Sony HDR-CX220/B High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)

The SONY CX-220 is the low end camera in SONY's Camcorder line based on the Exmor R 8.9 Megapixel image capture element. From a practical perspective, low end can be measured in a number of ways. First, it's about half the price of the top of the line camera in the series, the CX-260. Second, it has no internal memory, which requires that you use an SD card to record your videos. Other cameras in the series include 8 and 16 Gigabytes of internal memory. The internal memory can occasionally useful, but SD cards are inexpensive and easy to carry along. Given that you'll need a 32GB card to do upwards of 2 hours of highest quality video, the lack of internal memory is no real handicap. Third, it it has a smaller external zoom (27x as opposed to the 30x in the CX-260). Again, there may be circumstances where the extra zoom matters, but you'll need a tripod to take advantage of it. Of slightly greater concern, in this regard, is the starting point for the zoom. While all of the cameras in Sony's Exmor R line are described as "wide angle", the CS-220's wide angle isn't quite as wide as other cameras in the series, which means you may have to position slightly further from the scene to capture everything you want to have in the frame. This is a practical issue for me as I most frequently use my video cameras to record Chorus concerts, which usually involve a wide frame. This shouldn't be an issue unless you are shooting in a small space (like a classroom) and want to capture the full width of the room. There are sometimes limits on how far you can back up the camera. It hasn't been an issue in auditoriums. Fourth, it comes with a weaker battery than other cameras in the series. The CX-260 comes with Sony's FV-50 battery, which I've found can easily handle two hours of continuous video, but the CX-220 comes with Sony's FV-30 battery, which is rated as having about half the power of the FV-50 and needs a stretch to do an hour and thirty minutes of continuous video. This is offset somewhat by the CX-220 relatively stingy power use. The CX-220 will run a good 20 minutes longer than the CX-260 on the FV-50 battery. For longer videos or videos that do a lot of zooming (something I do very little of in my concert videos), either camera will benefit from the more powerful FV-70 battery, which should be good for upwards of 4 hours of highest quality video. My CX-220 clocks in at nearly 5 hours with an FV-70 battery. Fifth, the CX-220 doesn't come with a Sony battery charger, but is instead documented as charging up using a USB cable. Several reviewers have complained about this, but I don't see an issue. From a practical perspective I nearly always have a USB charger with me, and it's nice not having to bring yet another charger along when traveling. If, moreover, you need a larger battery (like the FV-70, you'll probably find that the cost of the battery charger is small compared with the price of the battery and get them bundled (as I did). Finally, if your first camera is a higher end Sony Exmor R series camera like the CX-260, your existing Sony charger will charge up your CX-220 as well. Sixth, the CX-220 uses button controls rather than touch screen controls, as the CX-260 does. I find the touch screen controls easier to use than the CX-220's button controls, but your milage may vary. Bigger fingers, and those who obsess about finger oil on screens, will probably prefer the CX-220's button controls. Finally, there are more menu options, most of which you'll probably never use, and some flashy bells and whistles like an electronically controlled lens cover on the higher end R-Seres cameras. If you want super-slow motion or to have the camera protect the lens when the camera turns off, the CX-260 is probably the better camera for you. If they don't, you can get the same high quality video from either camera. Both cameras have the same imaging element and record the same highest quality video. If those differences make a difference to you one way or the other, you can probably stop here, but I've titled this review "excellent second camera" and you may be interested in knowing why. I obtained a SONY CX-260 camcorder six months ago with the specific intent of shooting concert videos. I've been shooting concert video on and off for most of 30 years now, but I was looking to step up a level to an HD prosumer camcorder that I could edit into high quality HD streaming video for distribution on Youtube. I already had a camera that could shoot 1080P video, but that could only record for about 30 minutes at a time. I also had a 720P camcorder and a somewhat better than 720P camcorder, so I was well positioned to shoot video with insets and closeups. What I needed was a second camera that chould shoot a continuous 1080P stream that I could use as a base for cuts and insets. After looking at a lot lot of prosumer camcorders and reviews, I concluded that the Sony CX-260 would best meet my needs based on its ability to record at better than 1080P (about four times better), its relatively high audio and video quality in low to moderate indoor light, its relatively long battery life, and its reasonable price (about $360). It has more than lived up to my expectations. For examples of video shot with this camera see the HD videos at [...] That said, I've wanted to do better. One of the key restrictions on my filming of these videos is that I'm singing in the choruses. I can't exit stage right and return to restart a camera during the concert. I pretty much have to set up the cameras and forget about them. The CX-260 has really helped with that insofar as it has enough pixels to do high quality digital zooms while I'm editiing. That allows me to focus in on a soloist or small ensemble without losing the HD resolution (something I do a lot of in the referenced Youtube videos). What I haven't always had is the routine ability to cut between different camera angles while retaining HD quality. I've been searching for a second HD camcorder for a couple of months now. The obvious answer was to get another CX-260, but I was looking to spend less than $200 and get something that could approach (not necessarily match, but approach) that quality. The CX-220 more than meets those criteria, if only because it is able to match the video quality of CX-260 video for less than $200, not quite half the price of the CX-260. Aside from the slightly smaller optical zoom it has the same imaging components and records at the same high resolution. When I load video from both cameras into editing software I simply cannot tell which camera I loaded the video from unless I clearly label it when I import it. I can do the same levels of digital zoom without apparent loss of quality, and I can cut from one camera to the other seamlessly, which not only helps to make the edited video more entertaining, but allows me to show elements (typically people) that are hidden from one angle using the other angle. If you are an amateur looking to shoot high quality home video, the CX-220 could be an excellent choice for you. If you are looking to create professional looking videos with excellent prosumer equipment, the CX-220 makes an excellent second camera.

Been using this camera for the last few days and have been very happy with the Video quality and the sound of the CX220. Looks great on my HDTV ( My TV is a 720P ) Wish I could test it on a Full 1080P TV. Inside video is decent. Better then most camera's I have used. But not the same as outdoor sunny day..which is to be expected. Menu is easy to set up and navigate. Camera is small and light. I can fit it in my large coat pocket. Comes with a built in USB cable for charging and transfer ( which was nice!) , as well as a USB extension cable and a HDMI cable for your Tv No built in memory, you will need a SD card. But they are cheap. I use by phone wall USB adapter to charge. Battery life is about 1 1/2 hours.. Not bad, but wish it was longer.. I will be ordering a second battery at some point. Files worked just fine with my Corel Video Studio X5 for editing and movie making. Will be taking some skiing video on a cloudy day today. Will try to update review with the white snow and less light then normal. Happy with this Camera so far.

I just received this camera today, and I'm really loving it. Sony pioneered digital video, and have continued to advance the technology. So far I have only played with the features while the battery charges, so I will edit this review once I have been able to really use it. However, I wish to make some preliminary observations. First, let me just say I purchased this as a B-camera, to capture a second angle while filming. The specs of this camera match those of my other Sony in terms of resolution and image quality. While my Sony HDR-CX260V has more features, the resulting video seems to match the CX220 spot on. This is a bonus as I will not have to adjust video from either angle to make the footage from the two cameras match up in color, clarity, and quality, saving me valuable editing time. The CX220 does not feature on-board memory, which is fine with me. I prefer to shoot on SD cards, and move the video to my PC. Built in memory is a nice back-up, which the CX260 has, so I really don't need it for a B camera. the CX220 also does not feature a touch screen display, which I am used to with the CX260, but I'm not a huge fan of touchscreen technology anyway. Just means I have to keep cleaning the screen. Otherwise, all the buttons and connection access points are in the same place on both models, which I like. Now I wish I could have given this 41/2 stars, because the only complaints I have that keep me from a full 5 star rating are minor in respect to the quality of the video. First, the camera does not come with a charger cable. Luckily, it uses the same charger as my CX260. It has a USB cable built into the hand strap, but did not seem to charge the battery. Second, the lens cover on the CX260 opens automatically when you turn on the camera, whereas the CX220 has a little switch on the side of the lens housing. If you turn on the CX220 with the cover closed, a little message box appears on the screen to alert you, so you don't have to worry about filming the inside of the cover, but it adds one more step before you can start shooting. That being said, for this price, you can easily afford a separate charging cable. I may or may not end up doing that myself-right now it is difficult to imagine why I would have to charge both cameras at the same time. This is an ideal camera for a young person just getting into filming, and a great second, or third for the videographer who wants a quality video at an affordable price. I think it would be perfect for family events when you are looking to spice up the end result with multiple angles instead of the usual, flat, single camera capture. This really is HD quality video at a bargain price, with the added bonus of taking still photos. The CX220 pulls double duty with quality that doesn't disappoint.

Excellent choice for my 13 year-old amateur filmmaker, she loves it!

great product great price! quick delivery!!

Great video with high quality at a cheap price

Works great!