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Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V

HQ Grade: B+

A	is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of camcorders.
B	means they are good, with some standout features.
C	means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F	mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.

5 out of 5

"Excellent camera with a hidden drawback ..."

See rating based on 10 user reviews
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This camcorder is ranked

27th of 133 in Mainstream Camcorders
9th of 48 in Hard Disk
24th of 71 in High Definition

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Merchant Offers
Compare 10 store ratings and prices...
Shop for Sony HDR-XR500V accessories.
Fumfie	$888.00
eBay	$929.98
Camera Kings	$869.00
Crutchfield	$999.99
Vanns.com	$1,199.97
Amazon Marketplace	$991.20

Highlights

Research the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V

Editors' Comments

The Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V is an advanced addition to Sony's high definition camcorder line. This compact model preserves video in 1920x1080 high definition, plus still photos at a full 12.1 megapixels. Hybrid storage technology lets you use a Memory Stick Pro Duo, or the built-in 120GB hard disk drive for storage. This camcorder features a larger 1/2.88-inch ClearVid CMOS image sensor with Exmor R technology, which boosts video/ still resolution and gives you sharper images and higher sensitivity. The sensor is back-illuminated, which gives is greater low-light sensitivity for shooting under dark conditions. The XR500V also features a GPS receiver that displays your current location and helps you remember where your video was shot. HDD Smart Protection works to preserve your video even if the camcorder is dropped or damaged. The professional quality Sony G-lens (12x optical/ 150x digital zoom) has extra-low dispersion glass for accurate color. Other features includes 3.2-inch touch LCD display, Optical Steady Shot image stabilization, Dolby 5.1 channel recording with a built-in zoom microphone, and a separate .27-inch adjustable color viewfinder for shooting with the LCD closed.

Specifications

120GB built-in hard disk storage
Hybrid recording to disk drive or Memory Stick Duo
1920x1080 high definition image capture
Sony G-lens with ELD glass; 12x optical/ 150x digital zoom
12.1-megapixel still image capture
Built-in Intelligent Flash
Separate color viewfinder to shoot without LCD display
Face Detection in video and still modes
Optical Steady Shot image stabilization with Active Mode
32.-inch wide LCD touch panel with Clear Photo display
1/2.88-inch ClearVid CMOS image sensor
Dolby recording with built-in zoom microphone
x.v. Color technology
HDMI connection output

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Store Ratings and Offer Details for the Sony HDR-XR500V

Offers from stores in US and Canada. Click to change:

Store Rating	Store Name	Price
37 Store Reviews	Fumfie	$888.00
1119 Store Reviews	eBay	$929.98
Merchant Not Rated	Camera Kings	$869.00
2378 Store Reviews	Crutchfield	$999.99
344 Store Reviews	Vanns.com	$1,199.97
136 Store Reviews	Amazon Marketplace	$991.20
20793 Store Reviews	Ace Digital Club via Amazon.com	$999.00
256 Store Reviews	AllAbout Electronics via Amazon.com	$1,031.89
586 Store Reviews	Big VALUE Inc via Amazon.com	$1,139.95
584 Store Reviews	Pavilion Electronics via Amazon.com	$1,180.99

Share your opinion and read others' reviews of the Sony HDR-XR500V

4.9 out of 5

Average rating based on 10 total reviews: 4.9/5

Sony HDR-XR500V Ratings By Site

Click stars to read reviews from external sites.

- 5 out of 5
Amazon: 6 User Reviews
- 5 out of 5
Camcorder-HQ: 1 User Review
- 5 out of 5
Price Grabber: 2 User Reviews
- 4 out of 5
Shopping: 1 User Review

Camcorder-HQ User Reviews

Submit your own HDR-XR500V review!

5 out of 5

Excellent camera with a hidden drawback ... (Vinnie the video guy, Union NJ - 5/5/09)

The HDR-XR500V is an amazing piece of technology. It solved a situation I was having videotaping performing artists in low-lit jazz clubs in ambient light, - somewhat. (I bought the cam for the new Exmor sensor, touted to have better light-sensitivity than competing brands). True the cam is far more sensitive than prev cams I've used, but there's a hidden drawback buyers of this camera should be aware of. There are settings for normal, low-light, and nightshot, and at one gig I selected the low-light mode because the ambient lighting was impossibly low. Never use this mode because it will give you a surprise. The camera evidently slows its frame-rate so it can make best use of the available light, and upon playback, rather than a smooth and realistic-looking video as one is accustomed to seeing from Mini-DV tape, the slowed frame-rate exhibits borderline choppiness just visible enough to be annoying. Therefore I will not use that mode again. Other than that I really have to praise this camera. The normal mode is crystal sharp, and even the still-shot mode while videotaping is for the first time in my experience
credible from a camcorder. As my first hard-drive-based camcorder it's a joy to use and I highly recommend it. Sony can dispense with the GPS gimmick and shave a few bucks off however. I'd really love to read a review by anybody who bought the camera for its GPS except if they're forensic investigators. Overall deserves 5-stars in my book because I'm very happy with it apart from the above issue. Not cheap, but expecting it will have a long service life I went for the gusto and the new Exmor sensor. Outstanding in marginal lighting (and autofocus too), - just don't use the low-light mode unless forced to. Great at loud concerts too. Mic input has selectable auto-levelling for conversational volume and 747 volume. Great rig and can fit in a hip-pouch. Amazing !

Roundups featuring Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V

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These high-definition camcorders from Sony, Panasonic, and Canon are set to debut in the next few months. They're packed with outstanding featured and extraordinary quality; enough power to take truly excellent high-def videos that will leave audiences stunned. They're expensive, but as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. And if you can pay for one of these camcorders, what you'll get is the best there is.
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Product Information

Manufacturer	Sony
Part Number	HDRXR500V
UPC	027242763067
Release Date	Mar 8, 2009

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