Sony Handycam HDR-XR520 (Camcorders)

Although its geotagging capabilities are mostly a novelty, its interface could use a complete overhaul and it's overpriced, the top-notch video quality, performance and consumer-friendly feature set of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520VE make it a worthy...

First-rate video quality and performance ; Geotagging videos is fun

Annoying menu system ; No wind filter ; No manual shutter-speed, iris or audio controls ; Relatively big and heavy ; Expensive

The audio sounds good as well, and the mic is sensitive, although it could really use a wind filter. Still photos look okay, although, as you'd expect at the touted 12-megapixel resolution, interpolated up from the sensor's native 6 megapixels, photos...

If you want to shoot great video and not fiddle with settings too much, the Sony HDR-XR520 is up there with the best.

The top models from Canon, Panasonic and Sony are all masterful products. Canon's LEGRIA HF S10 is currently too expensive, but the Panasonic HDC-HS300 and Sony HDR-X520 are similarly priced and much harder to distinguish. The Panasonic's full-sized...

After years in the doldrums camcorders are looking dynamic again thanks to stellar high-def images, competitive prices and the unstinting rise of YouTube. Sony is taking advantage of this with the HDR-XR520, a Full HD (1920x1080) shooter that crams in...

Suerb HD video ; Great low-light shots ; Fun GPS features

Hefty rice tag ; PC-only software ; Not comact or light

Sony's Full HD, 240GB camcorder has GPS to track where you film. But can it justify its painful price tag?

Pricey and far from compact, but if you want HD footage to really drool over this is hard to beat

Bulky but capable of delivering beautiful images, the XR520 is definitely an enthusiasts' HD camcorder

Superb HD video ; Great low-light shots ; Fun GPS features

Hefty price tag ; PC-only software ; Not compact or light

Save for its PC-only software and the fact Mac users will have to download additional codecs to edit footage, the XR520 is a camcorder that gets ringing endorsements all the way. If you're interested in substance over style and have ambitious filming...

With its new HDR-XR520V Sony has managed a big step forward, upgrading all the camera's components. This Full HD camcorder features a super-sensitive Exmor R CMOS sensor with 6 megapixel resolution and a new high-quality 'G Lens', with 12-times optical...

Brilliant for on the move because of it's small size the Sony HDR-XR520VE is a camcorder that you can easily take with you wherever you go. It's light and compact but still keeps all the features you would expect from a camcorder of this standard. If...

Adding this video to your computer is really simple too, just plug it directly into your PC and the software that Sony provide you with will quickly let you download all the video directly to your computer where you can share it online, add it to a DVD...

If you're backing a new Full HD camcorder with the best part of a grand, you want to know that you've plumped for a winner. On paper, the Sony HDR-XR520 should be number one: a massive 240GB HDDm 12x zoom, Full HD and even GPS for geotagging. But is...

Stunning HD pics, huge hard drive and raft of great features

Geotagging not yet fully up to speed

A Full HD camcorder with easy–to–use functionality and features to make you coo

The Sony HDR-XR520VE camcorder boasts an incredible 101hr Full HD record time with 240GB hard disk drive, superlative picture quality and smart features. With Exmor R CMOS Sensor for amazing low-light sensitivity, plus premium G Lens, Optical...

The world’s first street-smart camcorder automatically geo-tags your videos and photos, plotting them as tiny thumbnails on its built-in global maps. Every element of this Full HD camcorder is at the top of its game, starting with a brand new CMOS...

There’s no bad on board this Sony, but it does occasionally stray from perfection. There’s no standard way to geo-tag videos yet, so you’ll need to manual locate movies uploaded to Flickr. And don’t rely on the built-in maps to scout locations for your...

Not only the best shooting Full HD camcorder available for under a grand but the first of a new breed of smart, flexible, connected shooters that makes home movie making cool again.

Full HD (1920x1080) AVC-HD camcorder recording to shock-protected 240GB hard disc or Memory Stick Duo. 6.6MP 1/2.9-inch CMOS sensor capable of shooting up to 12MP still images. 12x optical zoom with SteadyShot stabilisation. 3.2-inch touchscreen, GPS...

The world’s first street-smart camcorder automatically geo-tags your videos and photos, plotting them as tiny thumbnails on its built-in global maps. Every element of this Full HD camcorder is at the top of its game, starting with a brand new CMOS...

There’s no bad on board this Sony, but it does occasionally stray from perfection. There’s no standard way to geo-tag videos yet, so you’ll need to manual locate movies uploaded to Flickr. And don’t rely on the built-in maps to scout locations for your...

Not only the best shooting Full-HD camcorder available for under a grand but the first of a new breed of smart, flexible, connected shooters that makes home movie making cool again.