2011 HD Camcorder Review:Sony HDR CX700V High Definition Handycam Camcorder

2011 HD Camcorder Review:Sony HDR CX700V High Definition Handycam Camcorder
Sony HDR CX700V High Definition Camcorder is listed as one of the most expected Camcorders from Sony handycam line since Sony CX550 is released last year. Sony CX700V features with 1920 x 1080 Full HD 60p/24p recording, 12MP still images, wide angle G lens, "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, enhanced manual controls and advanced controls.

The following is a list of pros and cons of Sony CX700V:
Sony CX700V Pros
- Wide angle which may avoid having to use a wide angle lens for many situations
- Full HD 1080/60p video recording for best quality of your memories.
- Compact and easy to use, great for people who like to walk and record a lot.
- Enhanced manual controls make video recording easy and smooth.
- 96GB of internal memory
- Expanded focus
- Multi-color peaking

Sony CX700V Cons
- Viewfinder is borderline useless. It has a micro wheel for diopter adjustment (viewfinder focus). This wheel moves anytime you open the viewfinder or move the camera. So you must use your shooting hand to manually refocus viewfinder every time you use it.
- Can’t shoot in full manual mode from exposure standpoint, i.e., can’t manually set shutter, iris, exposure all at the same time.
- 1080/60p AVCHD footage generated by CX700V is difficult to play and edit on Mac OS X

About CX700V 1080/60p AVCHD MTS footage
Although Sony CX700V provides really impressive video quality when we view in Camcorder screen, 1080/60p AVCHD MTS clips is not easy to handle on Mac without bundled software Picture Motion Browser. Based on my personal experience, “Log and Transfer” in Final Cut Pro 7 does not recognize the 1080/60p footage from Sony CX700V. It seems that if Sony wants to force us to use third party transcoding software.

How do I Import AVCHD 1080/60p footage to Final Cut Pro?
Camcorder software for Mac OS X – AunsoftFinal Mate for Mac is developed specifically for HD Camcorder users to handle AVCHD, as well as TOD, MOD video footage from Sony, Panasonic, Canon, JVC Camcorders. One of its highlights is the ability of converting 1080/60p AVCHD MTS/M2TS footage to Apple ProRes Codec for editing in Final Cut Pro 6, FCP 7. For iMovie or Final Cut Express users, you can use Final Mate for Mac to transcode AVCHD 1080/60p, 1080/50p, 1080/60i footage to Apple Intermediate Codec for smooth editing.
Tags: edit AVCHD files on FCP, Import AVCHD 1080/60p to FCP, Final Mate for Mac, best Camcorder software for Mac OS X