They're here! More Muvipix.com Guides by Steve Grisetti!
The Muvipix.com Guides to Premiere & Photoshop Elements 2024
As well as The Muvipix.com Guide to CyberLink PowerDirector 21
Because there are stories to tell
muvipix.com

Sony HDR-PJ540 versus Panasonic HC-X920

MiniDV, DVD, Hard Drive, 8 mm, High Def, brands, import / capture techniques, settings ... talk about camcorders in here.

Sony HDR-PJ540 versus Panasonic HC-X920

Postby mlutze » Sun May 18, 2014 10:38 am

I've used a Sony miniDV camcorder for years and was happy with my choice. It's starting to fail so I'm looking for a replacement.

Based on my Sony experience I found a HDR-PJ350 at Costco that was quite inexpensive. Unfortunately it didn't have a LCD touchscreen, the included manual was poor and Sony put it on the market before they had any debugging or manuals online. The support team, although friendly, had little luck figuring out how to get WiFi to work and without upload capability, it's of no use to me. It's back at Costco.

Next I looked at the HDR-PJ540/B, but I'm rather discouraged by the user comments on Amazon. There were similar comments about WiFi as I'd experienced with the 350 and it also had no online information. I'm very disappointed with Sony.

I'm now considering the Panasonic HC-X920.

Does anyone have any insights on ether the Sony or Panasonic camcorders? Should I explore Canon as well?

I would appreciate any help.
mlutze
New User
New User
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:19 pm

Re: Sony HDR-PJ540 versus Panasonic HC-X920

Postby Steve Grisetti » Sun May 18, 2014 12:50 pm

Canon and Sony are definitely the industry standards -- both for pros and for higher-end consumer cams. Either brand should give you excellent quality. Sony tends to be a bit better in low light situations but, in my experience, Canon gives a bit more bang for the buck.

As for comments on Amazon, I'd take them with a grain of salt. Any item is going to gather some negative comments, and it's very unlikely any electronic device produced by a major manufacturer is a total dog. In fact, some of the most satisfying purchases I've made have flow right in the face of negative Amazon reviews. Remember, just because you have an opinion doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're talking about.

Finally, note that the camcorder you were looking at at Costco is NOT an AVCHD camcorder. I'd watch out for that. AVCHD is the current standard for consumer high-def video. That HDR-PJ350 is an HD camcorder. That means it's more likely a shoot-and-publish camera -- made for people who just want to shoot video and load it to YouTube or Facebook.

In my not so humble opinion, go with a true AVCHD in either Canon or Sony and you're pretty much guaranteed to get a good cam.
HP Envy with 2.9/4.4 ghz i7-10700 and 16 gig of RAM running Windows 11 Pro
User avatar
Steve Grisetti
Super Moderator
Super Moderator
 
Posts: 14439
Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:11 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Re: Sony HDR-PJ540 versus Panasonic HC-X920

Postby mlutze » Mon May 19, 2014 11:45 am

Thank you Steve.
mlutze
New User
New User
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:19 pm

Re: Sony HDR-PJ540 versus Panasonic HC-X920

Postby dbabits » Tue Jul 29, 2014 2:37 pm

Steve,

what makes you think that Sony HDR-PJ350 is not an AVCHD camcorder? It says "HD AVCHD Progressive" right on the body, and you can also select AVCHD in settings.
dbabits
New User
New User
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 2:32 pm

Re: Sony HDR-PJ540 versus Panasonic HC-X920

Postby Steve Grisetti » Tue Jul 29, 2014 3:11 pm

You're correct, db. It's definitely an AVCHD camcorder.
http://store.sony.com/16gb-full-hd-camc ... Camcorders
HP Envy with 2.9/4.4 ghz i7-10700 and 16 gig of RAM running Windows 11 Pro
User avatar
Steve Grisetti
Super Moderator
Super Moderator
 
Posts: 14439
Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:11 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin


Return to Camcorders 


Similar topics


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests

cron