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The video quality is poor when set to the LP mode, which I used for the extra time. The touch screen is a nice-to-have, but not a requirement. Luckily iMovie can do some stabilization.This camera is great for those who just want to pop in a tape and start recording. I purchased this camera for our first cruise. It is definetly for the quick-starter types who don't read the manual. It fits perfectly in one hand. The price is great, but if you want DVD quality video, look elsewhere.
Lots of jagged edges and poor color saturation plague this camera. Things can get shaky very quickly when zoomed in. Even so, be careful of using the zoom. Even with the understanding that this is an entry level camera, this picture quality still looks poor to me. I bought a larger extra battery, which adds some weight, but is well worth the price for the extra time.The default settings use image stabilization.
I am editing the video in iMovie and displaying it via my AppleTV on a 720p HDTV. It does reduce the number of physical buttons, which is nice. Unstabilized video looks ok, but it still isn't great.If relatively poor video is ok with you.This camera is lightweight, sips battery, and is small. Most of us know from the VCR days that longer modes have poorer video quality, but the poor quality was quite surprising. To be fair, some of this poor quality is also due to iMovie's implementation of stabilization, which zooms in on the video to increase stability.
My disapointment with it is that is does not provide a bridge between analog devices and my computer. Cables run from 5.00 - $45.00 so a good online search is recommended.Some fault the camera for not haveing a still capture, but most of the camcorders that do have them are such low quality poor resolution that they are worthless. The reason I believe it's not included, is because they don't know which cable to include. For the price, I can live with it and just buy a bridge. Then there is the question of length, 3', 4',6'.etc. This is a great beginner camera, and has some higher level features at an entry level price.
Of course Sony likes to sell their proprietary iLink which is their name for the ieee 1394 cable. I use a separate digital camera of my choice for that. It has a great picture and fine sound. Everyone's needs are different so it's best to order the cable separately. I do miss my old camcorder but it cost about $2,000 when I bought it and this little camera has most (but not all) of the features I used.For computer editing, I was able to connect and capture and edit using Nero 7, U-Lead Visual Studio 8 and Windows movie maker.I would recommend this to a friend. The major complaint made in the reviews I've read was that there was no firewire cable included.
If you have a laptop with built in firewire, you will probably need a 4 pin-4pin, if you have a PCI card in your desktop, you will probably need a 4 pin-6pin.
But, I found that this camera is just a fun overall camera to have just to shoot video on the run without the need to set up a bunch of other equipment.I highly recommend this camera. I have a Panasonic DVX100B, and I initially purchased this camera as a low cost video deck alternative, so I wouldn't wear out the motor on the DVX while downloading video footage into my computer.and this camera serves that purpose very well. The overall positive reviews on this mini-dvd camera are warranted. This is a great little camera for the money that produces some very good video.
This is an upgrade from our last Sony DCR-HC. It has features exactly as described by Amazon and the price was right for us. Handycams from Sony have always been "handy" for us. I bought this for my daughter to shoot video with her friends. It is very easy to use and thus far has had no negative issues.
I've had the camera about two months now and I'm very disappointed with the color of the videos. The one caveat to that is outside on a bright, sunny day will produce a rich color saturation. I've had that camera for 9+ years and have loved it.
The other three Sony camcorders (all older, different models) produced far better color than this one. Other than that, though, you're out of luck.I originally thought it was maybe just my camera, but another reviewer also talks about bad color saturation in his review, so I guess it is product wide problem. The colors produced by this camera are, quite simply, terrible.
I bought this product to replace one of the first Sony Digital8 Camcorders that ever went on the market (DCR-TRV510). My most recent project was filming a basketball game where I had four different Sony digital camcorders in use on the same court (I film a complete game once a year). Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.
I bought this camera because because the reviews were decent, the price was good, and I like Sony products. They are very dark compared to what they should be.
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