Camcorders > Sony Camcorders > CMOS

Advantages: Clear, crisp images with vivd colours, no tapes/DVDs needed, price
Disadvantages: Have to use docking station when charging, AVCHD files not widely used

I recently bought this camcorder from Ebay for £440.00. The model that I have is the American model but all the SR5s are universal and you can simply change it to PAL mode in the menu. I been very impressed so far and would certainly recommend this camcorder to anyone that is looking to buy a decent High Definition camcorder. Whats in the box Bundled with the camcorder is a USB cable to connect the camcorder to a computer, (via a docking station) ...
...for charging and an AV connecting cable. As mentioned before a docking station is also enclosed which is used to charge the camcorder and connect it to a computer. The Camcorder The camcorder comes complete with a built in 40 GIG hard drive so there isn't any need for any tapes or a DVD. The camcorder works in the usual way, a record button is located at the rear and you simply press once to start and once again to complete the record and store ... Read review

Advantages: Quality, HDD rather than tape, zoom
Disadvantages: cost, fiddly touch screen

...for someone who hasn't used sony touch screens before. Another great feature is the option to switch between 16:9 and 4:3 as although no HD tvs are 4:3 it can add great effect if you are making a movie. Connections: - 2.5mm minijack - Mini HDMI 1.3 - Also the camera is supplied with a dock that provides USB connectivity. The camera can capture 8 hours at full resolution so should be plenty for a weekend away although for a two week holiday ...
...The camera also incorporates 10x optical zoom which will not lower the quality of image and allow the full 1080i resolution to capture images a long way away. Overall a great camera for capturing those family moments although the touch screen might be hard to use for someone new to sonys. ... Read review

Advantages: Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator for Surround sound, Up to 28hrs recording & 10x Optical Zoom
Disadvantages: None

The Sony DCR-SR190E is a smart piece of kit. You dont need tapes or Mini DVD's this camcorder records on its own built in hard drive, up to 28 hrs worth. The camcorder can be connected up to you PC via USB 2.0 for easy access and veiwing of your recorded videos. Which than can be easily edited before being burned onto DVD. The Sony Handycam has a powerfull CCD megapixel image sensor which allows advanced HAD technology. You can also record your ...
...standard viewing. Sony has also included many features including, SST (Steady Shot Technology) to enable you to record 'shake free' and SNSP (Super Night Shot Plus) which enables you to record in low light and at night. The sound recording available is in Dolby Digital stereo which makes sure you get crisp surround sound recording. There is also an option to go a step further and make the Dolby Digital sound in 5.1. Thats full surround sound which ... Read review

Advantages: compact
Disadvantages: expensive

For reasons which are not fully clear production of this sophisticated camcorder was stopped. But it seems that the whole DV tape system is being phased out. It is not as superior as the - much more expensive - 7 model, which is temporarily unavailable, but it remains a worthy successor to the DCR-TRV range. The HD 1081i format remains a gimmick so long as commercial TV at this standard is not yet widely available. The only - minor - disadvantage ...
...of manual focusing, both of which were available on the DCR-TRV range, and are availabl on the 7 model. The quality of the pictures on memory stick even at 4 Mpixel is superb and comparable to most still cameras. The ease of having just one compact and relatively light (120 g lighter than older models incl. battery) camera both for stills and film is very attractive. Older tele and wide attachments with 37 mm screw fit perfectly, but the "hot shoe" ... Read review

Advantages: 2.7" viewfinder screen, records in widescreen, X10 zoom, digital camera option, shot stabiliser
Disadvantages: The price, poor instruction manual, poor sound pickup

Sony are a well known brand that I have always associated with quality and this is why when asked to part with £529 for a new digital camcorder I didn't even break into a cold sweat as my bank balance was drained. I bought the camera from the Sony Centre in Manchester and have since buying it seen it advertised online for considerably cheaper. Opening the box my heart skipped a beat. An instruction booklet similar in size to War & Peace dropped out, ...
...I had gone a little too far buying this model. These fears were unfounded, the booklet is printed in every language known to mortal man, and the English section is 8 pages, yes 8 pages long and doesn't really give any advanced tips. These are better picked up searching online forums. The camcorder records directly onto DVD, a nice feature that allows playback either via a USB cable or by inserting the disk into a DVD player. The USB cable playback ... Read review