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Product Review: Sony HDR-CX220/B High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)

20130409tu-sony-hdr-cx220-high-definition-hd-handycam-video-camcorderThe Sony HDR-CX220/B High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 2.7-Inch LCD (Black) pictured here is a good choice for those wanting high quality video at a lower price point. [Buy]

This page provides some basic information about the camera and highlights some of the unique features that make this camera a good choice.

Amazon Product Information. The following information is from the Amazon product page for the Sony HDR-CX220.

Product Features Summary

  • Color: Black
  • 1920×1080 Full HD 60p with 8.9MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor
  • SteadyShot image stabilization reduces blur
  • 27x Optical / 32x Extended Zoom to get even closer to the action
  • 29.8mm wide angle Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar Lens
  • 2.7″ wide Clear Photo LCD display (230K)

Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens

The professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens is designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot® image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

Shoot high quality AVCHD or web optimized MP4 video

Select between HD video in the AVCHD or MP4 format for highest quality or easy transfer and sharing. AVCHD provides premium video that can be enjoyed on large screen HDTVs, and MP4 is great for those moments that you want to quickly share on your social networks or store on the cloud.

2.7” wide Clear Photo™ LCD (230k)

The 2.7” (16:9) Clear Photo™ LCD (230K) displays sharp, bright, vivid images, letting you compose a shot more easily — even outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

1920×1080 Full HD 60p w/8.9MP Exmor R® CMOS Sensor

Create high definition 1920 x 1080 60p videos and high quality 8.9MP still images. Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony’s back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the Exmor®R CMOS sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions.

SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active Mode

SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture.

32x Extended Zoom to get even closer to the action

Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 27x optical zoom to get even closer to the action while maintaining HD image quality.

29.8mm Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens

The professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens is designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot® image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

2.7” wide Clear Photo™ LCD (230k)

The 2.7” (16:9) Clear Photo™ LCD (230K) displays sharp, bright, vivid images, letting you compose a shot more easily — even outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

Shoot high quality AVCHD or web optimized MP4 video

Select between HD video in the AVCHD or MP4 format for highest quality or easy transfer and sharing. AVCHD provides premium video that can be enjoyed on large screen HDTVs, and is ideal for capturing precious memories at special occasions, family vacations and other moments you want to treasure for a lifetime. MP4 is great for those moments that you want to quickly share on your social networks or store on the cloud.

Highlight Playback creates movies with transitions for you

Why spend hours editing your movies when you can let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You can even pinpoint the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel.

Direct Copy to external HDD without PC13

Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive13 (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV4, allowing you to utilize the camcorder’s handy playback features.

Built-in USB cable for easy file transfer/charge

The high-speed, built-in USB 2.0 cable allows for easy connection to your computer for charging or file transfer without having to remember separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it’s out of the way until you need it. Charging your camcorder is faster than ever now through the USB; for every two minutes of charge time you get one minute of recording time.

Intelligent Auto (60 different scene combinations possible)

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from ten distinct scene modes and wind noise reduction. There are 60 different combinations possible: Portrait, Baby, Tripod , Backlight, Landscape, Spotlight, Twilight, Macro, Low light.

FOOTNOTES:

  • 4. Requires HDTV and HDMI cable sold sep.
  • 9. For PC: Requires Microsoft® Windows® XP SP3/ Windows Vista® SP2/Windows
  • 7. For Mac: Requires Mac OSX (v10.5-10.7)
  • 13. Requires via VMC-UAM1 cable (sold separately), AC power for camcorder, and hard drive formatted in FAT-32. USB-hub not supported. External HHD/USB media should be less than 2TB(Terabytes).

Sony Product Data

Below is information obtained from the Sony Product page for the HDR-CX220.

Product Summary. The Sony Handycam® HDR-CX220 camcorder offers stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video quality at a great value. Plus, you can capture beautiful 8.9MP photos to frame or post to your profile. Your photos and footage will be incredibly smooth thanks to Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which compensates for camera shake to cut down on blur. Sony’s back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor delivers superb low-light performance with drastically reduced grain for crisp, clear quality. And with a professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, you’ll enjoy ultimate sharpness and contrast in every shot.

1920×1080 Full HD 60p w/8.9MP Exmor R® CMOS Sensor

Create high definition 1920 x 1080 60p videos and high quality 8.9MP still images. Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony’s back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the Exmor® R CMOS sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions.

29.8mm Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens

The professional-quality 29.8mm Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens is designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot® image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

Highlight Playback creates movies with transitions for you

Why spend hours editing your movies when you can let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You can even pinpoint the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel.

Intelligent Auto (60 different scene combinations possible)

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings. There are 60 different combinations possible: Portrait, Baby, Tripod , Backlight, Landscape, Spotlight, Twilight, Macro, Low light.

SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active Mode

SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture

2.7” wide Clear Photo™ LCD (230k)

The 2.7” (16:9) Clear Photo™ LCD (230K) displays sharp, bright, vivid images, letting you compose a shot more easily — even outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

Direct Copy to external HDD without PC13

Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive13 (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV4, allowing you to utilize the camcorder’s handy playback features.

32x Extended Zoom to get even closer to the action

Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 27x optical zoom to get even closer to the action while maintaining HD image quality.

Shoot high quality AVCHD or web optimized MP4 video

Select between HD video in the AVCHD or MP4 format for highest quality or easy transfer and sharing. AVCHD provides premium video that can be enjoyed on large screen HDTVs, and is ideal for capturing precious memories at special occasions, family vacations and other moments you want to treasure for a lifetime. MP4 is great for those moments that you want to quickly share on your social networks or store on the cloud.

Built-in USB cable for easy file transfer/charge

The high-speed, built-in USB 2.0 cable allows for easy connection to your computer for charging or file transfer without having to remember separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it’s out of the way until you need it. Charging your camcorder is faster than ever now through the USB; for every two minutes of charge time you get one minute of recording time.

Weights and Measurements

  • Dimensions (Approx.) : Approx.2 1/8inch x 2 1/4inch x 4 5/8inch (52.5mm x 57mm x 117mm)
  • Weight (Approx.) : Approx.6.3oz ((178g) Main Unit Only); Approx.7.8oz (NP-FV30 (supplied battery); Approx.8.1oz (NP-FV50); Approx.9.7oz (NP-FV70); Approx.13.2oz (NP-FV100)

Imaging Sensor

  • Imaging Sensor : 1/5.8 ”(3.1mm) back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS Sensor
  • Processor : BIONZ® image processor
  • Pixel Gross : Approx.2390K pixels
  • Effective Picture Resolution : Movie: Approx.2150K pixels(16:9) Still: Approx.2290K pixels(16:9)
  • Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters

LCD Display

  • LCD Type : 2.7” (6.7cm) Clear Photo LCD™ display (230K) Wide (16:9)
  • Angle Adjustment : Opening Angle:max.90 deg., Turning Angle:max.270 deg.
  • Brightness Control : Yes(Menu)
  • Coverage : 100%
  • Grid Display : Grid Line

Drive System

  • Drive Mode : Photo Mode:Single-shot/Self-timer
  • Self-timer : Approx.10sec. (Still Image)
  • Shutter Speeds : Shutter Speed (Standard): 1/30 – 1/10,000; Shutter Speed (Auto Control Range):1/8 – 1/10,000

Interface

  • Memory Card Slot : Memory Stick PRO Duo™ and SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible
  • SD Output : Composite Video Out(AV CABLE(sold separately))
  • HD Output : HDMI Out(micro)(supplied)
  • USB Port(s) : TypeA(built-in)/USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage/MTP)
  • BRAVIA® Sync™ : Yes
  • PhotoTV HD : Yes
  • DC IN : Yes
  • HDMI Terminal : Yes (HDMI micro)
  • Multi/Micro USB Terminal : Yes

Software

  • Supplied Software : PC: PlayMemories Home Lite (built-in; for PC only); PlayMemories Home (by download); Music Transfer(by download); MAC:Music Transfer(by download); PlayMemories Online Uploader(by download)
  • Operating System Compatibility : Windows XP SP3 /Windows Vista SP2 /Windows7 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. The Windows Image Mastering API (IMAPI) Ver. 2.0 or later is required to use the function for creating discs. Starter (Edition) are not supported. Standard installation is required. Operation is not assured if the above OS has been upgraded or in a multi-boot environment.

Recording

  • Media Type : Memory Stick PRO Duo™; (Mark 2)Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™; Memory Stick XC-HG Duo™; SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card(Class 4 or Higher)
  • Still Image Mode : JPEG
  • Still Image Max Effective Resolution : 8.9 megapixels
  • Still Image Size 16:9 : Movie Mode: 8.9 megapixels 16:9 (3984×2240); Photo Mode: 8.9 megapixels 16:9 (3984×2240)
  • Still Image Size 4:3 : Movie Mode:6.7 megapixels 4:3 (2992×2240); Photo Mode: 6.7 megapixels 4:3 (2992×2240)
  • Video Mode : HD: MPEG4-AVC/H.264 AVCHD 2.0 format.compatible; STD: MPEG2-PS; MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
  • Video Resolution : HD:1920×1080/60p(PS),60i(FX,FH), 1440×1080/60i(HQ,LP); STD:720×480/60i; MP4: 1280×720 30p
  • Video Actual (Pixel) : Approx.2150K pixels(16:9),Approx.1610K pixels(4:3)
  • Video Signal : HDTV, NTSC color, EIA standards
  • Dual Record : 8.9 megapixels 16:9 (3984×2240); 2.1 megapixels 16:9 (1920×1080)
  • Audio Format : Dolby® Digital 2ch Stereo, Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator; MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
  • Microphone/Speaker : Built-in Zoom Microphone; Monoral Speaker
  • Mic Level Control : Yes(2steps)
  • Movie Recording Rate(Average Bit Rate/VBR) : HD PS: 28Mbps / FX: 24Mbps / FH: 17Mbps / HQ:Approx.9Mbps / LP:Approx.5Mbps ( Approx); STD HQ:9Mbps; MP4: Approx.6Mbps
  • Still Image File Format : DCF Ver.2.0 compatible, Exif Ver.2.3 compatible, MPF Baseline compatible
  • Wind Position : Yes(Off/On)

Focus Control

  • Focus System : Contrast AF
  • AF Modes : Auto/Manual(Menu)
  • Focus Area : Full range Focus

Convenience Features

  • Manual / Auto Lens Cover : Manual
  • Fader Effect(s) : White/Black
  • Date / Time Stamp : Yes(Rec Date and Time, Camera info)
  • Erase/Protect : Yes/Yes
  • Media/Battery Indicator : Yes(recordable time, free and used media space)/Yes(recordable time, remaining capacity)
  • Power Save Mode : Yes
  • Still Image Playback Options : Slide Show
  • Video Playback Options : Highlight Playback(HD Movie Only); Highlight Playback Save and Share(Translate into STD quality); Highlight Scenario(Save/Playback/Erase); Hightlight BGM(Preinstalled 4 music files, Music transfer)
  • Built-in USB Cable : Yes(USB Charge Available)
  • Multiple Language Display : English; Spanish; Brazilian Portugese; Canadian French
  • Self Recording : Yes
  • View & Index : Event

Weights and Measurements

  • Dimensions (Approx.) : Approx.2 1/8inch x 2 1/4inch x 4 5/8inch (52.5mm x 57mm x 117mm)
  • Weight (Approx.) : Approx.6.3oz ((178g) Main Unit Only)

Service and Warranty Information

  • Limited Warranty Term : Limited Warranty — 1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor

Optics/Lens

  • Lens Type : Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® Lens
  • Lens Stabilization : SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active mode (Wide to Tele)
  • Aperture : F1.9-F4.0
  • Optical Zoom : 27x
  • Digital Zoom : 320x
  • Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : Movie Mode: 29.8-953.6mm(16:9), 36.4-1164.8mm(4:3); Photo Mode: 29.8-804.0mm(16:9),36.4-984.0mm(4:3)
  • Minimum Focus Distance : Approx.1cm(Wide) ,Approx.80cm(Tele) ,Approx.37cm(Tele Macro)
  • Extended Zoom : 32x
  • Focal Distance : f=2.1-57.0mm; f=3/32-2 1/4inch

Exposure System

  • Metering Modes : Multi-segment
  • Exposure Settings : Auto; Manual(Menu)
  • Scene Mode(s) : Auto/Night Scene/Sunrise & Sunset/Fireworks/Landscape/Portrait/Spotlight/Beach/Snow
  • D-Range Optimizer : Yes
  • Noise Reduction : Yes
  • White Balance Mode : Auto/Onepush/Outdoor/Indoor
  • Minimum Illumination : Standard:6 lux(1/30 Shutter Speed); Low Lux:3 lux(1/30 Shutter Speed)
  • Auto Iris Control : F1.9 – F10
  • Backlight Compensation : Yes(Auto)
  • LOW LUX Mode : Yes

Advanced Features

  • Face Detection : Yes
  • Image Stabilization : SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active mode (Wide to Tele)
  • Intelligent Auto : Portrait/Baby/Tripod/Backlight/Landscape/Spotlight/Twilight/Macro/Low light
  • Priority Setting (for Face Detection) : Auto/Child Priority/Adult Priority
  • Smile Shutter™ technology : Dual Capture/Always On/Off
  • x.v.Color™ : Yes

Power

Power Requirements : 6.8V/7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
Battery Type : InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™ Meter System (V Series)

In the Box

  • USB Connection Support Cable (1)
  • Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FV30) (1)
  • Operating Guide (1)
  • HDMI(micro) Cable (1)

By Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson is a freelance writer and tech consultant in Iowa City. He is also the founder and Director of the ResourcesForLife.com website. Learn more at AboutGregJohnson.com