Reviews
Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Pink) NEWEST MODEL Reviews
- 1920×1080 HD recording w/5MP still images
- 2.4″ LCD3 (230k pixels) with full-screen playback
- Built-in USB arm for upload/charge
- Built-in PMB Portable software for easy upload to web
- Convenient, 270 degree Rotating Lens System
Capture HD MP4 video and 5MP images and upload them directly to the Web with the Sony® bloggie™ camera. The pocketable bloggie camera also features a unique swivel lens that rotates up to 270 degrees, making it easy to self-record a video clip.
List Price: $ 169.99
SALE Price: Too low to display
Rating: 
(out of 23 reviews)
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about 1 year ago
Review by Greg G. for Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Pink) NEWEST MODEL
Rating:
Several people complained on various internet review boards about how this camera does not deliver very high quality video, etc. I’m a technology enthusiast, computer specialist, amateur photographer and have about 7 or 8 different cameras – so I feel qualified to give a good review.
This is a camcorder meant for internet uploads/sharing, quick shots, etc. This is not what you want to film your wedding with. So don’t expect broadcast quality.
Having said that I think the image quality is VERY good for its size. One huge advantage over Flip/etc… is the swiveling lens. This was the main attraction for me. I’m always embarassed waving a big camera in public. Just don’t like when people stare at me for filming something. This is why Sony bloggie is a great product. You can turn the lens to an angle you like and hold the device like your cellphone. People will actually think you are just playing with your phone.
Let’s get done with my complaints list quickly:
-CMOS sensor – means you get the rolling shutter a.k.a jello effect when panning too fast with the camera (vertical objects appear skewed)
-Smaller lens angle when using 1080p mode. (i.e. picture is too “tele”)… you get a nicer wide angle if using 720p.
That’s about it, image quality -especially in daylight- is very very good for such a camera. I actually prefer to record in 720p 60fps mode, the high frame rate gives it a very smooth motion.
FYI, it’s compatible with Apple’s iMovie. Will take some time to import your videos but once it’s done, editing is super easy!
I hesitated for a long time before buying this camera but I’m glad to say I don’t regret it at all! Very satisfied with my purchase.
about 1 year ago
Review by George Strayline for Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Pink) NEWEST MODEL
Rating:
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1DEKZ6TN3R3QT When I received the Bloggie I was not expecting anything great and my assumption was based mostly on the reviews I read here on Amazon. Well, I have got to say, “I was blown away by this camera”! I really love it! I was attracted to the Bloggie for various reasons. It has a slide out USB connector, a rotating lens system which not only protects the lens but this feature also gives the user different angles for holding the camera. The Bloggie also uses the standard .MP4 file format which is a whole bunch easier to work with for uploading and storing on your PC. The Bloggie also uses a standard SDHC card or you can use Sony’s own memory stick. The Bloggie also has software built in so you can use it on any PC. The SDHC card you install can also function as a drive while it’s loaded in the camera. The Bloggie also gives the user the option of using it’s built in software to handle video files or you can simply use drag and drop file handling. If needed, file conversion from MP4 to FLV, WMV and other formats is a snap. The Bloggie’s actual video recording format is-(MP4 H-264 AAC). The Bloggie is extremely versatile in every way. Something worth noting, Sony has a much better reputation when it comes to customer and technical support and that was another deciding factor for me. The Bloggie comes supplied with a USB extension cable, video and audio cables, software, hand-strap, manuals and Li-on battery.
As much as I dislike doing comparison reviews, I thought doing so might be important for someone looking to buy a new camera. Anyway, In addition to the Bloggie I also purchased the new Kodak Playsport. In Retrospect, I rated the Kodak Playsport 5 stars two weeks before I received the Bloggie. In comparison to the Kodak the Bloggie is a far better camera. The Bloggie’s color rendition is richer and the video itself looks so much sharper than the Kodak. The Bloggie does not seem to have that annoying gelatin effect when you pan the camera wereas the Kodak gelatin effect is very pronounced. The battery in the Bloggie also lasts longer. I get about 1.5 hours recording time with the Kodak but the Bloggie has given me 6 hours thus far without a charge. I only purchased the Kodak to use outdoors during inclement weather. One of my hobbies is related to monitoring and recording severe storms and so the Kodak seemed fitting since it’s waterproof, other then that, I’ll be using the Bloggie full time. There are so many more reasons why I like the Bloggie, more-so than the Kodak but I’ll spare you the long read.
I’ve read one star reviews were folks have complained about the Bloggie’s audio being poor quality. Mine sounds great! I’ve also read one star reviews about folks not being able to see the display in bright sunlight, well I’ve never known of any product that can be viewed optimally in those conditions. There was another one star review concerning the software, it’s not the software! Boy-O-Boy, The Sony Bloggie deserves a better review, it’s just a great camera!
In a nutshell, I’ll be recommending the Bloggie to my friends and family. The uploaded video was hot in 720/60 and I then converted the .MP4 to an .FLV using a freeware program. I hope it helps.
about 1 year ago
Review by mia for Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Pink) NEWEST MODEL
Rating:
My actual rating is 3.5 stars but I’ve rounded up for now.
First, I read the specs of this before I ordered it so I knew what I was getting myself into. I did not buy this for great recording capabilities and did not expect that. I bought this device to have a easily portable recording device for cheap and it delivers.
The negatives for me so far has been the awful sound recording and the lighting. I did not expect a great mic but the quality of sound recording is far below my expectations. Combine this with the inability to attach an external mic (let me know if there’s a way that I don’t know of) makes this device subpar. The lighting recorded fluctuates quite a bit. Sometimes I would have to set the setting a couple times to get video to appear versus a dark/black screen. Let me note that I was recording in the evenings indoors without much light in the first place. Yes, this isn’t ideal but if it is not able to handle that lighting, setting the device’s settings a couple times should not magically “fix” the issue.
The overall design works well and the navigation is a breeze, similar to other Sony cameras. You can also easily pull this device out of your pocket and start shooting either in camera mode or camcorder mode within seconds. I do feel that they could have utilized the screen space much better; video is displayed on the top of the screen and the bottom of the screen is basically wasted IMO. There are no exposed ports so the unit is nice and sleek. The area that goes over the USB doesn’t completely move out of the way so depending on the USB port you are connecting to you might not be able to plug it in. No worries though, a USB extension is included. Oh, and you can use both SD and the memory stick, yay!
about 1 year ago
Review by aardvarks for Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Pink) NEWEST MODEL
Rating:
I was really excited to see the next generation of pocket camcorders come out for 2010 and the Bloggie is the first I know of. It has a larger, updated optical sensor and presumably updated firmware and hardware to render better video quality. I bought it as soon as I found out it was available.
My initial impressions are less about the Bloggie and more about what an achievement the Flip cameras are. Here’s why:
The Sony Bloggie seems brighter but is more sensitive to movement than the MinoHD. I go over my videos frame by frame to get screen captures and the majority of the frames the Bloggie seems lost on the action and repeats the same bad exposure for many more frames before it adjusts to get the best exposure. The MinoHD on the other hand, even though it is over a year old, is much quicker at correcting exposure, frame by frame, focus and light, to provide overall better video resolution. This is in spite of the fact that the Sony Bloggie has a bigger optical sensor and the newest hardware. Flip just seems way ahead of every pocket camcorder (haven’t tested the Kodaks) in its internal intelligence in detecting focus and exposure. This is what truly gives it the edge.
The Bloggie does have a removable battery or memory card unlike the Flip. But I can’t wonder if it’s even necessary. I’ve never needed more memory or another battery in my Flip. Also it presents open compartments that will no doubt gather dirt in the electronics and buttons, unlike the Flip which is mostly sealed.
Playback mode? I’m a software developer so I’m not afraid of complicated stuff but I found the playback controls on this frustrating over and over. There are 6 or 7 different buttons you can push on playback to pause, ff, rw, etc and I kept finding myself pressing the wrong one and getting kicked out of play mode. Yes, the Flip had this right and so simple! I actually feel like I have taken the Flip’s playback for granted thinking it was just without features. But for the same functions- playback, pause ff, rw, the Bloggie feels like it is many times more complex and mysterious even though it’s attempting to do exactly what the Flip does so effortlessly, mindlessly. As for uploading to Youtube, etc., like it is featured to do, I guess that’s like programming your VCR- possible if you really want to learn it but more like a punchline than useful.
The Bloggie has still image, movable lens, and other bells and whistles the flip doesn’t have, but is an order more complicated to use than the Flip. In the end the video, even at 1080p, is still not as sharp and clean compared to the smooth 720p of the Flip MinoHD.
Other features such as an external mic input are not available on either the Bloggie or the Flip MinoHD but are available on others such as the Kodak Zi8 etc. But this wasn’t a factor for me.
I will also ad that looking at the instructions made me understand why this has the stupid name of Bloggie- it is a uniquely Japanese product rushed to market without alot of careful insight into the aesthetic of the American consumer (If I may, nothing against Japanese products, usually I think them superior.) The instructions are pretty poor considering some of the dummy proof large font easy-to-read stuff I’ve gotten used to from places like Ikea and yes, Flip. These look like they were put together by a technical person in a tight deadline who doesn’t speak English well…
Keep trying Sony, some good ideas here but mostly I think you need to improve on that smooth auto exposure algorithm!
about 1 year ago
Review by D. Hapel for Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Pink) NEWEST MODEL
Rating:
This is my first foray into the pocket HD market. I just bought this cam about a week ago because I wanted something small to stick in my pocket. I have a 2 year old and I don’t always feel like carrying my miniDV cam with me everywhere along with my digital cam. In going around the stores browsing and testing, I chose this cam because of the swivel lens (which does prove helpful in shooting) because I felt better about it in my pocket as opposed to the exposed lens on most of the other cams. Also, the removable lithium rechargeable battery pack (those of you who have ever had a digital cam that runs on AA’s know what I’m talking about). And lastly the fact that theres no built in storage. Sure 120 mins or the like is nice, but what if you need more space?
The size of the cam is great. Its about the size of my cell phone!!! It feels very comfortable in my hands. Easy to get started using: flip out the lens and start shooting. navigation and playback buttons towards the bottom and zoom and capture buttons on the side. I do think they could have seperated the 2 capture buttons(separate vid and still) a little farther apart. I have not used the software that came with it yet.
It takes great video outdoors nice and bright and crisp. Stills outdoors also come out very nice. Indoors in lower light isn’t quite good. Video gets dark and grainy, and photos tend to have some motion blur due to auto exposure settings I guess. The mic is fairly sensitive to ambient sounds in the immediate are (ie: sound of grass or leaves crunching as u walk through it). I’m getting 45 mins video on a 2 gig memory card at the moment until the bigger card i bought arrives.
Built in USB with extension cable for PC transfer and battery charging, and A/V cables for TV playback. An HDMI would have served better for tv playback of an HD cam though.
My final verdict is this: I will be keeping this cam. It is a great cam to shove in your pocket/purse and go. Its an entry level cam thats simple to use with good video. If you are looking for something to be 0 lux, something to plug external mics, lights, and other accessories into that you are doing more advanced shooting with, then you are looking at the wrong category all together you are looking for a traditional form HD cam. Take it for what it is for the price.