A Little Gem!
Written: Sep 28 '02
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Pros: Size, Size, Size!
Cons: Zoom button & Menu Joystick
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a camera you will actually use this is it! But be sure to purchase Pinnacle Studio 8 to unleash the full potential of MicroMV format.
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| dr427's Full Review: Sony Handycam DCR-IP5 Micro MV Camcorder |
In my search for a new family video camera the first thing that came to mind was what would it take for me to actually use it instead of it sitting in a bag in the closet? The biggest reason I never used my last Sony (Digital 8) video camera was it's size! It was just too bulky to take anywhere on an outing. The Sony DCR-IP5 has solved that problem!
Despite it's minute size the IP5 is a full functioning digital camera. Really the only thing missing from it, as compared to other Sony video cameras, is Night Shot.
My biggest hesitation was entering into a new recording format. The IP5 uses a new Sony format called Micro MV. The beauty of it is that it is about 1/3 the size of the small DV tapes, has 64k of built in memory, and records in MPEG2 format thus taking shorter times to download to your computer. The 64k memory provides the camera with a thumbnail image of all start/stop scenes on the tapes (up to 400). Talk about a neat feature! Let's say you want to show someone a specific spot on the tape. Just review the thumbnails until you find what you are looking for then push play! It's the only video camera I know of that does this right now. The 64k also allows you to take the tape out and then later put it back in and the memory will store all recording information and thumbnails etc...
Some down falls to the functionality of the IP5 are the zoom button and Menu joystick. The zoom button is one of the smallest buttons on the camera and has a sensitivity to it that takes some getting use to. The harder you push and in an upward motion the faster it zooms. Same is true for the lighter you push it in a downward motion the slower it goes. The menu joystick looks something like a nintendo up, down, left, right thing, and it's position is behind the LCD screen. You use the direction to navigate around the menu's and then push exactly in the center of the joystick to execute your decision. Again takes some getting used to.
The IP5 has all the fades, digital effects, and titles you would expect, but to use them you have to go into the menu first. This wouldn't prove to be functional in a moments notice for those "firsts" your kid is doing. I never use all those functions anyways. My last Sony was loaded with them and I played around with them when I first got the camera, but in everyday use no way do I ever use them. Instead I purchased Pinnacle Studio 8 and do all the titling and scene transitions I want with more profesional results! In fact, I never even installed the supplied Movie Shaker software the IP5 comes with. I HIGHLY recommend the Pinnacle software as this is the only software (other than the supplied Movie Shaker) that is compatible with MicroMV (Mpeg2)at this time.
All in all this camera fits my uses perfectly. I now have a digital video camera I can truly put in my pocket which translates into that I will use it frequently! I also have the thumbnail views so I can show any specific scene on the road! I do recommend a second battery since the supplied battery only lasts about an hour which is the same length the tapes will record.
The photo function is acceptable, but I will stick to using my digital camera for any photo shots!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1100
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Epinions.com ID:
dr427
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Location: Oklahoma
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 3 members
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