Sony Handycam DCR-SR200 Hard Disk Camcorder

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Couldn't be happier!
Reviewer: Brando from Portsmouth, NH on Apr 7, 2007
474 out of 550 found this review helpful

A note about me:
First, I consider myself a technology addict. I research everything, probably way too much, and I like to know everything about what I'm buying. Secondly, I am an amature photographer, and once upon a time, I worked in a retail store,selling cameras and camcorders. After my son was born, I decided it was time to get a camcorder.

About the Camcorder:
What first drew me to the SR200 was the hard drive. The hard drive can hold several hours of video and is very easy to use. I did not want Mini-DVD due to their short recording times and high price. And, while MiniDV cassettes have the potential for higher quality video recording, it is the older technology on its way out and its not as easy to use. I see memory card camcorders as the wave of the future, and, within a few years, memory cards will have the capacities to take over the market... but I didn't want to wait a few years.

The next thing that drew me to the camcorder was its 1/3' CMOS sensor. The recording quality of this camcorder is great! Most consumer digital camcorders use a 1/6' (or similar) CCD sensor, but at the higher end you'll find either larger 1/3' sensors or camcorders that use 3 seperate sensors. These larger sensors deliver better results in low light with much less 'noise' in the final picture. I was tempted by the Panasonic SDR-H200 in the same price range which uses 3 CCD sensors, but I have an affinity for Sony.If you're seriously looking at the Sony SR200 though, check out the Panasonic which has its own stand-out features.

The lens quality on this camcorder is also very good. While some may complain that the zoom is a mere 10x when some camcorders are getting over 30x, consider this: if you want more zoom, you're going to need a bigger lens. Small camcorders with large zooms have small sensors which impacts the camcorder's picture quality and low light ability. A camcorder with a large sensor and a 30x zoom would not be compact enough for most people and would cost much more. 10x is plenty with the type of recording I want to do, besides, I wouldn't be able to hold 30x still without the assistance of a tripod.

Ease of use is abig part of the equation as well. With the included docking station, this camcorder is a snap to use. Although I know how to import video the hard way, and convert it and edit it, thatdoesn't mean I want to do it every time. Plus, I want other people to use it, so an easy learning curve is very important.

In conclusion, I've explained the mainreasons I bought this camcorder. Other features like 5.1 surround and 4mp stills are icing on the cake and didn't really sway my purchasing decision. Your results may vary though, so my advise is to do your research. You've already read through this lengthy review, so go read a few more. Go to the store and play withthe displays. Determine what features mean the most to you. If you're not truely happy with the performance of a product, you're not going to use it, so what's the point of buying it?

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Really like the camera
Reviewer: crush from pa on May 6, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful

I have had the camera a week, and very good picture quality, no matter the lighting. I also like that it has some size to it, do not like the really small cameras. The zoom seems to be very smooth. Strong flash if you plan to take still pics. Two thingsthat I am not liking, first the software is not the greatest, nor very user freindly. Second, I have a problem with playback, there is no sound to the vidoe with real player or window player . I am running vista, so not sure if that has anything to do with it. The sound is fine with the software that was provided.

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Good camera but
Reviewer: Cruiser from Richmond, Ilinois on Apr 14, 2008
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

This camera takes great video and stills with enough light. Not the most user friendly. The owners manual does not give enough detail on operating procedures. The included software is very basic once you figure it out. When I bought this camera I didn't quite do enough research. I wanted a camera that would take all around video and of the band I am in. The sales rep said I would have no problem with this unit as it has the 5.1 surround sound. Made sense at the time. Get around any loud noise andall you have is video with a distorted soundtrack and crackling. Sony says there is no audio limiter built in to prevent this. I think they should have addressed this issue. I also bought a service plan and now I find myself not very happy with this purchase and out a lot of money.

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