Home Videos
First, dont get suckered by low prices at knock off retailers. I have researched many of those websites and find reviews all say the same thing (bait and switch, non-US products, refurb merchandise) Go with Amazon, its the cheapest and most legit. I prefer a strong name behind my purchases. Just hold out for the right price.

I purchased this for the child my wife and I are about to have. We upgraded from an old mini "tape" JVC camcorder.

Comparing the video to the JVC is obviously a no-brainer. Comparing this video camera against typical videos you see on the web ("ewe"tube, etc.) this thing blows them all away.

Cons:
It takes excellent pictures, but does not allow for pictures to be taken in the highest HD-FX mode. You have to record a notch down if you want the ability to quickly take pictures between/during filming. I personally cannot tell a difference between the two modes and run it in the 2nd best recording mode (which gives you more record time and longer battery life).

The videos cannot be extracted (or at least I could not easily figure out how to) without first installing the software and would not playback without the software.

No viewfinder. You have to have the screen open in order to shoot film. Its not a huge deal, but when my daughter is in 1st grade I am not looking forward to being the "guy with the bright light" at school plays.

All things aside, these cons are far outweighed by the pros. I find this camera light speed ahead of what I am used to and the type of video's I see on the net. Hold out for the lowest price. I took 2 weeks to find it around 5 less than MSRP.

HandyCam
The picture quality, size and function of the camcorder/camera is fantastic. The battery life could be better but as far as I am concern the product overall is EXCELLENT!!!

Spectacular daylight videos but VERY POOR low light focussing
Pros:
Small size
Flash available for photo snaps
Good lens
Sharp video in daylight
32Gb internal memory means you don't have to purchase additional SD memory
Image stabilization is VERY good

Gps tagging


Cons:

VERY POOR focussing in low light conditions. Takes very long to regain focus (sometimes upto 10 seconds). I will post an actual video on this soon.

Flash is not balanced. Overexposed snaps when taking snaps (that is why I am calling it snaps rather than photographs)

Mini hdmi connector can only be attached with the display in open position only

Videos are not in mp4 format. Seems to be a new HD format (avchd) that I am having trouble with converting to h264 for the iPad

Software: When connecting the unit to the pc, the photos and videos automatically download onto the pc but only the photos are deleted automatically from the video cam , the videos you have to delete manually and that too directly on the unit. Deleting videos using usb2 on the pc will mess up the video numbering sequence. This is a very poorly thought out system.

Summary:
I will still give it 4 stars despite it's shortcomings because the daytime videos are nothing short of spectacular even at full zoom.

Amazing camcorder. So far feel it's easier to handle than miniDV.
Freaking impressive quality in low/inside, absolutely splendid outside. Quiet, incredibly small -- could fit in your pocket if you wanted. Fast turn on. Pluses over miniDV: no more buying tape. You can skip to different segments fast, low machine noise so less interference with the shot you're getting. Yes, on vacation it might get difficult.....but lots of people bring their computers along and this one has SD or Memory Stick media to help too (although please make sure it can capture video). Would give it perfect 5.0 stars if cheaper, but not sure. Not sure why or how much GPS helps. But, amazon has such low prices, GPS model was only more than the version without GPS so got the GPS one. Had a Canon Vixia HV30 before....amazing too and outside about equal but Canon is about 80% as good inside/low light as this Sony.

Great small Camcorder
This is an upgrade from my HDR-HC3. It is small and easy to carry around. I have had it for a week. It takes very sharp/clear video. It is an excellent upgrade from HDR-HC3. No more MiniDV tapes. I will need more HD for backup. Photo is very good. But I won't give up my digital camera. Too bad it does not come with mini HDMI cable. Included battery will give 1 day of use. There are 4 different settings for HD shooting, manual was not too clear to explain the difference among them.