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Reviewed.com: new Sony Handycam is 'close to perfect'

Jeremy Stamas, Reviewed.com/USA TODAY
Sony's new Handycam has much better low-light performance than previous models.
  • New Sony camcorder is the strongest model released in years
  • Video produces crisp Full HD images
  • Price dropped from $1,499 to $1,299

The Sony HDR-CX760V (MSRP $1,299) may not be a perfect camcorder, but it comes close. Last year, in our review of its predecessor, Sony's HDR-CX700V, we dreamed of a future where Sony would actually improve the low light performance of its high-end Handycams. This year, with the HDR-CX760V, that has become a reality.

The CX760V is not only the strongest consumer camcorder Sony has released in years, but it's also one of the most impressive models we've reviewed in 2012. It performs well enough to earn our Camcorder of the Year award, rising to the top of the class among the many camcorders we tested.

The camcorder did everything well in our performance tests. Video performance from this flagship Handycam was excellent, featuring crisp full HD images in bright light, and dramatic improvement in low light capabilities. The camcorder can shoot 1080/60p video (something Canon Vixia models won't allow), as well as 60i and 24p frame rates.

Some pros may yearn for a bit more control on a high-end camcorder like this, but the HDR-CX760V makes do. The custom control dial (not as good as a lens ring, but close), large LCD, small viewfinder, strong battery life, and 70-degree wide-angle lens make the HDR-CX760V an excellent choice for video enthusiasts and semi-professionals who want top-notch quality from a consumer model. The one downside of the camcorder may be its uncomfortable grip, but at least Sony managed to stuff a ton of controls in the CX760V's large body.

The HDR-CX760V is currently available for around $1,299, which is a significant price drop from its launch-date MSRP of $1,499. Loaded with 96GB of internal flash memory, this is a reasonable price to pay for a flagship Handycam, but it's certainly not cheap. You do have the option of saving a few bucks and going with the similar HDR-PJ710V or spending a bit more on the HDR-PJ760V, both of which have built-in projectors. But we think the HDR-CX760V is the best value, considering all these camcorders are essentially identical under the hood.

For more camcorder reviews, head to CamcorderInfo.com, part of the Reviewed.com network, a division of USA TODAY.

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