This the most complete review I found on this camera on the internet. Great work! Thanks for putting this up

Thank you. You make some of the most informative reviews. Even your voice is oddly soothing, very easy to listen to.

feel in love with that photo at 7:42, great work yet again blunty

Excellent video Blunty. I subscribed yesterday since when i am searching for advice i seem to always end up on one of your videos. I have been looking for a camera for a while now and have looked at hundreds and after many reviews of the VG20 i know this is THE ONE

Excellent video. You made me full of joy and happy I purchased this camera! I'm sure I'll be more happy when I have the camera in my hands. Thanks again for a wonderful video.

Great review Blunty! Love your videos keep them coming.

awesome work blunty. I can't wait to get this camera

This is what I use and I love it too. Thanks for the cool video Blunty!

what i like about you blunty is the no bullshit approach ,keep it up

Your tech reviews are hands down, the best on the interwebs.

cheers for the review blunty

nice your the first to address the viewfinder issue thank you

Thank you! Best review that I have seen so far!

You never fail to remind me why I subscribed.

Love the nature shots! Australia is truly a beautiful and unique place. Would love to visit some day!

I know i should be here for the review, but my dear god your video captures and photos are Masterpieces!

Excellent no nonsense review with well balanced tech detail against proper real world shooting examples. The camera also seems really cool.

I bought a VG20 based partly on this review. I love it and being based on the mirrorless NEX5 I can mount manual lenses from pretty much any manufacture by using a cheap adapter.

Great review. I've owned one now for six months and back up every word BLunty says. Great camera and beats the hell outa shooting with my Nikon D3s

.. thanks mate - very informative ..

Sweet review!!! Well Done. You should have a tv show!

Great review.

Excellent review...as a longtime video pro used to the Sony broadcast cams, but looking to find an alternative to DSLR video..this was really useful thanks

Very Good review!

best review EVER! luv and thank u

Great review! Thank you

G'day mate i used a couple of these cameras for a week long shoot of an off road 4wd competition and the one thing that drove me nuts is the placement of the photo button on top right where your knuckle sits while holding it from the top handle. Bad placement as you knock it and send the focus spastic. The mic was awesome and the wind reduction magnificent. Cheers on your review

Awesome review

looks very good!

Thanks for the review! In the market for a new camera and have set my sights on some of Sony's efforts. Might have to give the VG20 a serious look.

Thanks bro , I love this camera!!!

Excellent review. LOL @ 6:53...

I myself bought the VG10 last year and absolutely love this camera. I'm a filmmaker and also run my own production and have used all the top Canon DSLR cameras and this was worth the money. The VG20 is still similar. The only thing that upset me at first was the 24p option. But after using the VG10 so much its all about how you light and angle the camera as well. Its VERY easy to cut it to 24p in post and also with lighting it also can achieve that look.This camera is the DSLR killer.

Great review

Best review Online mate.

I really, really liked this review. Superb, addressed everything I wanted to know. I think I need to save my pennies for this camera!

very well done...

love ya review mate!! very entertaining, very detailed and well thought out!!!! and that camera is pretty dam good!!!!! But i still love my DLSR video camera ;-) first and foremost a photographer :)

thank you for this review!

I have the 20. Excellent hardware with no problem regarding FCPX.

Too bad my earlier reply was erased for some mystic reason... I really like your review and it made me choose the VG20 over a DSLR, and no regrets at all! Thanks.

Great review Blunty. As a frequent user of the camera and owner of DSLRs, I agree with all the points you made. A DSLR purchase is dictated by the crisp look of large sensor footage (for the price). Then you realize the compromises you made in battery life, clip length, poor sound, odd form factor, and you end up spending another thousand or more on "rigging" it into a poor, clumsy and complex imitation of what an NEX VG 20 gives you upfront and built-in. Works with Ninja 2 with 3:2 pulldown.

@Blunty3000 Is the A77 your new DSLR or going to be? Have they updated FCP X to use 50p footage? I have a DSC-HX9V and the last time I tried, FCP couldn't import the footage I had shot with it at 50p but was fine at 50i... Kind of a kick to the knackers :/

Amazeballs review. First video I've seen of yours. I'm so impressed I'm about to go and watch all your other videos. I currently use a Canon 600D & a similar priced Panasonic camcorder for my projects but the Canon is hands down better in terms of colour and quality. I'm hoping that Camcorders of this spec bridge that gap...

nice work

The American version does shoot 24p and I have Metabones EF adapter, although it is rare and hard to buy (I got lucky and nabbed one from them on eBay before they sold out)

looks very good

Thank you for your review. We've owned the VG10 for about 3 years now... We bought a larger more "professional" video camera and now find that it's quality is not for cinematic look and drifting back to the VG10... We're wanting another and would like your opinion on the VG20 vs. VG30

Awesome camera

Hey Blunty, great video! Was wondering if I could get your opinion on something. I have a Sony HDR CX7 and have been pretty pleased with it...I'm thinking about getting one of these (VG20's) when the VG30 comes out next month. How much of an upgrade is this from a Sony HDR Handycam like the CX7? Are there any key, very noticeable difference?

Good camera for making short little indie films or documentaries with? Or would you have to go with something better?

@CCStopmotion It was a borrowed review unit.

Yes. I have been using the ATG EF to NEX Adapter on this model as well as the ATG Sony NEX-FS700. FYI: Both cameras can also shoot RAW/JPEG still photos. ATG camera can shoot wireless from camera or pc. Shoot and view wirelessly to pc. We prefer these cameras than using our Sony F35.

I settled on a DSLR, because it costs a fourth of the cost, although the VG20 offers more. I'm just staring out, so learning the ins and outs of DSLR lens video shooting is new and interesting. I may go towards the camera, if I really feel the need to upgrade and have the pocket to boot.

Good to see.

Thanks for affirming my purchase Blunty. This will be my next camera in a few weeks :D Sure beats a Canon EOS 5D Mark II purchase. BTW, you're right about the audio. If XLR is such an issue for people. get a Zoom H4N, MBOX or similar, and use your preferred mics. Also, I'm pretty sure that with the 3.5mm jack adapter to XLR, you don't have phantom power options so now you'd need an external phantom unit. Meh, option one. Anyway, thanks again Blunty!

@Blunty3000 not so much a train of thought as reading the *footnotes on several Sony cameras saying FAT32 was required. I assumed that all Sony cameras required that. Thank you so much!

Just think about all that external stuff you DON'T have to buy! Anton bricks, rail system, DOF adapters, and the list goes on. It's not clumsy like a DSLR. Very RUN AND GUN! Saving time and still getting that fat sensor look is very cool. Nice review!

I'm using a minolta (md/mc) adapter but I haven't found a cheap wide angle for that mount yet :/

VG10 a great workhorse that won't overheat. I just cut a video and slipped in some footage of my VG10 alongside 5D and a 7d and no one could tell the difference. Great B-Roll camera I simply bought a EOS-NEX adaptor ($6.95 eBay) so I can use my Canon, Sigma Lenses etc. Highly recommend this camcorder.

Great review. I also find HUGE differences between using the alpha lens with the LA-EA2 on the VG20 than the VG10 with the LA-EA1. It's no comparison.

That's some good video quality.

Was debating on purchasing this vs a DSLR. I just had an experience borrowing a friend's Canon 60D to shoot a documentary. I had problems recording an interview due to the limited amount of record time. Very frustrating because it would stop recording while someone was talking! Although I want to film music videos and not documentaries, I see this as a big issue with DSLRs. I was researching the VG10 a long time ago and then they came out with the VG20... I really want it! Thanks for the review!

Great straight forward demo. Is this NEX20 weather sealed as per your A77 demo?

At 4:31 what shutter speed did you change to that got the "more film-like look" ?

Glad it was helpful (though if I were you, I'd hold off for just a little longer - it's whispered that Sony will announce the next successor in this line of cameras at Photokina next week-ish, and if they do, it may be even better for you - or of you decide to stick with the VG-20, it's price will likely drop)

@Blunty3000 sorry I'm a noob and thanks for your quick responses. To clarify, if I get this camera I will need to make sure the memory cards I use are FAT32. Will I need firewire or can I use USB to transfer video from the camera to my computer? And lastly, my NTFS hard drive will be able to read FAT32 files from the card?

I love this camera. Listen the 24p feature isn't a must. You can achieve that look by proper lighting, Lenses, angles and in post very easily. This camera is amazing, perfect for the independent cinematographer. I was the same way when SONY announced that the VG20 would have 24p option, but after trying the VG20 I'm no longer worried. I'm sticking with my VG10.

Thanks for this review. have read some scathing reviews from people who say it has interlacing probs. Would you buy one for someone who wants to make shorts. Is there anything else in this price range that competes. Thanks again

@Viczey The shot ONE episode with them, and they also said it the workflow was a complete pain in the ass, they have not done it again since.

thanks. Quick question, do you know the mbps this camera shoots at. My 550d shoots at 45mbps and up to 70mbps with magic lantern.

Great review, kept my attention the entire time and your enthusiasm for the camera seemed very genuine. My only concern for going with the VG20 over something like the Canon xa10 is image stabilization. No DSLR with a stabilized lens can compete with the image stabilization of a quality dedicated camcorder. How does the VG20 compare in that category? If it's at least comparable I might be tempted to pull the trigger on one of these.

What would you recommend in video equipment for someone who wants to get into doing video blogs? usually, it would be inside facing me and a simple background. Don't worry, I won't be competing into tech review.

what would be a great external mike and recorder to go with the Nex-vg20 ? to have pro audio ? and what would be your top 3 favorite lens available for this camera for making a movie ?

I have the first model sony vg10 and after so much research on either getting vg20 or some dslr, you almost got me convinced to get the vg20 now. If you seen my channel I do at times work in low light conditions and the vg10 does lack that a lot. I'm just wondering if it will be a lot better in low light conditions

Why why why didn't they make the flip screen go all the way around in the first place, then I wouldn't be looking at needing another camera :( I love my VG10 but the flip screen going 3/4 way drives me nuts... just saying...

Your are correct on the Sony FS100. I have the Sony F35, which is not light and the ATG Canon EOS-C300. For fun & budget, my staff use the C300 with ATG/Carl Zeiss/Red and even Canon lenses. My ATG Canon EOS-C300 was modified to shoot still & video with ATG AK1 Un-Tethered Systems wirelessly.

Excelent Review ;)

good review. btw, can share the difference between vg0 vs vg20 ? thank you

Great review just one question at 5:38 to 5:43 what lenses was used at that point

I'm hoping to won one before the end of the year. (or its successor by then). It looks like the perfect answer to all my video needs. One question, is it possible to mount a Vogtlander 25 0.95 on this camera using an adapter ring?

Great Video, Now the 5D MkIII has came out what would you advise for video VG20 or VG30 if it comes out. Thanks

What are your tips for shooting sports with this camera? How does it fare in capturing fast moving actions? I am worried about the focus capabilities for sports.

Blunty3000 , Did you notice any focus motor noise when recording using the A mount adapter, I read that might be a problem? thanks for the help. R McG

Does it have any of the overheating issues that traditional dslrs have? Also does it record to sd cards?

Blunty, the quality of the video is that good KZfaq is having Anti-Aliasing problems.

hi,very nice video! just an advice:it's better to make video the sony vg20 or canon reflex(for example 550 d,canon eos 5d mark ii,eos 7d)? thank you very much!

great review of a great camera, so long 5D!

Does anyone know if one can use an XLR adaptor with this camera?

Great video! I just bought a VG20 and getting some gigs. I have a question for whomever can answer: I shot a demo reel you can see on my channel - mostly with shots from around my house. And I noticed one thing - which was especially true when shooting a still shot - the camera keeps moving slightly around! Like there's some sort of image stabilization on it or something. It's not a huge deal, but is there any way to turn it off? At the end of my reel I needed to track words with the motion.

Might be a silly and obvious question, but are there any adapter rings available for this camera so that you can use Canon lenses?? and i've been looking, but can't seem to find... is this the only video as first priority camera that has interchangeable lenses??

Is this NEX-VG20 better than Canon Rebel T3i, speaking DOF wide. I don't own any of the cameras but I'm looking to buy one and I'm more into video although I love taking great pictures with DOF in them. Please any pros here to help me decide?

I see theirs a IF sensor up in the front, does it record in the Infrared mode? or is that sensor for the remote?

6:54 .... i see this camera is also great for otter love. good review, great pictures. makes me wanna work extra hours to afford a good quality camera like this. haha.

Question: is this cam. is better than my old SONY FX1 in terms of HQ images? If someone can answer my question I will appreciate it. I `ve been thinking to buy this cam but I need more info. about it.Thanks.

I film skateboarding, and I own a small company that does a skateboarding substitute. What would you recommend: A Canon t2i/t3i or one of these, prosumer, larger cameras? I would need to use a fisheye with it, and price is definitely important.

what's the situation with zooming? Is there a standard +/- button or you must roll the ring? Thanks!

Any problems with shutter roll? Great video by the way! :-)

great review..but isn't the camera quite dark? I tried the VG-10 in interior shots which where sligtly dark and I had to push up the gain to 3 or 6 or I wouldn't have seen nothing! I was very disappointed because I knew about the big sensor..I used the standard zoom lens which comes in the box..

Im trying to decide between this and the Panasonic GH2 for film making. Any suggestions?