My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony at DVinfo.net

Chris Barcellos · November 30th, 2011, 12:01 AM

I posted this review of the Sony VG20 at Sony Style. It will be interesting to see if this spurs any actions. One month have I pointed out the error in the advertizing, it is still up. Here is review I posted.

Great Promises from Sony, Failure to Deliver

Date:November 29, 2011

Pros: Return to handycam format form DSR, great low light and great image generally.

Cons: No manual control over contrast, saturation and sharpness.

I probably was one of the first to have this camera in the US. I bought this camera because of its large image sensor, its potential for great low light performance, and potential for great image. When I received camera, initial shots were very promising. Then I started to look for the advertized saturation, sharpness and contrast controls supposedly in the Scenes Selection menu, but it is not there as advertized in Sony Style page. As a matter of fact, there is no Scene Selection Menu at all. Neither were half of the white balance settings promised. Also, there was no dynamic range adjustment, again as advertized on Sony Style page. I have spent a month dealing with Sony support, hoping that the camera was going to be upgraded with firmware, because its image is so promising. I get no one willing to say Sony is going to do anything. Eventually, Sony support points me to Customer relations.

As it is, the camera is like driving a car that can only go straight. It shoots well in many circumstances, but it does not let you adjust some very important aspects of the image.

It is indeed strange, because the VG 10, and the less expensive Nex cameras have the capabilities. It is clear that Sony has decided to cripple this camera, probably because they want serious users to buy the expensive and overpriced NEXFS100.

And one months later, Sony is still advertizing the features as being in the camera.
I think I am going to have to return the unit to Sony and demand my money back. Sad day for me because I thought I was going to be back with Sony for a while.

Jeff Hinson · November 30th, 2011, 01:24 AM

Great post Chris...thanks for taking the time.
Hopefully, they will listen.
Jeff

John Vincent · November 30th, 2011, 09:10 AM

Great work Chris. Checked B & H last night, and they also still have misleading information regarding the VG20 on their site.

Does Sony even have a US rep who checks on these things (as Panny does in the form of Jan Crittenden Livingston)?

Chris Barcellos · November 30th, 2011, 11:22 AM

I am having this Jekyll - Hyde reaction to this camera. I did some editing on the initial footage last night. It was available light stuff in an unlighted living room, with northern exposure through a sliding glass door. Pool from outside cast a bit of a green color, but I was able to white balance easily. Shots were done with a "standard" fixed lens (Nikon 35mm F2.0) and they came out really nice looking. I will post some grabs. This is for a DVInfo contest with film submission due the 10th of December.

In this shoot I have green screen that is going to be a bit of a challenge, again because I was a one man crew, and just didn't have a lot of time to light properly because of talent commitments elsewhere, so we are going to really test the camera.

Chris Barcellos · December 2nd, 2011, 12:27 AM

My review was just posted at Sony Style:

Interchangeable Lens HD Handycam Camcorder and Lens | SLT-A77VQ | Sony USA

Jeff Hinson · December 2nd, 2011, 02:56 AM

haha...
Read it quick folks..it may not be there long. :>)

jeff

Paul Newman · December 2nd, 2011, 04:08 AM

Now I'm confused - no mention of 28mbs - has it gone? are we limited to 24mbs now?

Paul :-)

Chris Barcellos · December 2nd, 2011, 10:49 AM

28 is in 60p only, from what I can tell.

Tom Roper · December 2nd, 2011, 12:07 PM

Last line in the footnotes contains a disclaimer, "Features and specifications are subject to change without notice."

So I think their obligation to you ends if they give you a refund. Doesn't mean you aren't entitled to have an opinion, but is probably worth mentioning.

Chris Barcellos · December 2nd, 2011, 12:18 PM

Actually, consumer laws are different than that, and those disclaimers, especially if the advertizement is used to mislead the public and gain an unfair advantage in the market, are actionable-- at least here in California.

John Vincent · December 2nd, 2011, 01:07 PM

Also, the camera's been out for over a month now, and it's still advertised as having those features - negating whatever effect the disclaimer might have had before it hit the market.

And for what it's worth, the review is still up...

Dave Blackhurst · December 2nd, 2011, 01:55 PM

60p bitrate is 28Mbps - higher bitrate for the additional "data" over 60i at 24 Mbps...

As far as being misleading, how many people read all the tiny print? Obviously Sony didn't <wink>, but the average buyer will pick it up, see if it takes a good video, and maybe skim the manual...

Of couse it's more problematic since this camera is GEARED to the enthusiast, who is more likely to notice when "less" is LESS, particularly if they bought into the NEX system via the NEX5n...

November 30th, 2011, 12:01 AM	#1
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony I posted this review of the Sony VG20 at Sony Style. It will be interesting to see if this spurs any actions. One month have I pointed out the error in the advertizing, it is still up. Here is review I posted. Great Promises from Sony, Failure to Deliver Date:November 29, 2011 Pros: Return to handycam format form DSR, great low light and great image generally. Cons: No manual control over contrast, saturation and sharpness. I probably was one of the first to have this camera in the US. I bought this camera because of its large image sensor, its potential for great low light performance, and potential for great image. When I received camera, initial shots were very promising. Then I started to look for the advertized saturation, sharpness and contrast controls supposedly in the Scenes Selection menu, but it is not there as advertized in Sony Style page. As a matter of fact, there is no Scene Selection Menu at all. Neither were half of the white balance settings promised. Also, there was no dynamic range adjustment, again as advertized on Sony Style page. I have spent a month dealing with Sony support, hoping that the camera was going to be upgraded with firmware, because its image is so promising. I get no one willing to say Sony is going to do anything. Eventually, Sony support points me to Customer relations. As it is, the camera is like driving a car that can only go straight. It shoots well in many circumstances, but it does not let you adjust some very important aspects of the image. It is indeed strange, because the VG 10, and the less expensive Nex cameras have the capabilities. It is clear that Sony has decided to cripple this camera, probably because they want serious users to buy the expensive and overpriced NEXFS100. And one months later, Sony is still advertizing the features as being in the camera. I think I am going to have to return the unit to Sony and demand my money back. Sad day for me because I thought I was going to be back with Sony for a while. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

November 30th, 2011, 01:24 AM	#2
Jeff Hinson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Down South, IN Posts: 422	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony Great post Chris...thanks for taking the time. Hopefully, they will listen. Jeff

November 30th, 2011, 09:10 AM	#3
John Vincent Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,065	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony Great work Chris. Checked B & H last night, and they also still have misleading information regarding the VG20 on their site. Does Sony even have a US rep who checks on these things (as Panny does in the form of Jan Crittenden Livingston)?

November 30th, 2011, 11:22 AM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony I am having this Jekyll - Hyde reaction to this camera. I did some editing on the initial footage last night. It was available light stuff in an unlighted living room, with northern exposure through a sliding glass door. Pool from outside cast a bit of a green color, but I was able to white balance easily. Shots were done with a "standard" fixed lens (Nikon 35mm F2.0) and they came out really nice looking. I will post some grabs. This is for a DVInfo contest with film submission due the 10th of December. In this shoot I have green screen that is going to be a bit of a challenge, again because I was a one man crew, and just didn't have a lot of time to light properly because of talent commitments elsewhere, so we are going to really test the camera. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 2nd, 2011, 12:27 AM	#5
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony My review was just posted at Sony Style: Interchangeable Lens HD Handycam Camcorder and Lens \| SLT-A77VQ \| Sony USA __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 2nd, 2011, 02:56 AM	#6
Jeff Hinson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Down South, IN Posts: 422	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony haha... Read it quick folks..it may not be there long. :>) jeff

December 2nd, 2011, 04:08 AM	#7
Paul Newman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Agua Blanca Ibiza Posts: 305	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony Now I'm confused - no mention of 28mbs - has it gone? are we limited to 24mbs now? Paul :-) __________________ Another Sunny Day in Ibiza

December 2nd, 2011, 10:49 AM	#8
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony 28 is in 60p only, from what I can tell. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 2nd, 2011, 12:07 PM	#9
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony Last line in the footnotes contains a disclaimer, "Features and specifications are subject to change without notice." So I think their obligation to you ends if they give you a refund. Doesn't mean you aren't entitled to have an opinion, but is probably worth mentioning.

December 2nd, 2011, 12:18 PM	#10
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony Actually, consumer laws are different than that, and those disclaimers, especially if the advertizement is used to mislead the public and gain an unfair advantage in the market, are actionable-- at least here in California. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 2nd, 2011, 01:07 PM	#11
John Vincent Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,065	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony Also, the camera's been out for over a month now, and it's still advertised as having those features - negating whatever effect the disclaimer might have had before it hit the market. And for what it's worth, the review is still up...

December 2nd, 2011, 01:55 PM	#12
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: My Review of the VG20 Posted at Sony 60p bitrate is 28Mbps - higher bitrate for the additional "data" over 60i at 24 Mbps... As far as being misleading, how many people read all the tiny print? Obviously Sony didn't <wink>, but the average buyer will pick it up, see if it takes a good video, and maybe skim the manual... Of couse it's more problematic since this camera is GEARED to the enthusiast, who is more likely to notice when "less" is LESS, particularly if they bought into the NEX system via the NEX5n...