QUICK LOOK
- Built-in projector
- 3.3 megapixel camera
- 16 GB built-in memory
- 30 x Optical zoom
- 3” LCD display
Personally I think the main feature of the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 is the built-in projector. The concept is revolutionary…in my humble opinion anyway. No longer do you have to pass the handycam around for people to see a picture or watch a video right after you took it, nor do you have to connect the camera to a television in order to show friends and family your latest holiday pics. Now you can simply push a button, find a flat white surface and voila!
After my initial excitement of randomly recording unsuspecting victims and then gleefully watching their expressions as I projected the video on a wall I realised that I would actually have to figure out how to connect this little baby to my MacBook in order to download and use the clips and pictures I’ve taken.
The camera comes standard with an installation CD, however it only works on a Windows computer. After a small panic attack and thinking how totally unfair the world is because I’ve got this awesome new toy but I can’t use it to its full potential I pulled myself together and reminded myself that Google is my friend. I’m very happy to report that using the Sony Handycam with your Mac is super quick and easy and no application installations are necessary. So whether you’re a Windows or a Mac person makes no real difference.
When a video is taken in good light, the colours are bright and well defined and I was rather impressed to discover that when a video is taken in very dim light the camcorder automatically scales done on colour but focuses on visibility and sharpness of pictures. This means that even low light videos are very much usable if you don’t mind the mostly black-and-white vibe.
The sound on the videos are amazing and even when played back using the built-in projector, the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Clear Phase stereo speakers with S-Master digital amplifier technology ensures that sounds are clear, loud and well defined.
The fact that the handycam has the option of taking normal still pictures too is very handy, however the quality of these pictures aren’t awesome and reminds me of some of the older digital cameras. Don’t get me wrong. They are completely usable, but if you’re going on holiday and want to take a bazillion pictures of beautiful sunsets, I’d suggest you don’t leave your trusty digital camera at home.
One small little feature which does come in use, and which I think will be especially good when travelling is the short captive USB cable that is tucked into the strap. It effectively eliminates the need to cart around loose cables. The camera comes with 16GB flash memory and has a SD card slot so that you can ensure that there is more than enough space to record video and take pictures to your heart’s content.
As you all know I’m rather fascinated by the weight of many of the products I review. In this case I think the weight is a very relevant issue to discuss, as I will be using it mostly when I’m on holiday and I’ll have to carry it around with me. This little beauty weighs in at a mere 310g, which makes it super light and ideal for taking along on holiday.
As I said at the beginning of this review, the main feature the built-in projector. I’ve done my research and the fact is that for the same price as this little piece of gorgeousness you can get camcorder with much better specifications, BUT you won’t have the built-in projector. If you’re buying the camcorder because you are looking for amazing quality and you don’t see the need for a built-in projector then this is not for you. However, if you’re looking for a camcorder that will produce videos and pictures of decent quality and definition and you, like me, think that the built-in projector is probably one of the most amazing technological innovations because it allows you to share you memories easily and readily, then this baby is definitely for you.
Me, I love it!
Turn ons
- Built-in projector
- Small and compact
- Records in HD
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Clear Phase stereo speakers with S-Master digital amplifier technology
Turn offs
- The quality of the still pictures aren’t awesome
