Review on 📹 Sony HDR-PJ790V Handycam Camcorder with 3.0-Inch LCD - High Definition (Black) - Discontinued by Manufacturer: A Detailed Review and Buying Guide by Eddie Rivas

Let me start by saying that I'm a self-proclaimed "prosumer". When DV came out in 1995, I was one of the first to buy a $4,000 Sony VX1000. I was also one of the first to buy a $2,000 Sony Hc1 HDV camcorder on day one of its release in 2005. Since then I've been using a Canon DSLR and since last year a Nikon D800 camera for video recording. It's the first camcorder to match or even surpass the D800 in terms of video quality. I've always wanted that super clear, "As if you were there" clarity that you find in Blu-ray movies when you watch them on a newer LCD TV. Both the D800 and this camcorder equaled or came close. The reason I buy it even though I already have a D800 (shot with Nikon 24mm f1.4 or Tamron 24-70 f2.8) is because sometimes I'm lazy. and just want to capture a clear video without having to focus. Remember that with DSLR videos you always have to focus first. Their "full autofocus" is as good as camcorders from the mid-1980s, so don't believe the hype. However, you do get excellent shallow depth of field and the ability to switch lenses with a DSLR. I wasn't happy with either camcorder because of the shallow depth of field and low contrast. There's always that "fog" in footage. It just wasn't "crystal clear" like what I would get on my D800 or my Canon T2i. Back to this camcorder, I bought it because it rivals the D800 in terms of sharpness and autofocus like a normal camcorder! However, what really made me seriously consider spending over $1,500 on a "different" camcorder was a stable balance sheet. OMG, this is fucking amazing! I have 2 other Panasonic camcorders (SDK 750) and their "hybrid optical image stabilization" was the best a few years ago. This new Sony technology tops it! My wife can record when we are in the car and you can see the windshield moving up and down, but the center frame is completely still as if the car is not moving! I can walk around with this camcorder while I'm recording. When they got up and just recorded the footage, most people mistook the footage for a tripod! Of course, don't expect miracles! My cousin was moving back and forth and the footage was getting very bad, very fast! When used properly, this camcorder will greatly assist the operator in creating "professional quality" footage. Another "chip" is the built-in projector. The projector has very few lumens (35) so even in total darkness anything larger than a 35-40 inch screen will be too dim. The picture quality is just "ok". However, after a day of shooting, it's good to check that you have all the required footage. Funny thing is when I showed this to my wife (who thinks I have too many cameras and camcorders already) it was a deal breaker for her! She wasn't overly impressed with the balance stabilization or the 1/2 inch sensor, but when I turned on the projector she screamed and said oh my god buy this now! LAUGH OUT LOUD! If you have any doubts about going with a PJ or CX model, I would hesitantly recommend this. However, if in a few years they increase the projector's resolution to at least 480p and increase the lumens to 150-250 then it would be worth it. video camera.1. Picture quality. Okay, I may be spoiled for the Nikon D800's photo quality, but this will NOT replace your DSLR. 24mp means nothing! Everything rests on the lens and the sensor. In perfect outdoor weather, I'd say it's on par with a budget DSLR. However, the clarity of the details is NOT! Indoor shots are terrible because of brightness noise and lack of sharpness! For comparison, I'd say it's better than my iPhone 5 camera (which is great as a "phone camera").2. The LCD monitor shakes up and down. At first I thought my camcorder was defective. When you move the closed monitor up and down, it moves significantly, as if it were a loose screw. However, when I moved the screen of my old Sony HC1, it did the same. I went to Costco and noticed that all of the Sony camcorder LCDs were moving up and down as well; Neither my Canon (HDV 20 and HDV 30) nor my Panasonic camcorders had this problem. I'm assuming this is "good" since the free play acts as a kind of shock absorber to prevent it from detaching from the camcorder.3. Menu. Everything from the touchscreen menu, except for the front button on the lens, which can be assigned a function. To assign a function, press in for 2 seconds, then select one of the functions to be assigned, then press in again. Now you can customize by scrolling the wheel. I've learned that you can adjust something like White Balance Shift (great!) and then push in to select another function to assign and adjust, like Shutter Speed or Aperture (IRIS). However, be careful as one function overrides other functions.4. This camera is larger than most compact camcorders. It's about the same size as my old Canon HDV 20. It's a lot bigger than the Panasonic TM900 or SDK 750. That's not bad per se. They sacrifice quality for compactness. Overall I'm very happy with this camcorder due to the new Steadyshot technology and the sharpness of the video. For me, that's the goalkeeper.