Product Description

The SonyHDR-XR100 is the entry model in the XR line of high definition, hard disk drive-based Handycamcamcorders. With a 1/5" Exmor CMOS sensor, BIONZ image processor, 80GB hard drive, Face Detection and Smile Shutter technology, it offers 1920x1080 Full HD recording, convenient hard disk drive storage, and a compelling set of features at a great value. The HDR-XR100 is an ideal choice for those who want to step up to Full HD recording and hard disk drive convenience at an affordable price.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1419 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Sony
• Model: HDRXR100
• Dimensions: 4.70" h x 7.60" w x 6.00" l, 2.80 pounds
• Display size: 2.7
• Included Software: Yes

Features

• 1920 x 1080 high definition video recording
• 4 megapixel still image capture
• 80GB hard disk drive
• Face Detection technology for video and still images
• Professional Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens

Manufacturer's Description

Record stunning 1920x1080 high definition video and crystal clear still photos to a built-in 80 GB hard disk drive (HDD) with the HDR-XR100 Handycam camcorder. In addition to Face Detection technology, this camcorder features Smile Shutter technology, which can automatically detect smiles and shoot still images, even while recording video. The 2.7-inch wide touch panel display provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution and rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles. This camcorder also includes Sony PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software to easily transfer, sort and view your video and still images on your compatible PC.

HDR-XR100 Handycam Highlights

1920 x 1080 high definition video recording
1920 x1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony Full High Definition quality.

4-megapixel still image capture
4-megapixel still image capture lets you take high-resolution digital photos.

80 GB hard disk drive
A built-in 80 GB hard disk drive can record and store up to almost 32 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to almost 56 hours of standard definition footage (SD LP mode). In addition, HDD Smart Protection gives you peace of mind by helping to prevent any recorded video and images from being lost if the camcorder is accidentally dropped.

Face Detection technology for Video Footage and Digital Still Photos
Made possible by the BIONZ image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and by selecting the most prominent, automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection technology also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image. On AVCHD models, the camcorder allocates encoding bits on detected face areas prior to encoding other parts of the picture, making them sharper and clearer. In still picture mode, Face Detection technology sets the flash level to optimize picture clarity.

Smile Shutter technology for still and dual capture
Smile Shutter technology lets the camcorder automatically take still photos when your subject smiles, even while shooting high definition video. You can also set the sensitivity and choose child, adult, or auto priority.

SteadyShot image stabilization
SteadyShot image stabilization reduces blur caused by camera shake and vibration, so your images stay crisp and clear.

2.7-inch wide touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display
2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution (211K pixels). The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering.

Power On by opening LCD display
Power on your camcorder by simply opening the LCD display.

Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses use highly advanced optics to deliver vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

10x optical/120x digital zoom
10x optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that digital zooming (up to 120x) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

1/5-inch Exmor CMOS sensor with ClearVid array
A 1/5-inch xmor CMOS sensor with ClearVid array delivers bright, vivid, and exceptionally detailed 2.3 megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 4-megapixel still images - all with prolonged battery life. Exmor technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity, and the advanced Sony BIONZ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.

Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording with Built-in Zoom Mic
Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording captures active sounds coming from all directions, so you can experience your home movies the way you experienced them while recording. The Built-In Zoom Mic focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera's zoom lens.

Dual Record with 2.3-megapixel still image capture
Dual record capability lets you capture 2.3-megapixel still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes.

Includes Sony PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software
Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD, AVCHD, and Blu-ray Disc media (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites (compatible PC and internet connection required).

Smooth Slow Record
The Smooth Slow Record mode increases the record rate from 60 frames per second (fps) to 240 fps, allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is a great tool for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, you record an audio track to narrate the video footage.

x.v. Color technology for superior color
x.v. Color technology enables the HDR-XR100 to capture nearly twice (1.8x) as many viewable colors as the standard RGB color range, resulting in more natural, life-like images. You can even experience this expanded color range on the big screen when you connect your camcorder to x.v. Color capable displays, including a wide range of Sony BRAVIA HDTVs.

HDMI connection output
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a compact audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. HDMI connects digital audio/video sources such as a compatible camcorder, Blu-ray Disc player, a personal computer, a video game console, or an AV receiver to a compatible digital audio device and/or video monitor such as a digital television (DTV).

USB 2.0 interface
A USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a compatible PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.

What's in the Box
HDR-XR100 AVCHD High-Def Camcorder, AC adaptor, rechargeable battery pack, component A/V cable, A/V connecting cable, application software, USB cable and owners manual.

Customer Reviews

Excellent detailed image quality with easy user interface in smaller and lighter package than the previous "SR" series!
I have been using a previous generation Sony HDR-SR7 high def 60GB hard drive camcorder and been overall happy with that model.

I then waited patiently for Sony's new "XR" series of camcorders and am very pleased with the Sony HDR-XR100. This newer camcorder is the lowest end model of the four new XR series models, which include the HDR-XR100, XR200, XR500, and XR520.

SONY HDR-XR100 PROS:

1. Feels significantly smaller than the previous generation Sony SR models. The dimensions are 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 5 1/8 inch (69 x 68 x 129mm). The numbers may seem only slightly smaller than the previous generation SR models, but in the hand it feels noticably smaller.
2. This camera without battery weighs 11oz (330g) or with battery 14.5oz (410g). The numbers again may seem like only a small difference with the older SR series, but in the hand it feels significantly lighter.
3. Extraordinary convenience of having an 80GB hard drive versus using tape. Just as with the SR series, the use of a hard drive continues to be amazing. I cannot imagine ever going back to using tape. One simply uses the camcorder and everything is instantly saved on its hard drive. Whenever one is ready to export their video files, you just connect it with a USB cable and the computer will automatically download your video files. 80GB allows for 9 hours and 40 minutes of recording at the highest "FH" mode. At the lowest quality mode LP, 80GB will allow for 33 hours and 30 minutes of recording time.
4. Wonderfully easy to use LCD touch screen with intuitive menu options. Even without reading the manual, one can quickly understand how to use their camcorder.
5. Nice indexing of your recorded videos that allow for easy selection of playback through the camcorder LCD. Faces can also be indexed so that you may select your videos by a person's face in an index.
6. Very detailed image quality of the video
7. Allows for capturing still photos at 4.0 megapixels. There also appears to be a "smile shutter" feature that allows the camera to detect when your subject smiles, and then capture a photo. I have not tried that feature yet.
8. Supports same rechargeable lithium batteries used in previous generation Sony SR series, e.g. model no. NP-FH60 or NP-FH70.
9. Can also record on Memory Stick PRO Duo instead of hard drive


WHAT IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE XR100 (BUT AVAILABLE ON XR200):

1. GPS
2. Flash for photography
3. Larger 120GB hard drive
4. Active interface shoe to power accessories that can mount on top of camera
5. 15x optical zoom (the XR100 has less at 10x optical zoom)


SONY HDR-XR100 CONS:

1. This camcorder, just like all others that use a CMOS sensor, suffer from the "rolling shutter" phenomenon. The video has a slight jittery quality to it when the camcorder is not on a tripod. The more drastically you move the camcorder during recording, the greater the effect. I do not think it's any worse than on any of the contemporary camcorders using CMOS sensors from Sony or Canon.
2. There is no optical viewfinder on the XR-100. I do have one on my older SR7.
3. There is no docking station, which I did have on my older SR7. A docking station made it even more convenient to upload videos than having to fiddle with a USB cable.
4. Noisy low-light video quality is still present. I cannot detect any improvement over my older SR7 for low-light video as it remains quite noisy. Please note that the higher end Sony HDR-XR500 and XR520 have some type of special "backlit CMOS" sensor that Sony reports has improved low-light with low noise capability.
5. As is usual for Sony, you will have to use Sony's proprietary Memory Stick PRO Duo format if you want to record onto flash memory instead of the hard drive.
6. My previous generation Sony HDR-SR7 had the lens cover open automatically, but in my XR100, I have to manually flip a small lever near the lens to open it.

CONCLUSION:

Overall I'm very happy with the Sony HDR-XR100 because it is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous generation HDR-SR7 I own, with all of the great convenience that comes from using a built-in hard drive coupled with a wonderfully easy touchscreen LCD. I did not think there were enough differences for me to purchase the more expensive XR200, but you may want to consider the even more expensive XR500 for its possibly improved low-light video capability with the "backlit CMOS" sensor technology that only the Sony HDR-XR500 and XR520 have.

Very noisy image in low light conditions and jittery image
When I purchased an HD camcorder I expected an HD quality picture. Not the case with this camcorder - in normal evening indoor lighting the video is extremely noisy, it was so bad that I burned a disc and took it to the Sony Style store to compare -- I must have received a defective unit? Nope, it seems to be a common problem with this model....the rep in the Sony Style store even admitted that the video quality was really bad. The white balance was also a bit off. The other problem is that the picture is jittery even with the "Steady Shot" turned on and trying to hold the camera as steady as possible. It performed OK in brighter lighting but you shouldn't have to use an old fashioned video floodlight to get a decent indoor image!!!

Back it went for a refund. .If you're interested in purchasing this model check it out in a store first and take it into the lower light home theater room and shoot a sample video before you buy!

HDR-XR100 is Good, But Has Serious Drawbacks
The high definition video quality in daylight is excellent. That being said, this camcorder has some serious drawbacks:
1. The PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software does not work on Windows Vista 64-Bit
2. The image stabilization is terrible (it will literally give you motion sickness watching video if you walk with this camera).
3. The low-light video quality is very poor.
4. There is no view finder.