Sony HDR-SR7 AVCHD 6.1MP 60GB High Definition Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

I am using this camera, & it is nice. However, my biggest gripe is that it is not Mac compatible. Many creative types use a Mac, which comes with very nice movie software. I have both Macs & PCs, but would have preferred 2 use my Mac.

Because it wasn't compatible, I purchased Sony's Vegas, but would have been much happier using iMovie.

Sony, getting better all the time: This is not my first video camera, I started about 20 years ago with the Betamovie & with it I've made videos with such good quallity that I didn't change it by the next one, the Video 8 because it still wasn't better until the first Hi8 appeared which was really better than the Video 8 & the Betamovie, after it I've been changing my video cameras each three or four years & once I've tested a Panasonic which wasn't bad but, I've always felt better with Sony, & each time I buy a new one, I find new good surprices, beeing them in the head of those products's tecnology.
The only one thing I would complain about this last one, the HDR-SR7, is not having the red light 4 the photo camera which you need 2 get focus in dark.

I think the obvious has been stated.
The camera does a great job with good lighting. Low level lighting is an issue.
I knew that before I bought.
I also knew 2 have Sony Vegas primed 4 the AVCHD formatted files.

Playback is difficult on slower processors & editing via a laptop even with core2 duo processors is rough.

I hook the camera up 2 the TV via the mini hdmi/usb thumb drive via PS3/USB cable 2 PS3/SD DVD with AVCHD as BR on PS3.

The battery life has been ok 4 my usage. A backup will be necessary 4 vacation/long shoots.

Controls & interface are user friendly & the "easy" button is nice 4 instant settings & shoot.

I am very happy with this camera.

The camera has shot good videos but 2 play them you need a powerful computer. So unless you have a dual core high speed processor you may not like 2 view the videos... I returned mine as i didn't want 2 upgrade my laptop just 4 the sake of AVCHD video format... i don't know when this format problem will get resolved or probably i will wait till my current laptop is completely obsolete...

- Excellent design, 5.1 sound effect is too good
- I actually returned back this piece & opted 4 traditional Mini DV camcorder Sony DCR HC 96.

Reason 4 my frustration in SR7 was its compatibility issues. Its like once you buy this one, you would have 2 (almost) buy HD TV, HDMI cable & may be few costly softwares 2 work with high quality video format. Also it would require large amount of storage capacity & processing power (Yes, even though this is a hard drive model, processing is costly). And when I through of all these collectively, that package is something I cannot afford.

> Sony MUST provide HDMI cable with this buy when you are paying $1300 4 it
> Since toshiba has signed off the video format war, sony would definitely come up with one good Blueray camcorder soon.. & then this camcorder would not be this hot.

MiniDV is still my favorite. I can easily get DVD quality, superb sharpness & colors. Yes there are some efforts 2 convert it from Mini DV 2 DVD but that one time work is ok if you are getting nice quality.

Shoot in unrivaled high definition clarity directly onto a 60GB hard drive with the ultra-compact HDR-SR7 high definition Handycam(R) camcorder. The HDR-SR7 lets you record remarkably clear & detailed high definition video onto its convenient 60GB internal hard drive using a professional grade Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens. A 10x optical, 20x digital zoom easily brings the action extra close, while Super SteadyShot(R) optical image stabilization reduces blur from camcorder shake. Take command & get creative with manual control 4 focus, exposure, shutter speed & white balance. View your shooting on the 2.7-inch wide Clear Photo LCD Plus display, featuring touch panel SwivelScreen(TM) technology. Shoot & view exceptional video, with stunning detail & clarity (1080 lines of resolution, HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution, SD Mode). The CMOS Sensor requires less power 4 longer battery performance. The HDR-SR7 is capable of recording & playing back both High Definition (HD) & Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on the built-in 60GB Hard Drive. Optics/Lens - 35mm Equivalent, 40-400mm (16 - 9 Camera Mode), 49-490mm (4 - 3 Camera Mode), 40-400mm (16 - 9 Memory Mode) & 37-370mm (4 - 3 Memory Mode) Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/2 - 1/500 (Scene Selection Mode) Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens Type Wide (16 - 9) 123K Pixels Viewfinder PictBridge Inputs & Outputs - Remote Jack Stereo Mini, Analog Audio/Video Output, USB Ports 2.0, Digital Audio/Video Inputs & Outputs, HDMI, Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output & Headphone & Microphone Input Dimensions - 3 x 3 1/4 x 5 7/8 inch (75 x 81 x 149mm) Weight - 1 pounds 6 ounces (610 grams) with supplied battery