This digital video camera delivers on all its promises
Written: Aug 18 '02 (Updated Aug 20 '02)
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Pros: Has many innovative features that are effective and easy to use.
Cons: Zooms hard to control. Uses proprietary Sony memory stick.
The Bottom Line: This compact but durable camera has a variety of well implemented, easy to access, useful features, while leaving out distracting bells and whistles.
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| davidbangs's Full Review: Sony Handycam DCR-TRV27 Mini DV Camcorder |
I delved into the digital video camera world with a rocky start, with a couple of JVC cameras that were loaded with features that demoed well in the store, but weren't useful in practice. Both these cameras malfunctioned quickly and I had to return them. So by the time I bought my third digicam, I understood my requirements. This Sony DCR-TRV27 hasn't let me down, and I would heartily recommend it to anybody.
Here are some highlights:
* The camera is rugged, but very compact. I was surprised to note that though it is much smaller than my older 8mm analog video camera, it is exactly the same weight. The Carl Zeiss lens is protected by a strapped lens cap.
* The large color LCD screen makes it easy to show video and still images back to your subjects.
* The "MegaPixel CCD" allows it to take very good stills for a video camera. It has separate still and video trigger buttons, so the digital and still cameras work completely independently. If you take a live still, the resolution is 1152 x 864 pixels. If you press the still camera trigger while playing back video, it takes a 640 by 480 pixel still from the video frame. This is nice because you can just video, then capture the best frames - such as someone in the midst of a swan dive. The pictures are of good quality for the resolution. 1152 x 864 is great for ordering 4 x 6 prints from Ofoto.com, and 640 x 480 is great for email, web sites, or printing on your inkjet to hang on the fridge.
* Between the Sony memory stick, USB cable and Firewire port (Sony calls it iLink), getting the images and video to your computer isn't a problem. I happen to have a Dazzle memory card reader on my computer that reads the most 6 common memory card types - and I just pull the card out and stick it in the card reader to access still and emailable video clips off the memory card as if it were a floppy disk. I purchased a separate Firewire cable to download full resolution video into my computer, but haven't tried it yet.
* Common features are easy to access using buttons. For example, the "Fader" button is all by itself near the front of the camera, so you can press it without looking for it, and rotate through he various fades and transitions. Unlike the JVC cameras, it has just the very basic fades and wipes, not novelty transitions like "Bounce." But they work from any video that happens to be on the tape, even if taken with a different camera. In contrast, JVC transitions only work across video which is briefly paused with the Pause button. Similarly, you can manually adjust light exposure or backlight with a handy exposure wheel.
* None of the features are "gimmicky." For example, when you take a still with a JVC camera while videoing, it makes a cute shutter noise and visual on the screen, then shows the still for a few seconds. That is really cool, but gets old very fast. It seems like in half the stills, people were suspended with blinked eyes or funny grins, and you can't just "toss them out" if they are on video. In contrast, with the Sony camera, taking a still image does not affect the video. Sony designs their cameras to be appreciated for the long haul, not just for the novelty of a bell or whistle.
* You can use video input to record from any video source, such as a TV, VCR or old analog video camera, onto your MiniDV tape. And from there, you can bring it onto your computer hard disk - with or without a digital capture card and cable. Broadband quality clips can be captured to the memory card and downloaded using either the memory card or included USB cable. You can have short video clips to email or just have on your hard disk without buying or learning any special software!
* Other features: The NightShot mode REALLY works and is accessible with a single button. It was fun filming in a totally dark room. The green video revealed all the objects on the shelf even though the room was so dark that I could not see anything without the camera. I have used this feature a couple of times in actual videoing too, when unexpected situations arose. SteadyShot also works well - so subjects don't jiggle around due to your shaky hands. The remote control is handy if you want to take video or stills of yourself posing with a group.
* The standard battery life seems very good. You charge the "infoLithium" battery just by connecting the power cable to the camera while the camera is "Off." You never have to remove the battery or mess with a separate external battery charger.
* It is expandable: It has a shoe that you can use to install video and/or still flash adaptors, or directional microphone. You can add zoom and wide angle lenses. You can buy larger capacity Sony memory cards, and a longer life-battery. So far, I'm surviving perfectly fine without any of these - but did buy a camera case, tripod, clear protective and polarized lens filters, and digital video cable.
The Disadvantages:
* Why did Sony have to invent its very own memory card format? CompactFlash seems to be the industry standard, and accordingly CompactFlash cards and readers are cheap and easy to find at stores. Please everybody - agree on a common memory card format!
* The Zoom button is very quick. You have to be on your toes to zoom out slowly, since it wants to zoom out all the way very quickly. This quick zooming does come in handy sometimes, but it takes some time to get used to.
* They encourage you to buy add-ons at the sonystyle.com web site, and even give you a $30 coupon. But this web site is WAY overpriced even if you take advantage of the coupon. As long as you are ordering on the Internet, find better prices on peripherals by Sony and other suppliers by searching for the same items on dealtime.com or bizrate.com.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 965
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Epinions.com ID:
davidbangs
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Member: David Bangs
Location: Issaquah, Washington
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Sustainable MBA Candidate, Issaquah Washington
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