The Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760VE is a prime
example of a no-holds-barred camcorder that we’ve seen in a long while from
Sony. Its headline features include: full HD 1080p video recording (both 50p
and 25p), 24.1-megapixel still picture recording, 96GB of internal flash memory,
a built-in DLP-based, LED projector, and a reworked Balanced Optical SteadyShot
image stabilization system. In short, pretty much everything but the kitchen
sink.
The
Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760VE is a prime example of a no-holds-barred camcorder
that we’ve seen in a long while from Sony.
Mounted with the supplied battery and lens
hood, the PJ760VE tips the scale at 680g, making it one of the weightiest
consumer-class camcorders we’ve handled in recent memory. While we were able to
get a good grip thanks to the rubberized texture, the rigid hand strap wasn’t
exactly very comfortable. But here’s where Sony hides a short USB cable, which
you can use to charge the battery through a computer’s USB port. There’s also a
viewfinder for times when using the LCD screen isn’t ideal (say, under bright
daylight). The 3.0-inch touchscreen has an ample 921K-dot resolution, but it’s
thicker than most LCDs as it shares the same housing with the built-in
projector. Another thing that we love about the PJ760VE is the manual dial/button
combo at the front. You can switch between automatic and manual operation modes
of several shooting parameters (such as focus, exposure, white balance shift)
by pressing the manual button, and adjust the settings by turning the dial. The
sensitivity does take a bit of getting used to, but the convenience it brings
to advanced users is immense.
There’s
also a viewfinder for times when using the LCD screen isn’t ideal (say, under
bright daylight).
Video performance-wise, the PJ760VE
produced very rich tones. Colors certainly looked punchier than those from the
Panasonic HC-X900M, our other favorite 1080p-shooting camcorder. Low-light
sensitivity is also very good, though not at the level of Canon’s HD CMOS
Pro-equipped offerings, such as the Legria HF G10 or M52. If you’ve to shoot in
total darkness, there’s a NightShot mode, and the camcorder also has a video
light. The onboard microphone is able to record Dolby Digital 5.1-channel
surround sound.
Regarding the projector, we feel that it’s
more for instant gratification than serious viewing. While it can project an
image up to 100 inches in size, the room needs to be pretty dark to prevent a
washed out image. Lastly, the new image stabilization system is a vast
improvement over the one used in Sony’s 2011 Handycam models.
Low-light
sensitivity is also very good, though not at the level of Canon’s HD CMOS
Pro-equipped offerings, such as the Legria HF G10 or M52.
In this last couple of years, Sony’s
camcorders have elicited more ‘meh’ than ‘wow’ from us. The HDR-PJ760VE
definitely belongs to the latter category, thanks to excellent image quality,
sensible controls, and great image stabilization performance. Yes, it costs
$2,299, but that’s money well spent.
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Specifications
§ HD
Video Codec: MPEG4-AVC/H.264
§ SD
Video Codec: MPEG2-PS
§ Media
Storage Type: Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) / PRO-HG Duo™ / SD/SDHC/SDXC
Memory Card
§ HYBRID:
Movie Recording on Memory Stick™ and SD/SDHC Memory Card (96GB Built-in Flash
Memory)
§ Image
Sensor: 1/2.88" "Exmor R" CMOS Sensor
§ Image
Processor: BIONZ™
§ Lens
/ Filter Diameter: Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* / 52mm
§ Optical
/ Digital Zoom: 10x / 120x
§ Audio
Format: Dolby Digital 5.1ch, Dolby Digital 5.1Creator / Dolby Digital 2ch
Stereo, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
§ Zoom
Mic: Yes
§ Maximum
Still Image Resolution (Photo Mode): 24.1 Mega Pixels (6544 x 3680, 16:9)
§ Image
Stabilisation: Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ (Active mode - Wide to Tele)
§ LCD
Screen Size & Type: 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD display (921K dots / Wide
16:9), Touch Panel with TruBlack technology
§ Built-in
LED Video Light: Yes
§ Inbuilt
GPS: Yes
§ x.v.Color:
Yes
§ Face
Detection: Yes
§ Smile
Shutter: Yes
§ Intelligent
Auto: Yes
§ D-Range
Optimizer: Yes
§ Smooth
Slow Rec: Yes
§ Golf
Shot Mode: Yes
§ Backlight
Compensation: Yes (Auto)
§ Color
Viewfinder: Yes
§ Direct
Copy: Yes
§ BRAVIA
Sync: Yes
§ HDMI
Terminal: Yes (Mini)
§ USB
Terminal: Yes (Type A, mini-AB / USB 2.0 Hi-speed)
§ Active
Interface Shoe: Yes
§ External
Mic. Input: Yes (Stereo Mini jack)
§ Dimensions
(W x H x D): 71.5 x 73.5 x 137.5mm
§ Mass
(w/o Tape, Battery, etc.): Approx. 580g
§ AC
Adaptor: Yes
§ Rechargeable
Battery Pack: NP-FV50
§ Remote
Commander: Yes
§ AV
Cable: Yes
§ HDMI
Mini Cable: Yes
§ USB
Cable: Yes
§ Power
Cord: Yes
§ Lens
Hood: Yes
§ Step
Down Ring: Yes
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