Sony HDR-UX7 6MP AVCHD DVD High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

I owned a DCR DVD 305 previously & decided 2 take the next step.
Glad I did. Nothing compares 2 AVCHD. Except maybe real film.
This cam is prosumer. I cont care if it doesn't look like an FX-7.
The selling points 4 me were:
1. The assignable dial 4 manual control of shutter, exposure, focus, whatever you decide 2 assign 2 it. Having auto settings can be great but some shots require some tweaking & manual control is a must.
2. 6.1 mega pixel still shot. The 305 had a lousy 1mega pixel still shot. Not worth a darn. The 6.1 quality is an option I can boat about. 6.1 mp may be a few years behind, but this is not a digital slr folks. It's a video cam. Often camcorder shot leave traces of interlacing & such that reveal the source of cam it was taken with. Not this one. It looks like a still right from an early digital slr. No interlacing.
3. Mini DVD storage. It seems most the newer AVCHD cameras are going HDD. Hard drives crash. They are prone 2 incurable errors. If you have ever own a PC with windows XP, you know this. Lesson learned. My previous camera the Sony 305 was a mini DVD storage based cam. When it failed, I was able 2 recover the disc out of the cam & rip it from my DD drive on the PC. If this had been a HDD cam, I would have lost the footage forever.
4. External mic option. I plan on using a lav mic 4 interview types of footage. This has the option 4 an external mic. Super.
Besides the jump 2 HD, those were the main reasons I bought it. It has all the normal options you will find in a DVR. I used Sony's website 2 compare shop. Very helpful.
Some things 2 think about when you go AVCHD.
Editing software is still behind the ball. I managed 2 score a copy of Sony Vegas Pro 8 which totally supports the AVCHD format & the 5.1 surround audio. Nero 8 Ultimate supports it 2 but, Nero is limited if you want 2 get creative. Adobe products, so far are still just supporting HDV, not AVCHD. If you like editing, get a MAC or go with Vegas.
The software bundle with the cam is necessary. I tried 2 bare bones the install & it would not recognize the cam as a valid drive. Take the hit on your start up & install it ALL.
Some additional cool things about this camera are that fact that if the cam is on & running on AC power, then a screen saver that is also a tutorial on how 2 perform tasks runs. Not sure if it is standard but a nice hefty NP FH-70 battery comes with it. Thats about 120 mins of recording. Most Sony cams follow the same ergonomic design so no learning curve required. This cam is not light but also not dead weight. You know you are holding cause it just fills up the hand without rendering your digits feeling fat & uncoordinated. I thought this was the icing on the cake & decided 2 write this review.
And NO I do not work 4 Sony, but let me tell you this, they have a very fair Customer Service Department.

Dave T

I chose this camcorder because I don't do any video editing, & just wanted a high quality easy 2 use camcorder. The touch screen is great, doesn't smudge up much at all. I can't imagine why this is a problem 4 anyone unless you play with your own fecal matter & don't wash your hands. The camcorder stays charged 4 a long time. The picture quality is incredible. The night mode is amazing. The only thing 2 know. If you do the HD recording, you can only play in this camcorder, or a Sony brand blue ray disk player. Enjoy.

Not much 2 say here other than it's awesome! Until 1080p camcorders come out, this is the one 2 buy 4 ease of use & portability. Shipping was fast. I am completely satisfied with this product! Thanks Amazon & Sony 4 having/making an awesome camcorder!

I have only had the chance 2 use this camera once, during a fishing vacation. I spent some time reading the reviews on the camera & on the DVD player which has 2 be a Sony Blu-ray. The camera was formated 4 HD & results were a true 1080 when played back. You will have 2 spend the money 2 make the whole thing work right. Purchase the Blu-ray BDP-S1. The Sony package was amazing. I really like being able 2 go directly from the camera 2 the DVD player.

I love this camera - video quality stunning. I'm a non-techie so let me toss a question out 2 the crowd - the 6.1MP still photos this camera takes are average at best. My 6.1MP Nikon D50 takes much better photos. Specifically I'm talking about grain & what I would call pixelation. I've double checked the settings on the HDR-UX7 & have them all set 2 max resolution. What am I missing? Other than that tiny issue this camera is great!

The HDR-UX7 3.2 Megapixel High Definition DVD Camcorder records straight 2 a 3-inch DVD-R, -RW, +RW & +R DL (Dual Layer) media formats. This includes 5.1ch surround sound, Super SteadyShot(R) Optical technology, Active Interface Shoe, 10x Optical/20x Digital Zoom & an assignable control dial. Unlike traditional CCD Imagers, CMOS Sensors require less power, providing better battery performance. 1/2.9-inch ClearVid CMOS Sensor provides stunning detail & clarity with exceptional video, 1080 lines of resolution in HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode. The HDR-UX7 is capable of recording & playing back both High Definition (HD) & Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on standard 3-inch (8cm) DVD media. The 3.5-inch Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution which rotates up 2 270 degrees 4 multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images in 16:9 mode & composing shots even easier. The Image Stabilization System controls an even higher range of shake & vibration frequencies. Super NightShot(R) Infrared System Recording Media - DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R DL (Dual Layer) Memory Stick(R) Duo Media, Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo Media Scene Modes - Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, & Sunrise & Sunset LANC Terminal - Stereo Mini Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output Headphone Jack Microphone Input HDMI Connection Output / USB Built-in Stereo Microphone Dimensions - 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch (82 x 82 x 138mm) Weight - 1 pounds 6 ounces (650 grams) with disc & supplied battery