- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 14 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"Great camcorder"
Pros: Compact size, Large hybrid LCD screen, Zeise lens, Still photo function, night shot
Cons: Costly media when using RW, low light picture is not very sharp and color leans towards a blue hue, short recording time on dvd
Summary: Great camera for a beginner and fun to use. I replaced my Panasonic GS120 for this becuase of the convenience of the DVD media instead of MiniDv. The MiniDV camecorders does produce a better picture but this camera is a lot more fun to use. If you are not looking to do a lot of editing of the video the DVD is the way to go. This sony camcorder has a great image stabilizer and the Night shot function is a lot of fun when just fun stuff at night. The DVD301 is also very easy to use and also has a few manual functions if you like to tinker with the image a little. If you are looking for the best picture you can get and more manual functions from a camcorder I recommend any Panasonic 3ccd camcorder but if you are just looking for a fun camcorder that takes decent video and ready to go right when you're done this will be the camcorder to use. Right when you are done filming you can pop the disc in the your dvd player and enjoy or you can do some simple editing with the program provided in the package.
- 1 reply to this review
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I fully respect the writer's opinions of this camera, but at about $800 (at Costco), I find myself disappointed enough to return to my old JVC miniDV digital camcorder (JVC GR-DVM90), which I left only due to the fact I had to take it into the shop for replacement of delicate inner parts on several occasions. In fact, it was in the shop when I went on vacation and needed to have a camcorder, and that's when I hurriedly bought the Sony, because I thought it would be "fun" to use the miniDVD media. The JVC is much easier to handle, is about the same in size and weight as the Sony, originally cost about double although I got it half-off on the internet, has a built-in automatic light source and has a firewire port for absolute ease of connectivity with my PowerBook G4. The Sony does not have a firewire port, and for those of you who aren't Mac owners, that means you lose the ability to operate your camera from the computer end, a real loss of function. I sincerely recommend skipping the Sony for another reason - I film concerts, and at the "Fine" (best quality) setting, the operator has to shuffle a miniDVD disc in and out of the camera every 15 minutes! This action takes a lot of time (getting the media gate open alone takes about half a minute!) and the loading/unloading of media is hampered by a vertical angle, increasing the possibility of media dropping onto the floor in the haste of swapping discs. Add to that the handheld strap is located directly below the media gate, and gets in the way. In fact, right now the Sony is completely useless because the media gate is stuck in the closed position. This camera was NOT well designed, and for the money, I cannot recommend it AT ALL!
Where to buy
Sony DCR-DVD301:
$599.99
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$599.99 | See Site |
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