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Sony HDR-CX550V 64GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder | 
| Brand: Sony
Category: Photography
List Price: $1,199.00
Buy New: $988.00
as of 9/8/2010 21:22 PDT details
You Save: $211.00 (18%)
New (19) Used (7) Refurbished (2) from $820.00
Seller: Wall Street Photo
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 261
Color: Silver
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Optical Zoom: 10
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.8
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 6 x 4.5
MPN: HDR-CX550V
Model: HDR-CX550V
UPC: 027242788732
EAN: 0027242788732
ASIN: B0031RGL1G
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 1920x1080 Full HD Recording w/12MP still image | | • | 64GB1 embedded Flash memory | | • | 1/2.88" 6MP back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor | | • | Optical SteadyShot image stabilization w/ Active Mode | | • | Wide Angle G-Lens (26.3mm) with 10x Optical zoom |
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Product Description
Shoot gorgeous 1920 x 1080 high-definition video and 12.0 megapixel still images. Boasting 64GB of embedded Flash memory, the HDR-CX550V Handycam camcorder is outfitted with a professional-quality Sony G Lens and an "Exmor R" CMOS image sensor for superior low-light performance. This fully-loaded camcorder also features a built-in GPS receiver, Face Detection with Face Priority and Smile Shutter technology. This camcorder is also equipped with Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode and 3-way Shake Canceling which enables you to capture remarkably smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. Plus, capture your memories in 24Mbps and record brilliant AVCHD video with amazing clarity and enhanced detail.
FEATURES: - 1920 x 1080 high definition video recording - 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony Full High Definition quality. Capable of 1080/60p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories.
- 1/2.88 Exmor R CMOS Sensor - 1/2.88 "Exmor R" CMOS image sensor with ClearVid array: delivers bright, vivid, spectacularly detailed video footage, as well as 12 megapixel still images. With 6 megapixel (effective) video resolution, the image sensor actually captures video at four times the density of high definition resolution resulting in a sharper and more detailed 1920 x 1080 HD picture. In addition, "Exmor R" technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity, while the advanced Sony BIONZ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise to help ensure that the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.
- Wide Angle G-Lens (26.3mm) - Experience the pinnacle of Sony lens technology with the professional-quality G Lens. Engineered for superio
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 Great camcorder for indoor shooting September 6, 2010
Aggie (Portland, OR, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I purchased this camcorder a month ago after an extensive research. I narrowed down my selection to 3 camcorders, Sony CX550, Cannon vixia HF S21 and Panosonic TM700. I ruled out cannon HF S21 because of its lack of wide angle lens and poor low light performance. I also ruled out Panosonic TM700 due to the difficulty with the imaging software, fan noise issues and bad low light performance. Three top features that made my selection with Sony CX550V are excellent video quality, huge wide angle, superb low light shooting capability.
I am very pleased with my purchase as the camcorder absolutely shoots stunning videos in both day light and low light indoor locations. The only improvement that is desired from Sony CX 550V is the accurate color representation in low light. I would think that colors are slightly distorted in low light from the actual. Menu could be better but I got used to long scrolling menu icons. This camcorder is not for taking pictures. The pictures taken using this camcorder are worse quality compared to even a low mega pixel webcam. I still gave 5 star rating because the main purpose of a camcorder is to shoot videos. The videos are exceedingly crisp and very realistic in day light. I advise to buy an extra battery as the default battery discharges in less than an hour. The camcorder feels sturdy with excellent grip. Easy to shoot videos and import them using the software that comes along with the camcorder. The GPS function on this camcorder is a joke and would not detect the location. Despite of these minor drawbacks, the camcorder is worth to buy due to its huge wide angle, superior video quality and excellent low light shotting capability.
 Top HD Camcorders Comparison August 18, 2010
Gabriel (Miami, FL)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2HT2BCVQE9JFQ My beginning with camcorders was 10 years ago with the Sony DCRTRV17 MiniDV Camcorder and I had it for over five years with acceptable success. Then I stayed away from camcorders until the introduction of the Panasonic HDC-TM300 Twin Media HD Camcorder (Black) early 2009, latter I got the Panasonic HDC-TM350 Twin Media HD Camcorder (Limited Edition) then Panasonic HDC-TM700K Hi-Def Camcorder with Pro Control System & 32GB Flash (Black) and most recently the Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder - 2010 MODEL but there were something on the back of my head saying "go back to Sony" so I did it 2 weeks ago. Since my experiences using this model is somehow limited I will not make any judgment jet, I will limited this review to my first impressions and you will be able to see for yourself how this Sony HDR-CX550V 64GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder compare with some of the mayor rivals.
The designer of this camera is stunning, it's very portable, all ports and buttons are very well located, the included battery is just acceptable (over one hour) and the LCD is huge with good resolution, also the touch screen is very responsive (far superior to the Canon's & Panasonic's models) and Image Stabilization (STEADY-SHOT) works fine.
After I see the attached VIDEO REVIEW on my Sony Bravia XBR KDL-46XBR6 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV & Sony BDP-S550 1080p Blu-ray Player and do some other test like low light and movement subjects I'll continue upgrading my impressions.
 One of the best camcorders on the market today-great wide angle! August 10, 2010
William M. Gibson (Washington DC)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
I had a Canon HFS200. I returned it. Great overal camcorder, but one deal killer. No wide angle lens. I was constantly backing up, and telling my kids to back up, so I could get them in the frame, and I still missed a bunch of shots. With the Canon, a wide angle adapter would have been an essential tool, and I just wasn't willing to incur the extra expense and weight.
I looked at the Panasonic TM700 as an alternative. I was intrigued, but right or wrong, the fan noise issue scared me off (see reviews), as well as the fact that the files are apparently difficult to edit (also see reviews). I know that there are many people that swear the fan noise is no big deal, and swear that you can work with the files, and swear that the Panasonic is the best camcorder on the market, but.....
I opted to go with the Sony primarily because of the wide angle lens. The Sony has the equivalent of a 29mm wide angle, the Panasonic was 35mm, and the Canon was 43mm. Since alot of the video I shoot is of the family, inside my house, I wanted the widest angle possible. Right now, the Sony is it.
Things that I like about the Sony:
-Wide angle lens....probably the #1 reason to buy this camcorder
-Excellent picture quality
-Excellent low light capability in general, with 2 additional low light modes (night mode and low lux mode)
-Excellent stabilization....nice for shooting walk around videos
-Large (3.5"), bright, high image quality LCD
-EVF (not the best, but at least there is one, which is important if you are shooting outdoors in bright sun)
-Nice menu system....like the look and feel much better than the Canon HFS200. (This is probably more of a personal preference)
-Nice ergonomics....feels good in your hands (at least for me and I have large hands)
-64gb flash memory.....unless you shoot several hours of video a day, and shoot for days on end without downloading to your computer, you should be able to get by without ever having to use SD cards (unless of course you want to).
-Easy to get files out of the camcorder and into your computer for editing with the supplied Sony software.
Things I don't like about the Sony:
-Only 10x zoom.....15x would have been nice. Heck, even 12x would have been better than 10x.
-The wide angle is a blessing and a curse. Wide open it is excellent in virtually all lighting situations. Zoomed in, in even moderately low light situations, you lose ALOT of light, and the zoom becomes essentially unuseable since the images become VERY dark. For me, this is a minor tradeoff. I just know not to zoom in very much in low light situations. Not a big deal for me, but it might be for you.
- No wind screen. Outdoor videos in moderate wind produce a noticeable sound. I'm planning to buy an aftermarket wind guard myself for about $20, so I'm not anticipating that this will be a major problem for me.
-Supplied Sony software is great for getting the video out of the camcorder and into the computer, but that's about it. Strongly suggest you use a separate editing program. I use Cyberlink PowerDirector and am having good results with the video that I've shot with the Sony. There are many other editing programs, but that is for another review.
-Price.....prices flucuate dramatically, but generally The Sony doesn't stray from around $1000-$1050 anywhere. I've seen the Panasonic and the Canon pop into the mid to high $700's here on Amazon, so on any give day the Sony can be about $200-$250 more than either of them. That's a pretty substantial price premium (around 20%), so if you're on a budget, or if you don't really care about the wide angle lens of the Sony, this may not be the camcorder for you.
-I would say the Photo quality is good to very good, but not excellent. In my opinion, the photos that came out of the Canon were noticably better. If you are looking to carry only one piece of equipment for videos and photos, just something to consider. Personally, I don't plan on taking very many photos with my camcorder. The ones I did shoot with the Sony, with a little editing in Photshop Elements, were fine.
Overall, I am really liking my new camcorder. I didn't give it a 5 star rating for the negatives noted above, but definitely a solid 4 star. Again, Canon and Panasonic produce some excellent camcorders, so the main reason to buy the Sony in my opinion is the wide angle lens. That is by far the most distinguishing characterstic. To me, it has made a HUGE difference. Coupled with the fact that overall video quality is excellent in all lighting conditions, excellent stabilization, and the files are easy to edit on your computer, I would highly recommend this camcorder.
Note: In other reviews, you may see people mentioning confusion because 3 files are generated when you download the video to your computer (.m2ts, .modd, .moff). I was confused myself until I researched it. I can safely tell you to ignore the confusion. The m2ts is the file that contains the video and the audio, and is easily handled by any of the current crop of video editing software. The other 2 files are nothing but marker files used by the Sony software to keep track of the video clips in the organizer, and store data about the clips. If you re not planning on using the Sony software to organize and edit your videos, then you do not need to concern yourself at all with these files. Even if you are, they have absolutely nothing to do with the video and audio itself, and thus you will never need to do anything with them.
Great HD camera just a bit expensive July 17, 2010
E. Simonson (California USA)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
Have had this camera for 2 weeks and really like it so far. Great quality build and feels very comfortable when using it, the hand strap is large enough to give plenty of support when hand holding while shooting. The quality HD is fantastic as well as the still photos. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the wide angle and the zoom lens is, much better than I anticipated. The flash works well when shooting photos in low light and not to far away from your subjects. Stabilization works better than any other Sony movie camera I have owned. It didn't take me long to get used to where all the buttons and controls are, I'm still learning the menu for functions but it seems pretty logical and very descriptive. I use the Sony PMB supplied software that comes with the camera and works well for transferring recordings to my computer as well as creating a DVD, learning to use the PMB software was very easy.
The large LCD screen is very good and lots of information displayed. The EVF is for me a must in bright Sunlight and is really sharp I only wished it extended out further when using larger batteries. The largest battery I would recommend is the NP-FV70, the NP-FV100 battery just sticks out to far with the EVF on this camera. I have no regrets purchasing this camera, Sony did a great job with this one.
Excellent buy! July 13, 2010
Michelle
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I hate to spend so much on a camcorder but I figured if I go "big" (meaning higher price) I won't have to update for years to come. I usually update my camcorder and camera every other year but with this one - there will be no need to do so. And man, am I loving this one. The low light capability, night shot, steady shot, video quality, picture quality, size and every other feature on this baby are out of this world and well worth the $1000 or so. You can't go wrong with this purchase - just do it!
The only thing I would like to let you know b/c I did not realize this when I was shopping for a great camcorder is that the highest quality of video from this camcorder is put on a DVD and only able to play on a Blu-Ray player. That's right - Blu-Ray quality videos of your best memories!!! Now, I just need to buy a Blu-Ray player...
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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