Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The main reasons I purchased this camera were its size and its resolution. The camera is small enough to fit in my coat pocket, which means that I have it with me when I need it, and its 3MP resolution means that I can leave my digital camera at home. In fact, this camera has an F1.8 lens, which is as fast as you'll find on most full-size cameras, so it takes decent pictures indoors even without using the flash.
While I've been delighted with the size and still camera capabilities, there are a few other features that I think are great as well. The first is the option to use 16:9 video format if you want. I have a HDTV, and video shot in normal 4:3 format doesn't fill the screen unless it's stretched sideways, making everyone look fat. The 16:9 option of the DCR-PC350 allows you to shoot video that fills the screen like a real movie. You'll probably appreciate this even more in a few years when most TVs are widescreen.
A second useful, though not well documented, feature is the "seek to end" feature. If you've been reviewing what you've recorded and want to start recording again without overwriting something, you can use the "seek to end" to move quickly to the end of the recorded section.
Another reviewer complained about the inability to monitor sound levels during recording. This hasn't been a problem for me as I found I could just plug a set of headphones into the AV jack and hear what was being recorded. In fact, both the AV port and the s-video port are active when the camera's on, so you can watch and hear what you're recording using an external monitor and headphones (or speaker) if you want.
The camera has tons of other fancy features, all of which are accessible through the handy touch-screen display, but those above are my favorites.
The main complaints I have about this camera are:
1) The memory stick. The camera ships with a memory stick that's got a measly 16MB capacity, so plan on replacing it with a 256MB or 512MB stick straight away. In addition, the memory stick is this odd "memory stick duo" format that you have to insert into a larger adapter (supplied) to make it readable by a computer. Using a standard SD card, which is the same size as the duo anyway, would have been a better idea.
2) The software. The bundled video editing software is terrible. Plan on buying Adobe Premiere, or using Windows Movie Maker.
3) The cabling. You definitely want to use firewire rather than USB 2.0 for doing your video transfers if for no other reason than it provides almost 2x the transfer speed. In addition, some video editing software looks for cameras only on a firewire port. So plan on buying a firewire cable as well.
The need to immediately drop another hundred or two on accessories is the main reason I gave this camera 4 stars instead of 5.
Lastly, I'd also recommend getting the "BCTRF Compact Battery Charger for F Series Batteries" and the "Sony HVLS3D 3 Watt Video Light" The charger is only slightly bigger than the battery and saves you lugging the AC adapter around on vacation. The light is tiny and despite being only 3 watts can make a significant difference indoors if you're close to your subject.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DCRPC350 3MP MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
Amazingly powerful yet incredibly compact, the DCR-PC350 Handycam camcorder puts the power of MiniDV in the palm of your hands. Its powerful 1/3-inch Advanced HAD (hole accumulation diode) CCD combines with the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 10x optical zoom lens to provide extraordinary digital video time after time. Combined with Memory Stick Duo media, it can even capture 3.0-megapixel photographs like a digital camera.
Other features include a 2.5-inch hybrid SwivelScreen LCD display with touch-panel capabilities, the Super NightShot infrared system for low-light image capture, and the Super SteadyShot image stabilization system for smooth imaging. The DCR-PC350 comes supplied with a Handycam station for convenient battery charging and easy video transfers to a TV, VCR, or personal computer.
And more:
3.0-Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD CCD Imager The 1/3-inch Advanced HAD (hole accumulation diode) CCD imager with 2048K (effective) video pixels provides excellent detail and clarity, for exceptional digital video performance. Realize unprecedented digital still images with 3048K (effective) pixels. The technology enhances your digital-video (530 lines of horizontal resolution) and digital-photography performance.
10x Optical/120x Digital Zoom The optical zoom helps to bring action up close from far away. In addition, digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
Handycam Station Placing the DCR-PC350 on the supplied Handycam station provides a quick and easy connection between the camcorder and a TV/VCR for easy viewing, or a USB- or i.LINK-supported computer for video and still-image editing. It also supplies power to the camcorder for charging the battery.
Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media Capture digital still images at 2,016 x 1,512, 1,600 x 1,200 or 640 x 480 pixels directly onto Memory Stick Duo media for easy transfer to PC’s for e-mailing, printing, or sharing with other Memory Stick-compatible devices.
Progressive Shutter A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive-scan performance while utilizing an interlace scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.
Super NightShot Infrared System and Color Slow Shutter With Sony’s NightShot Infrared system, capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away. Super NightShot 0 Lux recording mode automatically adjusts the shutter speed to increase picture brightness and clarity. Color Slow Shutter mode allows you to record in low-light situations with full color detail by slowing down the shutter speed.
Analog-to-Digital Conversion with Pass-Through Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK interface, in real time, for easy PC editing of your analog footage.
InfoLithium Battery Charge the battery at any time, because unlike NiCad (nickel-cadmium) batteries, Sony’s rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are not subject to the life-shortening "memory effect." Sony’s exclusive AccuPower meter displays battery time remaining in minutes, in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System An advanced version of Sony’s SteadyShot system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video, like with some other image stabilization systems.
12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo 16-bit recording provides the same outstanding sound quality as on compact discs. 12-bit recording enables you to add an additional audio track with compatible audio-dubbing equipment or i.LINK* interface-compatible computers.
Picture Package Software Easily create fun music videos with the supplied software.
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