Sony Handycam DCR-DVD100

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Reviewed by: Bill O'Brien

Reviewed on 12/16/03    Release date: 10/6/03    The Handycam DCR-DVD100 is the entry-level option in Sony's trio of DVD camcorders. It shares many features and benefits with its upscale siblings but has its own set of flaws. In the end, you're better off with a cheaper MiniDV camcorder or one of Sony's pricier DVD models: the DVD200 or the DVD300.

The differences between the DVD100 and the step-up camcorders are few but important. For instance, the DVD100 has a much lower effective video resolution: 340,000 vs. 690,000 pixels. We consider the DVD100's video quality borderline, but even if you think it's acceptable, it's still very soft compared with the DVD300's. It's also surprisingly noisier. Moreover, the DVD100 takes smaller (VGA-size) still photos, which are at best suitable for only onscreen viewing at scaled-down sizes.

This actual-size crop from a video frame shows how soft the DVD100's video looks.

The two higher-end Handycams have a rated minimum illumination of 7 lux, but the DVD100's slightly larger sensor lowers that to 5 lux. In practice, the difference seemed pretty much irrelevant; like many of Sony's camcorders, all the DVD models offer excellent low-light flexibility via their infrared NightShot and Super NightShot modes. But unlike the DVD300, the DVD100 had focusing problems when we changed subjects in dim conditions. Sometimes the adjustment took several seconds, and it occasionally failed entirely in Super NightShot mode.

The difference in detail between the DVD100's video (left) and the DVD300's (right) is subtle but apparent.

For all intents and purposes, the rest of the DVD100's design and operation elements are identical to those of the DVD200. And those cameras differ from the DVD300 in only their smaller 2.5-inch LCD and their weight, which is a slightly lighter 1 pound, 10 ounces.

The DVD-R/RW format has its trade-offs. You take a performance hit: the camcorder needs time to spin the disc, access its index, and finalize it. But the scene index is convenient for in-camera playback, and downloading video to a PC is faster than with MiniDV cassettes. Tapes cost less and hold more best-quality footage than DVD-RWs, but you can play back both DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs in most DVD decks.

You'll pay a premium for the recordable-DVD technology, and we've yet to see an implementation that we could endorse. As a result, the DVD100 combines the higher price of a cutting-edge camcorder with the poor quality of a budget model. This Sony is destined to collect dust on the shelves. If you're dead set on recording directly to DVD, we suggest you consider one of the company's upscale versions.

Basic Specs

Product Specifications:
Product Description: Sony Handycam DCR DVD100 - Camcorder - DVD-R (8cm) , - DVD-RW (8 cm) , - DVD-RAM (8 cm)
Product Type: Camcorder
Dimensions (WxDxH): 2.6 in x 5.6 in x 3.9 in
Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode
Focal Length: 3.3 mm - 33 mm
Microphone: Microphone - Built-in - Stereo
Viewfinder: LCD - 0.44 in - Color
Display: LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
Supported Battery: 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Product Basic Spec:
Video input type: Camcorder
Digital Zoom: 120 x
Optical Zoom: 10 x
Optical sensor type: CCD
Min illumination: 0 lux
Image Stabilizer: Electronic (Super Steady Shot)
Camera Flash: None
Lens Aperture: F/1.7-2.2
Focus Adjustment: Manual , Automatic
Media Type: DVD-R (8cm) , DVD-RW (8 cm) , DVD-RAM (8 cm)
Image storage: Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 5100 - With DVD-R / DVD-RW , Standard JPEG 640 x 480 : 8200 - With DVD-R / DVD-RW , Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 5400 - With DVD-RW disc , Standard JPEG 640 x 480 : 8700 - With DVD-RW disc
Flash memory: - DVD-RAM
Display type: 2.5 in LCD display
Display resolution: 123,200 pixels
Audio input type: Microphone
Microphone operation mode: Stereo
Connections: 1 x USB , 1 x Composite video/audio (input/output) , 1 x Microphone
Battery type: 1 x Camcorder battery - Rechargeable - Lithium ion
Mfr estimated battery life: 85 min
Weight: 1.3 lbs