Customer Reviews
Terrific Camcorder 
2008-06-20
I bought this about two weeks ago and couldn't be happier. My first experience, I took it to my daughter's dance and took some outstanding HD videos. Playing it on my 50" HD plasma you can't believe your eyes. It is as you are watching a broadcast sports event. Still pictures are outstanding and the look and feel of this camera is awesome. The only thing I would suggest is to get yourself a cable to go HDMI. Sony should have included this but it's not that expensive to buy one. If you are looking for a video camera that is portable and easy to use, this is definitely the one.
Not Compatible wih Mac 
2008-06-01
The camera works great, but it does not work very well with a Mac. Sony's software is only for PC, which is hard to believe in this day and age. There is a way to make it work in iMovie, but I hope you have a few hours to download your video. Anyway, like I said, I'm not complaining about the camera itself (which is great), but I am very frustrated that this is even an issue.
It's a GOOD, a BAD and an UGLY digital camcorder. 
2008-05-21
I chose Sony HDR CX7 over Panasonic HDC-SD5, Samsung HMX10A and Canon HG10 after an extensive research. I want a camcorder that can record both in HD and SD format, using Flash memory card, and taking decent still pictures. The reasons why I bought it are listed in THE GOOD section.
After using it for 3 weeks, I hate it in some areas. They're listed in THE BAD and the UGLY SECTION.
THE GOOD
BEAUTIFUL VIDEO QUALITY
It records beautiful and sharp video even in SD format. The color is vivid and attractive.
BEST STILL PICTURES
It takes pictures in 6 and 4 mega pixels. The color are lively and bright. All the competitors take pictures in only 2 mega pixels. They look very bad compared to Sony's. Still, these pictures do not look as sharp as a digital point and shoot camera. No pictures taken by any camcorders look as good as the ones by cameras.
NIGHT SHOT FEATURE
You can shoot video in the dark by turning on the built-in infrared light. No competitors have this feature.
SHOOTING VIDEO IN BOTH HD AND SD FORMAT
Only Sony and Panasonic camcorders have this feature.
I want mine to be able shoot movies in both HD (AVCHD) and SD (Mpeg2) formats. It's because I and the majority of my friends have regular TV's and DVD players. We think the price of HD equipment is still too high.
HIGH-CAPACITY EXTRA BATTERY
The battery that comes with my camcorder lasts only 2 hours. I bought an extra one, NPFH100 H Series Actiforce Hybrid InfoLithium Battery. It lasts approximately 7 hours. That's more than enough for me.
NOISELESS RECORDING
Because it uses flash memory card, the camera makes no noise. As a result, my video recording does not have any sound made by the camcorder. The same thing goes for any camcorder that uses the same technology
THE BAD and THE UGLY
SUPPORTING ONLY 8 GB of FLASH MEMORY
The highest capacity of the memory sticks supported is only 8 GB. If you're recording in SD format, it will record for 4 hours. That's good enough for casual users. If you're recording in HD format, it lasts only 2 hours. That is short. I resolve this problem by using 2 memory sticks of 8 GB each. That gives me 4 hours of HD video or 8 hours of SD video. This is good enough for me. I wish it support 16 GB memory stick.
PROPRIETARY INTERFACE AND HARDWARE
This is one of the reasons I don't like Sony merchandise. It's because it costs me much more in the long run. Further more, I'm not able to use many better accessories made by other companies. For example, if I could use Sandisk Compact Flash card, it would cost less.
SLOPPY ACCESSORIES
Sound quality is not good unless you stand about 1 feet away from the object. It has too much echo. This is typical problem of all consumer camcorders made by all companies. So, I bought an external microphone, ECM-HGZ1 Shotgun Microphone. I ended up returning it to the store. It's because it's not better than the built-in one. It also looks and feels like a toy. If the camcorder did not use proprietary Active Interface Hot Shoe, I would be able to use pro external microphones made by other companies to produce excellent sound.
Now, there's no way to record better sound with this camcorder. It does not have a line-in for microphone. If I want it, I'll have to buy pro -level camcorders which cost minimum $6500!
BAD SOFTWARE SUPPORT
I misplaced the software disc that came with the camera. So, I could not install the software browser to view HD video and picture files. I could not find full version of the software on Sony website! They have only the upgrade version. Luckily, I just found the original disc.
In short, this is the best camcorder in its class which meets my needs. If only it used standard interface, then it would be an excellent equipment.
sony hdr-cx7 avchd 2008-05-02
The avchd software does not work with vista 64 bit PC's. The camcorder is very good.
Excellent Video quality, great product. 2008-04-14
It has a great quality for video and good quality for photos (6mp)...
Didn't got a good quality in photos taked when still recording Videos and can take only 3 pictures in this mode at 4.6mp .
You should buy a secondary battery if planning to film for more then 2h... Sony NPFH100 H Series is a great choice for that.
I miss in this product other away to see images other than lcd but only for pictures, for movie i think it's fine.
The menu is simple and easy to use.
One problem is the needed to use dock station every time you need to connect to computer and don't after you copy the movies to computer in Full HD mode, you need a secondary program to see it because the sw that comes with them don't allow you to play movies in your HD... or I don't know yet how to do it.
Did not work-had to return-utter frustration 
2008-04-11
The compact size of this camcorder combined with its miniscule recording media make the HDR-CX7 high definition Handycam(R) camcorder a joy to use. Ultra-lightweight and easy to carry, it features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens and Super SteadyShot(R) optical image stabilization for stunningly sharp high definition video. Its large, 2.7-inch wide Clear Photo LCD Plus display featuring touch panel SwivelScreen(TM) technology makes it simple to view what you're recording at almost any angle. Record and play back both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) video recorded on standard 3-inch (8cm) DVD media. Optical stabilization achieves a higher level of smoothness without the video degradation that mars some digital stabilization systems. Shoot ultra-close ups without the camcorder casting a shadow on your subject in exceptional still pictures and video with stunning detail and clarity (1080 lines of resolution - HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution - SD Mode). Scene Modes - Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset InfoLithium with AccuPower(TM) Meter System (NP-FH60) Battery Type 35mm Equivalent Optics/Lens - 40-400mm(16 - 9 Camera Mode), 49-490mm (4 - 3 Camera Mode), 40-400mm (16 - 9 Memory Mode) and 37-370mm (4 - 3 Memory Mode) Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/2 - 1/500 Inputs and Outputs - Analog Audio/Video Output, USB Port, Digital Audio/Video Input & Output, HDMI, Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output and S-Video Output Dimensions - 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 5 1/4 inch (69 x 67 x 129mm) Weight - 15 ounces (450 grams) with supplied battery
Wonderful 2008-04-07
I searced for about a month trying to find the right camera for recording my grandchildren, hikes, and family gatherings. I had a DVD type (Hitachi) and it lacked the reliability I wanted. This camera without tape, DVD's, or even hard disk sounded like what I needed. So far (about 2 months) it was the right choice. I don't do much editing, so I'm not sure how easy that is to do, but copying video or stills to DVD's or prints is very easy. The video on my HD TV is great. I'm very pleased.
HDR-CX7: Excatly What I Hoped For 2008-03-20
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RNEZCCFJI9P46 This camera is exactly what I wanted, a mere upgrade from the HDR-UX1. No more disc rotation sounds, and extremely high-quality video.
Video taping at night is a bit low quality, but all you have to do is turn on the night vision, and everything is crystal clear all over again!
This camera is outstanding.
How to watch and edit 2008-03-10
This camera will most probably satisfy any amateur cameramen who is buying it for the very nice occasions ahead of them. This was my case.
For me it was totally satisfactory until I wanted convert them to .avi files and try to watch them in Windows Media Player or my divx player.
I have found a converter software that is taking a century to convert and the file sizes are increadibly big. 1,7 GB for a 15 min. video and to tell you the truth I am not satisfied with the video quality after conversion. I would very much appreciate if someone knew how to help me. Before you make this purchase, I highly recommend that you find how to convert files into industry std. extensions with acceptable file size and good HD qualities.
Very happy with it 2008-03-08
I've had the camera for about month, with chances to shoot in various lighting and action situations. I have been shooting in HD, but most often editing for use on standard DVD or YouTube - so I haven't made full use of the HD on playback. Still - the results, to me, are amazing. Really clear, nice color - and the audio quality of even the built in (surround sound) mics is quite good to my ear. I recorded a friend singing and playing acoustic guitar, while recording audio to a separate Mac-based system. i figured I'd throw away what the camera had captured and sync, instead, to the better mic'd setup. The camera audio was actually good enough to use for what we wanted. Not studio quality, of course, but lots better than I'd expected.
The ease of carrying this camera in a pocket, and getting the video into iMovie or Final Cut is great. I'll never go back to tape - even in the bigger and better camcorders that I'll buy before long. Even the the CX7 will be an important part of my kit - at the stealth. 'easy to get in there' end of the spectrum.
The one drawback for me is the fact the the usb computer connection requires the docking station. If i could just connect the camera to usb it would be lots nicer. I can live with that - but I wonder if Sony will come out with a next revision that has that feature.
