Sony HDR-XR350 Road Test

I’ve tried a couple of Sony handycams before (starting with the XR100 and then the XR200) and they just get better and beefier each time around.

The latest one I’ve been using for the last couple of weeks is the Sony HDR-XR350 which introduced a couple of improvements from its predecessor.

The internal HDD storage has been bumped to 160GB from 80GB on the XR100. As usual, the handycam can do 1080i (1920×1080 pixels) movie recording and 7MP for still photos. Sony claims it can do up to 67 hours of video recording but have not verified it though.

The built-in wide-angle lens is capable of 29.8-357.6mm (35mm conversion) focal distance with a nice aperture opening between F/1.8-3.4. Sony boasts of very high quality low-light shooting with Exmor so we had to test this on the road.

This sample 1080p video was taken during last week-end’s Manila International Auto Show 2010. This one is for the low-light test.

Some of the videos have been downscaled using CyberLink MediaShow Espresso as they are too large to upload as raw files. This other one is the zoom test (12x) taken during our recent Holy Week trip to Anilao.

This one is the Steady Shot mode which reduces camera shake when on the move (somewhat similar to an image stabilizer):

That Steady Shot feature isn’t really very apparent unless you pair it with a regular video recorder and notice the camera shake. During the Sony event last February, we tested this one while running around ala-Amazing Race and it seemed to work.

They also placed the handycam on an electronic rocker to shake it while recording and it captures a very stable footage (I also tried jumping up and down along with the rocker to see it will cancel that stabilizing effect).

The Sony HDR-XR350 handycam has a suggested retail price of Php64,999 in stores.

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

8 Comments

Mark says:

14 years ago

My brother bought this same model from Japan but its firmware is in Japanese. I would like to know if somebody here knows how to convert it to English or can point me to a tutorial to convert it to English firmware. BTW, I love its Steady Shot feature.
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glenx says:

14 years ago

nice review, i think this xr350 -7mp is enough for me this christmas than xr550 12megapixel. the xr350 costs 3999 saudi riyals = Phil Peso 48K, which almost the same price with bravia ex710 32 inch
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gilbert koa says:

14 years ago

hi sir! been looking for a good handycam. im looking forward on buying the sony hdr-xr150,is it a good videocam? my main use is my family,nothng professional. thanks!
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ayaz says:

15 years ago

Average camcoder, specially when we do white balance it show extreme blue cast at face, i think i waste 900 USD on it, any one can guide who has xr 350 whts the problem with white balance
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Edgar says:

15 years ago

The new SONY tagline: Make.Believe

If I Make twice my present salary, I Believe I can have this with some to spare.

C’mon guys, lighten up.haha!

(I’m a big Sony fan).
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daddy joey says:

15 years ago

Sony DSLRs and accessories are expensive
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@bi3L says:

15 years ago

Sony handycam are one of the best, I really don’t know what they cannot do the same with their DSLR.
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Spidey says:

15 years ago

Nice, nice!

Hmmm, handycam vs. still? I think, Im still for still now. :)
- Reply

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