Sony Handycam HDR-CX110 – Lucratively Priced Camcorder
Thumbs Up:
The Sony Handycam HDR-CX110’s lens focuses comparatively fast and it’s a compact camcorder.
Thumbs Down:
The Sony Handycam HDR-CX110 delivers hardly OK video quality and its lens flare problem is worse-than-expected even in bright sunlight.
The Whiz Kid Speaks:
Manufacturer: Sony
Part Number: HDR-CX110
Price: $439.95 – $499.99
Product Type: Camcorder – 1080i
Weight: 7.4 oz
Dimensions (W x D x H) in inches: 2 x 4.5 x 2.2 inches
Optical Sensor Type: Exmor R CMOS
Operating System Support: Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP3
Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode
White balance: Presets, Custom and Automatic
Exposure Modes: Program and Automatic
Peripheral Devices: CD-ROM drive and USB port
Software: Sony Picture Motion Browser and Drivers & Utilities,
Cables Included: USB cable, A/V cable, Component audio/ video cable
Connector Type: Composite audio/video output, Component video output, USB, S-Video output, HDMI output and Remote control
Additional Features: Built-in speaker , Face detection , USB 2.0 compatibility , Touch-screen control , Dynamic Range Optimizer , Digital noise reduction , Smile Detection technology , Intelligent Scene Selector , Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording and Takes photos while movie recording
Shooting Programs: Beach, Snow, Sunset, Candle, Fireworks, Sunrise, Spotlight, Landscape, Twilight mode and Portrait mode
Focus: Manual & Automatic
Search Modes: Index search and Face index search
Included Accessories: Rechargeable battery pack, AC adaptor, A/V connecting cable, Component A/V cable, USB cable and Lithium battery
Supported Battery: Sony NP-FV50
Battery Type: Sony NP-FV50 Li-ion rechargeable
Razzle Dazzle:
The Sony Handycam HDR-CX110 is a follow up to the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100, and belongs to the budget priced HD triumvirate of Sony. The other cameras in the same triumvirate are the CX150 and XR150. In terms of design all the three camcorders are pretty much the same, and comfortably get into any jacket’s pocket.
The CX110 comes in three color choices of black, red and blue, and even though the camera has an odd upward projection on the right hand side of the camera, but it will work as an extra gripping option for the people with bigger hands and is useful especially as the overall body of the camcorder is rather slippery. Like most of the other ultracompact models, the CX110 also is optimized for shooting underneath the eye level. So in terms of design the CX110 is pretty much the same what we have seen in CX150 and XR150.
Inside Dope:
The Sony Handycam HDR-CX110 is a follow-up to the CX100 (as we mentioned above) and just as the CX100, the CX110 also is decently sized and can easily fit into big jacket’s pockets and bags. The HDR-CX110 belongs to the reasonably priced HD camcorder category from Sony. The HDR-CX110 is comparatively bigger than the mini-camcorders we’ve seen in the market, both in terms of price and in terms of price as well as size. But at the same time the HDR-CX110 comes with plenty of features that we found were missing from mini-camcorders, and some really important features that we found were the capability to capture 3 megapixel stills and the 25x zoom lens.
In terms of design the HDR-CX110 is more attractive then the XR150 and CX150. Although its slippery exterior might concern some buyers, the sufficiently sized body of the camera gives ample grip and makes it easy for the camera holders to hold on. The screen here according to us is the same, which was used in CX100, although is comparatively smaller. But still viewing straight under the sunlight is still a problem here, especially with all the fingerprints that the touch screen accrues.
The buttons set here is typical digital camera and you have: buttons for direct DVD burn (through the CD burning software when you connect it to a PC), Power, iAuto and playback, all positioned on the body inside the LCD. In spite of using physical buttons for controlling zoom and record, the HDR-CX110 uses touchscreen for the same. Although, we don’t have any problems in using that for record, as it is a touch-and-release operation, but using the same for zooming, which requires you to hold it down, can be a tricky asking.
The mini-HDMI connector and USB are positioned under a door on the exterior of the camera; these ports are used for charging and proprietary AV jack. The switch for in-built lens cover is located on the right side of the lens. The Memory/SD Stick Duo slot is positioned straight next to the tripod mount, so if you are using tripod, things can get annoying for you.
The performance of HDR-CX110 can be disappointing for many of the buyers. Although, you will be able to get satisfactory performance in upper most modes of the printer, but nonce you turn off those modes, you will be shocked. The same is the case with the video quality, which is decent in good lightening conditions, but worsens significantly in the dim lightening conditions. So, considering the price of HDR-CX110 it’s better to keep our expectations realistic.
Nitty Gritty:
The Sony Handycam HDR-CX110 is a small sized and lucratively priced camcorder, which promises too much, but hardly reaches close to any promise made.
