Skip to main content
  • Introduction

  • Video Review

  • Design

  • Front

  • Back

  • Left

  • Right

  • Top

  • Bottom

  • In the Box

  • Performance

  • Color

  • Low Light Color

  • Noise

  • Low Light Sensitivity

  • Low Light Noise

  • Low Light Color

  • Motion

  • Resolution & Frame Rates

  • Slow Motion Modes

  • Video Sharpness

  • Usability

  • Auto Mode

  • Auto Controls

  • Other Auto Features

  • Menus

  • Handling & Portability

  • Battery Life

  • LCD & Viewfinder

  • Stabilization

  • Manual Focus

  • Manual Exposure

  • Miscellaneous Controls

  • Auto Controls

  • Audio Controls

  • Features

  • Compression

  • Media

  • Resolution & Frame Rates

  • Slow Motion Modes

  • Still Features

  • Lens & Imaging System

  • LCD & Viewfinder

  • Connectivity

  • Battery

  • Media

  • Still Features

  • Other Features

  • Panasonic HC-X900M Comparison

  • Canon Vixia HF G10 Comparison

  • COMP 3

  • Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Introduction
  • Video Review
  • Design
  • Front
  • Back
  • Left
  • Right
  • Top
  • Bottom
  • In the Box
  • Performance
  • Color
  • Low Light Color
  • Noise
  • Low Light Sensitivity
  • Low Light Noise
  • Low Light Color
  • Motion
  • Resolution & Frame Rates
  • Slow Motion Modes
  • Video Sharpness
  • Usability
  • Auto Mode
  • Auto Controls
  • Other Auto Features
  • Menus
  • Handling & Portability
  • Battery Life
  • LCD & Viewfinder
  • Stabilization
  • Manual Focus
  • Manual Exposure
  • Miscellaneous Controls
  • Auto Controls
  • Audio Controls
  • Features
  • Compression
  • Media
  • Resolution & Frame Rates
  • Slow Motion Modes
  • Still Features
  • Lens & Imaging System
  • LCD & Viewfinder
  • Connectivity
  • Battery
  • Media
  • Still Features
  • Other Features
  • Panasonic HC-X900M Comparison
  • Canon Vixia HF G10 Comparison
  • COMP 3
  • Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery

Introduction

Sony isn't just giving the HDR-PJ710V away for free, so you have to decide if this better performance is worth the cash. With an initial launch price of $1299 (too high), the camcorder has since dropped to $1149 on Sony's website. This puts it in roughly the same price range as the Canon HF G10, and just a bit more expensive than the Panasonic HC-X900M. If you have even more cash to blow, Sony does offer a step-up HDR-PJ760V Handycam for $1399. The PJ760V has three times as much internal memory (96GB) and includes an electronic viewfinder—otherwise it's the same as the HDR-PJ710V.

Video Review

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Design

A huge chunk of the camcorders on the market these days are small enough to fit in your pocket, heck, some of them are small enough to mount on your helmet with ease. The Sony HDR-PJ710V is not one of those camcorders. In fact, it's one of the bulkiest camcorders we've seen since we reviewed the Canon HF G10 last year. But this extra size makes the PJ710V feel more professional, and that should make you feel more like a pro when you're using it. The most unusual design implementation on the PJ710V is probably the camcorder's built-in projector, but it's not like this projector really gets in the way of the overall design. It's just a little light on the back of the LCD panel.

There's also the strange lens that wobbles thanks to Sony's new optical image SteadyShot feature. When you turn the PJ710V on, you may notice the lens snapping into place like a robot that's that's tuned-in on your face. It's kinda creepy, but also kind of cool. Just remember that the wobbly lens that you can hear when you shake the camcorder is normal.

Front

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Back

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Left

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Top

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Bottom

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

In the Box

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The HDR-PJ710V ships with the following accessories:

• Sony HDR-PJ710V camcorder
• lens hood
• power cord and AC adapter
• USB extender cable
• AV cable
• remote control
• HDMI cable
• step-down ring
• instruction manual
• NP-FV50 battery pack

Performance

Honestly, we didn't expect Sony to make such a significant improvement to the performance of the new HDR-PJ710V. But the camcorder is improved over last year's high-end Handycams, and nearly all of improvement comes in the form of stronger low light performance. The HDR-PJ710V showed less noise, stronger colors, and a far better low light sensitivity than last year's HDR-CX700V. And these better low light numbers positions the new Sony PJ710 to better compete with the HC-X900M from Panasonic and the HF G10 from Canon—both of which are currently fighting for space at the top of our camcorder rankings.

Color

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

As usual, the Sony HDR-PJ710V produced pleasing colors in our tests, and those colors were quite a bit more accurate than the competition. The camcorder managed a color error of 3.14—a result that's a bit better than last year's HDR-CX700V from Sony—but it also produced a top-notch saturation level of 92%.

Note: We used new lights for our color test with the HDR-PJ710, and in doing so we obtained a better score using auto white balance than manual white balance on the camcorder. Originally, we based our color score on the manual white balance results, but we decided to change the numbers to reflect the auto white balance results instead. This process matches what we've done in the past, in scoring camcorders using the white balance mode that results in the best color accuracy.

More on how we test color.

There aren't a lot of special color modes on the PJ710V, but the camcorder does have color temperature control that can push your videos cooler (more blue) or warmer (or red). Of course, using different white balance options also will have a huge impact in the way the PJ710 produces colors. In fact, we found the camcorder actually had better color accuracy when we shot with its auto white balance mode than when we manually set the white balance. Yes, we know, it doesn't make sense, but that's the results we obtained. The Sony managed a color error of around 4.5 using manual white balance, which is more than a full point worse than our auto white balance test.

Above we have sample images shot with the PJ710 using three different lighting setups. The first is regular bright light auto, and below this you can compare the bright light image with two low light images. The first is was shot with even, but very dim (20 lux), light. The second image was shot with a single incandescent bulb in order to create a shadow effect. All three of these images were shot using the 60p frame rate and auto white balance with automatic settings (and low light modes or enhancements turned off).

{{comparison_bars title="Color Score Comparison", attribute="Color Score", xLabel="Color Score"}}

Low Light Color

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Much like we saw with our noise test, color accuracy results were unchanged for the Sony HDR-PJ710V from bright light to low light. We measured the color error at 4.51 for the camcorder in low light, which is just two hundredths of a point different from the bright light color results. The saturation level did drop a bit in low light, however, but the camcorder maintained a decent 78% saturation. This saturation result is better than last year's CX700V from Sony, and it's stronger than what we saw from most of the competition in this price range. More on how we test low light color.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Color Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Color Score", xLabel="Low Light Color Score"}}

Noise

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Sony improved the noise performance on the HDR-PJ710, that's for sure. Compared to last year's HDR-CX700V, the PJ710 had both lower noise levels in bright light and low light. In bright light, the results weren't that different, with the PJ710 averaging 0.54% noise (just 0.06% less than the CX700V). In low light, the results were more improved with the new model, and you can read about that in our low light performance section. More on how we test noise.

{{comparison_bars title="Noise Score Comparison", attribute="Noise Score", xLabel="Noise Score"}}

Low Light Sensitivity

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Low light sensitivity was our biggest issue with last year's HDR-CX700V, so we're impressed by how well things have improved on this year's HDR-PJ710V. In our test, the PJ710V required 18 lux of light to illuminate our test chart when we used zoom on the camcorder, and it needed just 6 lux of light to illuminate the chart properly without zoom. While this isn't a fantastic performance, it's still very good, and the improvement compared to the CX700V should not be understated. More on how we test low light sensitivity.

Using the PJ710's 24p frame rate does improve low light sensitivity a bit, and it does so by letting the camcorder use a slower shutter speed. The numbers we obtained using the 24p frame rate are as such: 14 lux with zoom and 5 lux without zoom. So, you can expect to see a bit of an improvement using 24p compared to 60i/60p on the Sony HDR-PJ710V.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Sensitivity Comparison", attribute="Low Light Sensitivity Score", xLabel="Low Light Sensitivity Score"}}

Low Light Noise

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

At 60 lux, which is the light level we use for our low light noise test, the Sony HDR-PJ710V showed very little noise. In fact, the numbers show the camcorder had identical noise levels in low light as it did in bright light—a very impressive showing for this new Sony Handycam. Most impressive is the fact that this camcorder averaged half the noise that the HDR-CX700V averaged last year. A strong improvement for Sony here. More on how we test low light noise.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Noise Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Noise Score", xLabel="Low Light Noise Score"}}

Low Light Color

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Much like we saw with our noise test, color accuracy results were unchanged for the Sony HDR-PJ710V from bright light to low light. We measured the color error at 4.51 for the camcorder in low light, which is just two hundredths of a point different from the bright light color results. The saturation level did drop a bit in low light, however, but the camcorder maintained a decent 78% saturation. This saturation result is better than last year's CX700V from Sony, and it's stronger than what we saw from most of the competition in this price range. More on how we test low light color.

{{comparison_bars title="Low Light Color Score Comparison", attribute="Low Light Color Score", xLabel="Low Light Color Score"}}

Motion

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

With the addition of 60p and 24p frame rates, as well as 60i options, Sony has drastically improved the motion performance on its high-end Handycam models over the past few years. The HDR-PJ710 continues this trend, with motion results that were very good in every single category. Artifacting was a non-issue in bright light when we shot with the 1080/60p mode, although we did see more and more artifacting as the lights were brought down. Still, this was a very good showing for the camcorder.

Trailing and smoothness were not a problem with the 60p mode either. Shooting 60i was a bit less smooth, but we didn't notice much of a difference compared to the Sony's 60p setting. There was some color bleeding on our rotating pinwheels in our motion test, but nothing worse than what we saw from the competition. In all, the Sony HDR-PJ710V is a powerful camcorder when it comes to motion, and the presence of three distinct frame rates available for shooting Full HD video puts the camcorder near the top of the pack in this category. More on how we test motion.

Bright Light Motion Test - 60i

Low Light Motion Test - 60i

Shadow Motion Test - 60p

See below for a full discussion of the available resolution and frame rate options for the {{product.model}}

Resolution & Frame Rates

The Sony HDR-PJ710 can record Full HD video using 60i, 60p, or 24p frame rates (in various different modes). Only the highest-quality setting allows for 1080/60p recording, and some of the lower-quality modes record a 1440 × 1080 stretched image instead of Full 1920 × 1080 video. The camcorder has a single standard definition mode as well. This is a good set of recording options for a consumer camcorder, and Sony impressively covers all the important bases. The only significant modes that are missing are a 720p HD option and a 30p frame rate.

Slow Motion Modes

The PJ710 has Sony’s classic Smooth Slow Record function, which is a basic slow motion mode. Smooth Slow Record uses a 240fps frame rate that allows you to capture three seconds of footage and turn it into 12 seconds of slow motion video. Quality isn’t great and the three-second limitation is a bummer, but the effect is cool. You also have the option of setting Smooth Slow Record to capture the three seconds of footage before or after you hit the record button.

Video Sharpness

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Under the hood, the Sony HDR-PJ710V has the same image sensor as last year's Sony HDR-CX700V. So, we expected the results of our sharpness test to be similar, and they were. Sure, the PJ710V has a different lens than its predecessors, but we found this lens didn't do anything to improve sharpness. That's not to say the Sony didn't do well in this test (it did), but its results weren't the sharpest we've seen from a consumer camcorder.

The PJ710V managed a horizontal sharpness of 750 lw/ph and a vertical sharpness of 800 lw/ph, both of which are very good scores that rank in the upper echelon of consumer camcorders. Both of these numbers were also obtained using the camcorder's highest-quality record mode; the 28Mbps 1080/60p option. Shooting at the next step down, with the camcorder's HD FX 1080/60i setting, the PJ710V managed sharpness values of 700 lw/ph horizontal and 600 lw/ph vertical. More on how we test video sharpness.

{{comparison_bars title="Video Sharpness Score Comparison", attribute="Video Sharpness Score", xLabel="Video Sharpness Score"}}

Usability

The user interface on the HDR-PJ710V is excellent in most aspects. The auto controls are easy to use and there are a bunch of simple features you can play around with. Our only issue is that the dedicated auto mode isn't all that front-and-center; it should be easier to locate. The manual controls are just as extensive on the camcorder, although some pros may be miffed by the lack of a true manual mode that allows for aperture and shutter speed adjustment independent from one another. That minor gripe aside, the camcorder functions very well with its control dial and better-than-average touchscreen. Some may be put off by the camcorder's size, and we have to admit the bulk did feel uncomfortable at times, but when you have a camcorder loaded with so many controls it is difficult to make it much smaller than the PJ710V.

Auto Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The dedicated auto mode on the HDR-PJ710, which is called iAuto, works just fine. But our problem with the mode is that it's not that easy to find, and that's been the case for a few years now on Sony's Handycams. Gone are the days of a dedicated "Easy" button on the camcorder itself, and in its place is a tiny iAuto button on the lower right of the touchscreen. But even that button only appears when you tap the screen to bring up the onscreen display!

The iAuto mode button is difficult to find, but when you do find it the option for turning on the mode looks like this.

Auto Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The automatic controls themselves don't have much to complain about. Focus and exposure are adjusted extremely quickly and quietly, in fact the adjustments may be a bit too fast for some people. Auto white balance sometimes took a few seconds to calibrate properly, but the PJ710 usually handled scenes just fine after a few moments. The 10x optical zoom focus is easy to set with the slider on the top of the camcorder, and we had no problem getting the variable zoom to go the speed of our liking (by applying more or less pressure to the toggle). There's also a 120x digital zoom if you want even more zoom on the camcorder, but using this will deteriorate your image quality.

Other Auto Features

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

If you'd like to venture out beyond the dedicated auto mode on the PJ710V, you'll find that there are plenty of extra auto modes you can play with. These controls require some kind of user input, but some are as simple as turning them on or off in the menu system. There's the spot meter and spot focus function, which lets you tap the part of the screen you want to focus and expose properly, and there's an auto back light setting that should help illuminate subjects with a strong backlight.

In low light situations, you can turn on the Low Lux setting to boost the brightness of your image. This will turn on a slow shutter (1/30 of a second) and increase gain, so you will notice more noise and a blurred image due to the slower shutter (but it will certainly be brighter). The camcorder also has face detection and a smile shutter feature that will automatically take photos when a smile is detected within the frame.

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Sony revamped the menu system on its Handycams a while back, so if you're familiar with any of last year's Handycams then you will recognize the menu on the HDR-PJ710V. The menu is clean and modern, but it's not the simplest to use. If you're comfortable working with a small touchscreen, like those on older cell phones, then you will probably be fine with the PJ710V. The screen's small size makes icons and navigation controls difficult to press, especially if you have large fingers. But, again, the menu looks pretty and has a good amount of help text to give you an idea of what each control does. It's also organized into six submenus to help keep similar options clumped together.

One new option is the My Button feature that lets you pick three menu items and put them as shortcuts on the LCD. As far as we can tell, you can select any menu option for this: from manual white balance to flash controls to GPS on/off. We like this mini-customization feature, although we doubt many users will actually ever use it (or change the My Button options from its original default settings).

Handling & Portability

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The HDR-PJ710V handles no differently than last year's flagship Handycams from Sony. It's a big and clunky camcorder compared to the average consumer model, but that extra size does give the PJ710V (and its user) more clout. This camcorder has a ton of controls, it's got a built-in projector, and it has a new optical image stabilization system. There are a lot of connectivity features, most of which are very helpful, and the camcorder even has a built-in USB cable that tucks into the hand strap.

This hand strap isn't that comfortable, however, and part of its rough design comes from the fact that it has a little house that the USB cable lives inside. This makes the hand strap more rigid, so it conforms less to the back of your hand. It still provides a decent grip, but it's not like wearing a plush, comfortable glove. The touchscreen LCD is also the cause for some minor irritation. The interface is fine for most situations, but navigating menus and doing precise adjustment with the tiny touch buttons is a laborious task. We must admit, we liked this touchscreen much better than what we saw from JVC and Panasonic earlier this year. Sony and Canon camcorders definitely have the best touchscreens right now, but they still aren't perfect.

The control dial on the front of the Sony HDR-PJ710V is another feature that should be treasured by pros. But, like the camcorder's touchscreen, the dial is far from perfect. It's great for setting focus, as the tension on the dial seems to be just right for getting precise focus adjustments (especially when used with the camcorder's peaking feature). But the dial moves a bit too quickly for good exposure control. You can also access a quick menu by pressing and holding the button on the front of the dial, but this button wasn't always responsive to our touches. Just to be clear, we like the dial and are grateful Sony continues to implement it on its flagship Handycams, but there is certainly some room for improvement.

These dedicated buttons give you quick access to aperture and shutter speed controls.

Battery Life

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The battery on the HDR-PJ710V lasted for just under two hours in our test. This test was conducted with by letting the PJ710V continuously record (with special features, like GPS and stabilization turned off) with its highest-quality 60i record mode. Lasting for around two hours (118 minutes, to be exact) is a decent job for a camcorder of this size and price range. It's much longer than the Panasonic HC-X900M lasted, and it's nearly identical to the Canon HF G10. Remember, Sony does sell bigger batteries that will last longer if you need that kind of thing. More on how we test battery life.

The camcorder comes with an NP-FV50 rechargeable battery pack that fits in the slot on the back of the PJ710 and hangs out from the camcorder by a quarter-inch or so. The camcorder will work with larger battery packs, the NP-FV70 and the NP-FV100, available from Sony or generic models from third-party manufacturers. The battery charger is not a stand-alone unit, as the battery pack must be inserted in the camcorder and the camcorder must be plugged in for the battery to charge.

{{comparison_bars title="Battery Life Comparison", attribute="Battery Life Score", xLabel="minutes"}}

LCD & Viewfinder

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

On the left side of the PJ710 is a rotatable LCD that measures 3-inches diagonally. The screen has an impressive 921k-pixel resolution and it can rotate up to 270°. These specs are no different than last year's HDC-CX700V from Sony, but the PJ710 has an extra notable feature—a built-in projector that lives on the back of the LCD panel.

Something odd we should point out. Two years ago, Sony's flagship Handycam, the HDR-CX550V, had an even larger LCD than today's PJ710. The screen was 3.5-inches diagonally, which Sony may have decided was, in fact, too big. Hence the reduction in screen size we've seen over the past two years. Frankly, we liked having the extra half inch of screen real estate. It certainly helped with menu navigation, especially when Sony's touchscreen interface is so integral to the user interface.

The HDR-PJ710V does not have a built-in viewfinder. But if you're really itching for an EVF, you can upgrade to the HDR-PJ760V camcorder instead. The PJ760V has the same lens, sensor, and specs as the PJ710V, but it includes a viewfinder and 96GB of internal memory (instead of 32GB). It's also one of the priciest consumer models on the block, with an MSRP approaching $1600.

Stabilization

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Sony is truly excited about its new Balanced SteadyShot optical image stabilization feature on the HDR-PJ710V and many other 2012 Handycams. We hear a lot about new image stabilization systems every year, so we tend not to get overly excited, but after testing the PJ710 over the past few days, we are ready to proclaim its stabilization greatness. The camcorder stabilized our test videos with expert precision in our tests, as we found the PJ710 consistently was able to reduce the shake by a solid 85%. More on how we test stabilization.

This result is on par with the best camcorders we've seen over the past few years (like the Panasonic HC-X900M), and it's a big improvement over last year's HDR-CX700V from Sony. For regular hand-held recording, we didn't notice Sony's Active stabilization mode doing anything better than the camcorder's regular SteadyShot, but we also didn't test the Active mode while running around with lots of jerky motion. In all, this is an impressive feat for Sony, and we can honestly say this new stabilization feature is actually worthy of the hype.

Manual Focus

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Manual focus, with peaking, is available on the HDR-PJ710, and you can set the focus using the touchscreen or the control dial on the front of the camera. Our preferred choice is via the control dial, which, while not quite as good as a lens ring, does give you the ability to quickly change focus on the fly with accuracy. The focus assist peaking feature can be set to three different colors: red, yellow, or white. And if you hate setting focus manually, but still want to exert some control over the focus, there's also the touch focus feature on the PJ710 that lets you tap the portion of the LCD you want to bring into focus.

The adjustment dial makes accurate focus adjustments easy.

Manual Exposure

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Like most high-end camcorders, the HDR-PJ710V has loads of exposure controls. There's your basic exposure adjustment, which is the best option if you simply want to bump the brightness of your image up or down. You can also do this using the auto exposure shift function, which lets you apply adjustments to the way the camcorder automatically determines exposure levels.

For the more advanced user there are three more exposure controls: aperture (iris), shutter speed, and AGC (gain) limiter. The aperture and shutter speed are both priority modes, so they can't be set independently from one another, but that's not a huge deal on a camcorder like this. All it means is that you get to pick one to set, while the camcorder selects the other automatically. The camcorder's shutter speed range is solid, going from a slow of 1/8 (great for blurry, slow-shutter effects) to a fast of 1/10,000 of a second. The iris range isn't as good, but it's not too shabby either; it ranges from f/1.8 to f/9.6. Just like focus, the aperture, shutter speed, and exposure controls can all be set using the control dial on the front of the camcorder.

There's also that AGC limiter feature we mentioned as part of the three exposure controls on the HDR-PJ710. AGC stands for auto gain control, so the limiter is basically a roundabout way of controlling gain. Instead of actually being able to set the gain, however, the camcorder lets you set a limit to the amount of gain that can be used. We'd prefer full-fledged gain control, but this is much better than nothing—and it's still fairly uncommon to find any kind of gain control on a consumer camcorder these days. The limiter maxes out at 24dB (the most gain) and goes all the way to 0dB (no gain), with options in between in 3dB increments. The AGC limiter can't be set using the control dial, so you have to go into the menu system to turn it on.

If that's not enough exposure control for you (and it might not be if you're in the need for independent aperture and shutter control), then you should also check out the camcorder's Zebra Pattern setting. This option—an essential tool for pros—helps you identify areas of the frame that are overexposed. Zebra patterns will appear on areas that are too bright, and you can set the sensitivity to 70% or 100% of the broadcast standards for overexposure.

The manual exposure controls are only found on the Contour app, not on the camcorder itself.

Miscellaneous Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

In addition to its suite of exposure controls, the HDR-PJ710 also has a manual white balance option and two white balance presets (outdoor and indoor). We could do for a a few more presets, but we also like the simplicity of the "indoor" and "outdoor" option. Usually people don't know what kind of light they're shooting under, so naming the presets after bulb types can be problematic. The PJ710 also has a WB Shift feature that lets you tilt the color temperature in one direction or another.

Cinematone

For more film-like colors and shadows, you can turn on Cinematone on the HDR-PJ710V. The feature will work in most shooting modes, but for the most cinema-like-look you can use Cinematone in conjunction with the 24p frame rate.

Tele Macro

For shooting closeups with a lot of optical zoom, you may want to switch the PJ710 over to its Tele Macro mode. The camcorder can do extreme closeups without its Tele Macro mode engaged, but if you're using lots of zoom then you may not be able to get the focus right without it.

Conversion Lens

This feature is only necessary if you're using the PJ710 with one of Sony's conversion lens (either wide angle or tele converter). If one of these conversion lens are attached, you can select the conversion lens option in the menu system to optimize the image stabilization and autofocus to work better with the conversion lens. We're not sure why Sony can't have these features engage automatically when a conversion lens is attached, but at least the option is here for you to turn on.

Guide Frame

Sony doesn't get crazy with guide frames, as the PJ710V only has one option: on or off. Turned on, and the camcorder will display a 9-sector grid to help you frame your image. There are no options for different colors, shapes, or larger/smaller grids.

Auto Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The automatic controls themselves don't have much to complain about. Focus and exposure are adjusted extremely quickly and quietly, in fact the adjustments may be a bit too fast for some people. Auto white balance sometimes took a few seconds to calibrate properly, but the PJ710 usually handled scenes just fine after a few moments. The 10x optical zoom focus is easy to set with the slider on the top of the camcorder, and we had no problem getting the variable zoom to go the speed of our liking (by applying more or less pressure to the toggle). There's also a 120x digital zoom if you want even more zoom on the camcorder, but using this will deteriorate your image quality.

Audio Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

You'd be hard-pressed to find a consumer camcorder with more audio features than the HDR-PJ710V. The camcorder comes with a built-in 5.1-channel surround sound microphone that sits just above the lens. This mic can also be switched to regular 2-channel stereo if that better suits your purpose. The mic is placed decently, but if you're not careful, or if you have huge fingers, you could find your pinky wandering over to the top of the mic when you grip the camcorder. Be careful and you'll be fine.

Additionally, the PJ710 has a 3.5mm mic port and a headphone jack for working with an external mic. The audio levels can't be adjusted fully—that's one of the few letdowns of this camcorder's audio features—but you can switch between normal and low audio recording. There is a full-fledged audio level display, auto wind noise reduction, and a zoom mic feature that will optimize audio recordings based on what the lens is zoomed into. The closer voice feature works in conjunction with the zoom mic and face detection to make people's voices sound clearer.

Features

Sony loaded the HDR-PJ710V up with tons of features. Many are very useful, like the traditional exposure controls and professional peaking and zebra pattern options, and some are silly and limited, like smile shutter and smooth slow record. Others, like the built-in projector, GPS, and Nightshot, fall somewhere in the middle. They have their uses, but ultimately they aren't necessary for the average videographer. In the end, Sony has all the really important bases covered. The HDR-PJ710V has a lot of record modes and quality options, and it has the necessary manual features for you to take full control over your video production.

Compression

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The AVCHD compression system used on the Sony HDR-PJ710 allows for progressive recording, so it's official name is AVCHD 2.0 or AVCHD Progressive. It's the same system used on previous Sony Handycams, but since the PJ710 has an option for 1080/60p and 1080/24p recording, Sony had to implement the updated system to keep the camcorder AVCHD compliant. This is the same compression system used on Panasonic camcorders that offer 1080/60p recording as well. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various high definition compression types.

Media

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

32GB of internal flash memory is included on the Sony HDR-PJ710V, which is enough to capture a couple hours of video at the highest quality setting. If you want to record more video, you can load a memory card (SD or Memory Stick PRO Duo) into the camcorder's memory card slot. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Resolution & Frame Rates

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Sony HDR-PJ710 can record Full HD video using 60i, 60p, or 24p frame rates (in various different modes). Only the highest-quality setting allows for 1080/60p recording, and some of the lower-quality modes record a 1440 x 1080 stretched image instead of Full 1920 x 1080 video. The camcorder has a single standard definition mode as well. This is a good set of recording options for a consumer camcorder, and Sony impressively covers all the important bases. The only significant modes that are missing are a 720p HD option and a 30p frame rate.

Slow Motion Modes

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The PJ710 has Sony's classic Smooth Slow Record function, which is a basic slow motion mode. Smooth Slow Record uses a 240fps frame rate that allows you to capture three seconds of footage and turn it into 12 seconds of slow motion video. Quality isn't great and the three-second limitation is a bummer, but the effect is cool. You also have the option of setting Smooth Slow Record to capture the three seconds of footage before or after you hit the record button.

Still Features

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Sony's spec sheet for the HDR-PJ710V has some misleading information about the camcorder's still image capabilities. According to Sony, the max effective resolution for photos on the PJ710V is 24.1 megapixels—but this number far exceeds the image sensor's gross pixel count of 6.65 megapixels. What this tells us is that the PJ710V is interpolating its still images. The camcorder will capture a roughly 6-megapixel image, then stretch it to a huge 6544 x 3680 image. And just because the image is that big, doesn't mean it has tons of detail. So, in reality, the 24.1-megapixel mode isn't nearly as good as it sounds.

All that garbage aside, the HDR-PJ710V does have quite a few still image features. There's a self timer function, a built-in flash (with intensity settings and red eye reduction), six different photo size options (three of which are "interpolated"), and the ability to capture still images during video recording. Sony's Smile Shutter feature, allowing the camcorder to automatically snap photos when it detects a human smiling within the frame, is also included.

Lens & Imaging System

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Sony PJ710V is equipped with a big sensor and a big lens. The sensor is a 1/2.88-inch Back-illuminated CMOS, while the lens has an f/1.8 aperture and 10x optical zoom capability. Additionally, the lens has a very wide angle of view, which means you can fill a lot of subjects in your shot (but this also means you have to use more zoom to get closeups). The complete lens and sensor specs are listed in the table below.

We should mention that the lens on the PJ710V has very similar, but slightly different, specs to last year's HDR-CX700V Handycam. The main point we'd like to emphasize is that the new camcorder is branded with a Zeiss lens, while the CX700V was stuck with a Sony G lens. Is this why the PJ710V showed an improvement in low light performance? Maybe. But the fact that the lenses have such similar specs makes us think there really isn't much difference from last year other than the Zeiss logo on the side.

LCD & Viewfinder

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

On the left side of the PJ710 is a rotatable LCD that measures 3-inches diagonally. The screen has an impressive 921k-pixel resolution and it can rotate up to 270°. These specs are no different than last year's HDC-CX700V from Sony, but the PJ710 has an extra notable feature—a built-in projector that lives on the back of the LCD panel.

Something odd we should point out. Two years ago, Sony's flagship Handycam, the HDR-CX550V, had an even larger LCD than today's PJ710. The screen was 3.5-inches diagonally, which Sony may have decided was, in fact, too big. Hence the reduction in screen size we've seen over the past two years. Frankly, we liked having the extra half inch of screen real estate. It certainly helped with menu navigation, especially when Sony's touchscreen interface is so integral to the user interface.

The HDR-PJ710V does not have a built-in viewfinder. But if you're really itching for an EVF, you can upgrade to the HDR-PJ760V camcorder instead. The PJ760V has the same lens, sensor, and specs as the PJ710V, but it includes a viewfinder and 96GB of internal memory (instead of 32GB). It's also one of the priciest consumer models on the block, with an MSRP approaching $1600.

Connectivity

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Sony HDR-PJ710 has a lot of connectivity options. Most prominent is the built-in USB arm that tucks into the handstrap on the right side of the camcorder. Some may dislike the way this cable can get in the way during recording, but if you tuck it into its holder, the cable shouldn't distract you. Either way, we think the benefit of having an attached USB cable outweighs the drawback of clutter.

Behind the hand strap is a sliding door that covers three ports: 3.5mm mic jack, headphone jack, and a Sony-proprietary AV port. The AV port works with the provided Composite cable, and it can also be used with Component, S-Video, and LANC products that are sold separately. Turning around to the back of the camcorder is a lonely DC-input, covered by a flip-down door near the base of the battery compartment.

On the left side of the PJ710, inside the LCD cavity, is another sliding door. This one covers the HDMI, USB, and memory card slot. The card slot works with both SD and Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, although we had a much easier time getting SD cards in and out of the slot than Memory Sticks. Finally, on the top of the camcorder is a powered (hot) accessory shoe that is designed to fit Sony accessories. The shoe is covered by a unique door that remains hinged to the camcorder when turned to its side. This is a far better cover than the removable slips of plastic we've seen topping accessory shoes from other manufacturers.

Battery

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The camcorder comes with an NP-FV50 rechargeable battery pack that fits in the slot on the back of the PJ710 and hangs out from the camcorder by a quarter-inch or so. The camcorder will work with larger battery packs, the NP-FV70 and the NP-FV100, available from Sony or generic models from third-party manufacturers. The battery charger is not a stand-alone unit, as the battery pack must be inserted in the camcorder and the camcorder must be plugged in for the battery to charge. Find out how the product:model/product:model performed in our battery life test.

Media

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

32GB of internal flash memory is included on the Sony HDR-PJ710V, which is enough to capture a couple hours of video at the highest quality setting. If you want to record more video, you can load a memory card (SD or Memory Stick PRO Duo) into the camcorder's memory card slot. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Still Features

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Sony's spec sheet for the HDR-PJ710V has some misleading information about the camcorder's still image capabilities. According to Sony, the max effective resolution for photos on the PJ710V is 24.1 megapixels—but this number far exceeds the image sensor's gross pixel count of 6.65 megapixels. What this tells us is that the PJ710V is interpolating its still images. The camcorder will capture a roughly 6-megapixel image, then stretch it to a huge 6544 x 3680 image. And just because the image is that big, doesn't mean it has tons of detail. So, in reality, the 24.1-megapixel mode isn't nearly as good as it sounds.

All that garbage aside, the HDR-PJ710V does have quite a few still image features. There's a self timer function, a built-in flash (with intensity settings and red eye reduction), six different photo size options (three of which are "interpolated"), and the ability to capture still images during video recording. Sony's Smile Shutter feature, allowing the camcorder to automatically snap photos when it detects a human smiling within the frame, is also included.

Other Features

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Built-in Projector

Yeah, Sony makes a bunch of camcorders with built-in projectors now and the HDR-PJ710V is one of them. In fact, Sony's whole line of Handycams with "PJ" in the model name are camcorders that include projectors. If you don't want a built-in projector on your camcorder, you should take a look at the HDR-CX760V instead—it's got the same specs as the PJ710V except no projector and more internal memory.

But we're here to talk about the PJ710's built-in projector. From what we can tell, the projector doesn't appear to be any different than the DLP LED projectors we saw on last year's HDR-PJ30V camcorder from Sony. We thought the projector idea was cool back then, but certainly not a necessity, and we feel the same way today. We're happy to see Sony expanded its line of "projector cams" because we think it's a fun feature that people will get a kick out of playing with. But that's about it. This is not an essential feature, nor is it a game-changer. It's just a built-in projector that projects a decent image onto a white wall. Audio isn't great coming from the camcorder, the projector's output is only 640 x 360, and the only control you have over the projector is focus.

Viewing your videos on an HDTV will make them look far better than the built-in projector, but setting up the projector at a party or gathering is definitely a cool trick to break out once in a while. You can read more about the projector's specs and our review of it in our HDR-PJ30V camcorder review here.

NightShot

Night Shot uses infrared technology (like night vision goggles) to allow you record an image in total darkness. You just have to be willing to accept the fact that all your videos shot in this mode will come out looking bright green. This is a prized feature for people who love to take their camcorder camping, spelunking, or on nighttime tours of haunted houses.

Video Light

You can turn a video light on to give you a brightness boost when shooting in low light situations. The light isn't that bright, but the camcorder does have two intensity settings (normal and bright).

Golf Shot

This feature is entirely designed to capture and analyze a golf swing. When you turn it on, the screen is cropped on the left and right and a small white box appears in the middle of the frame. You are meant to position the golfer within this box and a message tells you to press the start/stop record button “right after impact” (we assume this is referring to the golf club hitting the golf ball). The feature works best if the camcorder is on a tripod or laying flat.

After you do all this, the camcorder will take the short bit of footage and divide into a bunch of still images. This way you can see frame-by-frame analysis of your golf swing. Maybe this feature could be used for other analysis, but the limitations on image size and record time make this difficult.

GPS

The HDR-PJ710V has built-in GPS that allows you to keep track of your videos by the location in which they were shot—and you can even view/organize clips by location on a map. Like most cameras and camcorders with GPS, the feature didn't work that well, and we couldn't pick up a signal unless we were in the great outdoors (it didn't work in our office).

Fader

You can add a black or white fade while you shoot your video clips using this setting.

Panasonic HC-X900M Comparison

Last year, Sony included its built-in projector feature on only three camcorders, all of which were mid-range models (the HDR-PJ10, PJ30V, and PJ50V). This year, Sony put the projector on high-end products as well, which is why we're comparing the HDR-PJ710V to last year's flagship Handycam, the HDR-CX700V.

The CX700V was no slouch, but it had one glaring weakness: abysmal low light sensitivity. This year, Sony went ahead and improved the low light performance across the board for the HDR-PJ710V, and, in doing so, drastically improved the overall performance of its new flagship Handycams. The PJ710V showed a clearer image in low light than its predecessors, as well as featuring a much better low light sensitivity and better color accuracy in our low light test. In bright light, things weren't much different, with Sony maintaining its top-notch results from last year.

We don't know the exact reason for this low light improvement. It may be from minor updates to the sensor or image processor, or it may be from the tweaked lens that now features a Zeiss branding on its side. Whatever it is, Sony certainly made something click. Along with this improved low light capability, the Sony PJ710V also has a better optical SteadyShot system than its predecessors. One thing's for certain: the HDR-PJ710V is a better camcorder than last year's HDR-CX700V.

Features on the new HDR-PJ710V aren't much different than what we saw on the HDR-CX700V, but there are a few discrepancies. The PJ710V doesn't have a viewfinder, and it has just a third of the internal memory that you got on the CX700V (32GB vs. 96GB). You can get both of these features by spending a bit more cash and upgrading to the HDR-PJ760V, a camcorder that should perform identically to the PJ710V.

And if you have no use for the cool, but ultimately unnecessary, built-in projector on the HDR-PJ710V, then you have the option of going with the HDR-CX760V instead. The CX760V is the true successor to the HDR-CX700V—it has 96GB of built-in memory, it has a viewfinder, and it doesn't have a projector. It also costs $1299, which is the exact price the HDR-CX700V launched for in 2011.

Canon Vixia HF G10 Comparison

The HC-X900M is a great camcorder, and right now it's not too hard to find it for less than $1000, making it one of the best values on the market today. But the camcorder also represents a disturbing trend for Panasonic: it has little in the way of improvement over last year's HDC-TM900. We found the new X900M had the same performance scores as its predecessor and only a few updated features, which makes us wonder why Panasonic bothered upgrading the line in the first place.

Compared directly to the Sony HDR-PJ710V, the Panasonic has a few clear advantages. It's smaller and more comfortable to carry, it has more manual controls (with a real lens ring!), it has the option of shooting 3D, it has a larger LCD and a viewfinder, and it's cheaper. The Sony's advantages include a sleeker interface, better automatic controls and features, stronger battery life, more connectivity options, and the built-in projector. Both camcorders performed very well in our stabilization test (one of the few areas where Panasonic did update the X900M), and both camcorders produced excellent results in our image tests.

We want to give Sony the edge here solely because the company did more to improve over last year's Handycams, but we wouldn't call it the runaway winner. The Panasonic is the better value at the moment, but if the price starts to drop a bit more on the PJ710V it will be difficult to argue against the Sony. Not to mention the Sony holds a slight edge in our overall performance scores.

COMP 3

The Canon HF G10 is over a year and a half old at this point, and it may be finally starting to show its age. The HF G10 was such a strong camcorder in 2011 that its reign of supremacy spilled over into 2012 without much getting in its way. The camcorder still has the best low light performance we've seen, and its stellar set of manual controls are unmatched in the consumer market.

However, the HF G10 is missing a key feature that is starting to damage its reputation—1080/60p recording. This is a feature that nearly everyone else (JVC, Sony, and Panasonic) have begun implementing on consumer camcorders. Canon was once known to be the king of camcorder frame rate options, which makes the lack of a progressive 60fps mode on its flagship camcorder (and every camcorder in the Vixia line) all that more disappointing. Sure, the HF G10 still has 24p, 30p, and 60i recording, but in the past couple of years Sony has really stepped up the game to compete. The HDR-PJ710V has 24p, 60i, and 60p options, which should please videographers just as much (if not more) than Canon's options.

The Canon HF G10 is also still a pricey camcorder, despite the fact that it's a 2011 model. You can find it online for around $1200, which places it a bit higher than the Sony HDR-PJ710V. Let's be clear: like most flagship models, the HF G10 is a fantastic camcorder. It won our award for Camcorder of the Year in 2011 and if it came out this year it would certainly compete for that award again. But after a year and a half, the HF G10 is starting to feel a bit stale. It doesn't have a 60p mode, nor does it have a special new feature like WiFi, GPS, or a built-in projector. Canon is at the point where its flagship Vixia is ready for an upgrade.

Conclusion

We can say this with all honesty: the Sony HDR-PJ710V is the most improved camcorder we have reviewed this year. Unlike Canon, Panasonic, and JVC, Sony's new flagship Handycam is significantly better than its predecessors in terms of performance, and that's exactly what we look for in a top-of-the-line camcorder.

Even better is the fact that Sony improved in exact area that was problematic for last year's HDR-CX700V—low light video. The HDR-PJ710V churned out one of the best low light performances we've seen so far this year, essentially turning last year's biggest weakness into one of this year's greatest strengths. The new Sony PJ710V not only produces brighter images than last year's CX700V, but it also showed far less noise and better colors than its predecessor. Sony also improved its SteadyShot image stabilization system, which was another area last year's CX700V left us disappointed.

Sony didn't mess with the interface or controls on the PJ710 all that much, but they really didn't need to. The camcorder effortlessly combines automatic functions with a robust set of manual controls in order to appeal to beginners an pros alike, and that's something Sony is certainly developing a knack for. The camcorder still includes our favorite features from last year, including 24p and 60p record modes, the ability to record standard def video (in addition to HD), and a physical dial for setting manual controls.

There's also the built-in projector, which is probably the PJ710V's most unique feature. But compared to the improved low light and stabilization performance, the built-in projector isn't that noteworthy in our mind. Yeah, it's a fun feature to play around with, but it's not a necessity, and we wish Sony would offer a projector-less camcorder with the same specs, and a cheaper price, than the $1150 PJ710V.

We said last year that the Sony HDR-CX700V was a great camcorder that fell short due to its poor low light performance. With the HDR-PJ710V, Sony was able to turn things around in a big way, so that statement no longer applies. The PJ710V is just a great camcorder. Period.

{{photo_gallery "Front Photo", "Left Photo", "Left Open Photo", "Back Photo", "Right Photo", "Top Photo", "Bottom Photo", "Lens Photo", "Lens Photo 2", "3D Lens Photo", "Media Photo", "Easy Mode Photo", "Manual Controls Photo", "Zoom Photo", "Zoom Photo 2", "Ease of Use Photo", "Battery Photo", "LCD Photo 1", "LCD Photo 2", "EVF Photo 1", "EVF Photo 2", "Mic Photo", "Mic Photo 2", "Ports Photo 1", "Ports Photo 2", "Ports Photo 3", "Ports Photo 4", "Ports Photo 5", "Ports Photo 6", "Handling Photo 1", "Handling Photo 2", "Handling Photo 3", "Handling Photo 4", "Box Photo"}}

Meet the tester

Jeremy Stamas

Jeremy Stamas

Managing Editor, Video

@nematode9

Jeremy is the video expert of our imaging team and Reviewed.com's head of video production. Originally from Pennsylvania and upstate NY, he graduated from Bard college with a degree in film and electronic media. He has been living and working in New England since 2005.

See all of Jeremy Stamas's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next