Sony DCR-SR100 30GB Handycam Camcorder (DCR-SR100)

Pros: Fast/Easy transfer to PC, better quality than it's current competition

Cons: Pricey (HD quality mini DV for only $300 more), video quality still just ok.

Summary: I bought this camera (the SR-100) 4 days ago. I spent the entire evening playing around with it. I took video in low light, no light, and outside with sunlight. My initial reaction was very dissapointed in the video quality, and I had to refrain from coming here the next day and ripping this camera (and Sony) a new one. I did end up taking the time to actually compare the video that I pulled onto my computer with video from a friends camera (Canon ZR200). The quality of the SR100 was noticibly better, but only slightly.

I must admit that it has been 6 years since my last camcorder purchase and with the advancements in technology since then, I was expecting much, MUCH more. The picture in low light was of course very grainy, which I've learned is to be expected with consumer level camera's. Of course the Night Shot technology used for no light was impressive for someone who has never used it before, but the IR lamp is so weak it could hardly have any practical use. The Super Night Shot mode was a little better but the choppy video that results is hardly worth the brighter image. I took the camera out to a softball game and was not surprised by the video quality that was produced. It was a bit better, but not much. The detail that is required for recording so much activity was not there.

As far as the still images go well...I've grown used to pictures from my Digital Rebel XT, and the fact that I can't adjust shutter speed (at the very least) is a bit dissapointing. It will be ok for still shots, or carefully planned out action shots, but I would not plan on using it as your primary tool for stills.

Transferring the video to my computer was a snap. It was a little quirky to set up at first. You have to have the camera plugged in to the ac adaptor BEFORE you turn it on or connect it to the computer. Nothing a short visit to the user's manual couldn't handle. After connected to the PC you can browse the hard drive of the camera in windows explorer or use the packaged software (completely useless in my opinion). I would say that if you are ready to delete video from the camera, then use the packaged software to delete it. I deleted video through explorer and it still shows up on my camcorder but produces an error if you try to access it. Looks like I'll be using the HDD Format option very soon. Oh yes, back to my point. The transfer was quick enough. During my test I transferred approximately 5.5 minutes of HQ video (the highest quality option) in roughly 1.5 minutes.

Overall the camcorder will be sufficient for my home use. I am very "in" to technology, so I couldn't bare the thought of transferring video in real time to my computer (my reason for not upgrading my camcorder for so long). In my opinion, hard drive based camcorders are the way to go, I only hope that we can make the move to High Definition HDD Camcorders soon. I don't care that the hard drives will hold less video time, who keeps 6-7 hours of video on their camcorder anyway? I will definitely be upgrading this baby once HD HDD models are available.