Sony PM1 Webbie HD Camera Review

Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn explore the Sony PM1 Webbie HD camera that both records 1080p video and takes great picture--perfect for your blogging and vlogging needs.

What You Need to Know

• The device is just under 1" thick (the Flip Mino is 0.6" thick) and only weighs about 1 oz. more than the Flip Mino
• The swiveling lens is useful since it powers on the camera
• The design is nice, but the swivel lens will definitely move around in your pocket
• There's no latch or catch to keep this camera from turning itself and we could see the lens easily getting scratched if it opens in your pocket
• The button layout is simple and self-explanatory
• Menu navigation is easy, but there aren't many features that you can fine tune
• You can change video and picture size, but don't expect a lot of image customization
• The video quality doesn't really measure up here
• You can record in 1080p, 720p or VGA, but that only affects picture size
• The video is grainy and image stabilization is going to be an issue if you're shooting handheld
• Don't bother trying to shoot in the dark
• The Webbie can also take pictures up to 5 megapixels, so it's nice to only have to carry one device
• Don't expect to be blown away by the still image quality

Price

•  $150 is a good deal, but there's a catch
• The price tag doesn't include the expandable memory card you'll need to take advantage of HD video
• Also, there's no USB charger. The battery has to be removed to re-charge, which is pretty inconvenient for something claiming to be simple and portable

Overall Rating

• 2.5 Seals of Approval Out of 5 (How do we rate gadgets?)