Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony HDR-XR100 80 GB HDD High Definition Camcorder (Silver)

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.

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!

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.

I purchased this model directly from Sony Style store after being assured that it would meet my needs. i.e, recording inside a dance studio. The first time I used it I did not change any settings & the quality was the worst I had ever seen. Unfortunately I did not discover this until I uploaded the video to my Mac, did my editing & played it full screen. I was astounded at what I saw. Mind you at this time I had no problem transferring the video to my MAC. I called Sony & was told I needed to change the settings which I did. I then took more video inside & outside but this video refused to be recognized by my Mac or my husbands iMac. It did load to my PC but couldn't be view on that computer. I called Sony again & this time was told that I needed to transfer the video via a "firewire" cable. I flatly disagreed with the C/S person as the instructions do not indicate that. Also I do own the Sony SR11 & it works great. (this camera is for a group). I tried some various things & called Sony again & the C/S rep finally agreed that the camera was not working properly. That was after we reset the factory settings. They gave me a refund code & I returned the camera along with all accessories & got a FULL refund. Now I am searching for another camera within my price range & find that they all have a problem with low light. Oh, what to do now.

This is certainly a good buy for the price and the quality. Since every item is not perfect, even this has few drawbacks. Its doing ok in low light as compared to others, but in day light quality is the best. Creating a HD DVD is easy but to convert to a regualar DVD is realy pain. It takes for ever almost 4 hours for writing a regular DVD. The quality of conversion is bad. The other one When viewed connecting directly to TV, you get the best results. Regarding zoom, its just 10X optical which limits the coverage range. Well I bought this to for personnel home recording, so I scarificed range to quality.