Which camcorder is better canon or Sony?

Question

I want to buy a HD camcorder for home use. I found canon HF R20 in a store near me on sale for 282$, online price is around 400$, but it's an older model which is discontinued by canon and some stores still have it. I also found Sony HDRCX 190 which is around 270-300$. When I read their description they look the same to me. Is the difference in price because canon is a better brand? Is canon for 282$ a steal or is better to go with a newer Sony?

Answer 1

Hi Ms.Z:



I don't know where online you've been looking, but almost everywhere I've looked, the Canon HF-R20 is selling around that same $280 price (Canon USA currently sells it on its website for $349).



[They also sell the HF20 factory-refurbished in either Silver, Black, or Red for $249 at Canon Direct: http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_302514_-1 ].



Walmart & Target currently sell the Sony CX190 for $269.



I own both Sony & Canon camcorders, and both are very good brands. (Sony makes more models that are used by TV stations & networks than Canon, but Canon makes more pro-TV lenses.)



Personally, I don't think either one is that great, although you get 8Gb of internal memory with the Canon model (none in the Sony) and the Canon will hold 2 SD cards at the same time (just one with the Sony). The Sony has a longer optical zoom-factor (25x compared to Canon's 20x). But you should read a couple of reviews for each model and make your own decision:



CNet Review (May 2012) for the Sony CX190: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-handycam-hdr-cx190/4505-6500_7-35128679.html (They didn't like the image quality, for the money. And they thought it felt "flimsy".)



CNet review {January 2011) for the Canon HF20: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/canon-vixia-hf-r20/4505-6500_7-34468433.html



hope this helps,

--Dennis C.

 

Answer 2

I've had each and prefer Sony. In case you take various indoor photographs, Sony is the high-quality in low gentle conditions. Tape offers you higher fine than DVD, and it is extremely complicated to edit DVD seize in view that the compression is distinct than your editing program. If you want to do a lot editing, go for the tape.

Answer 3

Canon is better in way. I have seen video reviews on Sony and they have issues.

Answer 4

Canon is the best in my opinion :0)