Typical price: £930
What is it: HD camcorder with 120GB hard drive
What we think: Its video and performance are top-notch, but most folk will be similarly happy with a cheaper camcorder
Compare the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500VE
Sony Handycam HDR-XR500VE compared to other hard drive camcorders
 Sony Handycam HDR-XR500VE |
 JVC Everio GZ-MC500 |
 Sony Handycam HDR-SR8 |
 Canon HG21 |
|
| Review date | 1 Jul 09 | 22 Jul 05 | 3 Jul 07 | 1 Dec 08 |
| Editor's rating |
7.9
|
9.3
|
9.2
|
8.6
|
| Price range | £930 | |||
| Review summary | Despite the fact that its geotagging capabilities are mostly a novelty and its interface could use a complete revamp, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500VE's top-notch video quality, performance and consumer-friendly feature set make it a worthy camcorder option. It's also a better deal than its sibling, the Handycam HDR-XR520VE, which sports a 240GB hard drive -- the XR500VE's 120GB of storage will be plenty for most people Read full review |
Not only does it look like a professional camcorder, but the MC500's performance matches its appearance. Instead of the more common single CCD, the MC500 uses three separate CCDs to capture a far better clarity of colour. The biggest benefit of the MC500, however, is the size of the thing -- it's tiny Read full review |
The Sony HDR-SR8 and HDR-SR7, which has a smaller 60GB hard drive, are the Rolls Royce of movie cameras -- feeling like a million dollars, shooting like they're heading for Hollywood and handling like a dream. Tech-heads will need to look elsewhere, but everyone else will luxuriate in the effortlessly impressive high-definition movies – and probably struggle to fill that large hard drive Read full review |
The Canon HG21 is an excellent camcorder that does so many things right and hardly anything wrong. Our only concern is that it might be a victim of it's own success. Its flexibility means more more potential outlay on accessories, its huge hard drive means you're not likely to ever fill it, its assorted high-end features mean its pretty pricey. But we still love it Read full review |
| User rating | ||||
| Full specification | Full specification | Full specification | Full specification |
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