The HDR-UX20 ($999 MSRP) is Sony’s top 2008 high definition DVD camcorder. While a good camcorder in itself, it’s disappointing to see the bar for DVD camcorders routinely lowered. Within this sort of price range, there are many other high definition camcorder that offer better performance, more powerful manual controls, or both. Sony has cut the legs out from underneath its DVD line in favor of “ease of use.” There’s no doubt it’s easy, but is it the best buy in its class? Probably not.
The most obvious feature the HDR-UX20 offers is the ability to record to three different media: DVD, 8GB of internal memory, and MemoryStick. This is a bigger benefit that you might think, because recording high definition video to DVD is a right pain. Single-sided discs only fit about 11 minutes of video in the highest quality. Also, contrary to popular belief, these discs will likely not play back in your home DVD player like your old standard definition camcorder did. Only Blu-ray players, including the PlayStation 3, can play them back. Recording to the internal memory or a high-capacity MemoryStick is your better bet.
If you plan on nothing beyond simple point-and-shoot operation, Sony camcorders often make a good choice. Push the Easy button on the side, and the HDR-UX20 reverts to virtual idiot-proof mode. More advanced users will likely be disappointed by the lack of the manual controls. There are some clever assist functions to help with focus and exposure, but standard options like shutter speed and aperture are absent. Sony outfitted this year’s hard drive models, the HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12, with a dead useful dial located on the front of body for exposure, white balance, and focus. The DVD line-up is not so blessed.
Performance
The Sony HDR-UX20 underwent an unfortunate redesign since last year, when its CMOS sensor was shrunk from 1/2.9-inch to 1/5-inch. If shooting is kept to sunny days and studio-lit interiors, you’ll be fine. Under adequate lighting, the UX20 produces clean, sharp video with good color. There’s definite improvement in the hard drive-based HDR-SR11 and SR12, both of which have better sensors. Overall, though, the UX20 can hold its own.
Low light performance is a different matter. Sadly, few beginners realize how dark their houses truly are until their first inky black home movies emerge. The reduced size of the sensor in the UX20 had a big, bad impact. Once the lights start to dim, our lab testing showed a loss of detail in the shadows and a serious reduction in color.
Video is outputted in the AVCHD format, which has emerged as the clear format of choice for consumer high definition camcorder. Working with these files in a video editing program will be sluggish with all but the fastest computers, but most decent software is at least compatible with AVCHD.
Comparisons
Sony offers a cheaper version of the UX20 called the HDR-UX10, which is identical except for the loss of the 8GB internal memory. Last year’s HDR-UX7, if it can be found, is far and away the better choice if you must have a high definition DVD camcorder. It features the Control Dial on the front, a larger, 3.5-inch LCD, a better viewfinder, and both mic and headphone jacks. If you’re less particular about the recording medium, we’d like to suggest the Canon HF10 or Canon HF100. Both have much better video quality and manual controls. If you’re intent on staying in the Sony family, we recommend the only slightly more expensive Sony HDR-SR11, with an 80GB hard drive and better low light performance.
Overall, the Sony HDR-UX20 is easy to use and offers some cool tricks like multiple recording media, but it’s just not worth your hard-earned money. Any of the comparison models listed above are better choices. The low light performance was disappointing, and DVD’s famed "ease of use" doesn’t carry over into high definition: they won’t play nice with your home electronics.
For a more in-depth review, visit the Sony HDR-UX20 Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com
