Plenty of nice tools to fix it up later too. Example at http://www.crumplepop.com/fisheyefixer/
Bob
![]() | Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years. Thanks, CNET Support |
Greetings-
I'd like to share a video test I uploaded for a low-end Sony. My criteria was I was looking for a quality affordable sub-$200 ($129 Black Friday $249 list) primarily for a youtube collectibles channel shot in a studio-style environment 1280x720 HD or some 1080 MP4 for iMovie HD.
"SONY HDR CX220 Barrel Distortion Examples Wide Angle (Full Cam Specs in Description)" on my amusement420 channel. You'll immediately say Woah. That's a warped closet door.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTPseS-aRBA
One thing that's not always mentioned about the cam is the obvious wide angle barrel distortion. It's a 29.8mm Carl Zeiss lens. It says WIDE on the front of it. And they mean wide.
I put the full specs of the cam in the video description. I find other youtube videos, reviews here, and other forums helpful.
User background: I'm a graphic designer. I shoot a lot of youtube videos for a creative outlet. I had a $1k Sony TRV30 MiniDV. For it's day was top of the line consumer. Which is why I tried this Sony.
Likes:
1. Carl Zeiss lens.
2. Excellent smooth 27x optical (is all you need) zoom. Very nice, responsive zoom lever.
3. Crisp, sharp, detailed picture (to the point of maybe being a bit too sharp around the edges if you know what I mean).
4. No chromatic aberration
5. Nice form factor. Very compact.
6. Very comfortable strap.
7. USB cable in strap.
8. Solid joystick (no touch screen)
9. MP4's and JPGS show up as a thumb drive on the Mac Desktop so you drag and drop. Note you can even use the card in other cams. So for example it'll make the Sony folder nomenclature and Samsung if you use one that acts the same way. The Canon I hadn't tried. I have to use software to access the files.
10. Shoots MP4 or AVCHD
11. Works with Mac OS X 10.5+
12. HDMi mini cable to HDTV included
Dislikes:
1. The auto focus chirping noise is far too noticeable in a quiet recording environment which I'll be doing a lot of theses days. A regular environment not detectable to the ear in the cam or the vid.
2. Too much of a wide angle lens for most situations. It's funny but not practical.
3. As much as the joystick/pad is solid to use. The GUI is difficult. Like playing a video game you're not used to.
4. Bright sounding mic but it's debatable. I like warm audio. That's why I have Definitive Technology HT speakers for example.
5. No supplied AC adapter! You can buy one. It's their way of keeping the price point down. It has a long USB extension cord to power from the computer (which has to be on of course).
That's all I can think of without using it extensively..
Anyway the video link above is an interesting wide angle look. It's the type of video test I like to see myself. Hope it helps anyone considering one. They say the CX230 is the same.
Regards.
Discussion is locked
I was looking at the line at a local retailer (I don't know if it's proper to say who it was). All the SONY's say WIDE on the lens. Without looking up specs I'd say they all are 29.8mm.
I tried a Canon VIXA HF R400 which is a low-end cam a little pricier because of the feature set and build quality and it's lens wasn't wide angle.
Wide can be artistic to some, and can come in handy in certain spots to get more in the frame, but it was too wide and distorted for me.
The problem with the Canon was chromatic aberration (purple and green fringing around highlights.) I don't expect a low-end cam to be perfect but I feel better to report those issues if it helps anybody out.
Interesting link btw.