We love the Sony HDR-CX550V… like, really love it. This HD video camera packs a ton of quality features into a sleek and easy to manage frame: full HD recording (1920 x 1080), 64GB internal hard disk, GPS, HDMI out (for full HD playback), 12 MP still-image capture, gorgeous 3.5″ display, USB 2.0, and a Media Stick slot just to name a few. Getting quality video is effortless with some of the software niceties that Sony has added, including iAuto which, “analyzes your shot and then automatically selects the appropriate settings from ten distinct scene modes,” and Optical SteadyShot, which, “compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver…smooth video.” The camera auto-detects faces and focal points which it then uses to help determine exposure levels — it’s especially great in high-light settings, and reduces the chances of blown out videos. You can record up to 360 minutes of HD video (more if you knock down the quality) and the real-world battery life of around 120 minutes is adequate in our opinion. This sweet piece of equipment is aimed at the prosumer market and is all yours for $1199. If the FlipHD doesn’t provide everything you need, and the BVPE30 is a little out of your price range, the HDR-CX550V is a great buy.
This post is part of our “Live Like A Genius” content series sponsored by Buick and the all-new 2010 LaCrosse.
