Sony Handycam

Advantages: Great Features, Easy to use, Sony product - well priced and quality, Durable
Disadvantages: None

...*Introduction* My Dad bought this Sony Handycam a while ago now. It has come in very handy for a number of things, everything from recording family occasions to some of my school projects. We have also let friends borrow the camera to record their parties and take abroad with them. Everyone who has used it has said it is a wonderful video camera and that they would definetly consider buying one, or something fairly similar, of their own in the future. I will be honest with you the reader and declare that my knowledge and know-how when it comes to video recorders/camcorders is very limited. If you give me any other electronics product and ask me to use it or tell you about it, I won't have too many problems. I will do my best to show the good points (and bad if there are any) about this Sony Handycam. Please bear with me when...

thespurs 16.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR PC103

Sony Handycam

Advantages: easy to use, reasonable size
Disadvantages: hard to get stuff onto pc!

...My grandparents bought me this camera for my birthday last summer, as it's my ambition to be a film director, and how can I be a film director if I haven't got even basic equipment?! This one was reasonably priced at £250, which included the cables to get the footage onto TV, a battery, remote control and a carry strap. It uses Hi-8 tapes which are around £15 for three, (That is the price we paid when we bought the camera) then around £50 for a decent tripod and an extra £15 for a carry case. I've also been looking for a cable to connect my camera to a PC- I was told at Dixons that it was £50 for the cable and software to edit my stuff on the computer, and then I was told elsewhere that it was £17 for a cable. Then I was told to buy a DV lead off e-bay, which I did (for £4). Unfortunately, the DV lead doesn't fit into the camera...

g00dfairy 19.02.2005 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam CCD TRV228

Sony Handycam DCR DVD202E - a beauty

Advantages: Watch playback instantly
Disadvantages: Price of Rewritable DVDs - well worth it though

...~#What you need to know!#~ This is the same camera that you see on the sony adverts. And I believe this new direct recording on to DVD is going to drastically change the way we view Camcorders. It really is stupidy easy to shoot and film, even for novices such as myself. The 1.07 Megapixels Advanced HAD CCD enables unbelievably true image recording. I'm not sure whether on the images it is still 1.07Mp's as I have another sony camera with 7.2Mp and the image quality is identical. Also the 12x optical zoom offers all of the close-ups that you could imagine. However after taken the pictures there is a 480x digital zoom which allows you to people watch on you street beautifully! Finally for this section the coloured view finder enables you to snap instantly and quickly what you require. Also its rotating system allows...

cheekychappy05 07.09.2005 (08.09.2005) · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR DVD202

Sony Handycam DCR HC1000E

Advantages: Excellent Image with 3CCD, Lightweight and Easy to Use
Disadvantages: Now obsolete due to High-Def 3CCD Camcorders

...Sony seem to be setting themself apart from the field with their range of handycams which are a class apart from the rest. In the DV (non-high definition) category, this is the best semi-professional camcorder around. Firstly a listing of all the features to help: - 3CCD Imaging System (3 x 1,070,000 pixels) with Advanced HAD - Optical Super SteadyShot - 12x Optical / 150x Digital Zoom - Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* - 14 bit DXP - Focus ring, zoom ring - Zebra Pattern, guide frame and color bar - Intelligent accessory shoe ready for a 4ch Microphone true 16:9 widescreen mode - 5 picture effects and 5 digital picture effects - 6 Program AE - Photo mode on Memory Stick Duo? - 1,152 x 864 Still Image - Automatic pop-up flash - Multi angle grip - 2.5" Hybrid LCD - Spot Meter, Spot Focus - i.LINK? (DV...

PJWINWRIGHT 07.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR HC1000E

Sony Handycam

Advantages: Simple to use, Plenty of features, Both Hi8 and Digital8 tapes
Disadvantages: No firewire card/wire supplied, Awful software, battery life.

...Its a good camera for those people just starting out in the filming world. The features are there for both newbies and familiars. Easycam option which limits the features to be used, but that is easily turned off. Its just a plug and go, press and record camera. The trouble is the USB supplied with it transfers the rate really slowly to PC so i would advise getting a wirewire card and cable which allows for a VAST increase in frame rate, thus better videos on PC. I'd also advise getting some decent software such as Pinnacle Sudio 9, or even (if your like me and don't want to pay) the package included in Windows XP. Movie Maker perhaps? The software supplied by Sony is, quite frankly, diabolical. The battery life is quite poor too, but Sony do a wide range of different batteries for the Handycam series. It works beautifully if...

jeliman 13.07.2005 (03.01.2006) · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR TRV255E

Sony Handycam DCR TRV285E

Advantages: good quality pictures, small, stylish, remote control
Disadvantages: Only 90 mins battery life, can be confusing connecting to PC

...The Sony Handycam DCR TRV285E is a great camera for first time users. This camera can easily be operated without even having to read the instruction manual. It has the "Easy Handycam" feature which sets the camera settings automatically. The camera is light and easy to use. When recording there is a zoom function, the ability to have a title for the movie and various faders for opening and closing shots. The camera has a nightvision mode which uses infrared and gives you an eeirie green appearance to everything which is actually quite handy, or if filming in dull locations there is a handy light on the front of the camera. The camera can also be used to take still shots with a simple press of a button, this means you don't need to carry your normal camera as well. The camera comes with a remote control which allows you to control...

Cazza85 15.09.2005 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR TRV285

Sony Handycam DCR HC14e

Advantages: Use of the Carl Ziess Lens, The Sony Badge, new Touch screen 2.5" LCD
Disadvantages: LCD screen needs cleaing as finger print marks get all over it

...With any Sony camcorder you get the quality Carl Zeiss Lens, which has been rated one of the top lenses within the business of camcorder and also digital cameras. Price Ranges from £200 to £350, shop around, and see if companies will price match each other, to get the best deal. Spec: · MiniDV recording · Carl Zeiss lens · 1/6" 800k pixel CCD · 2.5" LCD monitor with touch panel control · NightShot · SteadyShot · M-Battery series · i.LINK (DV OUT) · USB connectivity · 10 x optical zoom (640 x Digital) In this review I will be going over: Usability Weight Recording and Playback Usability, Sony camcorders now have a touch screen, which illuminates most of the camcorder buttons, it is easier if you use your little finger to navigate through the menus. You can adjust the time and date settings, add in...

ignition2000 10.02.2005 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR HC14E

Sony DCR-DVD403E Handycam Digital Video Camcorder.

Advantages: 5.1 surround sound, DVD recording
Disadvantages: price

...Sony DCR-DVD403E Handycam Digital Video Camcorder. About the camera ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This camera is very good for recording home videos, what makes it a good buy is the fact that there is no wasting time when you want to play back things that you have recorded. The things you record can also be played in surround sound, if you know any thing about sound there is a considerable difference in quality. When you record with this it automatically recorded in DV format. There is also a good quality picture when you record, in comparison to the video kind of camcorders, and of course the picture wont jump while playing! The camera is made by Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar which doesn't mean anything to me but if it helps anybody there it is! What it can do...

may31980 29.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR DVD403E

Sony Handycam DCR SR90E

Advantages: very easy to use, records over 7 hrs on to hard drive,
Disadvantages: you need a dvd burner

...Firstly I am not going to quote all the technically stuff - so if you need all those details it would be best to go to the Sony website. This camcorder is exactly what I require - its light and compact it can record about 7 hours video and 9999 photos. Its very easy to use - simply by flicking the dial to move between shooting video, taking photos and viewing your videos and photos. The photos are an excellent quality 3 mega pixels - and you could not tell the difference from those taken on my Sony P150 (which has 7 mega pixels) As the camcorder is so light and compact it is easy to carry it round and get it out to take some photos. Taking video is easy too - all the buttons seem to be I logical places when you get the hang of it. They are lots of settings to mess around with you are so inclined (like my husband) or (like...

claireyrosey 16.07.2006 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam DCR SR90E

Sony Handycam HDR-HC3E OVERALL EXCELLENT CAMCORDER

Advantages: GOOD PHOTO QUALITY, GOOD SOUND, 8/10
Disadvantages: NO VIDEO LIGHT, COMPLEX MENU SYSTEM FOR ADVANCED FEATURES

...balance, exposure, zoom, manual focus, recording and other basic functions can all be tweaked without using the touch screen which is quite useful. It is solidly built with a brushed-metal body that is attractive to look at and has a fabulous feel to it, there is also an automatic lens cover which protects against debris and fingerprints. The memory stick has easy access points and external connecting is effortless The HDR-HC3E stands out with it being able to record at the 1080i high-definition resolution. Sony promises "4.5 times the definition of DV". It uses the same MiniDV tapes you're used to, and around an hour of 1080i shooting will fit on a single tape. When HD is not required you can shoot in Standard mode too. Photo quality is good. Images lack some quality compared to those taken on digital cameras , but ultimately they are...

homicidalkitten83 13.02.2007 · Read review
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Review of Sony Handycam HDR-HC3E