Sony Handycam DCR-TRV120BT Digital-8 Camcorder

Pros: Digital 8 savings, good picture, powerful zoom, excellent stabilizer, features, value
Cons: Low-light noise (but only if you don't select the proper Program AE mode)

Update (06/29/05): After some 5 years, I am still impressed with this camcorder's performance and durability! Sony DCR-TRV120 is a Digital 8™ camcorder. It means ...

Pros: The Lowest Priced Digital8 Camcorder
Cons: There Are More Economical Alternatives with the Same Image Quality

Update: As of 14 March 2001. Sony is bringing out a replacement model for the TRV120, the TRV130. From the information in the Sony Web site, it appears that the TRV130 is almost identical to the unit it's replacing. For the money, the TRV120 is the best...

Pros: Low cost. Lots of features. 8mm/Hi8 playback Very good quality. Doesn't feel cheap.
Cons: No memory stick. Digital zoom useless.

I bought this digital camcorder as an replacement for an older 8mm camcorder. So what I needed was something that can use/playback those old 8mm tapes, while having the new features that are found in the camcorders today. The TRV120 fills my needs plus...

Pros: Sony quality and esthetics, digital recording format, low-end therefore cheap
Cons: Small LCD display, B/W viewfinder

Sony is undoubdly the best company among camcorder manufacturers. Their camcorders are leading the market while their technologies are being used by many different manufacturers. Digital-8 is one of the many technologies Sony has invented and used in its...

Pros: Easy to operate. Tons of functions.
Cons: Accesories are very expensive.

When purchasing a high-dollar "toy", I did a ton of research, and narrowed it down between this Sony and a top of the line JVC. I took both home, and after using them for a day I purchased the Sony.

The TRV-120 has a TON of features. All are...

Pros: firewire/ieee link capable, accepts hi8/8mm tapes, zoom, flip out screen
Cons: bit heavy, small flip out screen

Hehe, i'm so silly. Anyway, this is the first camcorder i bought for myself back in November last year. I've had a lot of fun with it.

A major advantage of this camera is that it can play/record on hi8 tapes, thus it's "digital 8". I am so...

Pros: It was very easy to learn how to use and worth the price.
Cons: Expensive film and it is missing some features I wish it had.

**My Experience**

I received this Digital Sony DCR-TRV120 NTSC Camcorder for Christmas this year. It was by far my most favorite gift. I myself am not usually good at figuring out technical devices. I lost the manual for this camcorder and was...

Pros: Lots of spiffy features for a low price.
Cons: Misleading battery life, difficult user interface, bad still photo quality.

Don't expect 12 hours battery life with your DCR-TRV120, unless you plan on spending an extra fifty bucks on a very bulky battery from Sony and not using your LCD. I average between 1-3 hours of battery life with the battery that came with my camcorder....

Pros: Easy to use, excellent picture clarity
Cons: Small screen makes it hard to review

Sony's introduction of the 'Digital 8' format has been a godsend for many people. In short it means that you get digital pictures and sound on to a Hi-8 tape, which is smaller and more friendly than the usual VHS, and is compatible with all 8mm films,...

Pros: Value, Durability
Cons: Missing Some Optional Extras

The Sony DCR TRV120 is the perfect choice for those who may
be looking to enter the digital camcorder market, but who may be
on a limited budget. The TRV120 has the perfect blend of
convenient features combined with great durability, all...

Pros: Inexpensive, Great quality video and pics
Cons: somewhat short battery life

My purchase of this Camcorder was not exactly planned.. ya see, In an atempt to reestablish credit (medical bills when I was a kid.. long story ) I decided to try getting a Sears Credit card.. I was shocked when I got it.. and was just gonna get...

Pros: Inexpensive, ergonomically designed, on-the-fly analog-to-DV conversion, 25x optical zoom.
Cons: Could be smaller.

Picture and sound quality from all the single-CCD camcorders is excellent. Here's why I bought the TRV-120:

1) Inexpensive. (I paid $499.95+tax)

2) I don't need bells and whistles in the form of faders, and special effects. Of...

Pros: nice quality, great performance
Cons: none, so far

My family and I decided it was time to purchase a Video Camera. We had been using a Sony, we borrowed from a family member, and liked its performance even though it was an older model. We knew basically what we wanted, and so the search began.
...

Pros: perfect for personal use
Cons: none

The Sony TRV120 camcorder has many of the best features in one package. Though this is my first camcorder, I have used a couple other models. I was looking for editing ability, nice quality LCD screen, light weight, and easy to hold/easy to find...

Pros: price, comprehensive features
Cons: bigger compared to newer models

This camera is perfect for the first time buyer like myself. All of my wants for a camera are fulfilled by this digital masterpiece. Entering the digital camera market was a mystery for me since I never indulged that sort of money for this type of...