Sony HXR-NX30U NXCAM Palm Sized Camcorder, Zeiss 3.8-38mm Wide Angle Zoom Lens, Optical SteadyShot, Full HD, 60p/30p/24p, Built-In Projector

2014-08-31T21:00:00

this is a fantastic camera

John

2014-08-12T21:00:00

I purchased this camcorder in the spring in plans to film our family vacation in the summer. The camera was used very sparingly prior to our trip--enough to familiarize myself with how it worked and shoot some test footage. I was very pleased with the footage and the camera's image stabilization capability. However, the camera totally failed me on the vacation and was unusable. The lens developed focus problems, and the camera would turn itself on and off continuously until the battery was removed to ultimately stop it. Multiple error codes flashed on the flip out LCD screen. A search of those codes on Google seem to indicate others are encountering the problem as well. Needless to say...I'm not happy with the product.

M R.

2014-07-27T21:00:00

Picture quality is great, assuming the scene is well-lit. The floating assembly is amazing to watch and really makes a difference in the steadiness of the shot. Most of my work will be on a tripod, but I might venture off the tripod with this feature available. The projector image is a bit dimmer than I had hoped, but is pretty amazing given the size of the lamp and lens. I was a little disappointed to find that the night-shot feature requires removing the lens hood, but I can live with that. The Sony import software is a bit non-intuitive, but works. The manual dial control is nestled behind the lens hood, which makes it a bit awkward for my relatively large fingers. Similarly, some of the touch screen options seem cramped, but I am able to muddle through by very careful use of my smallest finger. The displayed icons are quite small - 20 years ago, it wouldn't have been an issue, but now I need reading glasses to see the subtle differences in the icons. Using a separate monitor overcomes this issue for me. The manual could be more explicit about the included microphone's specs. The fact that it requires the 48V phantom power setting is buried in the manual long after the description of how to connect the microphone. The camera works well with my ancient (c. 1999) VariZoom LANC controller. To get this connected, I had to purchase a AVR-to-LANC cable from a third party. (The camera comes with an AVR-to-AV cable, but doesn't include LANC in the cable.) But with this third-party cable, I was happy to see that the camera and VariZoom are compatible and work without a hitch. There appears to be three ways to connect via USB. One is using the very short USB cable permanently attached to the right side of the camera, which can be connected directly to a standard USB port. Unless you can place the camera on a desk right next to the computer's USB port, this doesn't seem practical. Another approach is to attach the included USB extender to this short cable, allowing more flexible positioning of the camera relative to the computer. The third approach is to use the included mini-USB-to-USB cable in the mini-USB port on the other side of the camera. I'll probably use this last approach, because I'm worried that the permanently-attached cable will wear out and break if I use it too much. The manual is not clear about whether the camera supports UHS-I SDXC cards, but after chatting with Sony, I decided to go with the Lexar 64GB Platinum II SDXC UHS-I Class 10 card. So far, it has been working fine. The zoom is more responsive to light/slow vs. heavy/fast touch than previous Sony camera's I've owned. Overall, I think the camera is a keeper.

Kenneth G.

2014-04-28T21:00:00

Very good in low light. A legitimate Professional camera.

Wallshop

2013-11-25T19:00:00

I use this for short documentaries and promotional videos. I have used a number of camcorders and DSLR's in the past. The DSLR (I use a Nikon D7000) shoots some great video, but as a one man show, I found that when trying to capture things run and gun style, I would miss shots trying to get the settings correct. I had a JVC camcorder (GY HM150), that I never really felt comfortable using. I sold it and picked up the Sony NX30. After quite a bit of research, what sold me on this is the stabilization. I purchased the handgrip and it works perfectly, saving me money on buying a glidecam, or similar product. (The handgrip is the Sony GPAVT1) The GPAVT1 works with the NX-30, contrary to some reviews I have seen. The automatic features, couple with the ability to shoot manually to a certain extent, are great. If I want a real cinematic image, I still like the DSLR, but this camera come very close and you won't miss a shot fumbling with the sound, lens, white balance or other things you have to do in a fast run and gun situation. I highly recommend the camcorder!

DAVID F.

2013-05-25T21:00:00

I use this camera to produce a top end outdoor show distributed to several online sites along with the commercials that go into those shows. I've been using it for about 5 months so far. I purchased the Panasonic AC-90 over this camera at first because the Sony NX-30 was so small. I didn't want a puny sized camera that would make me look unprofessional and the AC-90 seemed more professional. I'm a Panasonic fan and used their AGHMC-40 for 2.5 years and their AGHMC-70 for about 3 years. Both were great cameras but, with their faults. On my second shoot the Panasonic AC-90 let me down. It started going in and out of focus on subjects. Footage became difficult to even look at. I was horrified that I had spent that much and had a camera that wouldn't perform so I was forced use the 30 day return policy for a refund from the local camera shop I purchased it from. I decided to go with Adorama the second time around and go for the NX-30 that I had overlooked. I have been happy with this camera. It's small size makes it a joy to use. The included mic delivers excellent sound when I need to use it. I mostly use my Sony UWP wireless mic but, the shotgun is nice when needed. The screen is clear but picks up fingerprints as expected and glare in the sun. Nothing that a sun visor and a lens cloth doesn't fix. The image is very good. It doesn't let me down going in and out of the sun under bridges. Low light is very good. The projector seems like a gimmick. It's not. You'll find that you use it all the time. It's a solid camera. So many AVCHD flavors to choose from. It just delivers such clear crisp images. 96 gig of internal memory means when I run out of room just go internal memory and shoot 6 hours at the highest setting. The on camera LEDs are nice and the 24.1 megapixel still photos make life easier. No lugging two cameras anymore. It's so easy to switch from video to photos with one button. The image stabilization is the best I've seen. It's just awesome. It delivers solid usable footage from hand held shooting. The intelligent auto gives stellar video without going into tons of manual controls. I'm nit picking on these things I don't like. The XLR handle could be about two inches longer and include a start/stop and zoom button. The viewfinder could be larger and actually tilt up. I don't see any of these things as deal breakers. After 5 months I still give it 5 stars. I even hated the little built in USB connector until I got in a pinch because there wasn't a USB cord to download some footage and made use of it. I don't think you can beat this camera at this price. I just don't think you can. One thing I did to mine was to modify the lens hood so it'll accept a filter while the hood is on. Just remove the four screws on the lens hood and file the plastic down with a small file until its even. Put your filter on to protect the lens while having your lens hood on. Again for the price you can't beat it. I didn't mention the field of view. It's great in small spaces just like a built in wide angle lens. If money allows I'll get another one.

Joseph j.

2013-03-22T21:00:00

My EX1 is too bulky and heavy to enjoy using hiking, especially with sticks. Sony Pro technical support recommended this camera, and I bought it the day before a three-week trip and read the manual on the plane. I was amazed at how easy it is to use and especially by how intuitive the focus is. Shooting a two-person interview, it kept both faces in focus. It is lightweight, small and unobtrusive, and a pleasure to use. I shot outdoors, in the cold, in rain, indoors, in classrooms, museums, churches. It had a little trouble with high stained glass windows and extremely low light, but I expected that. Its image stabilization is not perfect when walking. I have not yet been home and been able to see how well its footage meshes with my EX1, but I am optimistic. If you are editing with FCP, you can import directly without downloading software. I am very pleased with the camera.

GRACE S.

2013-01-09T19:00:00

Great Camera for the price.

Dread I.