Sony HDR-XR100 80 GB HDD High Definition Camcorder (Silver) Reviews

Review by E. Kim for Sony HDR-XR100 80 GB HDD High Definition Camcorder (Silver)
Rating:
I have been using a previous generation Sony HDR-SR7 high def 60GB hard drive camcorder and been overall happy with that model.

I then waited patiently for Sony’s new “XR” series of camcorders and am very pleased with the Sony HDR-XR100. This newer camcorder is the lowest end model of the four new XR series models, which include the HDR-XR100, XR200, XR500, and XR520.

SONY HDR-XR100 PROS:

1. Feels significantly smaller than the previous generation Sony SR models. The dimensions are 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 5 1/8 inch (69 x 68 x 129mm). The numbers may seem only slightly smaller than the previous generation SR models, but in the hand it feels noticably smaller.

2. This camera without battery weighs 11oz (330g) or with battery 14.5oz (410g). The numbers again may seem like only a small difference with the older SR series, but in the hand it feels significantly lighter.

3. Extraordinary convenience of having an 80GB hard drive versus using tape. Just as with the SR series, the use of a hard drive continues to be amazing. I cannot imagine ever going back to using tape. One simply uses the camcorder and everything is instantly saved on its hard drive. Whenever one is ready to export their video files, you just connect it with a USB cable and the computer will automatically download your video files. 80GB allows for 9 hours and 40 minutes of recording at the highest “FH” mode. At the lowest quality mode LP, 80GB will allow for 33 hours and 30 minutes of recording time.

4. Wonderfully easy to use LCD touch screen with intuitive menu options. Even without reading the manual, one can quickly understand how to use their camcorder.

5. Nice indexing of your recorded videos that allow for easy selection of playback through the camcorder LCD. Faces can also be indexed so that you may select your videos by a person’s face in an index.

6. Very detailed image quality of the video

7. Allows for capturing still photos at 4.0 megapixels. There also appears to be a “smile shutter” feature that allows the camera to detect when your subject smiles, and then capture a photo. I have not tried that feature yet.

8. Supports same rechargeable lithium batteries used in previous generation Sony SR series, e.g. model no. NP-FH60 or NP-FH70.

9. Can also record on Memory Stick PRO Duo instead of hard drive

WHAT IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE XR100 (BUT AVAILABLE ON XR200):

1. GPS

2. Flash for photography

3. Larger 120GB hard drive

4. Active interface shoe to power accessories that can mount on top of camera

5. 15x optical zoom (the XR100 has less at 10x optical zoom)

SONY HDR-XR100 CONS:

1. The video has a jittery quality to it when the camcorder is not on a tripod. The more drastically you move the camcorder during recording, the greater the effect. It seems less pronounced when on a tripod, but this jittery quality still remains. It is for this reason that I suspect the jittery quality is not entirely related to the image stabilization feature.

2. There is no optical viewfinder on the XR-100. I do have one on my older SR7.

3. There is no docking station, which I did have on my older SR7. A docking station made it even more convenient to upload videos than having to fiddle with a USB cable.

4. Noisy low-light video quality is still present. I cannot detect any improvement over my older SR7 for low-light video as it remains quite noisy. Please note that the higher end Sony HDR-XR500 and XR520 have some type of special “backlit CMOS” sensor that Sony reports has improved low-light with low noise capability.

5. As is usual for Sony, you will have to use Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick PRO Duo format if you want to record onto flash memory instead of the hard drive.

6. My previous generation Sony HDR-SR7 had the lens cover open automatically, but in my XR100, I have to manually flip a small lever near the lens to open it.

CONCLUSION:

Overall I’m very happy with the Sony HDR-XR100 because it is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous generation HDR-SR7 I own, with all of the great convenience that comes from using a built-in hard drive coupled with a wonderfully easy touchscreen LCD. I did not think there were enough differences for me to purchase the more expensive XR200, but you may want to consider the even more expensive XR500 for its possibly improved low-light video capability with the “backlit CMOS” sensor technology that only the Sony HDR-XR500 and XR520 have.

ADDENDUM 5/24/2010:

I recently bought a Canon HF-S100 camcorder, which is considerably more expensive than this Sony, but I nevertheless needed to amend my review of the Sony XR100. I initially thought the Canon HF-S100 had less of a jittery quality, but after more use realized that both the Sony HDR-XR100 and the more expensive Canon HF-S100 suffer from a jittery quality. I have not yet tried to reduce the picture quality of the recording to see if that will smooth the abrupt transitions between frames. I reduced the rating from a 5/5 for the Sony to a 4/5, but am not certain if there are any prosumer high-definition cameras that can produce a smooth, jittery-free image.