| |
Model
|
| Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| Picture ? | | | | Picture ? |
| Manufacturer | Sony 
| Canon
| Sony
| Manufacturer |
| Name | HDR-CX700 | XL H1 | NEX-VG20 | Name |
| European name ? | HDR-CX700VE | XL H1 | NEX-VG20 | European name ? |
| US name ? | HDR-CX700 | XL H1 | NEX-VG20 | US name ? |
| lowest US price | (1399) $ | 7800 $ | (2199) $ | lowest US price |
| On the market since | March 2011 | December 2005 | November 2011 | On the market since |
| Manufacturers URL | link to Sony | link to Canon | | Manufacturers URL |
|
|
Test preview
|
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| slashCAM rating ? | Very good
 | Good
 | Good
| slashCAM rating ? |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode |
Video
|
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| Video formats ? | AVCHD
SD MPEG2
| MiniDV
HDV
| AVCHD
| Video formats ? |
| Recording Medium | SD Card
SDHC card
Memory Stick PRO Duo
built-in flash memory
SDXC card
| MiniDV/HDV-Cassette
| SDHC card
Memory Stick PRO Duo
SDXC card
| Recording Medium |
| video resolutions EU ? | AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50p
AVCHD 1440 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/25p
SD MPEG2 720 x 576
| HDV 1440 x 1080/50i
MiniDV 720 x 576/50i
MiniDV 720 x 576/25F
HDV 1440 x 1080/25F
| AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50p
AVCHD 1440 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/25p
| video resolutions EU ? |
| video resolutions US ? | AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/24p
AVCHD 1440 x 1080/60i
SD MPEG2 720 x 480
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60p
| HDV 1440 x 1080/60i
HDV 1440 x 1080/24p
HDV 1440 x 1080/30p
MiniDV 720 x 480/60i
720 MiniDV x480/24p
MiniDV 720 x 480/30p
| AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/24p
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60p
| video resolutions US ? |
| Max Bitrate ? | 28 Mbit/s | 25 Mbit/s | 28 Mbit/s | Max Bitrate ? |
| Compression format ? | MPEG2
MPEG4
| DV
MPEG2
| MPEG4
| Compression format ? |
| on-board memory ? | 96 GB | | | on-board memory ? |
| Optics |
| Optics Manufacturer ? | Sony
| Canon
| Sony
| Optics Manufacturer ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | 10 x | 20 x | 11 x | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle 16:9 ? | 26,3 mm | 39 mm | 32,5 mm | Wide Angle 16:9 ? |
| Filter diameter ? | 37 mm | 72 mm | 67 (kit lens)
mm | Filter diameter ? |
| Image Stabilization ? | optically and electronically
| optical
| optically and electronically
| Image Stabilization ? |
| ND Filter ? | No
| 2 | No
| ND Filter ? |
| Exchangable optics ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Exchangable optics ? |
| Image Sensor |
| Number of sensors ? | 1 | 3 | 1 | Number of sensors ? |
| Size of image sensor ? | 1/2,9 inch | 1/3 inch | 1/APS-C (23.4 × 15.6mm)
inch | Size of image sensor ? |
| image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? | 6140000 Pixel | 1560000 Pixel | 16700000 Pixel | image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? |
| Image Sensor Type ? | CMOS
| CCD
| CMOS
| Image Sensor Type ? |
| Controls |
| White Balance ? | auto
manual
presets
WB-Shift
| auto
manual
presets
| auto
manual
presets
| White Balance ? |
| Focus ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
| auto
manual
| Focus ? |
| Minimum shutter time ? | 1/10.000 | 1/16.000 | 1/8.000 | Minimum shutter time ? |
| Maximum shutter time ? | 1/6 | 1/3 | 1/4 | Maximum shutter time ? |
| Apperture control ? | auto
manual
AE-Shift
| auto
manual
AE-Shift
| auto
manual
| Apperture control ? |
| Infrared recording ? | Yes
| No
| No
| Infrared recording ? |
| Expanded Focus ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Expanded Focus ? |
| Peaking ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Peaking ? |
| Signal Processing |
| Zebra ? | Off
70%
100%
No
| Off
70-100%
| 70%
100% | Zebra ? |
| Histogram ? | No
| No
| Yes
| Histogram ? |
| adjustable sharpness ? | No
| Yes
| No
| adjustable sharpness ? |
| Adjustable color ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Adjustable color ? |
| Cinegamma ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Cinegamma ? |
| Black Strech ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Black Strech ? |
| Knee ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Knee ? |
| Colorbars ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Colorbars ? |
| Misc. |
| Shot Transition ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Shot Transition ? |
| Custom Presets ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Custom Presets ? |
| Set Time Code ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Set Time Code ? |
Configuration
|
| Connections |
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite | Out
| In
Out
| Out
| FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite |
YC ?
synonymous: S-Video | About Special Equipment
| In
Out
| No
| YC ?
synonymous: S-Video |
YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal | Out
| Out
| | YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal |
| HDMI ? | Out
| No
| Out
| HDMI ? |
DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 | - | In
Out
| - | DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 |
| USB ? | USB 2.0
| No
| USB 2.0
| USB ? |
| Microphone / Audio input ? | Mini-jack
| XLR
Cinch
| Mini-jack
| Microphone / Audio input ? |
| Headphones ? | 3.5 mm mini-jack
| 3.5 mm mini-jack
| Mini-jack
| Headphones ? |
| Lanc ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Lanc ? |
| Time-code interface ? | No
| In
Out
| No
| Time-code interface ? |
| Genlock ? | No
| In
| No
| Genlock ? |
| Accessory shoe ? | AI
| Standard
| 1 x 1 x Standard Hotshoe
| Accessory shoe ? |
| HD-SDI ? | No
| Out
| No
| HD-SDI ? |
| Misc. |
| Weight (without battery) | 455 g | 3435 g | 1300 g | Weight (without battery) |
| Weight (with battery) | 490 g | 3750 g | | Weight (with battery) |
| Battery type | Sony NP-FV50
| Canon BP-950G
| Sony NP-FV70
| Battery type |
| Battery capacity | | 5200 mAh | | Battery capacity |
| Charger ? | internal
| external
| internal
| Charger ? |
| Remote control | Yes
| Yes
| No
| Remote control |
| Size |
| Height | 66 mm | 226 mm | 91 mm | Height |
| Width | 74 mm | 220 mm | 130 mm | Width |
| Depth | 143 mm | 496 mm | 223 mm | Depth |
| Relative Size ? | 6 | 246 | 26 | Relative Size ? |
| Viewfinder |
| Viewfinder available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Viewfinder available ? |
| Color Viewfinder ? | Color
| Color
| Color
| Color Viewfinder ? |
| Viewfinder format ? | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | Viewfinder format ? |
| Viewfinder pixels ? | 201600 Pixel | 215000 Pixel | 1152000 Pixel | Viewfinder pixels ? |
| Display |
| Display available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Display available ? |
| Color display ? | Color
| Color
| Color
| Color display ? |
| Display size | 3,0 Inch | 2,4 Inch | 3,0 Inch | Display size |
| Display format ? | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | Display format ? |
| Display pixels ? | 921000 Pixel | 215000 Pixel | 921600 Pixel | Display pixels ? |
| Touch Screen ? | Yes
| | Yes
| Touch Screen ? |
| External controls |
| Manual Zoom ? | Rocker
Zoom ring multi-assigned
| Rocker
Ring
| Ring
| Manual Zoom ? |
| Manual Focus ? | Menu
bi-functional focus or aperture wheel
| Ring
| Ring
| Manual Focus ? |
| Manual Aperture ? | Menu
bi-functional focus or aperture wheel
| Menu
| bi-functional focus or aperture wheel
| Manual Aperture ? |
| Focus switcher ? | No
| Yes
| Yes
| Focus switcher ? |
| ND Filter ? | No
| Yes
| No
| ND Filter ? |
| Exp Lock ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Exp Lock ? |
| Gain ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Gain ? |
| White balance ? | No
| Yes
| No
| White balance ? |
| Push AF ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Push AF ? |
| Audio Levels ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Audio Levels ? |
Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons | No
| | 1 | Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons |
Audio
|
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| Audio Formats ? | AC-3 Dolby Digital 5.1 640 kbit max.
Dolby AC-3 Digital 2 channel 48 KHz
| MiniDV: 2x48kHz 16bit PCM
MiniDV: 4x32kHz 12bit PCM
HDV: 2x48kHz 16bit MPEG 1
HDV: 4x48kHz 16bit MPEG 2
| AC-3 Dolby Digital 5.1 640 kbit max.
Dolby AC-3 Digital 2 channel 48 KHz
| Audio Formats ? |
| Microphone ? | Mini-jack external
5.1 Internal
| Stereo internal
external XLR
| Mini-jack external
5.1 Internal
| Microphone ? |
| Audio Control ? | auto
| auto
manual
| auto
manual
| Audio Control ? |
| Audio levels ? | Viewfinder
Screen
| Viewfinder
display
| Viewfinder
Screen
| Audio levels ? |
Still
|
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| Recording Medium ? | Memory Stick Duo
SD Card
built-in flash memory
SDHC card
SDXC card
| SD Card
| Memory Stick Duo
SDHC card
| Recording Medium ? |
| Medium included ? | No
| 16 MB
| No
| Medium included ? |
| Effective pixels ? | | 1560000 Pixel | | Effective pixels ? |
| Resolutions ? | 4672 x 2628 - Max
| 1920x1080
1440x1080
848x480
640x480 | 4912 x 3264 | Resolutions ? |
| Standard ? | JPEG Exif 2.2
| JPEG Exif 2.2
| JPEG Exif 2.2
| Standard ? |
| Flash ? | Yes
| No
| No
| Flash ? |
Misc.
|
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| Specials | GPS with geo-tagging functionalityintegrated (?) USB cable | | | Specials |
Product Shots
|
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| View 1 | | | | View 1 |
| View 2 | | | | View 2 |
Test results
|
| Test pictures |
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| luminance resolution | | | | luminance resolution |
| chrominance resolution | | | | chrominance resolution |
| lens distortion | | | | lens distortion |
| test small ISO image | | | | test small ISO image |
| noise / internal microphone | | | | noise / internal microphone |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? |
| Test image 12 lux optimized ? | | | | Test image 12 lux optimized ? |
| slashCAM rating |
| Lowlight ? | Very good | Good | Very good | Lowlight ? |
| Resolution ? | Very good | Very good | Satisfactory | Resolution ? |
| Color performance ? | Good | Very good | Good | Color performance ? |
| subj.Picture impression ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | subj.Picture impression ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | Sufficient | Satisfactory | Sufficient | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle ? | Excellent | Satisfactory | Very good | Wide Angle ? |
| Configuration / image ? | Good | Very good | Very good | Configuration / image ? |
| Configuration / sound ? | Poor | Excellent | Satisfactory | Configuration / sound ? |
| Handling ? | Good | Very good | Good | Handling ? |
| Portability ? | Very good | Sufficient | Good | Portability ? |
| Photo function ? | Satisfactory | Sufficient | Very good | Photo function ? |
| Optics ? | Good | Satisfactory | Good | Optics ? |
| Dynamics ? | Good | Very good | Good | Dynamics ? |
| Conclusion slashCAM |
| slashCAM rating ? | Very good
| Good
| Good
| slashCAM rating ? |
Total score ?
(maximal 570) | 400 | 397 | 396 | Total score ?
(maximal 570) |
| Pros | + 50P Recording
+ Big wide angle
+ Good touch functions
+ Very good low light behavior
| + Excellent resolution in brightness and color
+ interchangeable lenses
+ 4 audio channels for HDV
+ Very well equipped
| + APS-C chip with interchangeable lens
+ complete manual control over iris, shutter, gain, white balance
| Pros |
| Cons | - Image characteristics can not be changed
- few image control options
- Small (touch) screen
| - not ergonomic on the shoulder
- standard optics not adequate for the price
| - Image characteristics can not be changed
- no motorized zoom
- Scaling artifacts
| Cons |
| Conclusion | The hardware configuration is quite interesting considering the price range.The sharp display could be somewhat larger though.The wide-angle with virtually no lens distorsion is unique.The Bildqualiät and the low light performance are also competitive.Those who can do without helpful things like histogram or changeable image characteristics get a nice piece of technology for a reasonable price.For ambitious filmmakers who want more control over their shooting the competition offers more value for the money. | The Canon XL H1 has excellent CCDs, which in many areas make full use of the potential HDV resolution.In combination with very good dynamic behavior and the consistent colors this provides a very good image impression.The standard optics though does not meet up: for less distortion and chromatic aberrations as well as a greater wide-angle, Pros will have to resort to the expensive supplementary wide-angle lens.Despite the high amplification the XL H1 only shows satisfactory results in lowligth situations, noise and color loss being too great. | A large imaging sensor and manual control when filming, coupled with the handling of a classic camcorder.This combination is offered by no other manufacturer in this price range.But due to the fixed image characteristics a flat film look can not be achieved.Since the image quality is comparable only to medium-level HDSLR, the device offers few advantages over the DSLR-competitors besides the familiar form factor.A zoom rocker or an ND filter would be a nice addition.Furthermore Sony needs to realise that to a large extent it is the manual control settings that make companies like Red, Canon or Panasonic successful in the large-format sensor world. | Conclusion |
More information
|
| Reviews and Forums |
| [ top ] | Sony HDR-CX700 | Canon XL H1 | Sony NEX-VG20 | |
| slashCAM Review | | | | slashCAM Review |
| external reviews/tests | |  www.camcorderinfo.com
| | external reviews/tests |
| Comparison | Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Canon HF G10
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Panasonic HDC-HS700
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-CX690
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-TD10 (2D-Modus)
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-FX7
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony NEX-VG10
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-FX1
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Panasonic HDC-TM350
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Canon HF21
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-SR12
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-XR520
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-XR500V
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Canon HF S21
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Sony HDR-TD10 (3D-Modus)
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Canon HG21
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Panasonic HDC-HS100
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Panasonic HDC-SD100
Sony HDR-CX700 compared to Panasonic HDC-SD1
| Canon XL H1 compared to Sony PMW-EX3
Canon XL H1 compared to Panasonic AG-AC160
Canon XL H1 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX250
Canon XL H1 compared to Canon XF300
Canon XL H1 compared to Canon XF305
Canon XL H1 compared to Sony PMW-EX1
Canon XL H1 compared to Canon XH G1s
Canon XL H1 compared to Canon XH G1
Canon XL H1 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX301E
Canon XL H1 compared to Canon XL H1S
Canon XL H1 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX171
Canon XL H1 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX170
Canon XL H1 compared to Sony HVR-Z1
Canon XL H1 compared to Panasonic AG-AC130
Canon XL H1 compared to Sony NEX-FS100
Canon XL H1 compared to Panasonic AG-AF101
Canon XL H1 compared to JVC GY-HM700
Canon XL H1 compared to Sony HVR-Z7
| Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Canon XA10
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Canon XH A1s
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Canon XH A1
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-AX2000
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HXR-NX5
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Canon XL H1A
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-TD10 (2D-Modus)
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-CX550V
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Panasonic AG-HVX200
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-FX7
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-FX1
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-SR12
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-XR520
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to JVC GY-HM150
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to JVC GY-HM100
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-TD10 (3D-Modus)
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HVR-A1
Sony NEX-VG20 compared to Sony HDR-HC7
| Comparison |
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| | Forum posts |
| |
