Visit our Business Solutions website >>

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520
Sony Handycam HDR-XR520Sony Handycam HDR-XR520Sony Handycam HDR-XR520Sony Handycam HDR-XR520Sony Handycam HDR-XR520Sony Handycam HDR-XR520
alaScore 90

263 reviews

May, 2025

alaTest has collected and analyzed 263 reviews of Sony Handycam HDR-XR520. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. People really like the design and size. The image quality and portability also get good feedback, whereas the battery and price get negative comments.

usability, portability, image quality, size, design

price, battery

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Sony Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 263 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (47% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (41% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (6% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (68%)Show negative (32%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (44%)Show negative (56%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (91%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (34%)Show negative (66%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
control panel
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
Show more features

Showing 181 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.
Showing 1 - 71 of 181 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (82)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony Handycam HDR-XR520

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 14 user reviews of Sony Handycam HDR-XR520 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the battery and design. The image quality and portability also get good reviews. Some have doubts about the price and size.

usability, portability, image quality, design, battery

size, price

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

May, 2025

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony Handycam HDR-XR520

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 47 user reviews of Sony Handycam HDR-XR520 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the zoom and portability. The price and usability also get good feedback.

image quality, usability, price, portability, zoom

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2025

Expert review by : James Morris (trustedreviews.com)

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520

 

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...

May, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by : Rob Hull (techradar.com)

Sony HDR XR520 1080p camcorder review

 

The world's first Full HD Handycam with built-in GPS

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

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

Apr, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by (stuff.tv)

Sony HDR-XR520VE review

 

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

Apr, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by (stuff.tv)

Stuff magazine

 

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

Apr, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by (gadgetheaven.co.uk)

Sony HDR-XR520VE Camcorder

 

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...

May, 2012
Read the full review

Expert review by : electricpig.co.uk (electricpig.co.uk)

Sony HDR-XR520 review

 

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

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

Geotagging not yet fully up to speed

Sep, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by (channel5.com)

Sony HDR-XR520VE

 

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...

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. Sony HDR-XR520VE is tagged with Sony HDR-XR520VE, Sony and camcorder....

Aug, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by (channel5.com)

Sony HDR-XR520

 

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...

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. Sony HDR-XR520 is tagged with Sony HDR-XR520, Sony and camcorder....

Jun, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by : Chris Jager (goodgearguide.com.au)

Sony HDR-XR520

 

Good video quality, excellent stills mode, 240GB hard drive

Video quality slightly below Canon HF S10, depressingly unaffordable

The Sony HDR-XR520 is a rock-solid HDD video camera that improves on its predecessors in nearly every way. On the other hand, it's unlikely that many consumers will be able to afford it at its current price point.

Jun, 2009
Read the full review

Expert review by : Rob Mead (pcworld.com)

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V

 

Massive storage capacity, good manual control placement, optical viewfinder

Tricky user interface, heavy, short battery life, unremarkable HD video performance

Nov, 2009
Read the full review
1
2
3
4
5

Price comparison for Sony Handycam HDR-XR520