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| 7th | of 26 | in HD Mainstream |
| 10th | of 16 | in Sony |
| 2nd | of 3 | in Hard Disk |
| 22nd | of 57 | in High Definition |
| 1st | of 6 | in $500 - $750 |
Sony has a solid reputation for their camcorders and the Handycam HDR-PJ380 is no exception. Sure, there's a long list of features like 16 GB flash memory, a 3” touchscreen, 55x zoom and the built in projector, but simply put, this camcorder is just fun to use.
Video quality is where the PJ380 truly shines, but there's also a few perks in the design, usability and extra features too. There's a few minor qualms, like a rather finicky touchscreen, but overall Sony's 2013 midrange projector model is a great choice among other mainstream HD options.
Sony has managed to squeeze a full frame sensor, a projector and 16 GB of flash memory into a camcorder that's lightweight and comfortable to grip. Holding the camcorder in my right hand, I can easily access the zoom and dedicated photo button with my index or middle finger and the start/stop button with my thumb.
The remaining controls, which are used less often, need a second hand. On the left side, there's the basic buttons for power, playback and turning on and focusing the projector. There are also plugs for a projector input and mic. A USB cord is hidden in the camera strap on the right side, plus there are ports for a charger and longer USB cord.
Entry-level high-def camcorders don’t get much better than Sony’s HDR-CX130. While it's light on bells and whistles, the lens and sensor alone are worth the price tag. This camcorder delivers some stunning, stable shots throughout a wide zoom range and in all kinds of lighting.
Video Quality
The footage the CX130 delivered was thoroughly impressive. We've reviewed several camcorders at this price point and none have shot videos that look this good. The backlit Exmor R sensor is designed to optimize light-gathering space in a compact camera body and it shows.
In bright light, details were clear, colors were vivid and contrast was sharp. Highlights in the afternoon sun became somewhat hazy, but the CX130 still whitewashed colors less often than other HD camcorders. In dim and low light, the CX130 captured vibrant color and sharp detail with very little grain, although it had a noticeably harder time auto-focusing when zoomed.
Chances are, you already have some sort of device for recording movies. The phone in your pocket may even take HD video, and your digital camera probably does a halfway decent job at footage too. With all the devices that now capture video, is the camcorder market dying? Does someone with a smartphone in their pocket and a good digital camera in their bag even need a camcorder?
There's no question that the camcorder market is changing, but as more smartphones and cameras offer higher quality HD video, manufacturers are vamping up the perks of owning a dedicated camcorder. If you only shoot short clips for sharing on the internet, a digital camera or smartphone may be all you need. But if you want to shoot the entire football game, zoom in on a single player and then share on your TV at home, you need a dedicated camcorder. Still not sure? Here are five reasons to pick up that dedicated video cam:
Longer record times. Most digital cameras won't record more than a half hour of video at a time. The tech specs detail the maximum record time for each model. Cameras aren't designed for long videos, the memory card space and battery life don't handle them well. Cell phone video limits are generally even shorter. HD video on a digital camera is great for taking short clips to share online, but don't expect them to capture an entire concert, game or event with continuous footage.
Better video and sound quality.Just because a camera or cell phone has 1080p HD video doesn't mean the quality will be the same as a camcorder with 1080p. Another important factor to consider is the frames per second (fps). A good camcorder will record at at least 60 fps, while most cameras shoot at 30 fps or less. Motion like panning is blurred with slower fps speeds. Camcorders also generally have better built-in mics or ports for adding sound equipment, meaning the audio quality from a dedicated camcorder also beats cameras and cell phones.
As smartphones and cameras continue to offer improved video quality, manufacturers have stepped up their camcorder models to give consumers a reason to purchase that dedicated video cam. A quarter of the way through 2013, the newest camcorders on the market are offering beefed up features and better sensors in smaller packages.
More and more manufacturers are jumping on the wi-fi bandwagon, allowing users to instantly upload or backup their footage. The companies offering wi-fi are also offering improved apps enabling the cam to be remotely controlled, allowing the user to start recording or even pan away from the reach of the usual controls. While wi-fi isn't new to the imaging industry, it is improving with tweeks to operation like one touch uploads and auto backup and better remote applications in 2013.
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| Many camcorders, like this one from JVC, now have built in wi-fi.. |
Cams like the Canon Vixa HF R42 and JVC GZ-VX815 have the wi-fi built right in, others are offered as ad ons. Sony offers an add on this year that's compatible with all their new handycam models.
Wi-fi isn't the only feature receiving a makeover in 2013, many models have increased zoom ranges. Manufacturers are also boasting improved image stabilization technologies. Hard drive memory is a trend of the past as most models now offer some sort of flash memory or removable SD or Micro SD card or both.
