Sony Handycam HDR-XR520 Expert Reviews

alaTest has collected and analyzed 122 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the usability. The appearance also impresses, but many are less positive about the color.

Usability, Appearance

Color, Interface

Experts rate this product 82/100 and users 82/100. We analyzed these ratings, the product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 97/100 = Excellent quality.

Sony's Handycam HDR-XR520V is a monster when it comes to storage capacity, with a 240GB hard drive.

Massive storage capacity, good manual control placement, optical viewfinder

Tricky user interface, heavy, short battery life, unremarkable HD video performance

In the hand, the HDR-XR520V looks and feels pretty portly, too, although its bulk makes it easy to hold. Strangely, its zoom toggle button is narrower and trickier to access comfortably than the HDR-CX520V, and you'll find your fingers and thumbs ...

The Sony HDR-XR520V (MSRP $1499.99) is a camcorder that will delight some and disappoint others. Sure, most camcorders can't please every kind of user, but the XR520 is particularly divisive: its viewfinder and control dial are alluring to videophiles ...

Let's start with the features that might be an irresistable siren song for beginners. The built-in GPS lets you add a geo-tag to your video clip so you can keep track of exactly where you were at the time of filming. Most of the XR520's controls are ...

Looking for the ultimate HD camcorder? With full HD 1920x1080 resolution, an improved CMOS sensor and loads of other features, Sony's new HDR-XR520V just may be the solution you've been waiting for

Improved low light Massive storage Smooth slow motion Image stabilization

Battery life Limited footage for smooth slow motion

With loads of features, ease of use and quality to back it all up, the Sony HDR-XR520V is a powerful consumer-grade camcorder.

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 ...

Sony HDR-XR520V Handycam First Impressions Camcorder Review

Sony HDR-XR520V Handycam First Impressions Camcorder Review

Despite a relatively awkward user interface and a high price tag, the Handycam HDR-XR520VE is a great hi-def camcorder. It records first-rate video to an ample 240GB hard drive, offers great performance and sports a consumer-friendly feature set, ...

First-rate video quality and performance ; geotagging videos is fun

Annoying menu system ; no wind filter ; no manual shutter-speed, iris or audio controls ; relatively big and heavy ; expensive

Although its geotagging capabilities are mostly a novelty, its interface could use a complete overhaul and it's overpriced, the top-notch video quality, performance and consumer-friendly feature set of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520VE make it a worthy ...

If you're backing a new Full HD camcorder with the best part of a grand, you want to know that you've plumped for a winner. On paper, the Sony HDR-XR520 should be number one: a massive 240GB HDDm 12x zoom, Full HD and even GPS for geotagging. But is ...

Stunning HD pics, huge hard drive and raft of great features

Geotagging not yet fully up to speed

A Full HD camcorder with easy-to-use functionality and features to make you coo