The Sony HDR-UX20 ($999 MSRP) is the company’s top high definition DVD camcorder for 2008, compressing video in the AVCHD format. While the UX20 has benefited from a number of upgrades since last year, Sony has clearly split the DVD and hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders into two market segments – the point-and-shooters and the enthusiasts. The most obvious difference in the UX20 is a lack of a Cam Control dial, an physical dial on the front of the camcorder that makes a great alternative to the touch screen menu interface. You’ll find it on the sibling model HDR-SR12, but not here. Not so obvious from the outside but just as crucial, is the shrunken imaging sensor. The HDR-SR12 packs a 1/3.15-inch CMOS, while the HDR-UX20 only has a 1/5-inch CMOS.The HDR-UX20 has a lot of good things going for it. There are three options to choose from in the recording medium: DVD, 8GB internal flash memory, or removable MemoryStick Duo cards. We recommend skipping the DVD entirely, as recording times are limited and the maximum possible bitrate is actually slower than it is with the flash memory media. On the downside, the 2.7-inch LCD is too small to make the touch screen interface very effective. We preferred the larger 3.5-inch screen on the HDR-SR12. Also, Sony’s insistence on limiting manual shutter speed control to its HDV models is getting tiresome. Every other major manufacturer offers it, why can’t they? In all, the HDR-UX20 is a solid camcorder, but an upgrade to the HDR-SR11 or HDR-SR12 is worth investigating if you want to keep it in the Sony family. For better performance and a smaller size, check out the Canon HF10.
The Front (6.25)
From head on, the HDR-UX20’s tall, upright frame is accentuated. Sony nixed the bulky architecture prominent of the previous generation HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7. While portability smiles, handling will suffer—we’ll get to that later. At the top you’ll find the HDR-UX20’s 15x optical zoom lens, a 30mm filter diameter, and an aperture range of f/1.8 a the wide end and f/2.6 at the tele end. The HDR-UX20 possesses the following focal lengths:
From head on, the HDR-UX20’s tall, upright frame is accentuated. Sony nixed the bulky architecture prominent of the previous generation HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7. While portability smiles, handling will suffer—we’ll get to that later. At the top you’ll find the HDR-UX20’s 15x optical zoom lens, a 30mm filter diameter, and an aperture range of f/1.8 a the wide end and f/2.6 at the tele end. The HDR-UX20 possesses the following focal lengths:
3.1mm – 46.5mm
40mm – 600mm (35mm 16:9 Movie)
37mm – 555mm (35mm 4:3 Still Image)
40mm – 600mm (35mm 16:9 Movie)
37mm – 555mm (35mm 4:3 Still Image)
The HDR-UX20’s lens bears threads for attachments such as fish-eye or telephoto add-ons. To the left of the lens is a built-in flash. Due to the off-center placement of the flash, you’ll probably experience uneven lighting. In addition, the flash is rendered useless if you opt to use a wide angle attachment. Beneath the lens is the remote sensor/infrared light. Residing at the button you’ll find the mini HDMI jack, shrouded by an arced hatch that swings downward to open. Be careful tugging on this port cover—ours snapped off with a moderate pull.
The Right Side (4.5)
The HDR-UX20’s DVD hatch monopolizes the right side. Beware: the hatch can take anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds to open. If you haven’t swapped a DVD in a while, the HDR-UX20 will take its sweet time. That’s one of the many downfalls of a DVD camcorder. Then, add up all the Finalizing time, and it’s all over. Sony mounted the hand strap atop the DVD hatch, as it had nowhere else to go. The hand strap is anchored to the front of the camcorder via a swiveling grommet. The grommet must be twisted downward in order for the hand strap to clear the DVD hatch while you swap out a disc, which is inopportune. Sony also skimped on the design of the hand strap, scrapping the cushy, mesh pad found on the HDR-UX1. We want it back!
The HDR-UX20’s DVD hatch monopolizes the right side. Beware: the hatch can take anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds to open. If you haven’t swapped a DVD in a while, the HDR-UX20 will take its sweet time. That’s one of the many downfalls of a DVD camcorder. Then, add up all the Finalizing time, and it’s all over. Sony mounted the hand strap atop the DVD hatch, as it had nowhere else to go. The hand strap is anchored to the front of the camcorder via a swiveling grommet. The grommet must be twisted downward in order for the hand strap to clear the DVD hatch while you swap out a disc, which is inopportune. Sony also skimped on the design of the hand strap, scrapping the cushy, mesh pad found on the HDR-UX1. We want it back!
The Back (6.25)
The HDR-UX20’s tall, slender caboose houses the NP-FH60 battery pack, which juts out quite significantly. Luckily, Sony threw an extendable viewfinder overhead to clear the battery pack. However, what you’ll find is that the viewfinder lies flush with the edge of the battery pack. If you upgrade to the NP-FH70, you’ll get a whole face full ‘o battery, and no one wants that. Below the battery is a thin horizontal door that swings open to reveal the DC and AV/Component jacks. This design is conveniently located and keeps cables out of the way.
The HDR-UX20’s tall, slender caboose houses the NP-FH60 battery pack, which juts out quite significantly. Luckily, Sony threw an extendable viewfinder overhead to clear the battery pack. However, what you’ll find is that the viewfinder lies flush with the edge of the battery pack. If you upgrade to the NP-FH70, you’ll get a whole face full ‘o battery, and no one wants that. Below the battery is a thin horizontal door that swings open to reveal the DC and AV/Component jacks. This design is conveniently located and keeps cables out of the way.
Along the top right side is the flashy gunmetal-colored Mode Dial, followed by the Quick On button. Quick On will snap the HDR-UX20 back into action in under a second, though it consumes battery life by hovering in a standby mode while the camcorder is powered off. The Record Start/Stop button is located along the middle, right where the thumb lies.
The Left Side (6.5)
The HDR-UX20’s glossy, sparkling left side is sinfully hot. This camcorder is a looker. Embedded within the chrome band along the middle of the camcorder you’ll find the Backlight Compensation, Easy, and Playback buttons. Unfortunately, the HDR-UX20 gets a downgrade in LCD size. The 2.7-inch LCD screen just can’t measure up to the massive 3.5-inch screen found on the HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7. Touch screen operation is a royal pain on a 2.7-inch LCD screen, and the HDR-UX20 will annoy you to the best of its ability.
The HDR-UX20’s glossy, sparkling left side is sinfully hot. This camcorder is a looker. Embedded within the chrome band along the middle of the camcorder you’ll find the Backlight Compensation, Easy, and Playback buttons. Unfortunately, the HDR-UX20 gets a downgrade in LCD size. The 2.7-inch LCD screen just can’t measure up to the massive 3.5-inch screen found on the HDR-UX1 and HDR-UX7. Touch screen operation is a royal pain on a 2.7-inch LCD screen, and the HDR-UX20 will annoy you to the best of its ability.
The LCD cavity is home to the Display and Dubbing buttons, along with the Super NightShot switch. A rigid plastic hatch swings down to reveal the USB terminal, and in the center you’ll find the Memory Stick PRO Duo slot, secured by a plastic latch. The Memory Stick PRO Duo cards are difficult to access because you have to slide the card along the glossy body of the camcorder, which is not the most stable surface. The LCD panel contains a strip of controls: Home, Zoom Out, Zoom In, and Record Start/Stop to provide more options for two-handed shooters.
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| The left side from exterior... | ... and the LCD cavity |
The Top (4.5)
The top of the HDR-UX20 is relatively busy. The built-in Dolby Digital Surround Sound microphone is located at the lens end—those with extra long fingers will end up tampering with the sound, so it’s best to latch onto the DVD hatch. The Zoom toggle and Photo button reside at the opposite end of the camcorder. Sony’s Zoom toggle shifts like a souped-up Audi when it comes to locking onto a specific speed. The last item here is a metallic shield that slides back to reveal the Sony proprietary hot shoe, or Active Interface Shoe (AIS). This design is certainly attractive, and functions in tandem with the viewfinder. The only issue is that the viewfinder must be extended if you plan on using the shoe.
The top of the HDR-UX20 is relatively busy. The built-in Dolby Digital Surround Sound microphone is located at the lens end—those with extra long fingers will end up tampering with the sound, so it’s best to latch onto the DVD hatch. The Zoom toggle and Photo button reside at the opposite end of the camcorder. Sony’s Zoom toggle shifts like a souped-up Audi when it comes to locking onto a specific speed. The last item here is a metallic shield that slides back to reveal the Sony proprietary hot shoe, or Active Interface Shoe (AIS). This design is certainly attractive, and functions in tandem with the viewfinder. The only issue is that the viewfinder must be extended if you plan on using the shoe.
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