Reviews for Sony HVL-HL1 3 Watt Video Light

Let there be (a little) light...

Strengths: Compact, light weight, no separate battery required, auto-on setting, inexpensive!

Weakness: 3W power barely enough, 100hr bulb light (replaceable), compatibility (Sony only)

This little light is an inexpensive and worthwhile addition to your video/camera bag. If you've ever wished for more light, this is a convenient and easy way to do that. It does not require a separate battery, and there is an auto-on setting so that it will automatically select when it turns itself on when more light is required. And since this video light can be had for less than $30, it's a no-brainer in my opinion.


It would have been nice to have a little more power but this is a fine line - you don't want the people you are video taping to be squinting because of the light you're throwing at them.


For the price, this is a great value and anyone with a compatible Sony camcorder should check it out.

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Sony HVL-HL1 3

Strengths: Very compact and good quality. No additional battery required.

Weakness: Lamp life is only 100 hrs

Great to use with my Sony DVD 505. This light along with my inbuilt camcorder light provides great video and pictures. Greatly surpassed my expectations. Highly recommended as an accessory.

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Perfect for DCR-PC55

Strengths: Compact, really light for travel usuage

Weakness: none

It's perfect for my DCR-PC55 which doesn't have any built-in flash and video quality at night isn't that great. I can carry it with my camera since it's so small and no worries about additional batteries. It uses camera's battery for functioning.

After shooting with the lights on, the video quality is unbelievable.

I highly recommend it to people who don't have built-in lights in the camera.

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HVL HL1

Strengths: The Vedio Light as in the name is very Light and of good quality. The auto option is very good as it detects the intensity of light to start the vedio Light.

Weakness: The vedio pouch is of very light cloth so there is a danger to the vedio light . It should be of some hard cloth or plastic to encase the device.

The device all over is very light and efficient.
The quality of vedio after using the light has increased.Only the pouch is one thing of concern but if you have a good camcorder bag then it is of no concern.

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Perfect for DCR-PC55

Strengths: Small and light-weight

Weakness: none

Perfect for DCR-PC55. Used camcorder's battery and great for low light places at night. It comes with a storage pouch to keep the light safe while away from the camcorder. The auto function feature turns the light on automatically in dimly lit situations,

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Sony HVL-HL1 3 Watt Video Light

Strengths: Small, Lightweight, Easy To Use

Weakness: None

I bought this to use on my new Sony Mini DVD Video Camera. I wanted to use this when I shoot videos indoors.
What I found is that the light definately helps indoors in places like restaurants and inside my house. The range that the light extends is about 10 feet, which is good inside a small room.
I am happy with this product because it is so small, and easy to carry with the camcorder.

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Sony HVL-HL1 3 Watt Video Light

Strengths: Small and Light weight, doesn't need a seperate battery , conevient carry bag.

Weakness: Bigger capacity battery recommended

A good to have video light serving the need especially when there is low light. I would recommend this product to anybody that owns a camcorder. Earlier in the low light conditions the video quality used to be pretty poor. After I got this video light that problem no longer exists.

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Nice compact design

Strengths: Small size, no battery required.

Weakness: Only 100 hours lamp life, uses camcorder power

This video is very small and light weight; vary easy to have in your camera bag for when you need the extra light. One reason it is small is that it does not have a battery. It uses power from the camcorder. This will shorten the record time on a charge but, IMO, is a good compromise. I always carry extra battery anyway.


The spec said that the lamp life is only 100 hours. I don't know if the lamp just stops working or get dimmer at the end of life.

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Sony HVL-HL1 3-watt Video Light

Strengths: Exceptionally compact & lightweight design.

Weakness: Concerned about the 100-hours lamp life which is too short though the bulb is replaceable.

I was amazed as to how small this unit is. I was looking for an accessory for my Sony DCR-HC42 to improve video quality during low-light conditions & this product has met my expectations. Though, expect a significant drain on your video camera's battery since it doesn't have its own power source.

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Sony HVL-HL1 3 Watt Video Light

Strengths: Great product for a Sony DVD -- DCR-103;

Not sure if there are other options for the DVD-DCR 103 -- but this is a great option. It definitely makes a difference when using the camcorder indoors and makes everything appear much brighter and more clear -- and is highly recommeded.

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video light uncompatable

Strengths: uncompatable

Weakness: compatability

It was uncompatable with my camera. I called for a return, got it, but discovered I needed the manufacturers box which I no longer had. I had tossed it. The directions for compatibility should be very clear.

Any suggestions?

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