Sony Handycam HDR-SR5E review

Performance
By most performance measures, the SR5E fares okay. From a cold start, it takes about 8.5 seconds for the hard disk to spin up and be ready to shoot, and recording generally starts instantaneously when you press the button.

The SteadyShot image stabilisation works well throughout the zoom range and doesn't seem to mess with panning, and the autoexposure adjusts accurately and quickly to changes in scene illumination. However, the autofocus seems quite sluggish compared to that of other Sony models we've used -- as well as to competitors' -- frequently taking several seconds to lock on to a new subject, even in good light.

Image quality
And speaking of light, the automatic white balance renders overly cool colours under a variety of light sources. That, combined with a propensity for seriously blown-out highlights, results in some very washed-out looking video.

Nor is the video sufficiently sharp, thanks to the relatively low-resolution sensor. To produce decent HD video you need a sensor with an effective video resolution of at least 1.6 megapixels (1,440x1,080 pixels), making the sensor the last place you want to cut back for an HD camcorder. Yet it's the first place most manufacturers chop for consumer models.

There's a visible difference between the video from the SR5E and the slightly more expensive Canon HG10, with its native 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution -- as well as the significantly more expensive SR7E. We also wish Sony would punt the 5.1-surround microphone instead, and replace it with a really good directional mic.

Conclusion
The Sony Handycam HDR-SR5E isn't a bad camcorder, but if you're going to spend the money for an HD model -- as well as endure the hassle of dealing with AVCHD video, you might as well go for one with superior video.

Additional editing by Shannon Doubleday