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First, please note this review covers the Sony NEX-VG30H camcorder. All NEX-VG30H camcorders come with a 200mm zoom lens included in the package. This review does NOT pertain to the Sony NEX-VG30 camcorder which does NOT come with an included 200mm zoom lens. Note the picture of the item being reviewed has a zoom lens on it.
I have had this camera for a few weeks now and have had time to run it through it's paces. I'm going to do something different and list what I think the pros and cons are to this camera.
Pros:
Zoom control can be programmed to either do digital zoom or operate the power zoom on the lens.
The power zoom on the lens can be programmed for slow, medium or fast zoom using a switch on the side of the lens.
Has both mic and headphone jacks
The electronic viewfinder is crispy clear and allows you to focus it for YOUR vision, eliminating the need to wear glasses or contacts when using the viewfinder. Exposure, battery info, sound level info and more and unobtrusively displayed iin the viewfinder.
All essential controls are easily within reach and the camcorder itself is well balanced.
Picture quality is sharp and clean under most conditions that I have tried it in including motion at 40 mph while shooting out a car window, still scenes such as downtown buildings and people walking, walks in the park and so on. For faster motion than that, I would probably set the cam in 60p mode 28mp/s and downconvert later if needed. I shot mostly in 60i mode at 24mp/s. In brightly lighted conditions, depth of field is awesome with this cam and it does better than most camcorders I've tried in low light conditions as well.
The software isn't too bad but I've seen better video editing software out there than what this comes with.
Cons: a very slight moire effect was noted in a few scenes that had pine tree needles up close and on certain brick structures shot at zoomed out distances. This is fairly normal for most high-megapixel digital cameras and video and is not a `deal-breaker' as far as I'm concerned. Adding a $130 67mm moire filter from Caprock (http://www.caprockdev.com/antimoire.htm) would fix this if you tend to shoot scenes that the camera has moire issues with. The auto-focus is sometimes (not always) a little slower than I'd like to see. Sony should have included more accessories for the price they're asking for this cam, at least an external battery charger. For those of you who want pro-audio inputs. guess what? Sony in it's infinite wisdom did not include them. Sony wants BIG BUCKS for their XLR adapter that's made for this camcorder so I ended up with the BeachTek DXA-HDV High-Performance Camcorder Adapter at 1/2 the cost.
I strongly suggest buying a 67mm UV filter mainly to protect the zoom lens, which, if broken, can be costly to replace or repair. I also suggest buying an sd memory card that is capable of at least 35mb/s. I would rate this camera a very good buy for the price.
UPDATE: Despite the reservations I made note of above, I have been using this camera for quite some time now and I have to say I have always gotten beautiful HD video out of it. Also, I found a need to add pro audio inputs and if you have that need then I suggest the BeachTek adapter listed below. It works perfect with this camcorder.
The one and only complaint I have about it now is that the camera body with lens attached does not fit well when attaching it to a professional video head (for a tripod) such as the Manfrotto 502 Video Head. The reason for this is that the body of the bottom of the zoom lens protrudes just enough to interfere with sliding the camera body and lens onto the mount. There is a nice workaround for this which unless someone wants me to I won't bother to post here. The camera will fit nicely on a basic consumer tripod that has a round head on it.
Accessories that go well with this are:
Sony LCS-VCD Carrying Case for NEX-VG10 Black
Sony ACVQV10 AC Adaptor/Charger -Black
67mm Ultraviolet UV(C) Haze Multicoated Filter
BeachTek DXA-HDV High-Performance Camcorder Adapter, 20 Hz 20 kHz
Manfrotto 3433PL 577 Rapid Connect Adapter with Sliding Mounting Plate
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