Would you recommend the HDR-XR520VE ?

[Dr. Harout]

Hi Olaf,

Just dropped by to tell you that your recommendations led me to purchase the HDR XR-550E today, since they didn't have the XR-550VE in stock.
I think that this model will do nicely until something very different from the Sony will excite my purchasing motives in the shape of a new DSLR.

Thanks for the good advice!

Kindly,

Yildiz

Congratulations and have fun.

[aster]

Thank you Dr. Harout,

Only had time to charge the battery. The NP-FV50 type battery that comes with the camera lasts only for 130-145 minutes for HD video, so not much fun yet. I have to acquire an NP-FV70 or NP-100 battery for a longer and less restrictive period of time.

And guess what, those batteries are not in stock yet! Looking at stores now....

Yildiz

[01af]

Just dropped by to tell you that your recommendations led me to purchase the HDR XR-550E today ...

Congratulations, Yildiz, and have fun with your new toy! Have you chosen a video-processing software yet?

As I said, I bought Adobe Premiere Elements 8.0. Just a few days ago, Adobe published an update to version 8.0.1, downloadable free of charge from their website. Slowly, I am coming to grips with it. The book "Premiere Elements 8" by Chris Grover, published in O'Reilly's The Missing Manual series, is a great help.

The NP-FV50 type battery that comes with the camera lasts only for 130-145 minutes for HD video, so not much fun yet. I have to acquire an NP-FV70 or NP-100 battery for a longer and less restrictive period of time.

Yeah ... first thing I did after buying mine was to pick up two Sony NP-FH100 batteries; a local store had a few of those at a greatly reduced price. They stick out considerably from the camera's back but they let the camera run for almost 400 minutes---each! Umm... but wait ... is yours really an NP-FV battery? Is is compatible to the NP-FH series?

-- Olaf

[aster]

Hi Olaf,

Thank you for the considerable effort you put into my camera selection and all that comes attached to it! You eased the path and feature-list I should be looking for.

I haven't selected a processing software yet but I am considering Adobe Premiere Elements 8.0 also since Adobe emailed me that I can try out their latest software. After the trial period I am sure I'll have more profound views on what I need out of such a software while trying to achieve the results of my art-production (!).

The HDR XR-550E is a new model and unlike HDR XR-520VE model, is not compatible with the previous battery model which is the 'H Type', NP-FH100. I tried one NP-FH100 and found that while the battery is the exact same size, it has different tracks and will not slide into the battery section.

The HDR XR-550E/HDR XR-550VE work only with 'V Type' batteries .

A few hours ago I found an online dealer who has the NP-FV100 and placed my order for one sample. Probably will be delivered either tomorrow or the day after that. Looking forward to trying it out!

Thanks once again,

Yildiz

Just dropped by to tell you that your recommendations led me to purchase the HDR XR-550E today ...

Congratulations, Yildiz, and have fun with your new toy! Have you chosen a video-processing software yet?

As I said, I bought Adobe Premiere Elements 8.0. Just a few days ago, Adobe published an update to version 8.0.1, downloadable free of charge from their website. Slowly, I am coming to grips with it. The book "Premiere Elements 8" by Chris Grover, published in O'Reilly's The Missing Manual series, is a great help.

The NP-FV50 type battery that comes with the camera lasts only for 130-145 minutes for HD video, so not much fun yet. I have to acquire an NP-FV70 or NP-100 battery for a longer and less restrictive period of time.

Yeah ... first thing I did after buying mine was to pick up two Sony NP-FH100 batteries; a local store had a few of those at a greatly reduced price. They stick out considerably from the camera's back but they let the camera run for almost 400 minutes---each! Umm... but wait ... is yours really an NP-FV battery? Is is compatible to the NP-FH series?

-- Olaf

[aster]

An update for those who may decide to buy one of the new model HD camcorders, especially the HDR-XR550E or HDR-XR550VE.

These cameras can only function with 'V Type' batteries and there's no way they will run on the 'H Type' batteries. I made that mistake and had to return my NP-FH100 to the vendor the next day. The battery tracks and slot dimensions are completely different.

The NP-FV100 is required if you wish to record for at least several hours. The camera is supposed to record for almost 14 hours with the NP-FV100 if the estimate in the manual is accurate.

The battery protrudes from the back of the camcorder and ultimately makes the camera rather heavy with its added 210grs.

Here are a couple of photos taken while I was charging my NP-FV100, which also will give you an idea on how big the NP-FV100 is compared to the NP-FV50 which comes with the camcorder.

Have fun!

Yildiz

BatteryProtrusionFV100.jpg

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V -TypeBatteryTracks.jpg

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V-BatteryTrackType.jpg

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[Dr. Harout]

So I see that using the viewfinder while the big battery is on is almost useless, forcing you to rely on the live view.
How's the video quality?

[aster]

Hi Dr. Harout,

The video quality is very good. Sharp, lots of details and good colour rendetion. Autofocus and face detection keeps track of the faces so that they are always sharp or in focus depending on their distance to the sensor. Manual focus is also good but didn't shoot long in that mode. Tele macro is nice when subjects need to be isolated from the background.

Also photo-shooting is easy and changing from video to photo is one simple move and wastes no time. Photo quality is also good.

Oddly enough the big NP-FV100 battery does not obstruct the eye view at all. In fact, while keeping the eye right behind where the battery ends, the eye can see the whole scene and how sharp the image is with no trouble at all. I was amazed when I tried this as you requested. The eye can cover the whole scene without having to press it to the viewfinder. This makes things very easy for people who have to wear eyeglasses.

The photo I attached is taken through a lens at max. zoom, so it's no where near the quality or estate the actual eye sees through the viewfinder. Don't let the photo fool you that this is the only estate-coverage the eye will experience. It isn't.

I attached it to give an idea but it's a mediocre sample compared to what the eye can see.

Yildiz

With lens at max. zoom. The eye sees all of the scene, not his limited scene.

ThroughViewFinder.jpg

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So I see that using the viewfinder while the big battery is on is almost useless, forcing you to rely on the live view.
How's the video quality?

[Dr. Harout]

thanks, Yildiz.
HD video really interests me, but not in a DSLR. And I guess you too have the same attitude.
Enjoy your new toy.

[aster]

thanks, Yildiz.
HD video really interests me, but not in a DSLR. And I guess you too have the same attitude.
Enjoy your new toy.

Yes, you can say that. It's a good journey up the technology ladder that's worth keeping a close watch though. The idea of video in DSLRs has the potential of igniting new ways of capturing motion in a still body. We may be heading to a new era where capturing light in the name of photography turns our world around.

It's an exciting time for all...

Yildiz