Sony DCR-SR220 4MP 60GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 15x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

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I made the right choice with the Sony Handycam DCR-SR220
When my miniDV tape camcorder finally died, I knew that I would be getting a hard drive based camcorder, but I didn't know it would be so hard to pick the right one out, so I did a lot of research and finally chose the Sony Handycam DCR SR220. My biggest concern with this model was that I didn't think the 15x optical zoom would be enough. The real selling points were the good sized hard drive, the better than average lens, the excellent video quality and really good still picture quality (4 mega pixels, which is a lot better than most camcorders). This camera turns on quickly and is very easy to use. The software that comes with it isn't terrible, but if you use Adobe Premiere and Photoshop you will probably stick with that. Getting the videos and photos to the PC is very easy and quick, especially compared to DV tape. This camcorder has some very cool features too, like night vision (video in total darkness). "Drop protection" which I thought might include a parachute :-) but it doesn't. It just moves the sensor away from the hard drive and locks in place as well as shutting off the camera. The manual does say that this can be turned off if you need too, in case you are taking video while you are sky diving. It also doesn't work well in non-gravity environments such as outer space. Overall I am very pleased with the quality, ease of use, and mainly the speed of using this camcorder as well as transferring video and photos to a PC. As far as the 15x zoom goes, I did try out the smart digital zoom up to 30x and it was actually better than the optical zoom on my old Panasonic camcorder, so I am satisfied with that. My only recommendation would to be purchase a spare battery and travel battery charger. The reason for this is that the battery can only be charged while in the camera and in the docking station, plus you always have a spare. I think anyone looking for a hard drive based camcorder that doesn't require super zoom features would be very pleased with this camcorder.

Great for video-ok for photos
I actually returned the sony DCRDVD 308 and purchased this camera instead. I wanted a camera that worked decently in low light conditions. For the price and without having the camera look like I'm from the local news station, I'm very pleased. I was having problems with the 308 not being able re-focus after zooming in and zooming out in low light conditions.... but don't seem to have that problem with this camera. I don't use the night vison feature because that shoots pretty much almost in black and white-but very clear. The color in the regular setting even in lower light is pretty darn good (for a camera that isn't a 3cc). I usually shoot with a tabletop tripod but don't always have the opportunity to use one- and find that the built in stabalization has worked wonders. If you read the manual, you have a lot of options for different settings, too. I agree with the last reviewer, though. I did purchase an extra battery and highly recommend doing so.
I film bands (mostly my husband's) and purchased the extra microphone with the stereo surround sound. It is worth the price! The sound quality is phenomenal! With the 308 I was having problems with lower frequency sounds (bass rhythms or deeper voices)picking up a hissing sound, but don't have that with the 220 even without the extra microphone.
My only disappointment is with the picture taking function in lower lighting conditons-but I'm still working with that and plan to call sony to see if I can work a little more with the settings. But in daylight it takes decent photos. I programmed the camera so the photos go to the memory stick and the video records right to the hard drive. But I bought the camera for the video capabilities, which I have been very pleased with. I have had no problem downloading what I have recorded quickly right to my computer and then right onto a disc to view on my television.The camera is also very small, easy to handle and carry and very user friendly.

SR220 vs SR200
I first got a SR200 and then saw that Sony released a successor, SR220. So I returned the SR200, bought the SR220 thinking the successor will be better. The SR200 was a good camera, but I liked the grip and size on the SR220 better.
After I got the SR220 I compared the videos with some samples that I took from the SR200 before returning it. I was just disappointed. The details were far better in the older SR200 and there was less noise. I did notice from the specs that the CMOS sensor on the SR220 is smaller in size than the SR200.

About Sony DCR-SR220 4MP 60GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 15x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom detail

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2390 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DCR-SR220
• Dimensions: 3.20 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• Capture video to hard disk drive or Memory Stick media; 60 GB storage
• 2.3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor technology; Bionz image processor
• Face Detection for video and digital still photos
• 2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display
• Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens; Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording

Product Description

With a ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor technology and BIONZ image processor, the DCR-SR220 Handycam(R) camcorder captures vibrant, high-resolution video and still images that please the senses. Its dual record mode even lets you take 4-Megapixel photos while recording video directly to your choice of either the built-in 60GB hard disk or removable Memory Stick(R) Duo or Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media. Sony's CMOS image sensor with delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed 2.3-Megapixel video, as well as 4-Megapixel still images, all with prolonged battery life. Exmor technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony BIONZ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible. Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses are designed specifically for compact camcorders, and utilize precision ground optics to maintain the sharpness and contrast found with larger lenses. Aperture - F1.8-2.6 Filter Diameter - 30mm Focal Distance - 3.1 - 46.5mm Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/30 - 1/250 (Scene Selection Mode) Minimum Illumination - 8lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, Shutter Speed 1/30) Video Signal System - NTSC color, EIA standards Format Supported - SD (MPEG2) O.I.S. SteadyShot(R) Image Stabilization White Balance - Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, and One-push (touch panel) Recording Media - 60GB Non-Removable Hard Disk Drive, Memory Stick(R) Duo Media, and Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo Media Dimensions - 3 1/4 x 3 x 5 1/8 (81x76x129mm) Weight - 1 pounds 3 ounces (560 grams) with Battery

Amazon
Price:
$629.95

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