Equipped with a 160GB hard disk drive, the Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) can record up to 63 hours. It shoots Full HD 1920 x 1080 / 60p video and can also take 8.9 megapixels still images. It features a back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor that's ideal for low-light situations. Plus, it features a wide angle Sony G Lens that supports 30x optical zoom and 55x extended zoom. There's also a 3.0" touch screen Clear Photo LCD display for easy recording and instant playback.
The HDR-XR260V comes outfitted with several video enhancing features. It has Golf Shot for frame by frame slow motion video analyzing. There's also a Tracking Focus function that follows selected subjects as you record. The microphone features 5.1 channel surround sound for dynamic and vivid surround audio. The camcorder also has Intelligent Auto, which supports 180 different scene combinations. There's even a wind noise reduction function that provides clear voice recording and Geotagging with a built-in GPS receiver and NAVTEQ maps. For professional shooting, the camcorder has a headphone jack for monitoring and a microphone jack for using external mics. The camcorder supports Clear Phase stereo speakers as well.
Sony added a few playback and connection conveniences as well. The HDR-XR260V features Event Browse, which groups video and stills by each particular recording session automatically. It also has a Highlight Playback function that creates movies with transitions and soundtracks for you automatically. With the HDR-XR260V, you can use the Direct Copy feature to transfer your HD footage directly to a hard drive without even using a PC. However, if you do want to upload videos onto Facebook and YouTube, the camcorder comes with a built-in USB cable, as well as editing and application software.
| Camera | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1x 1/3.91" CMOS Sensor |
| Pixel Gross | 5430000 |
| Effective Pixels | 2230000 |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens |
29.8 - 894 mm (16: 9) 36.5 - 1095 mm (4: 3) f/1.8 - 3.4 1 Please Note:35mm equivalent close |
| Focusing Distance | 0.4" / 1 cm |
| Zoom |
Optical: 30x Enhanced (Optical): 55x Digital: 350x |
| Filter Size | 37 mm |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| System | NTSC |
| Recording Media |
Hard Disk Drive, Internal Flash Memory 160GB Video/Image Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Recording Time |
Hard Disk Drive GB HD PS: 13 hours HD FX: 15.3 hours HD FH: 20.8 hours HD HQ: 36.7 hours HD LP: 63.2 hours Hard Disk Drive GB SD HQ: 37.8 hours |
| Video Format |
High Definition MPEG AVC/H.264 1920 x 1080p / 60 fps 1920 x 1080p / 24 fps 1920 x 1080i / 60 fps High Definition MPEG AVC/H.264 1440 x 1080i / 60 fps Standard Definition MPEG2 740 x 480i / 60 fps |
| Still Image Resolution |
JPEG: 8.9 Megapixel, 3984 x 2240 JPEG: 6.7 Megapixel, 2992 x 2240 |
| Channels | 5.1-Channel Stereo |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | LCD |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Screen Size | 3.0" |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Lux |
6 (Standard (1/60 Shutter Speed)) 3 (Low Lux (1/30 Shutter Speed)) |
| Shutter Speed | 1/60-1/10000sec |
| Built-in Mic | Yes |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes |
| Built-in Light/Flash |
Light - No Flash - No |
| Tripod Mount | 1/4" |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Outputs |
1x USB 2.0 (built-in USB cable) 1x Mini-USB 1x HDMI C (Mini) 1x Composite Video (out) |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Languages |
English Spanish French Portuguese |
| System Requirements |
Windows
|
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 6.8-8.4VDC Hours per Charge |
| Charging Method | AC Adapter |
| Power Adapter | 100-240VAC, 50/60HZ |
| Power Consumption | Operating: 3 W |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.34 x 2.60 x 5.04" / 5.95 x 6.6 x 12.8 cm |
| Weight |
12.52 oz / 355 g without battery 14.28 oz / 405 g with battery |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
Good Camera
Great compact camera for semi pro filming,
We overcame the lack of XLR inputs by implementing a 1.5mm - XLR adaptor. this worked extremely well for us. Our last shot with this particular c...Read complete review
Great compact camera for semi pro filming,
We overcame the lack of XLR inputs by implementing a 1.5mm - XLR adaptor. this worked extremely well for us. Our last shot with this particular camera was at a trade show. We used it to film both "classroom" sessions as well as on the fly unrehearsed "commercials" straight off the tradeshow floor with a pin up Lav mic.
I want to clarify my Cons by no Ext mic i obviously am refereing to the lack of XLR jacks.
also I would like to note that if there are other bright lights in the LOS of the shot the Camera has a hard time setting correct exposure, ex we had a few booths with back drop displays with haligen lights and even tho the over all lighting was good the camera couldn't establish the correct exposure and thus our focal points were darker then they should have been.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Just not good enough
I am using this camcorder as a wide (establishing) shot to film engineering tests. Because the on/off switch _is_ to open the LCD screen, you have to keep it open for ...Read complete review
I am using this camcorder as a wide (establishing) shot to film engineering tests. Because the on/off switch _is_ to open the LCD screen, you have to keep it open for the entire time you are filming. No good if you want the battery to last! Additionally it's a pain to manually control the focus.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 17 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-17
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
We have only had this camera for about two weeks but so far it is performing wonderfully. The clarity is great and it makes you feel at ease knowing there is so much internal memory available. We did not know there was a slow motion filming feature available and are excited about getting to use it soon. We bought an extended life batery, which I would recommend everybody do.
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
I have filmed high football games for many years for my brother who is the head coach and is a perfectionist to say the least. Technology is not his strong suit, but wining football games is. We have always used Sony equipment and found the Sony HDR-XR260V to be a great camera. It is so dependable and the quality of the action videos are outstanding. I have not had any problems with this camera and use it at two other elementary schools as well to film basketball games. You can't beat it. I would highly recommend this product.
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Vastly improved quality over earlier versions. Definitely worth the money and very easy to use. Am able to hand it to co-workers with little instruction and get the footage we need.
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Fast shipping great prices. Camera are easy to use.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
I am using this camcorder as a wide (establishing) shot to film engineering tests. Because the on/off switch _is_ to open the LCD screen, you have to keep it open for the entire time you are filming. No good if you want the battery to last! Additionally it's a pain to manually control the focus.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
excellent Zoom range/performance
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
I love this handycam! It is really easy to use and I was amazed at the small light weight size.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Great little Cam. Have a FS-100... needed something that I can just pull out on the fly with great quality!. love it
Pros
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Camcorder gives a good quality image, compares to camcorder that are double in cost.
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
First off, I want to say that I typically shoot with a Sony NXCAM NX5U camera. I needed to find two other camera to film high school football. This XR260V fits the bill perfectly.The many conveniences such as having a built in USB cable, SD card slot and follow focus for sports will really be appreciated. I am still blown away with the quality of these cameras, the sound, built in wind mode.This 260V will be put through a lot of shooting but so far for what I have tested I am very impressed. I don't have anything bad to say about the camera but i do have to preface that I havge not shot any practices in a similar mode that we will use these cameras: under stadium lights at nightime or during day but I am assuming I will learn to adjust and enjoy what we create.
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
I have tried many video cameras recently, but this is the best in all sense. This one is absolutely great in low light video capturing. The only thing I did not like is the Still Image Quality, it is not so great... I see lots of grain - not clear picture at all - tried many settings but same thing. I may be doing something wrong, can some one explore more on it? Other thing, not so significant but nice to have one - I would like to have a feature to decide the storage media automatically - like still image capture goes to SD card and video recording goes to Hard Disk. Otherwise, this is a best camera I have tried so far, I would definitely recommend to my friends.
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
We use this camera for a local public access station. It is very flexible, easy to use, great hard drive storage, SD or HD, microphone input and headset. This is a one chip camera, but it does well in low light. The camera mic. is even pretty good. We have purchased 4 of these cameras and I plan on getting one for my personal use.
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Only thing I do not like is I hoped you could have the stills always go to the card and the videos go to the hard drive. To do this you have to go to the menu and change to the card when you want to take a still. If you do not change to the card the picture will go on the hard drive inbetween the video. The quality of the stills are just great. If you copy the HD videos to a DVD disk they will not play on a standerd DVD player. You must select standard copy before you copy them.
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Finally first splash into HD Tapeless system shot a test video with stray cat in the backyard posted it to YouTube few hours Later some one shows at my door asking about the cat
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Well i've taken 1.6-gigs of movies all in HD along with a few single images . Images turned out very good for 8.6MP images . The 5.1 sound was very good and the wind noise protection was really good except when i shot straight up at the moon . Had some wind noise at that point . The camera has the software in it so it installs when you hook up the camcorder to your computer then it installs . nice that way don't have to worry about a disc . Battery life i thought was very good . I did a full charge before i even turn the camcorder on and that was friday morn and tonight (saturday) i charged for the first time . The Canon i took back only got a max of 30-35 mins of charge and that shouldn't be . Replacement battery for the Canon was $114.00 and for the SONY it was $49.00 . Quite a difference so i did buy an extra for the SONY ! Zoom at 55 zoom was very good . Only big thing that was hard to accept was quite alot of CA from the lens when shooting in very bright areas . The light sensitivity i thought was very good ! It was quite dark outside and i was about to do a movie even at a distance of over a 1/4th mile away with max zoom . However there was some noise present but for the test i thought it did a great job ! I do think this is a very nice camcorder by SONY and i would recommend it ! Like i did mention tho i do believe SONY should see about improving the lens on this model for a reduction of CA . If CA was totally absent then i would say this is the perfect camcorder for anyone . But even then i still recommend this camcorder ! I'll be keeping mine !
Pros
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Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
In my work I record business meetings. The camcorders I have been using had limits on recording time. My Mini DV camcorder was pretty much limited to 60 minute recording cycles. I had a memory based camcorder but the battery got really shaky after about an hour and the auxiliary power adapter tended to induce audio interference with the remote microphones. This Sony HDR-XR260V has storage to record hours of meeting time. The Lithium-Ion Battery Pack I bought with the camcorder will last longer than most meetings, and the included auxiliary power adapter works great with no noticeable noise interference. Feed from a condenser mic with phantom power works great. The camcorder's face recognition feature is useful in making sure "the boss" stays in focus. Integration with iMovie works just fine. This camcorder simply does the job.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HDR-XR260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black):
Great compact camera for semi pro filming,
We overcame the lack of XLR inputs by implementing a 1.5mm - XLR adaptor. this worked extremely well for us. Our last shot with this particular camera was at a trade show. We used it to film both "classroom" sessions as well as on the fly unrehearsed "commercials" straight off the tradeshow floor with a pin up Lav mic.
I want to clarify my Cons by no Ext mic i obviously am refereing to the lack of XLR jacks.
also I would like to note that if there are other bright lights in the LOS of the shot the Camera has a hard time setting correct exposure, ex we had a few booths with back drop displays with haligen lights and even tho the over all lighting was good the camera couldn't establish the correct exposure and thus our focal points were darker then they should have been.
Displaying reviews 1-17