Best Sony DCRTRV520 Digital Camcorder
DCR-TRV520. I bought this Digitial 8 camera (I am not a previous user/owner of any camcorder) about 4 weeks ago after much prognosticating over the miniDVD format in the Panasonic and Canon brands for a similar price (I would have gone for the Sony miniDVD but didn't want to pay the extra bucks). So I made my decision based on the extra features of optical stablization, manual focus and the greater zoom capability - also I trusted the Sony brand more, but that reason was entirely subjective. I have not been disappointed with this camera. The stabilization is excellent - in fact, while I like compact cameras and would have preferred miniDVD because of size, this camera is not that much bigger, and increased size and weight may be an advantage as the camera feels solid and steady to hold. The auto focus is excellent - I may never need to use the manual focus unless I want to get really fancy. The zoom capability works very well, even at the highest mag., and is more useful than what I would have thought. This alone places it above the other miniDVD cameras including the Sony which have lower zoom. With iMovie, from Apple (I have a Mac G3), the only extra I needed was the Firewire cable (4 pin-camera, to 6 pin-Mac) and I was importing and editing the video. Also, I put in a Hi8 tape of our wedding and was amazed that this non-digital format was automatically transmitted from the camera into iMovie as digital information with no apparent loss in resolution! Regarding memory stick, with iMovie there does not seem to be a way to directly import the stills, but if they are first copied to the tape, then they can be imported. However, the resolution after doing this is no better than a still made with iMovie from video. Maybe the resolution will be better after direct import, but I doubt it. In Photoshop a video still and memory stick import from tape has the same pixel count as specified for the still camera - 680 x 460 I think or thereabouts. Some people say the memory stick stills suck in resolution - they are not that bad. Hey, you're buying a camcorder first and foremost, not a digital camera. One other reason I got this camcorder was that some reviews said the Canon and Panasonic miniDVD didn't work too well at low light levels. I've never tried those cameras, but I can also tell you that this Sony I bought works great at low light as well. Sony 520 versus 320 - I went for ther 520 because of the bigger LCD display - I'm glad I did - the extra size is excellent as you can replay what you have shot and easily see it on the screen. Overall, this camera has no weaknesses and some advantages. Another thought - if you are considering buying Hi8 or even 8 so you can get a cheaper camcorder - don't! There is so much you can do with digital if you have the computer. and the video quality if better. Its worth the extra bucks. Cheers!
Sony DCRTRV520 Digital Camcorder Overview
Sony DCR-TRV520 Battery Slim. This is a 7.4 Volt, 2000 mAh, Li-Ion Battery . Dimensions: 2.77 x 1.49 x 0.79. 100% OEM compatible.
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Sony DCRTRV520 Digital Camcorder Product Features
- One-year warranty against defects.
- 100% satisfaction or your money back (within 14 days of purchase)
- Quality battery
Technical Details
The Sony DCR-TRV520 uses the Digital 8 format, which digitally records images onto standard Hi8 tapes. If you're upgrading from an 8mm or Hi8 camera, this format gives you the combined benefits of digital image quality and backwards compatibility with your old tapes.
A 25x optical zoom and 450x digital zoom will bring your shots closer, and Sony SteadyShot image stabilization technology will help to keep shakes and wobbles out of your video. For audio, the DCR-TRV520 offers 16-bit PCM digital stereo with 12-bit dubbing. If you prefer to shoot in the 16:9 widescreen ratio, this is also an option. To compose your films, you can use either the standard eyepiece viewfinder or a 3.5-inch swivel color LCD display.
With Sony's LaserLink feature, playback can be a snap--you just aim the DCR-TRV520 at the LaserLink receiver on select Sony TVs from up to 16 feet away, press play, and enjoy your videos directly on your TV--without wires or cassette adapters.
If you're planning to digitally edit your videos on your computer, the Sony includes an industry standard IEEE 1394 port (also known as iLink and FireWire) for image transfer and a Control-L (LANC) interface for connection to editing equipment.
Sony's Super NightShot infrared system lets you capture footage in two modes. In standard NightShot mode, the camera uses available visible and infrared light to illuminate the subject. With Super NightShot, an infrared LED on the front of the camera acts like an infrared spotlight: to the naked eye, it just looks like a standard red LED, but it produces enough infrared light to effectively illuminate the area in front of the camera.
The camera includes numerous extra features, including 14 picture effects and a five-mode audio-video fader, end search (which automatically forwards your tape to the end of the last footage shot), edit search, seven-mode program auto exposure, pass-through analog AV inputs, and an intelligent shoe for accessories.
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I love my camera! - -
It is not perfect,but I have used it at least once a week for two and a half years now. The zoom is out of this world! I have taken photos as close as two feet and really far away and have gotten super clear shots. I have taken still, moving and portraits. I like it. My friends like it too. It has a lot of flexability for taking pictures. For example; I run the camera and then when I plug it into my firewall I am able to take out still shots,the ones I want.I can also put my film on a video cassette.Personally, I would have rathered gotten a full version of the MGI software for the price I had to pay for the camera though. But I do like the software. I also shoot a lot in the dark. I'm using the night shot & super night shot right now.Super night shot works well although if there is a lot of movement, the pics are distorted. I plan to buy a light soon. Bottom line, I don't regret my purchase.Mechanically, I have had absolutely no problems. I have an 8 hour battery and I use the lcd screen to film. It is sufficeint.
A good camera indeed - -
I've had my TRV520 for a little over a year now and I'm very pleased with it. The quality of the video when transferred to VHS is very high. The camera is implicitly easy to use and handle. But to be honest there were one or two things that I found disappointing: The quality of the stills taken are not that great. Unless the light on the subject is very good I find that the images are quite grainy. Do not buy this camera for excellent digital photos. You won't get um. The images are just okay. I'm in the market for a digital camera now. Another thing I find annoying is that the camera shuts off if there no activity for 3 mins. This is a 'battery saving mechanism' but I have not found a way to disable it if the the camera is plug into the AC outlet. Other than that, I think it's a very good buy and I won't be changing it anytime soon.
Great Camera - Andrew Isaac - Charlotte, North Carolina United States
I've owned camcorders before but never digital. Before I made my choice, I did a lot of research on the net. The Sony products always seemed to show up on the recommended lists. I have a friend who owns the DCR-TRV320 and decided to check it out. I was very impressed with the camera. The features of the 320 and the 520 are basically the same. I like the bigger LCD screen on the 520 though and went for that instead. I Nightshot feature is GREAT on these cameras. You can shoot virtually anything up to 10 feet away in TOTAL darkness. I recommend this camera to anyone looking for a high quality, fully featured digital camera. But note that you can always save some bucksn if you opt for the DCR-TRV320. One extra note though. Get yourself a longer lasting battery with your new camera. Or at least a spare one. Anyone who's owned a camcorder will tell you the same!
Product Information: May 05, 2010 00:00:06
