Sony HDR-XR520E
- Thread starter gp2700
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I find it over priced.. while the canon/panasonic is creeping up very very near to it.. i think most review of 520e is not a all winner where the Canon HF-S10 and Panny's 300 series are beating it in certain area.
see what u need.. ie low light recording, image stabilizer, color, sharpness, manual adjustment.. as these 3 brands have their pro and cons of all these factors.
see what u need.. ie low light recording, image stabilizer, color, sharpness, manual adjustment.. as these 3 brands have their pro and cons of all these factors.
Thanks TsQ.
Hm .... actually the thing that attracts me most is the zero lux recording. I've checked at HN, BD and Courts, it's going for like 2.8k and my wife is not too keen on spending the money on these devices. Either I have to convince, confuse or con her into it but I have to make sure I can convince (confuse/con) myself too. haha
Ok, on a serious note, i just want to make great videos (not blurry) of my kids growing up so that me and my wife can sit down, relax and watch them grow up all over again when we're old. That's why i'm considering HD, I'm sure in future there will be something better than HD but at least I know that I was using the best technology i could (afford!) then to record these memories.
coffee3in1
Senior Member
I think u're good with any of these (Canon/Panasonic/Sony) flagship camcorders. 
My fren who has had a Sony (non-HD DVD-R model) told me not to worry so much about low light unless I'm shooting in dark environment 80% of the time. I like Sony's wired remote control, you can stick it to Sony tripod and control zoom, start/stop whilst seated down.
I'm not too sure about the MTBF on the HDD on the unit. I'll expect the camcorder to last at least 5 years. [Hint: 5 years extended warranty starts to make sense, uh?] So, it's approx $600 per year of usage. $50 per month to record your precious memories. There's less than $2/day loh. I think your wife will not be impressed that I'm selling you the idea. Haha..
Good luck on your purchase. Cheers.
My fren who has had a Sony (non-HD DVD-R model) told me not to worry so much about low light unless I'm shooting in dark environment 80% of the time. I like Sony's wired remote control, you can stick it to Sony tripod and control zoom, start/stop whilst seated down.
I'm not too sure about the MTBF on the HDD on the unit. I'll expect the camcorder to last at least 5 years. [Hint: 5 years extended warranty starts to make sense, uh?] So, it's approx $600 per year of usage. $50 per month to record your precious memories. There's less than $2/day loh. I think your wife will not be impressed that I'm selling you the idea. Haha..
Good luck on your purchase. Cheers.
I hv the same thinking like u.. thats why within 3.5 yrs i went from DV (DVD quality) to 720P then now recently to 1080P
My brother being a more avid video person, advised me that if u are not too sensitive to video quality, the canon, panasonic and sony are pretty much on par (where one is better then the other on certain features)
also like u .. I wanted something good but also within range.. so i stike out Sony as its way way over my (and many ppl) budget.. the 0 lux is good but do u really need it that much to pay that sort of premium?
for kids recording, I will agree that low light is very important as u will video indoor very often, like at times like 9-10pm in ur bedroom after u come back from work... which is why my list of feature at the top is Low Light capability... then follow my image stabilizer (as u need to chase ur kid ard).. then color/sharpness (as most top brands are quite marginal in that)
I end up buying Panasonic TM300 as its has the best image stabilizer, it has pretty good low lux recording (but lose to Sony i hear, but not by large margin), color is said to be better then the Sony 520E, while sharpness is not as good as the Canon HF-s10..
With panasonic being the cheapest, and with the positive features of the camera satisfying my need as mentioned above, so i rule out Sony due to price, i rule out canon due to the lousier image stabilizer...
here is photo taken with TM300 under low light (1 x20w equivalent brightness bulb with a helogen light from behind that does not contribute much to the scene)
ooh.. another thing about HDD camcorders.. if u are not going to need recording more then 6 hrs before getting urself a PC to download the image, then its not a good idea to get HDD based.
its heavier... knocking on it risk ur previous recording being lost ... with moving parts within, u might start to worry after 2-3 yrs of usage (its a HDD afterall)... and if u are those ppl that lazy to download files to ur PC, u suddenly might end up hving 120Gig of video that u need to sort out..
as flash media coming cheap now, a 32GB Build in gives u 4 hrs of highest quality HD footage, add in a 16GB SD card ($70), u get another 2 hrs .. so total 6 hrs at highest quality.
its heavier... knocking on it risk ur previous recording being lost ... with moving parts within, u might start to worry after 2-3 yrs of usage (its a HDD afterall)... and if u are those ppl that lazy to download files to ur PC, u suddenly might end up hving 120Gig of video that u need to sort out..
as flash media coming cheap now, a 32GB Build in gives u 4 hrs of highest quality HD footage, add in a 16GB SD card ($70), u get another 2 hrs .. so total 6 hrs at highest quality.
focus72
New Member
sony really overprice their camcorder alot ...i bought a sony cx-7 at $2100 2-3yr back.....now think back really heartpain. Cause the production cost of HD camcoder is lower now. i think panasonic & canon hd camcorder really best bang for money at these time. i will consider these 2 brand for my next upgrade.the pro & con of all these 3 camcorder is very close. Afterall all, these 3 camcorder's image when playback on HD tv will definitely be the best.
Sony used "G" lens instead of Carl Zeiss for 520.
Supposedly better. I don't think so.
Otherwise the whole world, Hasselblad, Rollei and other top names would be using Sony "G" lenses for their systems instead of Carl Zeiss.
It seems a carry over from the Minolta systems they bought over, as Minolta used to make G lenses before they decided to give up.
Probably a stupid cost-saving (or profit maximisation) move by a smart aleck. No need to pay for the Carl Zeiss licence/royalty?
In a costly top model, they want to do this?
Supposedly better. I don't think so.
Otherwise the whole world, Hasselblad, Rollei and other top names would be using Sony "G" lenses for their systems instead of Carl Zeiss.
It seems a carry over from the Minolta systems they bought over, as Minolta used to make G lenses before they decided to give up.
Probably a stupid cost-saving (or profit maximisation) move by a smart aleck. No need to pay for the Carl Zeiss licence/royalty?
In a costly top model, they want to do this?
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Also, dont forget that Sony prices in Japan locally is not much of a premium as over there, Sony is better, but not a hell lot better then Panny or Canon
520G over there I think is ard SGD1600-1700 only.. a more marginal price premium over Canon.. guess the japanese dont view Sony as how we here see Sony..
520G over there I think is ard SGD1600-1700 only.. a more marginal price premium over Canon.. guess the japanese dont view Sony as how we here see Sony..
silverbullet
Member
Hi guys,
I was also contemplating between the 3 models HFS10/XR520/HS300 before deciding on Sony for one basic reason. We normally walked and moved while videographing and this gets irritatingly dizzy even if quality of video image is of any superior. I tried the XR520 in store (sony style store) and simulated the normal walking and handshake, and am pleased with the output. The stabiliser does work and its really useful. And the most important thing of all is the price. Surprising, its the cheapest here in Malaysia. I got it for only RM5300 or SGD2.2k equivalent, including all the free gifts, printer, bag and spare battery.
I am a singaporean but currently posted to Malaysia for work. I was astonished by the huge price difference and I bought it by the fact of a huge consumer surplus. I am coming back to Singapore this weekend, any of you want me to help buy a unit? I have done all the necessary checks like model number XR520, country of make -Japan, 240GB etc. However, the warranty will be in Malaysia. by the way Harvey Norman Singapore is gg for SGD2,600, not SGD2800, surprisingly cheaper than Cathay Photo.
Just PM me if you are keen.
Cheers
I was also contemplating between the 3 models HFS10/XR520/HS300 before deciding on Sony for one basic reason. We normally walked and moved while videographing and this gets irritatingly dizzy even if quality of video image is of any superior. I tried the XR520 in store (sony style store) and simulated the normal walking and handshake, and am pleased with the output. The stabiliser does work and its really useful. And the most important thing of all is the price. Surprising, its the cheapest here in Malaysia. I got it for only RM5300 or SGD2.2k equivalent, including all the free gifts, printer, bag and spare battery.
I am a singaporean but currently posted to Malaysia for work. I was astonished by the huge price difference and I bought it by the fact of a huge consumer surplus. I am coming back to Singapore this weekend, any of you want me to help buy a unit? I have done all the necessary checks like model number XR520, country of make -Japan, 240GB etc. However, the warranty will be in Malaysia. by the way Harvey Norman Singapore is gg for SGD2,600, not SGD2800, surprisingly cheaper than Cathay Photo.
Just PM me if you are keen.
Cheers
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I also tested the 520E as Image stabilizer was my top concern too.. its good (probably best) ... no doubt on that, but i found that the TM300 isn't that far off.. while canon's IS is one of the worst among the top range consumer camcorders.
silverbullet
Member
Yes, I am based in KL for work, but Singaporean.
silverbullet
Member
No, they don't. Its really silly to charge via the camcorder. I am worried about the heat generated from the machine and also someone may tripped over the wire and pulling the entire camera together with it. Or worst, the camera being bitten by the dog or peed over it, thinking that Daddy had bought a new toilet for him.
I just ordered a charger, quite tempting to order the twin ones with turbo charging but I think will just settle for the traveller charger.
I am thinking of getting a light source for the camcorder. There are easily 10 models to choose from. Anyone has any experience? Care to comment? Cool stuff.
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thats the thing about sony.. they make u spent more after u purchase their camera.. so for those who hv a budget in mind, remember to budget some spare $150 for charger, $150 for the medium capacity batt... or alternatively, go ebay buy 3rd parties one.. I tried those and they even mark it as sony with the design 90% accurate, it's working great so far for my old mini DV cam after almost 4 yrs.. except that the batt performs 75-80% of the original but for like 1/4 the price
In Sing 520 price at Sing$2,899 in electronics store.
Some one is making a cut of $1,299 dollars. That is 82% of the $1,600 price. The Sing$1,600 price in Japan already include profit margin.
(edit) Weekend asked price of 520E in JB. It is true as Silverbullet says. The exact same thing much cheaper in MLY. If the shop people like you, can get even cheaper than what he paid. Dunno why Singpeople get ripped off in this way in Sing retail.
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