Performance

The Sony HDR-UX20 is equipped with a single 1/5-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor. This is a major downgrade in size from last year’s HDR-UX7, which featured a 1/2.9-inch CMOS. Now, Sony didn’t just shrink it. The company goes to great pains to point out that the UX12 is equipped with the latest in Sony engineering, the Exmor sensor and Bionz processor, both of which are supposed to reduce noise. The gross pixel count on the HDR-UX12 is 2,360,000 (effective pixel count is 1,490,000). This is down from 3,200,000 gross pixels on last year’s UX7.

Our experience with the Exmor/Bionz experience up until this review was the Sony HDR-SR12. That camcorder lost size on its CMOS since last year, and its overall performance was outstanding. The case was quite different, however. Though the gross pixel count – and therefore pixel density – increased from 3,180,000 to 5,660,000, the size reduction was less severe: 1/2.9-inch to 1/3.15-inches.

Sony HDR-UX20 at 3000 lux

First, we shot a DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart at an even 3000 lux. The HDR-UX20 produced a clean picture with an even palette under these conditions. We’ve seen a few camcorders this year, including the Panasonic HDC-HS9, with slightly smaller chips (3 x 1/6-inch CCDs), and even the same size chips like the JVC GZ-HD6 (3 x 1/5-inch CCDs). The Sony UX20 looks sharper and cleaner than both of them. All in all, we were pleasantly surprised with what the UX20 could produce with a "limited" chip size.

There is a clear difference in quality between the HDR-UX20 and the sibling HDR-SR12. The SR12, with its larger CMOS chip and higher pixel count, captured deeper blacks and more fine detail. The Canon HF10 continues to produce the sharpest images and best looking color performance in this particular test.

Outside of the lab, away from the ideal lighting of the lab, the results were a bit more mixed. Outside, under clouds and sun, we saw the same great color performance and auto responses to white balance and exposure that were praised in the HDR-SR12. There was little obvious artifacting. The HDR-SR12 and the Canon HF10 showed more fine detail, particularly the Canon, which remains the sharpest picture overall. However, this time out we saw some strong purple fringing in the Canon HF10's outdoor pictures. These only occurred in areas of extremely high contrast. and could be due to chromatic abberation or overspill on the CMOS chip. We also noticed the the Sonys did a better job bringing out detail in shadows when the image had mixed shadows and highlights.

Indoors, the gap between the UX20 and the Sony SR12 / Canon HF10 widened considerably. The small CMOS in the UX20 seems be a serious detriment in even moderate lighting. The difference in resolution was easy to spot, as was the loss of detail in shadows.

As you'll see in the low light section below, the UX20 failed to live up to real world requirements, at least in comparison to competing models. When the light is adequate, we were impressed with what Sony was able to accomplish with a single CMOS chip this small.

Video Resolution* (18.75)*

The resolution of the Sony HDR-UX20 was tested by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart at an even, bright light. The recorded footage is then played back on an HD monitor to determine line width per picture height (lw/ph). Because the camcorder records two different max bitrates – 14Mbps for DVD and 16Mbps for flash memory – we decided to test both.

Recording to the DVD, we pegged the horizontal resolution at approximately 600lw/ph and vertical resolution of 625 lw/ph.

When we shot the same thing to the internal flash memory, we found the same approximate resolution. There was no difference in resolution, at least as far as this test could show.

Low Light Performance* (1.91)*

The low light testing is done in three primary stages. First, we shoot the trusty DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde chart at an even 60 lux and 15 lux, then compare the results with similar shots from other camcorders.

At 60 lux, the HDR-UX20 lost a lot of color information. When held up next to the same shot from the HDR-SR12, with its larger CMOS chip, the results make a pretty compelling case to skip the UX20 and step-up to the SR12 (or HDR-SR11). Sony seems to be making good on its claim of noise reduction with the new Exmor and Bionz technologies, but there’s only so much you can do with a 1/5-inch chip.

Sony HDR-UX20 at 60 lux (above)

Sony HDR-SR12 at 60 lux

Every camcorder we compared it to showed more ability at producing color under these conditions, though it was not always a better picture overall. The Panasonic HDC-HS9, for example, had more saturated colors but the overall image looked fuzzier. It would be a matter of preference for a shooter to decide which one they liked better. The Canon HF10 (shooting in 1080/60i mode), produced much better color and more fine detail.

Sony HDR-UX20 at 15 lux

At 15 lux, the Sony HDR-UX20’s performance is just abysmal. Awful. The camcorder had trouble focusing and there is virtually no color information. Camcorders often tank during this test, but rarely have we seen a $1000 model do so bad. The Panasonic HDC-HS9 was a little better in this test. The Sony HDR-SR12 and Canon HF10 were significantly better.

The second test looks at the camcorder’s sensitivity. We shoot the same chart with an ever-decreasing amount of light while watching a waveform monitor. We look at the lowest amount of light required for a camcorder to produce a peak of 50 IRE (a measurement of exposure). The Sony HDR-UX20 was able to produce 50 IRE at a light level of 23 lux. This was far less sensitive than the sibling HDR-SR12, which could produce the same information with only 14 lux, almost half of what the UX20 needed. It's no great surprise, given the smaller CMOS chip. This was, however, the same score as the Panasonic HDC-HS9. The Canon HF10 trumped them all, producing the same results with only 10 lux (shooting in the same 1080/60i as all these camcorders). The results for the UX20 here are disappointing.

Finally, the third test considers color accuracy, noise, and saturation at low light. We shoot the X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even 60 lux, then export frame grabs to Imatest imaging software for analysis. The Sony HDR-UX20 was able to produce a color error of 19.3. This is an abysmal score for an HD camcorder. Everything we've tested this year  has performed far better. The HDR-SR12 produced an 11.4, Canon HF10 produced an 11.9, Panasonic HDC-HS9 produced an 11.3

The noise from the Sony HDR-UX20, on the other hand, was very impressive, producing only 0.78% noise at 60 lux. This is a tribute to Sony's new Bionz and Exmor technologies, though the company clearly overestimated its sensitivity in low light. It did better than the Canon HF10 and, oddly, the HDR-SR12. The Panasonic HDC-HS9 did even better with noise, producing only 0.595%. Finally, the HDR-UX20 produced the low saturation score of 45.76% in this light level.

Overall, the HDR-UX20's low light performance is very, very disappointing. With no manual control over shutter speed, the user is left with little recourse for dealing with low light environments except auto mode settings like Auto Slow Shutter and Color Slow Shutter, which can range from ineffective to drastic.

Stabilization* (6.9)*

The HDR-UX20 is equipped with Super SteadyShot OIS, a stabilization system that functions by separating and stabilizing the lens element from the body of the camcorder to minimize shake. OIS is the most effective shake reductions system available on the consumer level. Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) is less effective because it creates a digital buffer around the recorded frame, sacrificing resolution.

We tested the HDR-UX20 using our custom-built shake emulator at two speeds: Speed One and Speed Two. Speed One emulates typical stationary handheld shake while Speed Two simulates a light jog or bumpy car ride with the camcorder. The HDR-UX20 exhibited a 66.7% shake reduction at Speed One and a 60% shake reduction at Speed Two. This is a fair showing, however, the GZ-HD6 and Panasonic HDC-SD9 proved to be stronger performers.

Wide Angle* (9.6)*

We tested the HDR-UX20’s maximum wide angle using a vertical laser at both left and right angles. The HDR-UX20 was set to manual mode with the zoom pulled back to its full wide angle setting. Video was later interpreted on an external monitor in order to attain a true reading. The HDR-UX20’s maximum wide angle measurement is 48 degrees.

Format

Compression* (7.25)*

No matter which of the three media you choose on the Sony HDR-UX20, the camcorder compresses video in the AVCHD format. This is one of the two major high definition formats in the consumer realm, the other being tape-based HDV. Since its inception, AVCHD was promised to be the HD format of the future, but the initial product left a lot to be desired. The video on first and second generation models showed a lot of compression artifacts and motion blurring. HDV remained the recommended format. 2008 saw the release of the third generation of AVCHD camcorders, and the first time that we were able to strongly support it as a viable choice over tape (in select models).

The Sony HDR-UX20 is an odd one in terms of compression. Though it records to three media types, not all are equal. The internal flash memory and MemoryStick Duo cards have a maximum bitrate of 16Mbps (HD FH quality). When recording to DVD, the maximum bitrate is only 14Mbps (HD FS quality), due to the limited write-speeds onto a spinning DVD. Right off the bat, you can see that you probably don’t want to be recording to DVD. There’s even better reasons in the next section, when you see the limited record times.

All of the media share three other quality settings (corresponding to bitrate). The other settings include HD HQ (9Mbps), HD SP (7Mbps), and HD LP (5Mbps).

The HDR-UX20 also allows for standard definition recording in the MPEG-2 format. Quality settings include SD HQ (9Mbps), SD SP (6Mb), and SD LP (3Mbps). This are the same settings and quality you’d find on a standard definition Sony DVD or HDD camcorder.

Media* (10.0)*

The Sony HDR-UX20 is among a unique few camcorders from the manufacturer this year categorized as "Hybrid Plus," meaning it can record video to three separate media: 8cm DVD (sometimes called miniDVD), 8GB of internal flash memory, or removable MemoryStick Duo cards (not included).

As you might expect, there are costs and benefits to each media. Though the camcorder could nominally be considered a "DVD camcorder" first and foremost, there’s a pretty clear argument against even using DVD, which makes you wonder why it was even offered in the first place.

First of all, the maximum bitrate (quality setting) is lower when recording to DVD than it is to either of the flash memory option. This is described in detail in the previous section. Right off the bat, you’re video will look marginally worse. Secondly, the average DVD recording capacity is about 11 minutes in the highest quality. * ELEVEN MINUTES*. That means you’ll be swapping out large, easily scratchable discs at the rate of five per hour. Does that sound like the kind of technology you want to be using?

Alternatively, you can record to the internal flash memory. The capacity is somewhat limited compared to 60 and 120GB hard drives, but with 55 minutes of recording time in the highest quality, it sure beats the DVD option. To boot, the video is of a higher quality. And because it’s solid state – no moving parts – recording, it’s more battery efficient. You may want to use the internal memory as you’re primary recording medium, then pick up one or two MemorySticks to tide you over until you can dump the video onto a hard drive. In an emergency, you can always fall back on the DVD.

 

Editing* (4.0)
*The Sony HDR-UX20's AVCHD files, or any AVCHD files, can still be a frustrating experience, even after nearly two years on the market. Support is spotty because there is no unified AVCHD format. Sony, Panasonic, and Canon all use slightly different flavors and it's difficult to recommend a dual-platform catch-all. On the PC side, consumer friendly solutions include Ulead VideoStudio 11 and Sony Vegas. On the Mac side, iMovie '08 is supposed to work with AVCHD, but we saw some problems reading files copied onto the desktop. However, an iMovie support page insists that it is compatible.

To edit straight out of the box, Sony includes a CD in with the Handycam Application Software and Picture Motion Browser software, a PC-only basic edit suite that lets you import, piece together, and export movies. For anything more advanced than the ultra-simple editing, you'll want to step up to a more powerful edit program.

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
*
*The Sony HDR-UX20 is a strong performer in auto mode, as is the case with most Sony camcorders. Sony has always had a strong and well-earned following in the point-and-shoot crowd. As per usual, there is an clearly labeled 'Easy' mode button on the left side. One push of the button renders the camcorder into complete idiot-proof mode. The menu options become limited, the touch screen buttons grow larger and easier to read, and auto exposure, focus, white balance - auto everything - kicks into gear. You only have to hit the record on/off button and zoom.

Having a chance to shoot this side by side with the Sony HDR-SR12 was useful. It proved that despite the UX20 having a smaller CMOS sensor and less advanced manual controls, auto performance was nearly identical. The responses to changes in light and focus come swift and accurately. The only difference was in low light, when the UX20 failed to perform adequately. Even in some moderately lit indoor environments, the SR12's superior sensor allowed for better auto focusing.

In the HDR-UX20 menu, you'll find the standard array of one-touch image correction tools that allow beginners to feel like they have some control without having to know complicated photography terminology. The most appealing are the Spot Focus and Spot Meter tools. When activated, a frame appears around the edge of the LCD. Simply touch the area of the screen that you wish to be properly focused or exposed, and the camcorder responds. This works best with large subjects rather than tiny details.

You'll also find a host of Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, and Snow. This should be more than adequate to cover your difficult lighting environments.

Finally, the Sony HDR-UX20 has multiple low light shooting modes. These have widely different effects, so you'll want to experiment with them before an important shoot. Normally, the camcorder does not allow the auto shutter speed to drop below 1/60th of a second. If you activate the Auto Slow Shutter, it will go as low as 1/30th, which picks up a little extra light. The Color Slow Shutter is very different, allowing the shutter to go as low as around 1/4. Sure, it makes the image more colorful, but there's so much motion blur the image is typically unusable. There are also the Twilight and Candle settings in the Scene Modes menu. All told, you should be able to find something that helps, but be aware that this is not a strong low light performer, and no special setting can change that.

Overall Manual Control (6.25)

There are two levels of manual control in Sony HD camcorders. The tape-based HDV models tend to offer the most advanced, while the AVCHD camcorders have a lighter version. The HDR-UX20 is in the latter group, though the manual control set is still pretty good. No, it’s not pro level, but it will satisfy advanced dabblers. You’ll find exposure, focus, white balance, several low light modes, and all the Sony-special simple adjustments described above.

The menu is split into two distinct areas, the Camera Menu and Home menu. The Camera menu is accessed by hitting the button in the lower left area of the touch screen. This is where you’ll find all the controls that directly affect the look of the image – exposure, white balance, focus, etc. The Home menu contains all the administrative functions, such as time/date settings, activating quality control settings like Zebra stripes and Guidelines, and other options.

Measuring 2.7-inches, the LCD screen is smaller than its sibling model, the hard disk drive-based HDR-SR12. The 3.5-inch LCD on the SR12 definitely makes interfacing with the menu easier, and eliminated some of standard complaints about touch screen controls.

Zoom (5.0)

The zoom toggle is located on the top of the camcorder, towards the back. The toggle on the Sony HDR-UX20 is located too far forward, and making it hit the middle finger instead. The toggle also feels cheap and loose. We’ve seen much better from Canon and Panasonic this year.

It is possible to get a very slow zoom shot with the HDR-UX20, which we did not find on the sibling HDR-SR12. This should be a boon for amateur filmmakers who want the really dramatic push into a shot.

When zooming, a small scale appears in the upper left corner. This gives you a sense of where in the zoom range you are, but an exact numerical indication would have been nice.

Zoom Power Ratio (15.0)

The optical zoom on the Sony HDR-UX20 extends to 15x, the largest zoom of any Sony HD camcorder, along with the step-down HDR-UX10. How could they make the zoom so good, you ask? The sad answer is that Sony shrunk the CMOS sensors on its DVD camcorders, which means that the zoom ratio can be made bigger while keeping the size of the camcorder small.

The digital zoom is engaged in the Home menu. You can set the maximum digital zoom to 30x or 180x. We recommend the former, of just keeping it off altogether.

Focus (5.5)

Focus options are located in the first page of the Camera Menu. There are three choices here. Focus, Spot Focus, and Tele Macro. The first, Focus, is the most basic. When activated, the screen is populated with a slew of graphics and touch screen buttons. You only need two of them: the toward and away buttons, signified by the icons of a man and a mountain. Push each to shift focus. As we’ve said in may Sony camcorder reviews, there’s just too much junk on the screen. It’s hard to even see what you’re trying to focus. We like the fact than the camcorders offers data on focal length (in meters) while you’re focus, but everything else on screen should be eliminated.

It’s also a shame that Sony didn’t see fit to include any focus assist modes, as you’ll find on nearly all HD camcorders from other manufacturers. The best we’ve seen it JVC’s, such as the Everio GZ-HD6. The focus assist mode on that creates peaking - a brightly colored fuzz – around the areas of the screen that are in focus. Even on a small LCD, it becomes much easier to tell if your picture is in focus.

Spot Focus was described in Auto Controls section above. In short, when this control is activated, you can simply touch the area of the screen you want to be in focus and… presto, the camcorder takes care of the rest (in theory).

The Tele Macro function is for shooting close-ups from far away. The 15x zoom is instantly pushed to its full extent.

Manual exposure control

Exposure & Aperture (4.75)

The exposure controls are located in the second page of the Camera menu. There. You’ll find a simple Exposure tool, Spot Meter, and Scene Selection. The Exposure tool looks a lot like the Focus tool. You only need the plus and minus buttons to make the image darker and brighter, but Sony clogs up the screen with eleven separate graphics.

When shifting Exposure, a scale appears in the middle of the screen, but there is no numerical value. This makes it difficult to duplicate a shot later. There are 31 increments in the scale. Oddly, we counted 34 increments on the Sony HDR-SR12.

The Spot Meter works just like Spot Focus. Activate, then push the area of the screen you want properly exposed.

The third option here is the Scene Modes menu, which was detailed in the Auto Controls section above.

Manual exposure control

Shutter Speed (0.0)

The Sony DR-UX20 does not offer shutter speed control. Sony doesn’t include this on any of its non-tape HD camcorders. However, Canon, Panasonic, and JVC do have shutter control. If this is important to you, look to those manufacturers.

There are two low light modes that involve shutter speed. Normally, the auto shutter is not allowed to drop below 1/60th. When Auto Slow Shutter is activated, the shutter can drop as low as 1/30th. The Color Slow Shutter is more drastic, dropping the shutter as low as around 1/4.

White Balance (5.5)

The white balance options are located in the third page of the Camera menu. They include Auto, Indoor, Outdoor, and One Push (Manual). This is a rather limited list, but par for the competition. Canon tends to offer more white balance presets. Making a manual setting is quite easy. Just select One Push, then push then the button underneath that. It would be nice if the screen went black, then came back. This is what happens with Panasonics, and it’s assuring that a change has definitely occurred.

The White Balance controls

Gain (0.0)

The Sony HDR-UX20 does not offer gain control. Panasonic is the only camcorder manufacturer that offers manual gain in the consumer range.

Other Manual Controls (4.5)*

x.v.Color* – This is Sony’s trade name for the xvYCC color standard, the emerging standard for HD video. It offers wider and deeper color than the traditional color standards. Sony now offers it as an option on almost all its HD camcorders, including the HDR-SR12. In order to take advantage of you, you need to have an HDTV that supports xvYCC color. If you record with x.v.Color on and don’t have such a TV, the TV will simply discard that extra information. This is a major advantage over the JVC GZ-HD6 and Panasonic’s HDC-SD9 and HDC-HS9, all of which completely oversaturate the image.

Zebra – The Zebra function is located in the Home menu. When activated, the camcorder will display moving "zebra stripes" over any area of the image that is overexposed. There are two options: 70 and 100. These refer to IRE levels. 70 is a conservative measurement, but if your areas are hitting 100 IRE, they are definitely completely overexposed.

Face Detection – The Face Detection feature is new for 2008, and new for camcorders in general (Sony is joined by Panasonic in this area). Sony’s version seems to work better. It detects up to eight faces simultaneously, and can auto correct for exposure, focus, and white balance. In fact, Sony showed the ability to detect faces at a 90-degree angle.

*Guideframes *– Activated via the Home menu, the Guideframes feature draws two vertical and two horizontal lines across the screen to help you compose your shot. These lines do not get recorded to your final footage. Canon and Panasonic offer the same feature with more variations.

Conversion Lens – There are two options here, Wide Conversion and Tele Conversion. These are meant to be activated when you have a wide or tele lens attached to the camcorder.

Still Features

Still Features* (7.25)*

The HDR-UX20 is not stacked with extensive image size options like the HDR-SR12, which offers up to 10MP stills. 4MP is the max, which is a downgrade from the previous generation HDR-UX7’s 6MP max. The HDR-UX20 captures still images in the following sizes: 2304 x 1728 (4.0MP), 2304 x 1296 (3.0MP), 1600 x 1200 (1.9MP), and 640 x 480 (0.3MP VGA) to Internal Flash Memory or Memory Stick PRO Duo. In Video mode, the HDR-UX20 can capture a 3MP still via the Dual Record function.

The HDR-UX20 has a flash mounted to the left of the lens. The placement of the flash will most likely lead to uneven lighting, so play with the Exposure before settling on the flash. The flash can be set to Auto, On, or Off and the level can be adjusted to High, Medium, or Low. A Redeye Reduction feature can be set, which reduces the infamous demon eyes of a subject in an image.

Sony also implemented Face Detection on the HDR-UX20, which can detect up to 8 faces at a time. This is available in both video and still modes. When Face Detection is activated, a white box will appear around a subject’s face, concentrating primarily on color, Focus, and Exposure. You can activate Face Detection with frames on or off. Sony’s Face Detection is superior to Panasonic’s, which only picks up 6 faces at a time, and has a particularly difficult time doing so.

The HDR-UX20 also has a 10 second Self-Timer, located in the Function menu. All Manual Controls are available, and the Flash modes and Image sizes can be accessed from the Function menu as well as the Home menu.

The Photo menu can be accessed from the Home menu, and contains the following items:

In order to view recorded stills, press the Playback button above the LCD cavity or in the bottom left hand corner of the LCD screen. Just like Video playback mode, captured media will appear as thumbnails that can be pressed to access the particular clip or image. The Photo Playback menu contains the following options:

The Photo playback menu

**Still Performance ***(11.28)*

We tested the still performance of the Sony HDR-UX20 camcorder by shooting an industry-standard X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even, bright light at a variety of exposures. We then ran the stills through Imatest imaging software. At best, the camcorder was able to produce a color error of 5.32. This was very similar, virtually identical to the Sony HDR-SR12, and a very good score in terms of color accuracy. The Panasonic HDC-HS9 was a little farther off the mark at 6.62, and the Canon HF10 turned in a much poorer performance. The noise  from the UX20 measured 1.1725% - better than the SR12 and Canon HF10, but not nearly as good as the Panasonic HS9. Finally, the saturation measured 95.75%, just about on target.

Though we shot in several exposure settings, the auto mode proved to be the most accurate. That should prove to be of some hope to beginners.

Still Resolution* (17.45)
*The resolution of the Sony HDR-UX20's stills were tested by shooting an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart at an even, bright light, then exported to Imatest imaging software to determine the line width per pixel height (lw/ph). At best, the UX20 was able to produce a horizontal resolution of 1144 lw/ph, with an undersharpening of 4.62%. In order to get this best score, we had to bump the exposure up by one increment from auto mode. As you may have read elsewhere in the review, Sony is pretty conservative in its manual control offerings. We had to read the EXIF data after the picture was taken in order to see the aperture and shutter speed: f/3.4 and 1/60th.

This is resolution score is right on target for a camcorder with this imager size and pixel count, nothing great or terrible.

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (7.5)*

It’s a Sony DVD camcorder with Easy mode. What more could you ask for? Yes, Easy Mode transforms any Sony into an idiot-proof autopilot machine—all the shooter needs is the Record Start/Stop button and maybe the zoom toggle, if they’re feeling it. When the HDR-UX20 is set to Easy Mode, the Function menu disappears, Home menu items dwindle, and onscreen LCD buttons enlarge to twice their original size. The Function menu is not available in Playback mode either. All image adjustments are made automatically. Easy Mode is the magical elixir for any video novice.

Outside of Easy Mode, operation not as cushy, but it’s still better than something like Panasonic, which can be a little intense for beginners. Sonys are geared toward the consumer who wants something they can turn on, point, and shoot. The HDR-UX20’s Home menu is just as intuitive as an ATM screen, and most options are arranged in a logical array. All Manual Controls are located in the Function menu, and most administrative functions can be found in the Home menu. However, the touch screen responsiveness was not as good as it was on the 3.5-inch screen HDR-SR12. We often had to push the buttons more than once to get the desired effect.

The only red flag we see with the HDR-UX20 is its ability to record via three different forms of media. DVD, Internal Flash Memory, and Memory Stick PRO Duo cards will be difficult to keep track of if you opt to use all three. Our recommendation? Don’t use all three. In fact, stick to one form of media. If you prefer DVDs for their quick playback, record to DVD. If internal flash memory means one less thing to carry in the camcorder bag, then go for it. Those who prefer solid state will obviously want to take advantage of the Memory Stick PRO Duo slot. Just don’t mix and match—it’ll save you clumps of hair.

Handling* (5.0)*

The HDR-UX20 strays significantly from the previous generation HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7 when it comes to design. Sony went with a tall upright camcorder body, which aids portability and attributes to a sleek, sexy look. Well, this consumer-driven architecture comes at a hefty price for the advanced power shooter. A tall, upright camcorder is awkward to grasp and disproportionate in terms of weight. You’ll find that it’s easier to shake the HDR-UX20 than it is the massive HDR-UX1. Not only does stabilization take a blow, but manual adjustment is shafted as well. Sony nixed the Cam Control dial found on the HDR-UX7—long gone are the days of the HDR-UX1’s Cam Control lens ring. You’ll have to rely on the 2.7-inch LCD screen, which was also downgraded from the HDR-UX1’s whopping 3.5-incher. Consumer is the name of the game for the HDR-UX20.

As far as grip goes, you’ll be palming the DVD hatch, but make sure your fingers don’t make it over to the microphone. You’ll have to arch your fingers for them to remain on top of the DVD hatch. The index finger aligns with the Zoom toggle quite well, but the Zoom toggle is embedded too deeply and remains flush with the body of the camcorder. We could have used a little extra plastic here. The Record Start/Stop button falls too far below the thumb, causing you to bend your thumb at a steep angle to reach it. Sayonara, wide, fat camcorder goodness—the HDR-UX20 possesses very few traits from its older siblings.

At least the extendable viewfinder is a nice attempt by Sony. It certainly looks flashy with its metallic AIS shield. However, the viewfinder only extends to a distance that is flush with the battery. If you upgrade to the bulkier NP-FH70 battery, you will get a nice chunk of hard plastic in your face. Also, the DVD hatch takes anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds to open, so you must possess an ample amount of patience. The Memory Stick PRO Duo slot also looks stylish, but loading and unloading a card is a very unstable process. The glossy frame of the LCD cavity cause a card to glide to and fro, as if it’s on a bed of grease. If you’re shooting on a bridge or structure with holes and a very long drop off, you can say goodbye to your Memory Stick PRO Duo.

Menu* (6.0)*

Sony’s Home menus never fail to offer stellar ease of use and intuitive navigation. Unfortunately, the HDR-UX20’s 2.7-inch LCD screen is too small for most fingers, whereas the HDR-UX1’s 3.5-inch LCD screen offered a lot more breathing room. Since the HDR-UX20 also skimps on external controls, most operations are heavily menu dependent. This means wading through the numerous pages just to access SteadyShot or Zebras, which should be in the Function menu, but hide out in the Home menu instead. On a screen this small, buttons are not as responsive and you’ll find yourself pressing on the same LCD screen location numerous times before anything useful happens.

To access the Home menu, press the Home button located in the upper left hand corner of the LCD screen, or the Home button located on the LCD panel. The Home menu is Sony’s administrative menu, and contains the following options:

The Home Menu

The Camera menu, which contains all Manual Controls, can be accessed by pressing the Camera button located in the lower right hand corner of the LCD screen. The Camera menu contains the following options:

The Camera menu

Portability* (6.5)*

Though we’ve roasted the HDR-UX20 for its lack of handling qualities, it’s certainly easier to tote around than the HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7. The HDR-UX20 measures 58mm x 93mm x 134mm (2 3/8 in. x 3 ¾ in. x 5 3/8 in.) and weighs in at 560g (1 lb. 3 oz.). You can slip this baby into a large coat pocket and it will suit a small camcorder bag well. If you plan on just using the Internal Flash Memory, then you don’t have to worry about toting around media—DVD lovers will have to stock up on mini DVD-Rs. Memory Sticks might be a better route because they take up far less space and are easier to shoot with.

LCD and Viewfinder* (8.0)*

The HDR-UX20 is equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a 211,000-pixel display. The LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. The HDR-UX20’s LCD screen is a downgrade from previous generations, such as the HDR-UX1, which features a 3.5-inch display. This make menu navigation a cumbersome task, as menu buttons take multiple presses to spring into action. The LCD panel is outfitted with a handy strip of controls consisting of Home, Zoom Out, Zoom In, and Record Start/Stop buttons.

The HDR-UX20 also has an extendable color viewfinder that clears about an inch off the back end of the camcorder. The viewfinder does not pivot upward and is not constructed with a rubberized eye cup, but rather a plastic frame in its place. The HDR-UX20’s viewfinder only extends to a length that is flush with the battery, which means if you opt for the higher capacity NP-FH70, the viewfinder will not ante up. It seems like Sony just threw the viewfinder on the HDR-UX20 as an afterthought—we want to see the pivoting, rubberized glory of Sonys of yore.

Battery Life* (10.0)
*We tested the life of the HDR-UX20's NP-FH60 rechargeable battery pack by recording continuously in the highest quality setting with the LCD flipped open. OIS was disabled and video was shot in manual mode. When the Internal Flash Memory reached its maximum capacity, the external power supply was connected while the previous clip was wiped before filming resumed. The HDR-UX20's battery lasted 100 minutes and 14 seconds (1 hour, 40 minutes, and 14 seconds), which is a fairly decent run.

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio* (4.5)*

This year, Sony equipped all of its high end camcorders with Zoom mic capability, which is becoming more of a standard in upper-tier camcorders. The HDR-UX20 has a 5.1-channel Dolby Digital Surround microphone mounted to the top of the camcorder. There is also an Active Interface Shoe (AIS) for after-market Sony microphones. Though the AIS is proprietary, Sony offers a decent spectrum of booms that can be mounted. Also, there is a converter available for third-party mics, but the HDR-UX20 is devoid of a Mic jack, which cancels out that possibility—it’s Sony or bust. There is also no Headphone jack, which further couches the HDR-UX20 within the consumer corner.

Audio recording can be set to either 5.1-Channel Surround or 2-Channel Stereo recording, though it won’t make much of a difference with the inherently low quality of the onboard mic. Audio recording can be set to Normal or Low. Normal records sounds at a fixed level, which is most likely an internal decibel governor to stave off pops, clicks, and hisses. Low records sounds at their actual level, which will lead to a more raw recording.

Playback* (5.0)*

Like any Sony, playing back video clips is a simple process. In order to access Playback mode, press the Playback button located in the lower left hand corner of the LCD screen or the Playback button located above the LCD cavity. A screen will appear containing a series of thumbnails that represent individually recorded video clips or stills. All menu operation is navigated via touch screen interaction, and you can swap between Video and Photo playback without having to jog the Mode dial.

Video playback mode as you see it on screen

When a thumbnail is pressed, the clip or still begins playing within the entirely of the LCD screen. Playback controls are all onscreen and consist of Previous Clip, Next Clip, Stop, Rewind, Play/Pause, Fast Forward, and Function. You can fast forward and rewind at four different speed levels and Stop brings you back to the index page. In Photo mode, you can set the images to play in a Slide Show.

In Video playback mode, the Camera menu contains the following options:

A Film Index feature is also available. Film Index functions by grouping clips of a similar length or date together in order to expedite the allocation process. Useful for camcorders like the HDR-SR12, which features a seemingly endless 120GB HDD, Film Index will also come in handy if you have a large quantity of short clips or lots of images.

Connectivity* (8.0)*

The pickings are slim in terms of onboard connectivity with the HDR-UX20. The mini HDMI jack is mounted to the front, guarded by a flimsy plastic cover that we pulled out accidentally. Bad placement and difficult access are about all we have to say regarding that port. In back the DC and AV/Component terminals are shielded by a thin plastic hatch located beneath the battery. The USB cable is stuffed in the LCD cavity, hiding behind a flimsy plastic tab. Noticing an erratic display of port placement? It’s like Where’s Waldo. The HDR-SR12’s ports should be modeled by all consumer camcorder manufacturers for their optimal placement and killer retractable covers. The HDR-UX20 is a just a dud when it comes to design.

The Memory Stick PRO Duo slot is even lacking. Sony just threw on a small plastic tab to secure the edge of the card. The glossy plastic material that constitutes the LCD cavity makes for a greasy chamber for plastic-on-plastic action. Be careful with your Memory Stick PRO Duos—they might go flying.

Lastly, the HDR-UX20 makes up for its cheesy port configuration by outfitting the Active Interface Shoe (hot shoe) with a metallic plastic shield. This is not particularly functional—it just looks cool.

 

 

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Sony HDR-UX20 ships with the following items:

• AC Adapter

• Power Cord

• Component Cable

• A/V Cable

• USB Cable

• Wireless Remote Commander

• NP-FH60 Rechargeable Battery Pack

• CD-ROM: Handycam Application Software, Picture Motion Browser

• Operating Guide

The HDR-UX20 does not ship with mini DVDs, or a Memory Stick, so add those to the list. Also, Sony offers a higher capacity battery—the NP-FH70. One of those would be a wise investment.

Other Features* (5.5)**

Smooth Slow Record - * In the past, this feature was primarily geared toward golfers who wanted a three second slow-mo clip of their swing. Sony’s Smooth Slow Record has now evolved to 12 seconds of color video in true, 240fps slow motion, which is thinking outside of the back nine. Well done.

• Super NightShot - * Paris Hilton’s favorite shooting mode functions by emitting an invisible beam of infrared light in order to illuminate subjects in extremely dark places. The Super NightShot light adds an extra boost to the dimly lit action.

• Dual Record - * In Movie mode, Dual Record allows you to capture a still image to Internal Flash or Memory Stick PRO Duo at 3MP or 2.2MP. The Flash is disabled in Dual Record mode.

• Digital Effect - * The HDR-UX20’s digital image effects consist of Old Movie, which just slows the shutter speed and throws a sepia tone on.

• Battery Info - * You can check the remaining juice left in the HDR-UX20’s NP-FH60 battery pack when the camcorder is powered off by pressing the Battery/Display button. A multi-colored chart will appear displaying the remaining percentage of battery life, in addition to the remaining LCD and viewfinder recording times.

• Backlight Compensation (BLC) - * In order to brighten the exposure of a subject who is underexposed in the center of the shot, Backlight Compensation boosts the overall exposure of the image.

*Picture Effects - *If you can’t wait until post production, Sony offers Sepia, Black and White, and Pastel Picture Effects.

*Faders - * Here’s another in-camera post production shortcut. Fade out to black for drama and fade into white for a dream sequence.

Comparisons / Conclusion

Comparison
Sony HDR-UX10

The Sony HDR-UX10 ($799.99 MSRP) is simply an HDR-UX20 without the Hybrid Plus capability, meaning no built-in 8GB of Internal Flash Memory. Aside from that, both camcorders are identical—same imager, revamped processing, body design, menu system, etc. The $200 upgrade to the UX20 is highly recommended, as we can see no reason to settle for recording to DVD when the flash memory offers more convenience and a higher image quality.

Sony HDR-UX7

Though Sony "upgraded" the processing and imaging set with new technologies this year, last year’s HDR-UX7 ($999.99 MSRP, $700 online) takes nearly every other category by storm. The HDR-UX7’s 1/2.9-inch ClearVID CMOS chip produced a decent image in bright light, but the HDR-UX20 takes the edge with lower all around noise and better low light. Plus, the HDR-UX20’s 16Mbps max bitrate leaps beyond the HDR-UX7’s 12Mbps max. The HDR-UX20 offers three media options, while the HDR-UX7 can only record to DVD. This year’s Sony imaging is tough to tango with, but the HDR-UX20’s handling is another story.

Since the HDR-UX7, Sony dropped the Cam Control dial, 3.5-inch LCD screen, and upward-pivoting viewfinder in favor of a tall, upright design. The Mic and Headphone jacks have also been abandoned, pinning the HDR-UX20 as a major consumer model, rather than an advanced cam like the HDR-UX7. So, the trade-off is handling and features for better video quality and more media options. Try before you buy, folks.

Panasonic HDC-HS9

Panasonic has been floundering at the starting gates of 2008 and the HDC-HS9 ($999.95 MSRP) is a prime contributor. With an overall fair video performance brought on by three 1/6-inch CCDs, the HDC-HS9 needs a push in the handling or versatility department. Unfortunately, that ship sailed. The HDC-HS9 is the first generation Panasonic to feature a relocated Joystick (in the LCD cavity), which is not fun to use. Ports are still tucked away behind the battery, and there are no Mic or Headphone jacks. You can only capture stills up to 1920 x 1080 and there is no viewfinder. The HDC-HS9’s Face Detection is less effective than Sony’s, yet the overall manual control is a match, with more pro-like controls. The HDC-HS9 does have a 60GB HDD and SD/SDHC recording, which definitely beats 8GB of internal flash memory. This is a tough call—certainly one you’ll have to make in the store.

Canon HF10

There’s no contest here. You read the review. The Canon HF10 ($1099 MSRP) is a force to be reckoned with. Its video performance, handling, connectivity, and manual controls are fierce. The HDR-UX20 has very few edges to skate on here—the addition of DVD recording, Smooth Slow Record, and a great menu system is the main artillery. Canon even threw an Easy mode on the HF10, a tip of the cap (or a slap in the face) to Sony. The HDR-UX20 got the shaft in terms of external controls, shaving the Cam Control dial, 3.5-inch LCD screen, and additional connectivity from its diet. The HF10 will only set you back an additional $100, but it’s worth every cent.
**

Who It’s For**
Point-and-Shooters

You’ve got DVD, Memory Stick, and Internal Flash to choose from. Throw Easy mode, some cool Picture Effects, and limited manual controls into the mixing bowl and you’ve got a Point-and-Shoot special. Order up!

Budget Consumers

A grand for HD video is fairly reasonable these days, but the HDR-UX10 joins the Panasonic HDC-SD9 as one of the cheapest HD camcorders on the market. If you want budget, $800 is the best you’ll get in the HD world.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid

The HDR-UX20 was downgraded to a maximum still image size of 4MP. The Canon HF10 and Sony HDR-SR12 offer more in the ways of still images.

Gadget Freaks

The Hybrid Plus functionality is definitely cool. Aside from that, the HDR-UX20 is just another no-frills HD camcorder.

Manual Control Freaks

Sony lopped off some useful manual controls including AE Shift and WB Shift. The Cam Control dial has also been sacked. Again, the Sony HDR-SR12 and Canon HF10 will do the trick here.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

Despite the improved processing and upped bitrate, the HDR-UX20’s lack of advanced controls and features make it a consumer special. Sorry, pros.

**Conclusion
**

The Sony HDR-UX20 ($999 MSRP) is certainly not the best value in high definition camcorders. Don't misunderstand, it has a lot of great things going for it. First and foremost, the UX20 records to three separate media: DVD, an 8GB internal flash drive, and removable MemoryStick Pro cards. That's some great flexibility. But the DVD medium is painfully limited. Single sided discs only hold about 11 minutes of video in the highest quality. Also, because discs burn slower than the other media, the highest quality is only 14Mbps, while the two solid state options record at 16Mbps. Finally, all that ease of use you used to associate with standard definition DVDs is out the window. You can't pop it out of your camcorder and into your home DVD player unless you have a Blu-ray player or Playstation 3. All told, there is almost no reason to shoot high definition DVD, unless you really want that instant, in-your-hand archiving.

There is the option to simply not use the DVD recording and rely on the higher quality internal memory, but why then should you pay all that money in the first place? The Canon HF10 costs $100 more and offers twice the internal flash capacity - 16GB - and much better looking video. Another option is stepping up to the Sony HDR-SR11. It's 60GB internal hard disk drive (HDD) has far more capacity and the video quality is superior, vastly so in low light.

If you want cheaper, the Canon HF100 ($899 MSRP) is expected to perform as well as the HF10, though it records only to SDHC cards. The Panasonic HDC-SD9 offers good, but not outstanding, performance for only $799 MSRP.

The Sony HDR-UX20 is a good camcorder in bright light, and we love all the media choices, which could really save your neck if you're out on a shoot. But it's just not a viable choice when you consider the price of the UX20 and the huge increase in quality you'll get for just a little more money.

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