Sony Handycam HDR-CX505VE

The HDR-CX505VE shoots great video, has Sony’s usual sturdy build, and is fairly compact for a camcorder offering this level of image quality. For point-and-shoot users looking to achieve good results without much fuss, it’s a tempting proposition....

It’s well worth mentioning that the Sony HDR-CX505VE comes with a large three inch LCD touchscreen which allows you to see and edit your photos with ease right there on your camcorder. With 9.4 hours charge life on the battery this is 1 more less...

the picture quality is great

no veiw finder hard to see in full sun

Ease of use, and its excellent stable picture, with very true to life colors.

Great low light performance Accurate focus lock in mediocre light conditions Rock steady image stabilization.

Lens no wider than 35mm Have to use Pro Duo cards if you run out of internal space. Later models now support SD at last. Fairly expensive.

Photo's and movies, it takes very clear high definition pictures, even in poor lighting conditions. It uses very few mechanics so I am hoping for many years of use. It is versatile, for direct viewing, for playing through (TVHD or 625 line), and...

12X optical zoom is a little restrictive. I have had to purchase wide angle and zoom lenses to cover all shooting occasions and these extras are very expensive. My main complaint is that it doesn't have an eyepiece type viewfinder which I prefer to use...

Good image quality

USB interface overly complicated Not all USB cables will work with the Camcorder

Light, clear screen, excellent image quality

No headphone socket makes recording voices a little haphazard. SD movies hide HD movies when trying to transfer from camera to Computer No Apple OS/10 support on the software supplied with the camera No printed documentation means you must have a...

No HDD! They are heavy (relatively) and are soon to be totally obsolete! Cards are big and cheap and should also provide better reliability and backup. Very quick transfer to PC (and presumably other platforms). Full of customisable options. Sony is...

Nothing is perfect (or shouldand the battery life seems very low but that is comparing it to my previous camcorder (Sony Hi8!). I am sure this is due to the touch screen - which I do not like!!! However, all camcorders are now the same and there is no...

Great low light performance ; Accurate focus lock in mediocre light conditions ; Rock steady image stabilization

Lens no wider than 35mm ; Have to use Pro Duo cards if you run out of internal space. Later models now support SD at last ; Fairly expensive