Pay a visit at the beginning I would like to mention that I do not compare the photo quality here. But I think everyone can imagine that here the Nex 7 is vastly superior. ;-)
Video quality: Both devices have a surprisingly good picture quality. This is not only due to the high data rate of 28 Mbit / s but also by the 50 frames per second. Formation of small blocks, which existed in the early days of HD videos and made itself felt when filming a flower meadow or the flow of a wild creek, belong to the past. Likewise, the bucking at panning shots. Strangely, accomplishes the 810 with its mini-sensor absolutely equivalent shots Nex. 7
The focusing range: In the 810 the focus range is much higher, so a person can come one step closer sometimes without leaking right out of the focus area manually adjusted. When the Nex 7 already looks different and you should decide whether you want to have now (somewhat exaggerated words) nose or eyes sharp already. This extremely small focus range offers amazing design possibilities. But he must really agree 100%. What then often turns out in reality to be very difficult, especially during a vacation. I film here my wife very often, the comments on a landscape or a building. It is then a bit bored when the Nex 7 but take the settings a bit longer than the 810. The 810 can also be nice cropping. Just go a little further and zoom in closer, so you get the same effect in about.
The Image Stabilizer: Here the 810 absolute trump. An so pacified image you do not get down with the Nex 7. Especially not in the zoom range.
Focal length: In order to get to the Nex 7 the same zoom range, which the 810 has been installed, you have to buy a lot of lenses at great expense. Again, the 810 has the advantage.
Noise: I have made many comparative tests and also during the travel it has been clearly demonstrated. The Nex 7 noisier. Now everyone is wondering, how can that be, with such a large sensor? Just at dusk one notices the difference. This is not solely because it is the light intensity of the built-in lens 810 much better. The Nex 7 unfortunately have to live with it, the time setting is 50p unfortunately ever at 1/100 second, which also again takes light also. It now turns the ISO value, you can see it clearly. Because where perhaps kriseln some small dark spots in the 810, there are at the Nex 7 already dancing red dots. I could not believe it. But I can confirm it. Even with a Nikon V3 (to top it to substantiate now again) there was the same effect. Please help me and also makes this test. I would be interested if you get the same result.
Possible settings: With both devices, you can set the brightness, focus and white balance manually (although many other reviews here say the opposite, saying that the 810 can not do that.) In particular, the rapid combination in which one of the 810 on the Display touches the body, are to be set on the focus and brightness in the picture is amazing. Here you turn at the Nex 7 many cogs until the solution becomes the same success.
Connectivity: The level control manually adjusted the microphones (whether internal or external) not found in the Nex 7. And one does not have the possibility to connect a headset. For the 810 no problem. I bought a simple lapel of King, this sewn into a windshield and I clamp my wife now to the collar when they are mentioned comments from him. Result: Perfect and almost no wind noise (which unfortunately are in the built in 810 and the Nex7 microphones). Also, the noise generated by the 810 by the image stabilizer can be lifted with an external microphone.
Effects: Especially if you wish to make some quick shots with effects, the Nex 7 is strangely at an advantage. SW or pinhole camera can be immediately put on a video. The 810 is more neutral here. The ambitious filmmakers builds on filming such effects subsequently with Premiere or Vegas Pro. Nevertheless, the effects of the Nex 7 are great and fun, if you then unfortunately you can not undo in a recording.
Battery: As to the 810 large batteries can be very cultivated, even if you do not go many hours of video recording run out of steam. In addition, the power supply can be used in stationary applications. When Nex 7 after 30 minutes is an end to the battery (and unfortunately there also ends the maximum recording time).
Sensor runs hot: If a couple happened to me at the Nex 7 times. The very large sensor running very fast hot and turn off the camera. Since it does not care, the importance of the video recordings. In the 810 to me is that never happened. Not even in older models such as the Sony PJ650 or Sony HDR-SR12, which I also own and have long been used many times in projects. This overheating is perhaps the reason why the video recording is limited to 10 minutes with the new Nikon V3.
Speed and Automatic mode: If it really has to happen quickly, because suddenly a deer can be seen on a hill, or dolphin swims so close to Seaworld, which you can pet him, then I need absolutely precise and well-functioning automatic. I have with the 810. With the Nex 7 unfortunately you do not get the same useful results. Differences in brightness are in automatic mode often gradually adjusted (which happens more smoothly and evenly in the 810). Also, the zoom is nice. Here you have to be at the Nex 7 fingers contort to rotate the lens. Although there is the SEL-P1650 with electric zoom function, which can be heard but then the shots. Certainly the focus sits at the Nex 7 also very good and fits very nice, but the better results you get in manual mode, but not then as soon as the automatic the 810th
Folding Monitor: the can in turn around 180 degrees and 810 can be seen in a picture themselves. That does not go with the Nex 7. Attached to the Nex 7 on a tripod, the freedom of movement of the folding monitor is poured even more.
Annoying stains on the video image: While a camcorder only the front lens should be kept clean, which is relatively easy to accomplish, there are the same for a system camera three areas. Two on the lens and the sensor. Here is somewhere dust, lint or moisture drops, these can be hard to wipe out on a moving video recording. I have always had stains on the record at the Nex 7 despite the utmost care and cleanliness. With a blue sky or a plain surface one sees the spots only at home on HD TV. On the display they are not seen, which is why it is always difficult to perceive it at all, fix and remove. Only unless you crank the aperture on F8, you can counteract this problem to some extent. At this point I would like to warn you right here to buy a used camera system. You never know what the predecessor with the camera and the sensor have all been hired. ;-)
Tools: The 810 is equipped with a video light which makes it possible to film a person yet to put a little more into the spotlight. When the strong light and a little hidden, so it's at least a possibility that is available. At the Nex 7 there is this function not, it's more designed as a photo camera.
Disturbing rattling noises: These are available at the Nex 7 by the holding device for the loops. They rattle like tiny bells. I have therefore broken down and a hand strap attached. By the way, a lot of handy and safe. The Nex 7 is then stored in a camera bag and is not hung around the neck.
Who else wants to read a more accurate test for Sony HDR-PJ810, I recommend also my test for Sony HDR-PJ650VE. Which has no built-in projector with 50 lumen (there are only 20 lumens) no WiFi / NFC function, but GPS. Otherwise, the same models very strong except for a few minor technical data. In the test I'm also on other features of the 650 and therefore also the 810. But would you prefer the Sony HDR-PJ810 recommend, since it now also does not cost more, but offers much more.
Conclusion: The Sony HDR-PJ810 has given me a lot of fun and it trumps the Sony HDR-PJ650VE to more and improved features. Compared to a system camera is located far superior. The Nex 7 is probably something for studio recordings, in terms of illumination and sound recording (external) and also the right to film end event is established exactly. Since there is then to make a lot of accessories compatible camcorder to the system camera. For the holidays where everything usually has to be fast, I can recommend a system camera less, unless you have a lot of time and patience. As it looks, I will continue to have to take two separate devices. A camera (for perfect photos) and a camcorder (for perfect video recordings). Finally, let me say that the Nex 7 course is one awesome camera whose video mode still works best compared to many competing models in the system camera range.
Hope I could help you a little with this slightly different review. The links to the other tests there in the comments.
Until then, your Bill
