Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 review

Features
Sony has packed enough features into the FX7 that you should feel as though you're getting value for money. It records 1080i hi-def video, as well as standard MiniDV, to tape. Each of the three, 1/4-inch ClearVid sensors has a 1.1-megapixel gross resolution, for effective video and still resolutions of 1 megapixel for 16:9 and 778,000 pixels in 4:3 mode.

The 20x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens -- one of the good Zeiss lenses -- covers the 35mm-equivalent angle of view as 37.4mm-748mm (16:9) and 45.7mm-914mm (4:3), with a nice maximum aperture of f/1.6-2.8, and the camcorder supports a shutter speed range of 1/4 second to 1/10,000 second. As you'd expect, it incorporates Sony's Super SteadyShot optical image stabilisation technology.

Though it has a cold (unpowered) accessory shoe, it does have a powered mic minijack -- a completely undocumented and ambiguously labelled mic jack and accessory shoe. In fact, the audio support on this model is seriously underwhelming -- it basically consists of the built-in mic, the aforementioned jack and a single input volume control that doesn't allow for adjusting the stereo channels individually. Call us cynical, but it seems intentionally limited to keep from cannibalising the market for the almost identical pro model, the HVR-V1U, which provides two XLR inputs (and some other stuff) for another £500 or so. There is a headphone minijack, however.

Other ports include a LANC terminal for controlling external devices, component and HDMI output, and a FireWire (i.Link) connector. You can snap still photos to a Memory Stick Duo Pro and download them to your PC via the USB 1.1 connection.

Performance
Overall, the HDR-FX7 performs quite well. It has a smooth, responsive zoom, a quick autofocus system and a usable manual-focus mechanism, combined with a bright 89mm (3.5-inch) LCD that's pretty good in direct sunlight and excellent eye-level viewfinder.

Similarly, the video quality in both bright sunlight and dim interiors is pretty impressive -- within the limitations of the hi-def video format. The HDR-FX7 generally delivered excellent exposures as well as accurate hues. It did tend, however, to have chromatic aberration when high-contrast edges appear on the sides of the frame.

Because of its weak audio options, as well as a lack of time-code controls and other editing-friendly essentials, we wouldn't recommend the Handycam HDR-FX7 for budding indie filmmakers, despite the attractive price for those users. The admittedly more expensive (£3,500 or so) Panasonic AG-HVX200 remains our top choice for prosumers who put the emphasis on 'pro'. But if you want lots of video adjustment options and have only basic audio needs, the HDR-FX7 will can make a great hi-def starter camcorder for early-stage wannabes.

Additional editing by Nick Hide