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8.6 out of 10

Sony HDR-XR520

 

Information found in: from 50 sources in 20 countries

Great Deal: $1,779.99

  • User Score (149)
    9.0 9.0 from 149 reviewers
  • Expert Score (8)
    7.8 7.8 from 8 reviewers
  • Features (3)
    8.8 8.8 from 3 reviewers
  • Ease of use (2)
    10 10 from 2 reviewers
  • Sound quality (2)
    9.2 9.2 from 2 reviewers
  • Picture quality (4)
    8.4 8.4 from 4 reviewers
  • Battery performance (3)
    6.8 6.8 from 3 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(2)
7-8
(4)
5-6
(2)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(31)
7-8
(12)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(1)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. Camcorder Info

    Camcorder Info
    26 October 2009

    The Sony HDR -XR520V ( MSRP $1499.99) packs a lot of punch—and a lot of hard drive capacity—into a relatively small consumer camcorder. The retractable viewfinder and the return of last year’s excellent manual control dial are just a couple of the features that will intrigue proficient camcorder users. Also intriguing? The incredibly low noise levels, clear and smooth motion, built-in GPS , and 240GB internal hard drive. Read more

  2. Electronics Made Easy

    Electronics Made Easy
    6.0/10
    6 November 2010

    Handheld cameras are coming down in price, making the newer versions more affordable for anyone looking to enter the market. Despite is bulky appearance, the 240GB HDR-XR520V is a fully capable High Def handycam that can accomplish your image capture and video recording tasks easily. There may be better value for money in other models, but for a top of the range handycam, this unit might be the answer. Read more

  3. fwd.channel5.com

    8.0/10
    24 August 2009

    Not only the best shooting Full HD camcorder available for under a grand but the first of a new breed of smart, flexible, connected shooters that makes home movie making cool again. Read more

    • The world’s first street-smart camcorder automatically geo-tags your videos and photos, plotting them as tiny thumbnails on its built-in global maps. Every element of ...
    • There’s no bad on board this Sony, but it does occasionally stray from perfection. There’s no standard way to geo-tag videos yet, so you’ll need to manual locate movie...

  4. Macworld

    Macworld
    7 November 2011

    The HDR-XR520V is almost identical to the slimmer, lighter, more affordable HDR-CX520V ( ) in terms of specifications. It has the same Exmor R image sensor with an effective video resolution of 6.6 megapixels, but with a relatively low maximum HD image quality of 1920-by-1,080 with a data rate of 16Mbps. Like the HDR-CX520V, that effectively ensures it doesn’t scale the heights of its rivals. Read more

  5. TechRadar UK

    TechRadar UK
    10/10
    18 October 2009

    Save for its PC-only software and the fact Mac users will have to download additional codecs to edit footage, the XR520 is a camcorder that gets ringing endorsements all the way. If you're interested in substance over style and have ambitious filming plans, this cam is a must-see. Read more

    • Superb HD video, Great low-light shots, Fun GPS features
    • Hefty price tag, PC-only software, Not compact or light

  • User Reviews

  1. Good product

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: C. Camci, Amazon
    16 February 2010

    I think this product is suitable for either professional or amateur users. The price is also best for internet shopping. Thank you AMAZON. Appreciated. Read more

  2. Pretty sweet camcorder, but a heads-up

    ABT Electronics
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Jordan_2010, ABT Electronics
    31 December 2009

    Great versatile piece of technology. I used it for both still and video shots. Stabalization works good, a lot better than most camcorders. Geotagging feature is nice but it would be great if it could transfer to a DVD. Also, heads-up if you think you can transfer 1080p on a DVD, it's not that easy! AVCHD has it's own disadvantages and not ALL s/w editing apps support it. Be sure and do you research. Read more

    • Great Features, Great Picture Quality, Great Sound
    • Complicated To Operate, Poor Battery Life

  3. An ideal camcorder for everyday family use

    10/10
    Reviewer: maidensblush, epinions.com
    3 weeks ago

    First for my background, I am an amateur photographer and enjoy doing portraits, landscape and occas Read more

    • Excellent build, amazing quality footage and more than enough recording time.
    • Battery Life. Not an ideal film hobbyist camcorder (no 24p or 30p).

  4. "Still and HD Video all in one..!"

    CNET
    10/10
    Reviewer: ROGER459R, CNET
    29 September 2009

    Bought this one on line with free shipping and was completely satisfied with the Technical Aspects of this Sony Cam Corder. Its ease of use... makes it a dream. Thanks, Roger / Florida /USA. Home Page: http://truth459.blogspot.com/ Ende...! Read more

    • I purchased the Sony HDR-XR520 so I now only carry 'one' Camera. 12Mpx stills that I can capture on my 16Gig removable Memory stick pro duo. Up to 44 hrs of HD Video o...
    • Only the Sony Battery will work. I purchased an 'after market' one on line. It had all the same Physical and Voltage indentical requirements... BUT... SONY put a "Prop...

  5. Great Video Camera

    OneCall
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Tres, OneCall
    11 January 2010

    HD Video Is Great. The HD Storage is also very good, although taking still images takes some getting use to. The flash has a tendency to make the images to bright and leaves a person or animal not with red eye but with bright white or silver eyes. The still camera works great outdoors in the daylight where the flash is not needed. Read more

    • Comfortable to Operate, Great Features, Great Picture Quality, Great Sound, Simple Controls, Versatile

  • WikiFreak Description

Sony HDR-XR520V

The Sony HDR-XR520V is a camcorder with 1920 x 1080 HD video recording, 12.1 MP still image capture, 240GB hard disk drive, 1/3.15" ClearVid™, 1/2.88" Exmor R™ CMOS sensor with Exmor-R technology, Exmor-R sensor and built-in GPS receiver. The unit has 150 x digital zoom with 12x optical zoom G Lens™ 5.5-60.0 mm focal distance with F1.8-3.4 aperture. The camera has a power consumption of 4.4W and requires a power supply of 7.2V (battery pack)/8.4V AC adaptor. The camcorder recordes 19…

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Sony HDR-XR520V

The Sony HDR-XR520V is a camcorder with 1920 x 1080 HD video recording, 12.1 MP still image capture, 240GB hard disk drive, 1/3.15" ClearVid™, 1/2.88" Exmor R™ CMOS sensor with Exmor-R technology, Exmor-R sensor and built-in GPS receiver. The unit has 150 x digital zoom with 12x optical zoom G Lens™ 5.5-60.0 mm focal distance with F1.8-3.4 aperture. The camera has a power consumption of 4.4W and requires a power supply of 7.2V (battery pack)/8.4V AC adaptor. The camcorder recordes 1920 x 1080 video resolution on its 240GB Non-Removeable Hard Disk Drive or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (Sold Separately). The camcorder measures 71 x 75 x 137 mm and 590 g.

Features

The Sony HDR-XR520V the BRAVIA® Sync™ system that provides compatibility to Sony products via an HDMI™ (CEC) connection, allowing users to transmit HD video and up to 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single HDMI cable, sold separately. With BRAVIA Sync (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also provides ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA® TV remote5 and displays the camcorder’s playback menu on screen for navigation. The camcorder features Dynamic Range Optimizer that adjusts the exposure and contrast of an image to counter the effects of high-contrast shooting condition, suppressing “blackout” in dark areas such as shadows and “whiteout” in bright areas such as skies. Other features on this camcorder are Slide Show Mode, Optical SteadyShot® Image Stabilization with Active mode, White Balance (Auto / outdoor / indoor / Onepush (Touch Panel)), x.v.Color™, Multiple Language Display, Easy Operation, Face Index, Fader Effect(s), Film Roll Index, Low Light Capability, Photo Capture from Movie and Scene Modes (Auto, Twilight, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, Snow).

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  • Manufacturer's Description

Preserve the moment in stunning HD clarity. Featuring a massive 240GB internal hard disk drive, the HDR-XR550V also records 1920 x 1080 high-definition video and 12-megapixel still images. Experience superior low-light shooting performance via the "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, while 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.Experience stun…

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Questions asked: 3 Answers: 1

Previous questions about this product

  • HDR-XR550

    I have a Sony HDR-XR550, and I recorded a video of my family party, now I want to edit in windows movie maker, but I don't konw how. I have just bought a video converter here, http://www.leawo.com/leawo-video-converter/ but I don't know how to use it

    (No answers yet. Write an answer!) 2010-12-15

  • can sony hdr-xr520 record from hdd player?

    Hi, perhaps a silly question but I am struggling to convert NTSC old videotapes to PAL dvds and thought the camcorder could possibly do it? Any ideas if it can and from which menu? Thanks a lot, Stanya

    (No answers yet. Write an answer!) 2010-07-15

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