240GB HD Handycam Camcorder

Still and HD Video all in one..!

Pros: First-rate video quality and performance; geotagging videos is fun, if limited.

Cons: Annoying menu system; no wind filter; no manual shutter-speed, iris, or audio controls; relatively big and heavy; expensive.

Summary: In what's probably the most interesting development in consumer camcorders thus far in 2009, Sony serves up the Handycam HDR-XR500 series, a pair of hard-disk-based AVCHD camcorders that integrate the dual firsts of built-in GPS and a new Exmor-R back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Though the GPS aspect isn't quite ready for prime time--because of a variety of limitations, it's more of a fun-to-have novelty than a reliable feature--the new sensor and G-series lens combination delivers great video quality. Toss in some advancements to its SteadyShot image stabilization system and a solid consumer-oriented feature set and you have a winning combination--albeit one dragged down by the awkward touch-screen interface and a high price.

There are two models in this series, identical except for the hard-disk size: the HDR-XR500V includes a 120GB drive (14.5 hours best quality video), while the XR520V doubles that for 240GB (29.3 hours at best quality). We tested the HDR-XR500V for this review.