Review on Sony HDR-CX100 HD Camcorder, AVCHD Format, 10x Optical Zoom, Smile Shutter, Black (Discontinued by Manufacturer) by Noe Epps

I have owned and used this Sony camcorder for about 6 months. And I just got as far as writing a consumer review. I really wanted to love this camcorder. Nevertheless, I like it very much. But I was disappointed when I shot in the dark. There's no external light to shoot in the dark and all that comes out is a grainy image. However, I knew there was no light in that cell, so I knew what I was getting for my money. The touchscreen menus are comfortable and easy to use once you get used to navigating through them. This takes some practice. But what I love most about this camcorder is that it's so small and so light. In the 1980's I had a video camera that I had to carry on my shoulder. But this camcorder is as light as a baseball glove. The ergonomics are good and the velcro where you put your hand is adjustable. Your hand will not hurt when holding it. Battery life is good, but not fantastic. For new users, I would recommend investing in a second alternate battery and keeping it charged while using the first battery. Another downside of this Sony camcorder is the inability to use a memory card from another manufacturer. Therefore, you need to buy a Sony memory card. This camcorder is also a digital camera. I wouldn't recommend using this for photography though as the quality isn't up to the standard you'll find in a DSLR. When using the high definition function, the picture is absolutely beautiful and crystal clear when exposed to completely natural light during the day. picture color is perfect. It's as good as anything I've seen professionally. The software, which needs to be downloaded to your computer, is easy to set up and install. However, it is difficult for beginners and confused users to learn how to transfer movies and still images the first few times. Anyone buying this will have to read the instruction manual and just play around with it until you get the hang of it. Overall, I'd say this camcorder is a solid buy if you're a hobbyist who just wants to casually snap some family, friends, and vacation shots. But don't expect a lot of frills. This is an HD camcorder, and as impressive as the picture is, it still doesn't have an external light source to capture decent footage in the dark. I am modestly satisfied with my purchase.