pocket. Currently, it comes in three colors: purple, orange, and silver.
Most notably, the PM1 records H.264 compressed HD video using MPEG-4 encoding in 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second as well as the more typical 720p and space-saving VGA resolution. As we say about all these minicamcorders, while they may be billed as HD models, they really can't be compared with true HD camcorders that cost hundreds of dollars more. A lot of factors go into creating an image, most importantly a good lens, not just a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor capable of capturing an image at a certain resolution. The other key feature is the PM1's swiveling, fixed focal-length lens that provides some shooting flexibility and lets you record yourself while self-admiring in the sharp 1.8-inch LCD. The shoot yourself feature is also good for small children, who can view themselves in the LCD as they record video. Another benefit: when swiveled shut, the lens is protected; and when you swivel the lens open, you turn on the camcorder.
The PM1 comes with 12MB of available internal memory--effectively nothing--so you'll have to spring for a Memory Stick Duo card, too. For HD video, you'll want at least a 2GB card and preferably a 4GB card, which can hold a little more than 2 hours of video in 720p mode or about 1 hour 15 minutes in 1080p mode. (The length of a clip is limited to 25 minutes, regardless.) The camcorder lets you know exactly how much recording time you have left in each mode, which is nice. The addition of a memory card will tack on some extra bucks to the cost of the camcorder, though the price for higher capacity memory cards has come down. That said, Sony Memory Stick Duo cards tend to cost more than their SD counterparts.
A removable lithium ion rechargeable battery powers this model, which is good. However, you can't charge the battery in the camera; it requires the bundled battery charger. Similarly, there's no integrated flip-out USB connector, which means you have to use a cable. Also, it lacks the HDMI connector found on some competing models.
Sony has made an effort to make its Webbie HD line simple to use. And it mostly has, with relatively well-labeled, well-placed buttons that have some differentiation in size. However, when it comes to these types of camcorders, there are degrees of simplicity and this is where Sony falls on the more complicated side of simple. Part of the reason is that it includes a few extra features that some competitors omit. For instance, you can display a histogram. You also get a self-timer and four scene modes (Sports, Landscape, Low Light, Backlight), as well as an auto mode.
The real issue with the interface is that there are two buttons on the side that activate menu options and then there's a button on the front that appears to be a "return" button--but you have to actually read the documentation to discover that it's for Sony's proprietary Sharemark image tagging, used only by the bundled Picture Motion Browser software. You'll figure things out after some trial and error, but the whole setup is just a little quirky and could have been a little better thought out.
If the video quality was outstanding, we'd be willing to overlook those small interface gripes--but it's just OK. We viewed the video and photos on both a computer and an HDTV via the bundled component cable. The good thing about having the higher resolution is that you can blow up images and video and they'll maintain some reasonable degree of sharpness (again, though, we use the word generously here). As with all minicamcorders, you have to hold the unit very steady to get rock-solid video, or attach it to a tripod via the threaded mount on the bottom. Overall, we found the image a little soft compared with the video produced from competing models. It also doesn't adjust exposure or compensate for backlighting quickly enough, and the indoor white balance under various lights is visibly off. We recommend you don't drop it below the highest quality video setting. On a more positive note, the sound is good, provided there's no wind, and the unit's small speaker plays with ample volume.
Still images turned out OK. They're a small step up from what you'd get from a cell phone camera, but there's a pronounced shutter lag. As you might expect, images were a little soft and noisy in low-light conditions.
Unlike the MinoHD, the camcorder's software--the same one-size-fits-none product that ships with all of Sony's camcorders--isn't bundled into the camera; it comes on a separate CD. It's overly complex for this product and does annoying things such as persistently attempting to analyze and assimilate all the media files on your hard disk for its face and smile detection filtering and Movie Tracer, which lets you "play back videos tracing the movement of your camera while you were recording the video." Simple tasks like trimming video don't support undo (though it doesn't overwrite the video). It does support basic media organization, with filtering and tagging, however, and the video uploading is pretty simple--once you figure out where to find it in the menus ("YouTube" isn't even a search term in the online manual).
Webbie HD camcorders are compatible with Macs and PCs, though the Picture Motion Browser software only works with Windows PCs. If you have a Mac (or Windows PC for that matter), you can simply drag the video and still image files off the memory card to copy them to a folder on the desktop. Then you can upload them to sites such as YouTube and Photobucket if you want.
In the final analysis, Sony's Webbie HD MHS-PM1 has some nice things going for it: an attractive design, expandable memory, a swiveling lens, and a rechargeable lithium ion battery. But despite offering 1080p 30fps video capture, the quality falls a little short to that of competing models and you may find the annoying software and Sony Memory Stick Duo definite drawbacks. It's not a bad little camcorder; it's just not a great one.
User reviews
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Decent picture, small flaws could cause me to sell
Pros: Small! Compact size is great easily fits in my pocket.
Swivel lens is very unique and well designed.
sound quality
pretty good button placement
nice colorsCons: No flash
No stablization features
does terrible in low light
Navigation can be confusing
Sony card is expensive compared to SD
Microphone is in a terrible place
No built in USB
Have to charge battery with a separate chargerSummary: I bought this camera about a month ago and have used it probably 10 times. My main complaint is the lack of stabilization. You don't realize how much your ...
Summary: I bought this camera about a month ago and have used it probably 10 times. My main complaint is the lack of stabilization. You don't realize how much your hand moves around when filming which can make it very shaky for the viewers. Also Sony seemed to place the microphone right where I want to place my hand which can make some very annoying scraping noises when viewing, but you don;t realize until after the fact.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Wow! Sony got it perfect (almost)
by aspielman on March 27, 2009
Pros: Excellent video quality 1080P
Total ease of use
Creates standards based files Mpeg4
Easy to use software (if you need it)
Small, light, and attractiveCons: Only missing a steadycam feature so you need to have a smooth grip and smooth motion
Summary: I just got this Wednesday March 25th. I went to a friends house and we took his Canon HF10 and the Sony PM1 and shot the same scenes concurrently we ...
Summary: I just got this Wednesday March 25th. I went to a friends house and we took his Canon HF10 and the Sony PM1 and shot the same scenes concurrently we then played them back on his 60" HDTV in 1080P (we did use tripods) and we were unable to tell the difference between the two video clips. He was so impressed that he plans to return the Canon and buy two MP1's one for him and one for his wife. I also lent it to my wife who is a technophobe and she found it so easy to use that I had a hard time getting it back from her. We also tried using the Roxio software and it produced great looking standard DVDs, now I wish I had a Blueray burner. For $169 you can't beat it. This is one of the best tech buys I have made in a long time.
Just wanted to add I would have given 5 stars if it had image stabilization and I did check out the Flip HD, the Creative Vado HD, and the Kodak Zi6 and this beats them all for picture quality. I also like the software, simple, easy to use, and it just works. This is one device I will probably carry all the time just like my iPhone.
Updated on Mar 27, 20091 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Display has to much glare.
by eostwmt on November 29, 2009
Pros: it's small
Cons: Display has to much glare. not enough device memory. I can't power up unit from USB. video has not stabilization feature.
memory card is a pain to find and costly because in is Sony's(which it was the generic SD)Summary: If I could do it all over I would not buy this device; well maybe is it was half the price and came with an 8G memory stick.
Summary: If I could do it all over I would not buy this device; well maybe is it was half the price and came with an 8G memory stick.
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Great as daylight camcorder, very bad in low-light
by afdaddy on August 11, 2009
Pros: I'm happy with the picture quality in both video and picture modes, actually great in picture mode. Expandable storage capacity. Good battery life. Very light weight, swivel lens is great for self video.
Cons: Very poor quality in low light, anything, but daylight is almost useless. Zoom is choppy, not smooth, sometimes looks weird on video. Camera button has to be pressed and held to take photos (lost the first few photos).
Summary: I chose the Sony over the Flip options because of the Photo option and expandable memory. Looking back on it, I'd like to know more about the Flip's ...
Summary: I chose the Sony over the Flip options because of the Photo option and expandable memory. Looking back on it, I'd like to know more about the Flip's performance in low-light, as I'm disappointed that the Webbie is all but useless in low light. Both the camera and video functions actually record darker than the LCD screen on the camera. I've tried some lightening add-ins for iMovie, but any lightening means more noise so it doesn't really help at all. Otherwise, I'm happy with daylight performance of the Webbie, the videos are great quality, easy to upload to YouTube, and the picture quality is much better than I expected given good lighting. The HD files can be problematic though, I've got a top-of-the-line iMac with added RAM, etc, and it still takes 20 min or more to load files for video editing.
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fun, very easy to pick up and use
by ubuntu_freak on June 19, 2009
Pros: very easy to use; has vga, 720p, 1080p video capturing; included software has some cool effects, video looks pretty good, price, take nice stills also, rechargeable battery
Cons: video could be a little better, uses memory stick pro duo cards
Summary: I have had this camcorder for about a week now and have to say it's really fun to use. It's very easy to start filming almost immediately. It ...
Summary: I have had this camcorder for about a week now and have to say it's really fun to use. It's very easy to start filming almost immediately. It takes pretty good video that really easy to transfer to your pc then upload to sites like YouTube (also the included software make that even faster). A 1GB memory stick will get you about 31min of video at 720p. It has a rechargeable battery that keeps it's charge really well, i usually charge it 1 every other day with normal use. The still pictures it takes look good also. About the only cons i can think of are that it uses my PSP's memory cards (Memory Stick Pro Duo) which isn't that big of a thing and the video quality indoors could be a little better.
Bottom line, for $149.99 it's a steal. It's small, easy to use, takes good video, easy to get video online, and has a rechargeable battery. If your looking for these things this this is the way to go. -
Cool little cam
by getsteve3 on June 3, 2009
Pros: Size, ease of use, daylight image quality, sound quality, removable media, start up speed.
Cons: lowlight quality, display could be better, rotating lens doesn't have a fixed stopping point, memory stick, no image stablization.
Summary: This is a fun little camcorder. I have a normal sized video camera that I was finding was staying at home and was only being used to capture planned outtings. ...
Summary: This is a fun little camcorder. I have a normal sized video camera that I was finding was staying at home and was only being used to capture planned outtings. This camera, while it doesn't have all the features, will capture all the little moments in life becuase it can always be with you. It fits in your pocket very easily and it starts up VERY fast. About 4 seconds from flipping the lens open to turn it on to recording... no waiting for a harddisk or tape to spin up to speed, great for catching those quick pictures or videos. I looked at various camcorders in this size range and this Sony most closely fit my needs. I really liked some of the Flip camcorders but they do not have removable media which I have found to be very important to me (think vacation and running out of space on the camera and not being near a computer... it happened to me). While I was not thrilled about investing in a Memory Stick after years of CF then SD, I was able to find reasonable prices on Memory Sticks. The daylight quality is amazing for something in this sub-$200 price range; however lowlight is very poor and looks even worse on the camera's display making it very hard to shoot in low light. I was surprised to see that some of the low light footage actually was viewable because I couldn't see anything on the display when I was taking the footage (is footage the right term now that its not stored on film or tape...). The sound quailty it pretty good though the mic placement tends to pick up a lot of noise from moving your fingers on the camera. Because of it's light weight, size, and no image stablization it requires a very smooth hand or tripod. My one major complaint that potential buyers should be aware of is shooting in bright sunlight. Because the display is not the greatest and the lens rotates it is sometimes impossible to frame an image. This was an issue that had not seen mentioned in any reviews of this product but I have found that it is my biggest complaint. This could be very easily fixed had Sony put a detent in the rotation at some point to keep the lens at a 90 degree angle.
This camcorder is not for everyone... If you plan on making a lot of movies in dimmly lit rooms... I would pass on this item and find something that has better low light ablities or that has a light built in. If your looking to make your epic movie... not the camera for you either. However if you've ever though "I'm glad I caught that on my cellphone camera"... then saw the horrible quailty of the cellphone images or movie... this could be the perfect camcorder. The size and weight make it perfect to have with you all the time and capture those little moments. Total for an 8 gigabyte Memory Stick and this camcorder was a shade over $200 but it has already paid for itself by capturing some priceless moments. -
A Little HD Camcorder with Several Features - but ...
by AP68 on May 12, 2009
Pros: More features than any other pocket HD camcorder
Replaceable battery
Memory stick slot (up to 16GB on a card)
Swivel/rotating lens (great for self-recording)
4x Digital Zoom
5.0 MP Stills
1080 and 720 HD movies
No built-in USB, uses mini (a plus imo)Cons: Battery does not charge from USB
Only 25 minutes per recording regardless of memory capacity(!!!)
No pause button (only stop/record)
Video/image quality not the best in the market
No manual white-balance settings
Poor indoor/low-light performanceSummary: If you are considering buying this remember - you are sacrificing QUALITY for CONVENIENCE. There are some great REAL camcorders out there from $230 to $300 (some HD some not) ...
Summary: If you are considering buying this remember - you are sacrificing QUALITY for CONVENIENCE. There are some great REAL camcorders out there from $230 to $300 (some HD some not) and ALL of them will produce a higher quality video in every sense of the term. HD is not just about the resolution.. what all these pocket cameras provide is ease of use, convenience and small size.
Overall: A MemoryStick slot (will Sony use SD cards already?!) the replaceable battery, the 5MP stills with rotating 4x zoom lens set this one apart from the rest. Great for outdoor use for everyday occasions, youtube, video-blogging or emailing. Tripod or an EXTREMELY steady hand is a must - no Image Stabilization in this one (or any of the vado/mino/Zi6/etc. for that matter). Colors seem slightly washed out and white-balance is preset to 'sunlight'. Lens are fixed-focus, so you won't get that annoying re-focusing of the MC1 but there is no optical zoom or close-up option.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: MHS-PM1/V
- Description: Record HD MP4 video and 5MP images then easily upload them directly to the web with the MHC-PM1 Webbie HD camera. The ultra-compact Webbie camera also features a unique lens system that can swivel up to 270 degrees, allowing for easy self-shooting if you like to post videos of yourself on your blog.
General
- Product Type Camcorder - 1080p
- Enclosure Color Violet
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Total Pixels 5.0 megapixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.5"
- Optical Sensor Type CMOS
- Analog Video Format NTSC, PAL
- Digital Video Format H.264
- Min Shutter Speed 1/30 sec
- Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
- Shooting Modes Digital photo mode
- Shooting Programs Landscape, Low light, Back light, Sports mode
- White Balance Automatic
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Camera Flash None
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution 5 megapixels
- Camcorder Effective Video Resolution 2.07 megapixels
- Camcorder Effective Still Resolution 5.038 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Still Image Format JPEG
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Media Type Flash card
Lens System
- Type Lens - 7 mm - F/3.6
- Focal Length 7 mm
- Lens Aperture F/3.6
- Lens system type Lens
- Min focal length 7 mm
- Focus Adjustment Focus free
- Zoom Adjustment Automatic
Additional Features
- Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
- Digital Still Camera Function Yes
- Additional Features DPOF support, Exif Print support, PRINT Image Matching, Rotating lens block (270?), Takes photos while movie recording
- Software Drivers & Utilities, Sony Picture Motion Browser
- Included Accessories Wrist strap
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 1.8 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x DC power input, 1 x 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 Stereo
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows XP, MS Windows Vista
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1, 1 x USB cable, 1 x A/V cable, Component video / audio cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
- Battery type - Lithium ion
Battery
- Supported Battery Sony NP-BK1
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 980 mAh ( Included )
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year and 3 months warranty
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 230,000 pixels
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Physical Characteristics
- Width 2.2 in
- Depth 0.9 in
- Height 4.1 in
- Weight 4.2 oz
Product series
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Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 (silver)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, Flash card, 4.2 oz
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Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 (orange)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, Flash card, 4.2 oz
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Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 (purple)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, Flash card, 4.2 oz
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
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