Ultra Cool Gadgets

Take Control of Sound and Vision with the DCR-VX2100, offering the brightest video results of all Sony MiniDV models. With its new Advanced HAD progressive scan CCD technology, illumination is improved dramatically, delivering superior low-light performance without the use of infrared technology. By increasing the CCD’s sensitivity to light, clearer, brighter video with more lifelike color can be captured, even when recording in dimly lit environments.
Its 58mm aspherical lens and duel-position neutral density filter minimize distortion from standard spherical lenses and compensate for varying lighting situations such as studio lights or direct sunlight. Additionally, the VX2100 includes a built-in lens cap to protect the enhanced optics package, manual audio control and PCM Digital Stereo Audio in 12 and 16-bit modes, a manual focus and manual zoom ring, built-in color bar generator, 16:9 wide screen recording capability, intelligent accessory shoe, both 12x optical and 48x digital zoom, advanced optical SteadyShot picture stabilization and up to seven hours1 of operation with the optional NP-F960 InfoLithium battery.

Sony DCR-VX2100 Highlights

- MiniDV recording.
- Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Media.
- 2.5-inch Precision Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD display.
- Manual exposure dial.
- Stamina Power Management System(Up to 9 hours using optional NP-F960 battery).
- i.LINK DV interface (IEEE1394).
- 3CCD imaging system.
- 530 lines of horizontal video resolution.
- Advanced HAD CCD technology.
- 12x optical/48x digital zoom.
- Aspherical ground glass 58mm lens.

Technical Details:

- Digital MiniDV Handycam camcorder with a 58mm aspherical lens and 380,000-pixel CCD.
- 12x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 48x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer.
- 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder.
- Manual controls for shutter and exposure, Stamina Power Management, and intelligent accessory shoe.
- NP-F330 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery.

Customer Feedback

This camera is fierce competition for Canon’s XL1S. It has the features you need, the Sony name, and flawless transfer. WARNING!: This is NOT for the amateur home videoer. The parameters are begging to be tweaked – just for fun. Settle for a Handycam if you’re just filming Billy’s soccer game. This one right here is made to be USED. Good for media students, career filmers/editors, and anyone who wants to REALLY have some interesting fun…Sony doesn’t disappoint on this one.

The DCR-HC48 contains a 1-megapixel CCD for enhanced detail and clarity along with exceptional analog video performance. Capture high-quality video and easily transfer it via Memory Stick Duo media slot on your PC or the included Handycam Station. It’s never been easier to share all your moments.

DCR-HC48 Highlights

- 1-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD imager.
- MiniDV recording.
- 25x optical/2000x digital zoom.
- Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario.
- 2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel Hybrid LCD display.
- One-touch wide-angle shooting.
- Super SteadyShot picture stabilization system.
- Handycam Station.
- InfoLithium battery with AccuPower meter system.
- i.LINK DV interface.
- Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick.
- Tele Macro function.
- Manual focus.
- Super NightShot Plus infrared system.

Technical Details:

- 1 MP CCD with Memory Stick Duo media compatibility.
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens; 25x optical zoom, 2000x digital zoom.
- 2.7-inch widescreen touchpanel LCD screen.
- Connects to compatible TV and/or PC via the included Handycam Station.
- NightShot Plus technology and Super SteadyShot picture stabilization system.

Customer Feedback

I am really really impressed with the performace, great video quality (no granulation) & sound too. As some of you are curious, it has infrared light which is great plus point for shooting in night time. In fact, when i tried shooting in dark with the NightShot Plus turned on and i tried to put my hand in front of the infrared light, I could see a patch of light on my hand, i was really thrilled by that, seeing its actually a light coming out of the camera. Of course you probably need to use a tripod to shoot in night light for better stability.

Also, it has various other features/modes that i didn’t notice in canon. for instance, it has a color mode to bring out colors more effectively in low light, a shooting mode to capture minute objects like insects etc..

The high-end, HDR-XR500 120GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder, from Sony packs true 1920 x 1080 HD recording, hybrid capture options, excellent optics, and more into a consumer priced camera. You’ll be hard pressed to run out of recording space with a 120GB HDD that captures nearly 48 hours of HD footage and the option to store additional video and stills to Memory Stick PRO Duo media. Sony gives you the tools to create beautiful memories, whether you’re recording your child’s play or a family vacation. The G Lens and back-illuminated 1/2.88″ ClearVid Exmor R CMOS sensor work together to create clean, brilliant images. Other features, like the generous 3.2″ LCD display, Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization, Face Detection and Smile Shutter give you an added edge.  Hybrid Recording to HDD or Memory Stick Duo Media Record nearly 48 hours of true, 1920 x 1080 HD video and 4MP stills to the 120GB HDD, in the XR500. You can also record to optional Memory Stick PRO Duo media, which offers easy transfer of video and stills to compatible computers and printers. And, in the event that you drop the camera, Sony’s “HDD Smart Protection” prevents recorded video and stills from being lost.  1/2.88″ ClearVid Exmor R CMOS Sensor with Back-Illumination Sony’s 1/2.88″ Exmor R CMOS sensor captures true 1920 x 1080 HD 6MP video and 12.1MP digital stills at 4x the density of HD resolution, giving you cleaner, more detailed images. The back-illuminated sensor improves image quality, especially when shooting in low-light situations by gathering as much light as possible and increasing sensitivity. The BIONZ Image Processor helps reduce noise and provides for faster image processing and data compression.  Sony G Lens Sony’s G lens, designed to work with the Exmor R CMOS sensor, provides sharp, detailed images with ultra accurate color reproduction.

Technical Details:

- 120 GB Hard Disk Drive, record and store up to 48 hours of HD video footage (HD LP mode).
- 12x MegaPixel still image capture.
- 12x Optical Zoom, 1920 x 1080 High-Def resolution.
- 3.2-inch WideScreen, touch-panel Xtra Fine LCD display.

Customer Feedback

Sony’s HDR-XR500 is truly a great handycam! The high definition videos that I get with this camera are awesome! I have uploaded quite a few of them to Youtube and they look great!
But I did have a problem with some of the videos I took. Once in a while, I have a problem with uploading one of my high definition videos to Youtube. What happens is I complete the upload process, but the video has a lot of break-up. But the audio still sounds great.

The uniquely designed DCR-DVD7 DVD Handycam camcorder lets you record movies in style. Circular and compact, the DCR-DVD7 goes anywhere you go to capture digital video onto DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW discs*. Not only can you create your own movies, but as an added feature you can also take digital still pictures.
Despite its compact design, the DCR-DVD7 comes equipped with a full 2.5-inch hybrid touch panel LCD screen and a professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens for capturing vivid, sharp images. Connect quickly and easily with USB 2.0 to a compatible TV or PC for easy viewing and editing of your videos and digital still images.

Features of the Sony DCR-DVD7

- 1/6-Inch Advanced HAD CCD Imager, 680K Pixels Gross.
- 10x Optical/120x Digital Zoom.
- Super SteadyShot Picture-Stabilization System.
- USB 2.0 Interface.
- Professional-Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens.
- DVD-R- and DVD-RW-Compatible.
- InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System.
- Picture Effects.
- 2.5-Inch Touch Panel LCD Display (123K Pixels).
- Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes.

Technical Details:

- 1/6-inch CCD imager with 680K pixels.
- Compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW formats.
- 10x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot picture-stabilization system.
- 2.5-inch hybrid color touch-panel LCD.
- Easy Handycam Button locks out advanced controls; perfect for beginners.

Pros:

The pluses of this camera are that it is small and takes acceptable video. Has a good feel and form factor. The camera has quick and smooth focus. It turns on and is ready to shoot in a very short time even for a DVD based camcorder. All the I/O ports work good (USB and Video-out). It has a nice bright LCD display. It can take literally thousands of digital images. When you finish shooting video, you have a ready-made DVD to show friends and family. You also have a long lasting archive of your images that you can edit later.

Cons:

For me the biggest downside of this camera is that it takes terrible digital still images. The pictures have visible pixels and the color is not as rich as with Sony still cameras. A unit of this price should take at least acceptable still images. Some of the pictures I took with the camera look worse than the old Apple Quick-take cameras of 10 years ago could produce. The camera has no Firewire port. As an Apple computer user, this camera is unfriendly when it comes to editing-no Apple supported software and it is a difficult task to put your video into iMovie for editing. For all these lacking areas it is a bit pricey.