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Product summary
The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD108 is a DVD+ R DL (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+ RW (8cm), and DVD-R (8cm)-based, home-movie camcorder.Compared to other home-movie camcorders on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $600.It includes Sony picture motion browser software.
Specifications: Video input type: Camcorder ; Optical sensor type: Advanced HAD CCD ; Optical zoom: 40 x ; See full specs
Price range: $499.55 check prices
CNET product brief
Description: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD108 is a DVD+ R DL (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+ RW (8cm), and DVD-R (8cm)-based, home-movie camcorder.Compared to other home-movie camcorders on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $600.It includes Sony picture motion browser software.
Pros: Has a 40x optical zoom, which is considerably more powerful than some similarly priced camcorders.Offers manual focus control, whereas many camcorders have only auto-focus.This product weighs just 15.5 ounces without battery and media, which is very light.
Cons: Has only a 2.5-inch viewscreen, which is smaller than some similarly priced camcorders.
Suitability: A home-movie camcorder, suited for family use.
Value: In general, this camcorder's features are as expected for this price.
Suggestions: For more help selecting the right digital camcorder, visit CNET Reviews' buying guide.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Digital Camcorders. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of digital camcorder.
Disc formats
Mini-DVD camcorders record high-quality MPEG-2 footage directly to a mini DVD-R or DVD-RAM and can deliver more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution, depending on camcorder quality. Recording directly to disc makes it convenient for playing directly in set-top players and for storage.
Best for: Trendsetter; home and vacation moviemaker; business videographer.
| DVD-Rs can be played in home DVD players |
| Easy searching and random access to video segments |
| Convenient and stable format for archiving |
| Selectable image-quality levels, including high-quality variable-bit-rate recording |
| Both video and still images are recorded on disc (instead of on a cassette and a memory card) |
| Video recorded on DVD-R cannot be edited on a computer |
| Video on DVD-RAMs can be accessed only via a DVD-RAM drive |
| Relatively short recording times at highest-quality modes and unpredictable recording times with variable bit rate |
| Relatively expensive discs |
| Less reliable for live recording; a single bad bit can render an entire disc of video unrecognizable |
Supporting manufacturers:Canon; Hitachi; Panasonic; Samsung; Sony.
Read more in the Digital Camcorder Buying Guide
Exposure control
Every digital camcorder has a fully automatic mode that lets you simply point and shoot, but it's best to be able to adjust your exposure setting a little. Special shooting modes for capturing subjects lit by a spotlight or other specific sources can be helpful. For full control over exposure, you'll need a camera that lets you manually set both the aperture and the shutter speed. Advanced camcorders offer zebra stripes, which highlight overexposed areas with a striped pattern so that you can fine-tune exposure. Low-light performance is the Achilles' heel of many digital camcorders. Look for a model with a minimum lux rating of seven or lower. Many camcorders offer special low-light shooting modes, but they don't all work the same way. Some simply slow down the shutter speed so that you get full-color but impressionistic-looking footage. Others use an infrared emitter to capture greenish monochrome video in total darkness.
LCD and electronic viewfinder info
More pixels usually mean better viewfinder and LCD image quality. Look for a sharp LCD that's easy to see in bright light; adjustable screen brightness helps, too. The larger the LCD, the easier it will be to see (and the more power-hungry it will be); for all but ultracompact camcorders, look for at least 2.5 inches. An EVF that you can tilt with a diopter lever for adjusting focus will give you more shooting flexibility. Almost all EVFs and LCDs on consumer camcorders display color, although some video enthusiasts prefer black-and-white EVFs, which can make it easier to judge exposure. Touch-screen LCDs have begun to appear on a few consumer video cameras, usually for menu navigation and spot focusing. Some users find them convenient, while others prefer not to have to use the LCD to access camcorder controls.
See more LCD products
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 11 reviews
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Where to buy
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD108:
$499.55
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$499.55 | Yes |
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