A very clear,concise and to the point review...very helpful,thank you.About your last grievance of this camera though...well...it's a bit odd,in that you mention that a lack of full manual exposure control is not a professional function and yet,this camera is not marketed as such.I mean...basically,this is a high grade consumer camera,so therefore...it's my opinion..that you are being a bit hypercritical,over what is essentially,a point & shoot camera that has some prosumer features to it. I agree though,that the micro SD slot is ridiculous,but overall...I think the compromises are totally acceptable,at this price point(but then again,I managed to buy this camera new at Sweetwater.com at $100 below market value)...but oddly enough,the price went up to the normal retail,just a couple days after I purchased it,so I really lucked out big time!
Agreed this is a great review ( very informative clear,concise and to the point review.) Please though, could you be a little more suave though in your movements or when holding or presenting the camera.. they are a little too quick and jerky
Great review of this camera! So if I want to record firework shows, would you suggest looking at a different camcorder? Say maybe the Canon Vixia HF R800.
Hi, I wonder if you had a faulty one, the image is fine on zoom and it is optical zoom up to x30 which is almost always more than enough. I see no problems with x60 either although it must be digitally enhanced, but have no use for it except under most unususl circumstances. Next its low light performance, like most/all cheaper camcoders, it does suffer a little, but even in near darkness it is not bad and I have seen it up against its competitors from Panasonic with bigger sensors and it appeared at least as good if not better. Also I do not have issues with the touch screen either. Where I do agree is the menu does not return to where you were, but comes out of the menu completely. Also you are correct you cannot have full manual control, but what do you expect for this price range, I am surprised you said that. I know of no camcoder in this price range that has full manual control. I spent dozens of hours choosing this camcoder. I researched all the competition from Panasonic and Canon. For me really small size, the best image stabilisation and ready to shoot instantly are priorities plus dolby 5.1 dolby surround sound. So no 4K for me or even XAVCS sadly, it gets disabled, actually really annoying, what gives? All choices in life tend to be compromises and until something better is released, this was the best compromise. PS the lens etc is too vulnerable, add a filter, could not find a 46mm clear filter use a UV one.
Good review...I was on the fence and I still think I'm going to buy but I'm glad you brought up the manual exposure issue and the touchscreen "softness". All the cameras in the price range seem to have pros and cons and I'm glad to know what they are with a little more depth. Subscribed!
i need a Sony Handycam that live streams(wireless) to a LapTop or TV.Monitor while recording, Any suggestions? My current HandyCam has special connectors to a Gen3 PVS7 Night Vision Goggles so i can show a group what i am recording, but i need to live stream to a monitor so everyone can view what i am recording(Live) Any Suggestions? CX440?
I recommend buying a wireless streaming media device, like a Livestream Broadcaster Pro, I'm not too familiar with other brands, but I've used Livestream before and it worked great. By getting a streaming media device, you can use pretty much any HDMI camera you have. Now if you must buy a livestream camcorder, get a JVC HM660 or JVC HM250. Those are designed for live news.
You connect your camera via HDMI cable to the streaming device. Then the streaming device is either connected to your internet router via ethernet cable or connected to your wifi. Some devices have their own internet hub built in, others don't. Then you'll need a computer or tablet with a specific livestream software that goes with that device in order to get it up and running with whatever platform you end up streaming on, whether that is Ustream, RU-vid, Facebook, etc. Lots of info that you'll have to research yourself before you buy the device. Start with the "Livestream Broadcaster Pro" Google it, research, then you can contact Livestream and ask them questions, etc. If the Livestream Broadcaster Pro isn't for you, look up other brands. Sorry if that doesn't help you as much as you want it to, but I simply don't have that knowledge.
Thank You so much, but i need to do this wirelessly...i use a Sony HandyCam DCR SX45 Connected to Night Vision Goggles, and have e (difficult to find) Step Down Connector ring setup, that i really Do Not want to duplicate that variable search process again, so i need to find a Wireless streaming setup from the Night Vision/Camera setup to a Laptop monitor, to a large Screen Monitor...with all the wireless streaming products on the market, i was truly hoping, that Sony had eventually created a simple camera setup to stream to a larger Monitor...or a small inexpensive, wireless streaming device to add to my Sony DCR SX45 HandyCam Setup?
Thanks for the video! Do you know if this can record while being powered from USB? (not powered from the separate DC charger) I can't seem to find a definitive answer online.
@@VideoGizmology The USB also charges a battery attached to the camera while the camera is plugged directly to an AC outlet using the included USB-to-AC Adapter. No computer required. You can also record while the camera is plugged in to AC in this manner, but the manual says "battery power may be consumed even when the camcorder is connected to the wall outlet". So, you are charging the battery on the camera and the camera is running on the battery at the same time (or, more likely, only charging when the camera is idle, or using little power) . My video shoots are always hours of multiple short takes. So, the battery preserve feature shuts off the camera numerous times during a shoot, which allows the battery to recharge. I leave the camera plugged in for the entire shoot, so this works great for me. Unless you are filming for long stretches, this might work for you. Otherwise, to use the camera without the battery at all, purchase the optional AC Adapter AC-L200 and power the camera directly from an outlet. An interesting note ... while you can power the camera (with a battery attached) by plugging the camera's USB directly to your computer, if your computer has a standard 500 mA output, then you won't be able to record ... only the playback functions are available. See page 13 of the Operating Guide for details.
Why no mention of the truly unwieldy, absurdly crappy, so-called "time lapse" function? Oh, and there is also the issue of the irritating touch screen failures.
Thanks for you video. I bought this camera some days ago and it has Japanese language on it. I have spent 3 hours to set it to English but no success yet. Can you help me with the settings? I know that I must start from the box (right lower corner) but have no idea how to find language bar to set it up to English.
Please, your recommendation. I am looking for a camcorder that has a large sensor. I want to use it for social events at night so that the granules are not noticeable.. that has an audio input and a microphone that records the most noticeable things at night and close by.. I do not want to record it. for zoom only to record people up close... approximately 2 meters to 10 meters maximum. please your help in a camcorder that is not so expensive
HI! Great video review! I'm trying to decide between 2 camcorders for low light and outdoor HD recording that's user-friendly and provides the ability to take quality stills. Also would be great to have certain auto filters. I think I've narrowed down to 2, the Canon VIXIA HF R82 32GB HD Flash Memory Camcorder and the Sony Handycam CX675 32GB HD Flash Memory Camcorder mentioned in this video. Which of these two would you recommend? Would really appreciate your help. Cheers!
Those camera options are cheap, but I wouldn't say they will give you the best low light, outdoor, and still quality. Maybe the Sony CX675 is better between the two, but I would look at the Panasonic FZ2500, Panasonic FZ1000 II, Panasonic FZ300, Sony RX10 II, Sony RX10 III.
How did you change the instant menu presets and where is that described? I have looked all through the “manual” and cannot find it described there. I agree with you about the fact that this camera appears to be designed primarily for full auto mode this the lack of full manual controls. It would be nice to have full manual control but that appears to e an option only available in their pro models. Thanks for the review. Never mind, I dug some more in the camera menus and found it under the My Button setting.
I have this camera. Purchased new in April of 2017. I like what it can do. That's why I bought this exact camera. My 1 major dislike is the placement of the 1/4 20, threaded hole which is WAY too far forward on the underside of the camera. I have used this camera on a trek pod ( monopod/tripod/walking stick ). I also have the NP-FV100 ( the big ass battery). With the battery connected to the camera and attached to the trekpod, it is ridiculously unbalanced. Anyone else feel this way ? Any solutions to this terrible design?
I've had the camera for a year. I got some good hunting videos last fall. One thing I don't like is the difficulty in seeing the touch screen outside when I have my dark glasses on. It's just not bright enough.
I meant to say, limited manual exposure control, which is more like aperture priority or shutter priority on a stills camera. Sony officially calls it "manual" but it's really not.
I recently bought a similar model to this one and the videos turn out very grainy. It might be a settings issue but I've tried practically everything and no luck. Do you know anything about this and how to fix it maybe? Thanks
If you haven't already tried this, choose manual exposure and use the lowest ISO/Gain value and lock that in. These cameras seem to reset their auto exposure every time you turn it on and off or even just switch a setting. Very frustrating for manual shooting. In low light shooting situations, these Sony cameras are simply not good enough. However, shooting outdoors in good light is very good.
@@VideoGizmology thanks for the reply. I actually didn't try using manual exposure and I can't now because I already returned it. Oh well, better luck next time I guess
I don't own the camera but reading the specs it has NFC and wifi so you can control it with your android phone. Also, the specs on Sony's website says it has manual shutter speed and iris control, so by full manual exposure control are you referring to ISO and aperture in addition to shutter speed?
When I talk about full manual control, I mean the ability to control ISO/Gain, aperture, and shutter at the same time and see what the values are. The CX675 doesn't allow you to do that. This is only bad if you need to control everything manually. If you are fine with auto control, this is a great HD camcorder.
Hi, Could you help me? I need to know if there is a way to use this camera as a webcam or streamming. I know that the Image Studio Software of Sony dosen't apply but ¿There is another way? Thank you!
This camera is not good indoors. It does not do well in low light. Very grainy. Monitor brightness is adjustable, but not worth it in low light. It's best outside in bright light. Works really well handheld walking around.
I have this when I video with it .I cannot get the right format it keeps saying that I cannot publish it on Facebook because it is in 4K format. What can I do .Ola
There are a number of issues that could be happening. First, the camera does not shoot 4K, so I don't understand why it's telling you that. Second, you need to copy the footage to your computer and then upload it to Facebook. You may need an additional video software to convert the footage to a format that can work on Facebook.
For soccer games, you have a few options, so choose the one that fits your budget: Panasonic VX981K, Sony AX33, Sony AX53, Panasonic FZ2500. Any of these cameras will be good. The last one, Panasonic FZ2500, is also a decent stills camera, so you'll have both video and photos in one camera.
Do you think this camara is good for filming at night? For example, in a theater play which is dark but the stage is lighted. What do you think? I heard you saying that filming in low light it gets grainy. Thanks a lot>
This camera is absolutely terrible at night. If you want a camcorder that is good in low light, you'll have to pay a lot more money. I would start looking at cameras with 1" sensors at the minimum, like the Sony AX100 or consider Sony's full frame mirrorless cameras like their A7s series.
My reviews are bias. I only review the features of a camera that apply to my needs. Having said that, I think the wireless functions are okay. The Playmemories mobile app works on iOS, but Sony wants you to use Androids because their wireless connection works a little better with NFC enabled smartphones, which isn't the iPhone. Sony also wants you to livestream to Ustream specifically, which I don't do. The multicamera feature, as of right now, is a big gimmick that I do not trust using on professional video productions. Maybe it'll become more reliable in the future.
Thanks. I did my comment because i bought 2 cams last week and i can't capture the wireless video signal from them althought they are connected to the local wifi network. May be you could help me .
I bought this video specifically to shoot things for work on instagram and the quality of the video was terrible. Better off recording on my iphone, so i feel like maybe i have it on a wrong setting
Don't buy this camera for Instagram videos. Use a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Get a Canon M50, Canon 80D, Canon G7X Mark II, Sony RX100 IV-VI, Panasonic GH5, etc.
I think so. It has a 46mm lens thread, so a wide angle adapter that can screw onto a 46mm thread should work. however, one of the drawbacks with the lens stabilization feature is that a wide angle adapter might be seen in camera because the lens moves around if going handheld. I don't think it needs a wide angle adapter because it's already 26.8mm, which is wider than most other camcorders.
For a person starting out trying to get cameras to shoot one on one, Joe Rogan style, long form interviews ranging from 60-120 min, indoors, with two box lights, 2 umbrella lights, to ensure both the interviewer and the subject are well lit, do you feel that one could use the Sony CX 675 or the CX 440 camcorders to shoot the video recording without video image quality issues (given the fact that you don’t have the manual image controls of exposure, grain, etc.)? I’m on a budget and trying my best to find the most cost effective camcorders, with autofocus, that allows me to just turn on the camera, press record, and it picks up a clear image and the subject and the other camera will pick up a clear image of me, and both cameras will record, uninterrupted a full 60-120min. Thoughts?
Those Sony's are a viable option for people on a budget. As long as your lighting is good, those Sony's can do exactly what you want. Lighting and audio are key. Spend money on lighting and audio.
Video Gizmology that’s comforting news. Yes I was planning on investing in Saramonic dual lavs to record the audio of myself and the subject/interviewee (bit.ly/saramonicduallavaudio). Then I would hook the lavs to a Zoom H1N external recorder (bit.ly/zoomh1nrecorder). I currently will be using this lighting kit to save some cash using what I currently have (bit.ly/currentlightkit). Do you like the audio tech for my goal of doing 1-on-1 interviews?
On a budget, the Saramonics are okay. I would get the Zoom H5, or H4N or H4N pro. The H1N only has one audio input, unless you get an audio split cable or mixer, but a Zoom H4N, H4N Pro, or H5 is better for dual channel audio. I'd get the Zoom H5, which is what I use all the time.
Video Gizmology thanks a lot man! I’m wondering if it might be cheaper (and easier for post editing), if I got microphones on stands that would sit in on the table that the interviewer and interviewee would speak directly into and those microphones would hook directly into the cameras. That would save me the need for an external audio H5 and save me time syncing audio during post editing correct?
