Sony Handycam DCR-TRV80 Mini DV Camcorder

Pros: Great video quality, large LCD, good widescreen mode, good build quality.
Cons: Lack of manual audio level control, must use menu for manual exposure and fader.

The TRV80 & 70 (and 50, 30, 20 & 10 before them) occupied that “middle ground” between consumer (TRV39 and below, and new HC65 and below) and true prosumer camcorders (TRV900, 950, VX2000, 2100, and the new HC1000). As a single CCD camcorder, ...

Pros: Genuine widescreen CCD, every feature possible, well built
Cons: Slightly chunky, fiddly controls, bottom-loading tape makes tripod use harder, a few quirks

-- quick update October 2004 I've now lived with the '80 for 15 months or so, and so have a few more observations, and will correct a few typos too. I've used it extensively to capture my newborn son who's now 9 months old, so its been used under a ...

Pros: 3-1/2" LCD Display, Sony high quality, outstanding picture and sound, excellent zoom control
Cons: Forced to use touch screen, can feel a little heavy

There are a great number of video camera manufacturers to choose from: Sony, JVC, Canon, and Panason ...

Pros: Video Quality Touchscreen controls Versatility
Cons: Touchscreen jiggles cam while recording Bluetooth questionable Mode switch confusing

I wanted a DV Cam/DigiCam combo to replace a digital camera and an old analog VHS camcorder. The TRV ...

Pros: Analogue in/dv out facility. Steadyshot. Excellent picture quality.
Cons: Bottom tape loading a bit fiddly. Zoom control requires a delicate touch.

Attracted by the all advantages offered by 'digital video' I looked at the reviews for dv camcorders. A long term Sony fan I soon settled on the TRV50 - the camcorder of the year. As this was in the process of being superceded by the TRV80 I decided to ...

Pros: Big LCD. Lots of trinkets.
Cons: downloaded video on computer is dark. Must carry manual for a while.

A little pricey but overall a good quality camcorder. I have taken good quality stills along with the video. Night filming is great if you want to prove to the wife that she really DOES snore!

This camcorder has so many things that it can do that you must use the manual for a while if you want to use most of them. When you download your video to a computer, it comes out darker than the original. Might need to get some video editing software so you can lighten it up if you plan to do this. Also, when using the digital zoom, video and stills become grainy in the higher powers. I have turned my digital zoom off and just used the regular zoom a lot and still get great pictures.

Once you get used to it and learn some of the things it can do, you will find that it is a great little camcorder.

Pros: Size, Features, Built in Flash, Stills and Video
Cons: Stills are only 2.0, Stylus gets lost,

I bought my last Sony analog video camera 10 years ago and used a minolta aps for stills. Finally wanted to upgrade to digital, but didn't want two separate gadgets, so shopped around for two in one.
Very please with the results. Built in flash makes night time photos easy. Great features. Reasonable quality of stills for a 2.0 megapixels. I also bought the lan cable adapter so I can surf the web directly from the camera. Just connect it to the hub and its on the net. Email your pics directly from the camera. Good size. I also bought the super media sticks they hold tons of stuff.

Pros: Small, Light Weight & Easy to Use
Cons: Price

I received this camera for my birthday this year. I love it. I am so shocked at all the features. I don't even use my digital camera anymore. I can take still pictures and videos. What more can you ask for.
I love that you use a touch screen, which provides more options. I love how you can see the LCD display from any angle. Great Camera..... Highly recommended!