Sony Handycam® DCR-TRV280 Digital-8 Camcorder

Pros: Compact size, easy operation, versatile lighting options, superb picture/audio quality, interconnected to other A/V components.
Cons: Must purchase other items to produce DVDs.

We purchased a TRV280 to record the antics of our new daughter. We looked at reviews, prices, and features of this camcorder to make our purchase. We decided on this model. It is well laid out control-wise. You can go from standby to record in the ...

Pros: IEEE 1394/USB ports, Digital 8 compatible
Cons: Larger than Mini-DV, still uses tapes.

First question, why buy a Digital 8 camcorder? You buy a Digital Camcorder because you have a previous 8mm, Hi-8 or Digital 8 camcorder, or because you want a Digital camcorder without the cost of Mini-DV or the newer DVD camcorders. In my case, this ...

Pros: Great features, digital photo mode and good quality picture.
Cons: The weight is a bit much and the zoom controls are poorly located

We bought this camcorder mainly for taking family videos, but the quality was good enough that we actually ended up taping events and selling the videos to other families! Although it is slightly inconvenient to use tapes, at least you can buy several ...

Pros: Absolutely none
Cons: Piece of junk

I always thought of SONY as being a quality company - producer of high quality products. Sadly, I had similar problems to other buyers of Sony HandyCams - sudden and irreparable failure of viewfinder. This is a KNOWN problem with Sony digital cams and yet there is no effort to accept responsibility for the poor design. WARNING!!! You will likely fall victim like I did. DO NOT BUY SONY PRODUCTS!

Pros: Price,nice display for it's size
Cons: tape is used

Lets get to the point. If you want a high end camcorder dish out the cash and get something else. I don't have any problems with unit at all.Also unit will get broken if you drop it just like a laptop would. Since other people who post there review can't understand that.

Pros: Low price digital recording.
Cons: No backward compatibility with 8mm and Hi8

Beware of lowest tier camcorder iterations. It is my understanding that the TRV 250, 260, 280 models are not backward compatible with 8mm and Hi8 format ... they will record on the tapes but will not play back your archived material recorded in these formats.

Pros: Easy to use, good quality recording.You can use it as a webcam and microphone.
Cons: Black and White viewfinder. Image stabilization doesn't work very well.

I enjoy using this camera. It is extremely easy to use, even with the "easy function" off. If you are buying a camera for the first time, I recommend this one. It is great for beginners. If you are already experienced with a camera, however I would recommend buying a more expensive camera. It's b&w view finder is kind of annoying, though because you barely ever use it, and the LCD sucks up battery. The 990x digital zoom and 20x optical zoom is nice.

Pros: It uses Sony 8mm or Hi8 tape. Picture quality is good.
Cons: Doesn't playback older 8mm tapes and LCD screen must be used during recording.

I am staying away from Sony's latest models of Digital 8. Why? They aren't able to playback my library of older 8mm or Hi8 tapes. They will only playback tapes made in Digital. So why get Digital 8 at all? One is better-off with a MiniDV handycam which is smaller, lighter and costs about the same. Also, you are forced to use the LCD screen all the time as they use "touch screen" controls. This drains the battery and is impossible to use in sunlight.

Pros: easy to use, good quality video
Cons: black and white view finder, bad quality still pictures

we bought this to capture our sons activities so that we could review them later. It is very easy to use. we love the easy buttons.