Sony HDR-UX7

Primed to compete with Panasonic’s AVCHD clan, the UX7 records straight to DVD for instant viewing on its sidekick, the PS3

The HDR-UX7 ($1,000 MSRP) is Sony’s crème de la crème DVD camcorder, a 1920 x 1080i high definition powerhouse outfitted with an impressive imager and perhaps the best handling of any Sony this year. The body is hefty, despite the serious slim-down from its predecessor, the HDR-UX1. The weight might be worth it. The top model gets all the fixings: a mic jack, headphone jack, big 3.5-inch LCD, and an interesting little knob on the front for tweaking adjustments. Does this feature-laden camcorder merit the $1,000 price tag? Let’s find out.

If you're looking for a high definition DVD camcorder, and don't mind having to occasionally work around colour reproduction issues, then the HDR-UX7 is a solid choice.