Sony HDR CX7 User Manual

Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD Camcorder  
Tapeless  
Entertainment  
CX7  
by Brandon Pinard  
The HDR-CX7 is the  
first Sony camcorder to  
record AVCHD video di-  
rectly to Sony’s Memory  
Stick PRO Duo.The CX7  
is very small and fits in  
one hand easily.With  
a collection of other  
features, like its 1/2.9"  
ClearVid CMOS sensor  
and dual record mode,  
the HDR-CX7 unveils a  
new type of camcorder  
functionality.  
Sony Electronics, Inc.  
1 Sony Drive  
Park Ridge, NJ 07656  
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Tech SpecS  
Format AVCHD(HD), MPEG2-PS (SD)  
Number of CCDs 1  
Size of CCDs 1/2.9" ClearVid CMOS sensor  
Pixels on CCD 3200(k)  
Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD Camcorder  
The 10x optical zoom rocker is located on the top rear of the  
camcorder, right in front of the on/off switch, which also chang-  
es the camcorder from video to still mode. There is a Photo but-  
ton present between the zoom rocker and the on/off dial. This  
button can capture a still image while the CX7 is recording video  
in either high definition or standard definition. The CX7 can  
capture a digital still image of 6.1 megapixels in photo mode.  
The images we captured turned out looking good, with nice  
color saturation and clarity, even while zoomed in and moving  
laterally. A hot shoe adapter located on the top-front of the lens  
barrel is useful for attaching an external microphone or light.  
Located on the back of the camcorder are the HDMI port, the A/V  
out, the DC in and the Record button. The dock included with  
the CX7 connects to the bottom of the camcorder. The docking  
station includes a one-step disc burn button (functional with ap-  
propriate software on your PC) and has numerous ports to con-  
nect to a computer, printer or television. The dock also acts as a  
battery-charging station while your camcorder is parked. While  
most docking stations for camcorders serve as an added acces-  
sory, the CX7 dock is a necessity. The docking station supplies  
the USB 2.0 and component connection to the HDR-CX7. This  
alone makes it an essential component, unless you plan to use  
only your HDMI output.  
Video Effective Pixels 2,280,000k  
Focus Full-range auto/manual (dial, touch panel)  
Shutter Speed Auto  
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/500  
Minimum Shutter Speed 1/2  
Lens f-stop f1.8-2.9  
Program Exposure Modes Touch panel (24 steps)  
Optical Zoom 10x  
Focal Length 40-400mm  
Image Stabilization Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization system  
Manual White Balance Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor  
Viewfinder N/A  
LCD Monitor 2.7" (211k pixels) wide (16:9) Touch Panel-Clear  
Photo LCD Plus  
Progressive Scan N/A  
HD Modes 1080 (60i) AVCHD  
Video Out USB 2.0 (dock only), Component (dock only),  
HDMI, composite  
Mono/Stereo Recording 5.1 Stereo  
Microphone In No  
VU Meters No  
Manual Audio Level  
Controls No  
Headphone Jack No  
Speaker Yes  
Still Shot Media JPEG  
Memory Card included No  
Flash Yes  
In Focus  
There is a Smooth Slow record mode that is ideal for high-  
speed movement, such as a golf swing or aerial acrobatics. This  
mode is easily accessible on the LCD screen by selecting the  
home icon and then Smooth Slow record mode. We tested this  
feature on a number of golfers, and the CX7 displayed smooth  
images. However, the CX7 auto focus had a hard time getting a  
sharp focus on the subject. Once manual focus is selected us-  
ing the touch screen navigation, focusing can be performed on  
the LCD screen.  
Wireless Remote Yes  
External Battery  
Charger Provided No, camcorder only  
Battery Type InfoLiTHIUM  
Tape Loading  
Configuration N/A  
Onboard Video Light No  
Accessory Shoe Active interface shoe  
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Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD Camcorder  
The AVchD format's problems  
with motion artifacts seems to  
be a thing of the past, and the  
Audio  
The CX7 comes equipped with a built-in 5.1-channel onboard  
hDr-cX7 is evidence of this new  
microphone. We tested the CX7’s onboard microphone in a  
variety of sound scenarios, from a quiet golf course to a crowded  
baby shower party. We were pleased with the overall perfor-  
mance of this camcorder’s built-in mic. Even at very close range,  
semi-loud voices were not very muffled or distorted. When we  
tested the microphone outdoors, again we were pleased with the  
microphone's performance in picking up both ambient noise  
and the sounds created by the golfer's swing and golf shot. We  
were not able to hear the camcorder motor while recording in a  
quiet setting. For picking up good-quality voice, the best results  
were from in front of the camcorder and about 4 to 6 feet away.  
direction for Sony camcorders.  
CX7 still performed fairly well, with a slightly slower auto focus  
and increased digital noise. Low-light conditions will definitely  
be your biggest enemy in maintaining pristine images. Over-  
all, we were pleased with the smooth motion of our recorded  
images under indoor conditions. We tested the CX7’s image ca-  
pabilities in a more difficult task with an ocean sunset, moving  
along a freeway, and found the motion to be very smooth with  
no visible artifacts, the auto focus quick and sharp and the color  
vivid and accurate.  
Format  
The AVCHD format's problems with motion artifacts seems to  
be a thing of the past, and the HDR-CX7 is evidence of this new  
direction for Sony camcorders. Testing the CX7’s motion com-  
pensation turned out great results with very few compression  
artifacts and little ghosting. Under daylight conditions, the CX7  
showed very sharp and smooth images. We were very pleased  
with color reproduction. Under indoor lighting conditions, the  
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Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD Camcorder  
STrengThS  
record AVchD to memory stick  
• capture stills while recording video  
• Smooth Slow record mode  
• compact and lightweight  
• high-quality hD video with accurate color  
WeAkneSSeS  
no viewfinder  
• Manual controls embedded in  
touch screen navigation system  
Tapeless revolution  
The HDR-CX7 is the first AVCHD camcorder to record to a Memory Stick. The  
Memory Sticks we used were each 1GB and stored 7 minutes of HD video.  
While the docking station makes it relatively easy to transfer and store video  
and images to a computer, changing tiny Memory Sticks becomes a bit cum-  
bersome. The immediate option is to purchase a Memory Stick or two of a  
larger capacity. This seems to be the best option, unless you want to change  
Memory Sticks every few minutes or download your footage after each use.  
Recording to a Memory Stick saves time and money if you frequently pur-  
chase tapes and spend hours capturing your footage to your computer.  
SuMMAry  
• A sleek and compact AVchD  
camera that records great-looking  
video/still images directly to Memory  
Stick, is relatively easy to use and  
includes features that will appeal to  
the consumer-level videographer.  
conclusion  
With a positive step in the tapeless direction, Sony has produced a good-  
looking and super-compact first-of-its kind consumer-level AVCHD cam-  
corder that is relatively user-friendly and produces great-quality HD video.  
This would be a great camcorder for anyone who wants to do handheld  
video of almost any kind and great for a vacation or traveling where space  
is limited.  
prIce  
• $1,200  
Brandon Pinard is Videomaker’s  
video production assistant.  
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