Sony XR550V/CX550V vs. XR520V/XR500V/CX520V/CX500V preliminary comparison - Page 2

FWIW, 1080x60p won't happen with the current AVCHD, which Sony is a co-author. Panasonic and Sony will have to rev the spec to include 60p, probably breaking compatibility with some bluray players in the process. So, I personally wouldn't be waiting for this from Panasonic, Canon or Sony in the next few years.

Hi guys, any news on any preview/review of the new xr550 ?

also, I read here :

http://camcorder-test.slashcam.com/compare.html

comparing the xr520 to the xr550 that the Image Sensor of the 2 models is different.
The xr520 has a larger sensor (1/2,8 inch) in comparison to the xr550 (1/2,9 inch).
Is this true ?
I wonder how this slightly difference will effect the image/noise in low light....


Thank you

I think your source may have rounding error going on, though I'm not being definitive about that (check the specs sheets on SonyStyle and the new announcement). The XR520 has a 1/2.88" sensor and I think the XR550 has the same sensor but someone rounded it to 1/2.9. As I recall, the pixel count was identical. But again, you should look it up in Sony literature which is readily available online.

I see some desirable features in the 55x series as before, but I am still very happy I bought the CX500V with the 12x zoom and different optical specs. I hope they offer the same two years down the road, or two models with different optical behavior optimized for distance or width.

I just spent some time at Disney World and needed a wide angle lens for the first time there to capture the fireworks at Illuminations. I probably could have just backed up 20-30 yards but then I might have lost some stability (shooting on a wall) or might have lost the unobstructed view itself. I carried the wide angle lens with me this trip because I had noticed this possible need before and that lens is small and light where the telephoto lens is large and heavy. I returned a second night this trip to use the 12x zoom to capture what was being shown on the globe itself during the show - something hard to catch with inadequate zoom. In fact, I couldn't really make it out with the naked eye but should have nice video to watch now at the 12x level.

So as noted by a few other people, I'd rather carry a wide angle lens infrequently than a telephoto most of the time. I use the full in-cam telephoto all the time, the widest angle rarely. Others may do exactly the opposite, particularly filming family gathering indoors from what I've read here. But this is one way in which the earlier cam has an edge for certain types of filming.

Ok. So I would really like your advice. I was about to buy either the CX500v or the XR500v for my upcoming safari in South Africa. Want to take both video and stills.
I also have two kids graduating and will be filming that and the usual family stuff. I am thinking a viewfinder would be helpful filming in the full sun of the African plains. On the other hand I understand that the CX has better stabilization. Do you think it is worth the extra buck to get both on the CX550, recognizing that I would also probably spring for a 1.7 telephote to make up the difference in zoom from the 500v models. Is there anything else I should be considering? Thanks to all, you guys are great.

I'm returning my CX500v so I can purchase the new CX550v... I see the the viewfinder as one of the most important parts of the camcorder...

Viewfinder:
Can shoot video in the audience without bothering others with the "glow" of the touchscreen...I just had an example of this happen at my daughters orchestra concert...when the lights went out, it was a nuisance for others.

My daughter does alot of outside sports and it is hot/bright here...there is no way I could follow her doing her track activities with the touch screen when you add in glare from the sun.. I'm also accustomed to using a viewfinder...

Sometimes, it's just better to not expose the screen, and you can see and make all adjustments as seen in the viewfinder.

I've seen the youtube comparisons between the CX550v vs CX500v and I prefer the 550...for needed distance shots, I will have a telephoto. There are too many instances of indoor and closeups that a wider lens really is needed..


Plus ALL the other extras and upgrades heaped onto the CX550, how could you not get it?

Just my opinion..



Rick

It's all in what you're trying to produce. For me, getting the wider angle and losing that much in-cam zoom over the CX500V is a showstopper. I won't get this cam even though everything else is attractive. Then you have people salivating for wide angle. Everyone has his or her own filming style...

How about price? Where I'm at, the 550 costs 1200, the 505 costs 780.

Tom, any compelling reason that made you choose the CX over the XR? I am trying to decide between the two, and I must say that I am leaning towards the XR - presence of the viewfinder, better LCD, headphone/mic, etc. Yes, the CX has got an improved EIS, but then it's not significantly better. CamcorderInfo gives it a rating of 12.15, vs the XR's 10.82. So...

Not compelling, just strong personal preferences. Actually, the improved EIS in the 2009 CXs probably is significant but I didn't realize that at the time I bought the cam. You get that in both lines in the upcoming 2010 cams.

I went with the flash cam because I liked the smaller case and weight, not having to worry about a hard drive above 9,000 feet, not having to worry about the hard drive failing, etc. Similarly, I went with a cheap flash memory notebook instead of the hard drive version. There are valid arguments for both storage media. I also transfer video to the PC quickly so I don't need the huge pile of storage of the HDD models. I had chips already from having a CX12 so I had something like 128GB on hand with the built in drive.

It's probably more accurate to say that there was no compelling reason for me to use the HDD model, and a few reasons to avoid it (altitude, cost, lack of need, etc.). I don't care about the viewfinder, though that becomes moot on the 2010 CX.

Aside from the media, I think the improved CX EIS was the biggest functional difference I cared about. I have made extensive use of that, doing much more handheld work than I did with the CX12. Again, that comes on all the models in 2010.

Thanks Tom. So basically what I should be doing is wait for the CX550. You're right, the CX550 has all the features of the XR550...too bad they've a reduced reach though
So whatever I had been missing in the CX500 will all be there in the CX550. It's a bit strange, but amazon usa has already got the price down by $100. It was initially listed for $1299.99; the current price is $1199.99. That's good news, and if I wait till the end of March, I can hope for a further reduction of around $50.

Feature-wise, the CX550 gains a lot of the XR stuff compared to the CX500 so the choice between the two has fewer tradeoffs, but I would still recommend playing with them in the store and using that as a determinant.

Hold the thing for about 4 or 5 minutes and see how it feels. Don't judge just based on specs, but also based on usability in your hand.

Personally, I couldn't hold the CX500 (and keep my fingers off the mic) for more than a minute or two before my hand cramped up or my fingers covered the mic. The XR is by no means comfortable for me, but it is much better for me than the CX model, and my fingers never get close to the mic because of the bump-out for the HDD.

-Suntan

I agree 100% with this recommendation. Substantively, the lens difference may or may not be significant - it would have been for me. Otherwise, the 550 clearly has more features that people have been asking for than the 500. But a deciding factor should be how it feels to you. The 500V is just large enough for my fingers to fit OK - any smaller and I would have been in trouble. But I have blessed having the lighter cam (vs the XR500V) when using the cam handheld for 15-20 minutes at a shot on a fixed show (think fireworks or Disney World shows). It's always what and how you film that counts, and a big part of that is the feel of the cam in your hand, not anyone else's.

CX550V has 64GB onboard - that's a major upgrade, no?

The CX500V had 32GB, the CX520V had 64GB. The difference was all price, I believe. So if they have dropped the price point for the new models or kept them stable while adding all the other features, it's an upgrade of sorts. Technologically, it's not different from 2009.

i was ready to buy the sony xr500,but i think i like the sony cx500 because of the sd card slot....i just feel safer recording on sd cards then the hard drive..what do you guys think? thanks it will help me make a decission

"raymondeast"
CX 500 memory stick only
CX 550 SD and Memory Stick

Both can fail.

In the last decade or so I’ve had 1 HDD go bad and about 5 or 6 flash cards go bad (both CF and SD.)

Also, fwiw, the CX500v does not have an SD slot. It has a Sony Pro-Duo stick slot... as does the XR500v.

As always, play with both in the store before deciding which one you like better based on a single "feature."

-Suntan

I see from the side by side specs between the cx550 and the xr520 the cx550 has direct copy (what is this?) can the xr 520 burn blu Rayto DVD using pmb
and the cx550 has embeded gps and the xr 550 does not what is emdedded gps?
I thought the xr520 has the gps when you record?
Again thanks for your help it will help me decide what to buy

The cx520 is discontinued and now has a low price of $959 @ B&H, great buy.