Sony HDR-CX550 Handycam Road Test

Brought this new handycam Sony lent to me last week during our trip to Miniloc Island at El Nido. It’s the Sony HDR-CX550 that not only takes 1080 full HD videos but can also capture still images up to 12 megapixels.

Sony HDR-CX550
1/2.88 type “Exmor R” CMOS Sensor
Sony Lens G
10x Optical Zoom ã€€
120x Digital Zoom
12M pixels (4000×3000 pixels @ 4:3) still image
26.3mm wide angle
Flash (built-in)
64GB internal Flash memory

Here’s a sample clip I recorded using the handycam putting into test the 10x optical zoom capabilities.

This is just one of the raw footages I uploaded on YouTube. Still working/editing on the entire set of clips for the complete sample.

The nice feature of the CX550 is that darker objects from afar becomes lighter when you zoom in close to it. Works the same on evening shots.

Here’s a sample still image taken with the 12MP sensor with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

The photo isn’t too crisp but the quality is very good already, especially on low light. The Sony CX550 retails for about Php81,990 in stores (that Flash storage sure does make this model a bit pricey than the previous ones I’ve tried).

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

13 Comments

Jann Miguel says:

13 years ago

I’m selling my Sony HDR-CX550E.. I was able to get it as a prize from a contest that I joined in one of the cable channel in Asia. I just got the package last May 14,2012.. I’m planning to sell it for like 60K negotiable..
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Pokemon says:

14 years ago

video quality is really good. but the place where video recorded is better ^^
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annfra says:

14 years ago

there are lots of mini hd videocamera nowadays and all of them uses memory for their storage. you should see the kodak playsport videocams.. it’s a waterproof(up to 10feet) full hd 30fps and 720p at 60fps.. for only!?!?! *drums* $150.. yes you heard me right.. UNDERWATER!!
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JM says:

14 years ago

I’m more interested on your Pokemon toys, Abe. Do you have a collection? :P
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Borg says:

14 years ago

Wow P81k for a camcorder…I know Sony and Canon are the best, but that’s a lot to pay.
I just got the newly released HP v5560 camcorder last week. It’s also a Full HD video camera with 12MP still images….it doesn’t have any built in flash memory but, hey it’s PhP11k versus PhP81k! That’s right..only PhP11k introductory price in Manila.

I made a review of it with some sample videos here, worth checking out for the budget buyers:
http://www.theborgcollectives.com/2010/05/review-hp-v5560-budget-full-hd.html
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Teknisyan says:

14 years ago

Heheheh… 81k for a handy cam… konti na lang pwede ka nang bumili ng camera na pang broadcasting.. lols… anyway… yeah.. I’d rather buy a DSLR camera that has a HD video recording… you can even use different lens while recording.
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Holy F*** says:

14 years ago

81K for that s***?
You’re kidding?!

Buy a Canon 550D na lang… 40K+ na lang ata ngayon.
May HD video recording din naman yun!

18 MP pa ang pictures. Quite crispy!
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JP says:

14 years ago

You can’t blame Sony for the price they mallet their products with. They manufacture the best ones in Asia.
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roiji says:

14 years ago

** i meant, high resolution doesn’t really mean high def.
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roiji says:

14 years ago

@TECHIEWITTY
high def doesn’t mean high resolution..
high definition means everything has more details in it. high resolution means it is just bigger.
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TECHIEWITTY says:

14 years ago

81K !!! do you really need a high def videos? i think we can now convert low resolution videos and pics to high definition one, thru a video editing softwares.
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roiji says:

14 years ago

i’m wondering what’s that big outdated android device behind pikachu…
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Calvin says:

14 years ago

gahhh! 81k for a handycam?
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