Review on 📷 Sony Cybershot DSC-T500 Digital Camera - 10.1MP, 5x Optical Zoom, Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization by Guerdon Draper

Like many others, I was looking for a device that was a successful combination of camera and camcorder. We have an old Sony point and shoot camera and a Canon MiniDV camcorder and I've noticed that over the past year the camcorder has been spending more time at home while the number of short clips from the camera has increased. The Sony T500 arrived last week and exceeded many of my expectations. The large touchscreen on the back makes the design simple and intuitive. I thought I would miss the control buttons on the back, but no. There are smaller form factors, but the T500 fits easily in your pocket and is definitely slim and compact. The camera makes a solid and well-made impression. HD Video Recording: Just flip the switch to the right and you're in video mode. When shooting outdoors in good lighting, the result is a very impressive video. When viewed on a flat screen, I have to say that this little camera easily outperforms my non-HD camcorder. Low light recording wasn't as clear and the camcorder probably records better in low light. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this camera anyway. Zooming during video moves at a single speed (unlike a camcorder where you can control how fast you zoom in and out), but it's a good, moderately slow speed. The sound is crisp and clear. Recording videos may take some time to get used to. Because the T500 is much smaller and lighter than a camcorder, extra care needs to be taken to hold the camera steady and keep your movements smooth while panning. I haven't reached the 10 minute video limit. I know some will argue that you need unlimited time to shoot weddings, birthdays, etc., but when I collect movies using iMovie, I find that any clips longer than a few minutes make the movie REALLY boring make. I carry a camcorder with me for special occasions, but for everyday use and when you don't want to stick a camcorder in people's faces, the Sony T500 is excellent. some nice photos. It's not that good indoors and in low light, but I found the Twilight Portrait scene mode to take decent photos. We mostly view our photos on a flat screen, and the 16:9 picture mode is great for capturing landscapes and scenery. While it's not a 28mm ultra-wide lens, the wide-angle is still wider than our previous camera (3-4 year old Sony). Sure, more zoom would be nice, but given the slim design, 5x is pretty good, and you're better off with a tripod when shooting video at 5-10x. Unsurprisingly, the camera is a notable upgrade from our old 5-megapixel camera. Battery life seems a little short, but I shot a lot of videos and spent a lot of time browsing the large touchscreen. Definitely need a backup and I like the US version of the charger. The pins flip up and you just plug it into the wall (no tangles of wires). Overall I am very happy with our purchase. The video and photo quality is impressive. I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to sell the camcorder, but I know it's going to be staying home for a while longer.