Sony HDR-XR160 High-Definition Handycam Price Review

Take stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video with the compact HDR XR160 Handycam camcorder. It features an “Exmor R” CMOS sensor for superior low light performance, a 160GB1 hard disk drive, large angle Sony G lens, plus 42X expanded zoom for to get you closer to the action.

1920×1080 Full HD 60p Recording w/3MP still image
1920 x 1080 high meaning resolution allows you to record your memories in exceptional Sony Full High meaning quality. Able of 1080/60p recording and playback via HDMI and matched HDTV4 roviding stunning clearness and very in depth playback of your memories.

160GB1 Hard Disk Drive
A fitted 160GB1 hard disk drive can record and store up to 54 hours of high meaning video footage (HD LP mode). Also, “HDD Smart Protection” gives you peace of mind by helping to prevent any recorded video and pictures from being lost if the camcorder is accidentally dropped.

Wide Angle G lens to catch everything you want.
Experience the pinnacle of Sony lens technology with the professional quality G Lens. Engineered for superior optical performance, Sony G lenses deliver smart, correct color reproduction and sharp, surprisingly in depth pictures. Also, the 29.8mm focal length offers a larger perspective for improved large angle shooting.

42x expanded Zoom to get closer to the action
Extended Zoom works in conjunction with 30x optical zoom to get 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 clearness and significantly reduced grain with Sony’s back illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor. Intended 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 may be able to 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 large angle to full telephoto shooting. Also, groundbreaking 3 Way Shake Canceling adds electronic roll stability for smoother video catch.

3.0 inch touch screen Clear Photo LCD Plus display (230K)
The 3.0″ Clear Photo LCD Plus screen displays sharp, bright, vivid pictures, letting you compose a shot more easily outdoors, while enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene.

Tracking concentrate follows selected subjects
Tracking concentrate works as an expansion of Face Detection to let you to choose an object with a touch of the LCD and have the concentrate follow the selected object.

Event Browse groups photos/videos for you for easy reference
Event Browse conveniently groups your pictures and videos together for easier looking at. The date range that Event Browse groups your pictures and videos is easily adjusted to match your needs. When used with the Highlight Playback feature, making and sharing a highlight reel from your event is easy and fun.

Highlight Playback creates movies with transitions for you
Why use up hours editing your movies when you may be able to let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback identifies and compiles key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions. You may be able to pinpoint the exact scene you want to include in the highlight reel.

Clear Phase stereo speakers for true and dynamic sound
Bring your video alive with Clear Phase stereo speakers. Drawing on Sony’s high end audio specialty, renown S Master digital amplifier technology is utilized to produce more true to life sound.

5.1ch Surround mic for vivid and dynamic surround sound.
Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording captures active sounds coming from all directions, so you may be able to experience your home movies the way you experienced them while recording.

Wind sound reduction for clear voice recording
Wind Reduction decreases sound and interference that’s made when wind passes over the microphone, giving you a clearer and more enjoyable sound experience.

Intelligent Auto (90 different scene mixes possible)
Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond conventional auto modes by examining your shot , then automatically selecting the proper settings from ten distinct scene modes (90 different mixes possible): Landscape, Backlight, Twilight, Spotlight, Low light, Macro, Portait, Baby, Walk, Tripod.

Direct Copy to external HDD without PC13
Store your memories in a whole new way with the capability to copy videos from your camcorder straight to an external hard disk drive13 (sold separately), all without a computer. Your camcorder may also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV4, allowing you to use the camcorder’s useful playback features.

Built in USB cable for easy file transfer/charge
The high speed, fitted USB 2.0 cable lets for easy connection to your computer for charging or file move without having to remember separate cables. It also fits conveniently into the hand strap so it’s out of the way till you need it.

Golf Shot
Building on the slow motion catch potential of Smooth Slow Record, Golf Shot captures some seconds of motion as a sequence of up to 22 still pictures, which may be viewed/printed individually or as a composite “sequence shot” image, perfect for examining the nuances of a golf swing, tennis serve, and other fast action.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of five stars Sony HDR XR160 HD 1080p camcorder, May 18, 2011
By HappyMan See all my reviews () This review is from: Sony HDR XR160 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) (Camera) I got this product and partially happy with it compared with my Sony TRV 340 digital8 camcorder.

Something I want to point out:

Features: I do not like the battery release button because it’s at the bottom of the camcorder. When using it with tripod, it’s hard to change the battery if tripod adapter can be used unless the adapter is small or using FV 100 battery to avoid the problem.

Sound: It captures the sound quality good and much powerful if zoom mic is enable.

Picture: it’s good enough in standard video and quite good in 1080p catch. If looking at on the LCD panel, video quality is quite good for both formats. But, video quality looks too much light when looking at in computer or DVD player.

Manual low light mode (3LUX): it’s a big surprise to me it works so well. Without any zoom in or out, I captured a clear video from the bed room using the light from the bathroom (light source 40W was about six feet way and pointed straight to the object behind the camcorder). But it’s grainy if the zoom can be used. It was grainy if capturing a scene 15 feet away from the camcorder using light reflection, light source was about ten feet behind the camcorder and pointed 90 degree angle. But I favor to have it at 1.5 2 LUX.

Optical Zoom: 30x is so good and calm.

Recording/Photo mode: Sometime it captures the photo while recording by itself in standard recording mode. It never happens in HD mode. It’s strange but it isn’t hurting anything.(7/21/2011)

Auto focus: it’s about time slower in comparison to my digital8 I believe.

Auto get works automatically ONLY in playback mode when using LCD panel.

Overall I grade this camcorder(below $600) 4 4.5 stars at buyer level camcorder. If it has three CMOS sensor and 1.5 LUX, it’s my five star camcorder($2000+).

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28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Awesome Camcorder, June 9, 2011
By sizzle See all my reviews () This review is from: Sony HDR XR160 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) (Camera) This is a great camcorder. Did many of research on the camcorders and this was the newer variant of another great camcorder. Don’t need a memory card as all information may be saved to the hard drive then moved to your computer. Another great feature is it has a usb cord in the hand strap so you may be able to easily connect to your computer to download or charge the battery.

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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Good Video and Audio Quality in Outside in Bright regions, June 25, 2011
By Akash See all my reviews () This review is from: Sony HDR XR160 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) (Camera) This camera has good zoom. I can see stuff through this camera that I cant see in real life with my own eyes. The picture quality is good outdoors but indoors its a little grainy on the highest quality recording. The camera captures audio well and colors well too. The menu is simple and easy to use and the software that comes with it’s nice too. The hard drive is really useful because you dont have to purchase costly memory cards. The battery life is about an hour and 40 min on the highest quality recording and the hard drive holds 16 hours on the highest quality. The camera is light and looks great. Only downside is that its type of costly and you may be able to find a camera with alike features thats maybe $100 less.

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