Last Updated on January 13, 2019
At first glance, Sony’s new handycam would seem pricey and big. At $2,700, it’s definitely one of the priciest handheld camcorders out on the market. In fact, this range is one of the reasons a lot of people are skeptical about the Sony Nex--VG30H.
With all this precedent talk, we stumbled over ourselves when we finally had the opportunity to test its limits. And if you’re looking to buy a new one, this kit may just be the best one for you yet.
After this review, you’ll find it to be actually reasonably priced given the high quality features and functionality it provides. In fact, Sony has definitely surpassed itself with this remarkable new gadget.
Innovative Design
The VG30 isn’t unlike other camcorders in the market, with its high-definition 18-200mm E-mount zoom lens which amounts up to $2,700. You can buy the device without the additional lens and instead choose another model that you deem more appropriate for your project. This kind of optional lens design allows users more flexibility in terms of interchangeable lens usage. And we probably don’t need to tell you that investing in high tech Sony lenses is a worthy spend for anybody.
But let’s talk about the equipped zoom lens which offers two image stabilized levels: standard and active. The former is for general use like in studio settings while the latter is for more active projects like field assignments and run-and-gun footage.
On a more physical note, you’ll see that VG30 is slightly bulky and looks heavier than most camcorders. But what it lacks in lightness, it makes up for through easy controls and convenient dials or knobs for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure.
Better and Larger Sensor
What sets this handheld camcorder apart from other same-generation devices is its large format sensor. It’s almost 20x bigger than the sensors found in contemporary camcorders, which is an impressive leap forward from Sony.
With regards to image quality, the APS-C sensor allows for a better and more creative cinematic technique, specifically through depth of field, better focus, and range. In terms of photographic qualities, the wider the aperture of the shooting lens, the narrower is depth of field which then allows you to focus on a certain angle or subject. This is often used by photographers and cinematographers to lead you to key areas, scenes, and characters by blurring out the background and producing sharper focus
Flexible Lens
As mentioned before, typical consumer cameras don’t usually allow for interchangeable lenses. This means that whatever equipped lens the camcorder is sold in, you’d have to tolerate that for all projects. For the Sony Nex--VG30H, you can use either a Sony E-mount lens or other Sony alpha lenses designed for Sony Alpha DSLRs
E-mount lenses can be a super wide angle lens (16mm, f/2.8), macro lens (30mm, f2.8), wide-angle (35mm,f/1.8), normal (50mm, f/1.8), and portrait (85mm, f2.8) to name a few. You can choose from this variety of lenses that have better depth-of-field settings.
Impeccable Performance
One of the things that stood out during our tests was the viewfinder display; everything was so crisp, bright, and clear. Even under the sunlight and the LCD monitor washed in brightness, the images were still sharp and focused. This OLED viewfinder definitely hit its mark.
We also loved the fact that the camcorder delivered spectacular results, we had smoothly blurred backgrounds for focused shots and we had portrait filters with sharp details. Best of all, because of the size of the lenses, the camera performed perfectly under low-light conditions. The details in shadows, the sharp features, and the lack of noise and grain proved that the heavier and larger E-mount lens is worth the price.
As you can see buying this camcorder is a bit of a no brainer and with the option for 5 insurance , it’s also a safe choice.
Overall…
Sony really outdid itself with this new camcorder. Despite its heavy and bulky appearance, it’s a mega monster fit for any filmmaking project and definitely meets all the needs of a pro cinematographer. Our recommendation? Invest in your own and see the world through a clearer viewfinder
NEX-VG30H Specification
Download the NEX VG30 Brochure
- Audio System
- Dolby® Digital 5.1ch / 2ch
- Audio Dubbing 12bit
- NO
- Built in Microphone
- YES (Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone)
- Built in Speaker
- YES
- Surround Recording
- YES
- Image Device: Size
- APS-C type, (23.5 X 15.6mm) Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with RGB primary color filters
- ClearVid technology
- NO
- Exmor technology
- YES
- Advanced HAD technology
- NO
- Image Processor
- BIONZ™
- x.v.Colour
- NO
- Number of Pixels Gross (K)
- 16700
- Number of Pixels Act Memory mode (K)
- 16100
- Focus: Full Range Auto
- YES
- Focus: Manual
- YES
- Manual Focus Key
- Ring
- Spot Focus (Touch Panel)
- YES
- Spot Meter
- YES
- Minimum Illumination (lux)
- 9 lux(1/50 Shutter Speed F3.5)
- SteadyShot (Image Stabilisation)
- Optical SteadyShot Active Mode(included SELP18200 lens)
- Face Detection
- YES
- Smile Shutter
- NO
- D-range Optimiser
- YES
- Night Shot
- NO
- Camera Noise Reduction
- YES
- Shutter Speed
- Auto: 1/48-1/10000 (movie: 24p), 1/50-1/10000 (movie: other), 30s-1/4000 (Still) – Manual: 1/3-1/10000 (movie), 30s-1/4000 (Still)
- White Balance
- Auto/ Onepush/ Outdoor/ Indoor/ WB Temp
- Scene Selection
- NO
- Intelligent AUTO (iAUTO)
- NO
- Golf Shot
- NO
- Auto Slow Shutter
- NO
- Backlight Compensation
- YES
- Smooth Slow Rec
- NO
- Interval Rec.
- NO
- Fader
- NO
- Telemacro
- NO
Flash / Light
- Flash
- NO
- Video light
- NO
- Video Input
- NO
- Video Output
- YES (STD and HD)
- S-Video Input
- NO
- S-Video Output
- NO
- i.LINK (DV) Input
- NO
- i.LINK (DV) Output
- NO
- USB Input
- YES (Hi-Speed USB2.0)
- USB Output
- YES (Hi-Speed USB2.0)
- Component Video Output
- YES
- HDMI™ Output
- YES
- External Microphone Input
- YES (Stereo Minijack)
- Headphone Jack
- YES (Stereo Minijack)
- Lens
- SEL-18200
- Interchangeable Lens
- YES
- F
- 3.5-6.3
- f (Focal Distance) (mm)
- 18-200
- f (35mm conversion): Camera mode (mm)
- 29-322
- f (35mm conversion): Memory mode (mm)
- 3:2 Mode ; 27 – 300 / 16:9 Mode; 29-322
- Wide Angle Lens
- NO
- Filter Diameter (mm)
- 67
- Zoom Ratio (Optical)
- 11.1
- Precision Digital Zoom
- YES (2x)
- Zoom Key
- Lever
Still Image Recording
- Still image recording on Memory Stick
- YES
- Still image recording on internal HDD
- NO
- Compression of still image
- JPEG, RAW
- Image Size: Max
- 16:9 Mode; 4912x2760 (14M) / 3:2 Mode ;4912x3264 (16M)
- Burst Record
- YES
- Burst Record Auto Exposure Bracketing
- YES
- Burst Record Multi 9 Pictures
- NO
- Index Playback
- YES
- Memory Mix
- NO
- PictBridge compatibility
- NO
- Still Recording during Movie (Dual Rec)
- NO
- 16:9 Wide (Full) Recording
- YES
- Start / Stop Rec button on LCD
- YES
- Zoom button on LCD
- NO
- Automatic Geotagging by GPS
- NO
- Full HD Progressive Playback
- YES
- Accessory Shoe
- YES
- Battery Info
- YES
- InfoLITHUM System
- YES
- Picture Effects
- YES
- Digital Picture Effects
- YES
- Progressive Recording Mode
- YES
- Easy Handycam
- NO
- AC Adaptor
- YES
- AV Cable
- YES
- Memory Stick
- NO
- Rechargeable Battery Pack
- NP-FV70
- Handycam Station
- NO
- USB Cable
- YES
- Editing Software
- PlayMemories Home
- Wrist Strap
- NO
- Wireless Remote Commander
- YES
- Body cap
- YES
- Wind shield
- YES
- Lens Hood
- YES
- Lens cap
- YES
- LCD Type
- Xtra Fine LCD
- Hybrid LCD Screen
- NO
- LCD: Size
- 7.5cm / 3.0″
- LCD: Pixels (dots)
- 921600
- Touch Panel
- YES
- Viewfinder
- 1.3cm / 0.5″ Xtra Fine
- Viewfinder: Pixel (K dots)
- 2359k equivalent
- Recording Media
- Memory Stick PRO Duo™ (Mark 2) / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™/ Memory Stick XC-HG Duo™ / SD/SDHC/SDXC
- Movie Quality
- HD PS:Approx.28Mbps/FX:Approx.24Mbps/FH:Approx.17Mbps/HQ:Approx.9Mbps/LP:Approx.5Mbps. SD HQ:9Mbps
- Visual Index
- YES
- Face Index
- NO
- Film Roll Index
- NO
- Map Index
- NO
- Playlist Edit
- NO
- Original Edit
- NO
- Highlight Playback
- NO
- Direct Copy
- YES
- One Touch Disc Burn Button
- YES
- Dubbing Button
- NO
- DVDirect Compatibility
- YES (DVD Writer supported (sold separately))
NEX-VG30H Review Test Footage
NEX-VG30H Low Light Test
UNBOXING THE NEX VG30
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