The good: A wide-angle lens, built-in USB cable, and consistently good automated behavior highlight the otherwise no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 camcorders.
The bad: The sub-HD resolution sensor on these camcorders produces merely satisfactory video.
The bottom line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card.
Key Features
1920 x 1080 HD Recording
160GB Hard Disk Drive
Memory Stick Duo / SD Memory Card Slot
1/5.8" Exmor R CMOS Sensor
3.0" WIDE Clear Photo Touch Panel LCD
Sony Lens G with 37mm Filter Diameter
30x Optical and 350x Digital Zoom
Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode
BIONZ Image Processor
3.3MP Still Image Recording
1920 x 1080 Full HD 60p Recording with 3Mp Still Images
1920 x 1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony full high definition quality. Capable of 1080/60p recording and playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories
160GB Hard Disk Drive
A built-in 160GB hard disk drive can record and store up to 54 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode). In addition, "HDD Smart Protection" gives you peace of mind by helping to prevent any recorded video and images from being lost if the camcorder is accidentally dropped
Wide Angle G Lens
Experience the pinnacle of Sony lens technology with the professional-quality G Lens. Engineered for superior optical performance, Sony G lenses deliver brilliant, accurate colour reproduction and sharp, amazingly detailed images. In addition, the 29.8mm focal length offers a broader perspective for enhanced wide angle shooting
42x Extended Zoom
Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 30x optical zoom to get even closer to the action while maintaining HD image quality
Back-Illuminated 'Exmor R' CMOS Sensor for Superb Low-Light Video
Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony's back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the "Exmor R" sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions
Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization with Active Mode
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture
3.0" Touch Screen Clear Photo LCD Plus Display
The 3.0" Clear Photo LCD Plus screen displays sharp, bright, vivid images, letting you compose a shot more easily - even outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene
Direct Copy to External HDD without PC
Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV, allowing you to utilize the camcorder's handy playback features
Recording Time Hard Disk Drive
HD PS: 13 hours, 20 minutes
HD FX: 15 hours, 40 minutes
HD FH: 21 hours, 30 minutes
HD HQ: 38 hours, 10 minutes
HD LP: 66 hours, 40 minutes
Video Format :
High Definition
MPEG AVC/H.264
1920 x 1080p, 1920 x 1080i, 1440 x 1080i (60/60/60 fps)
Standard Definition
720 x 480i (60 fps)
Still Image Resolution:
JPEG: 3.3 Megapixel
Audio Format:
Dolby Digital 5.1 channel
2-Channel Stereo
