Sony DCR-DVD305 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000E0DU76
• Item model number: DCR-DVD305
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,014 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 28, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Capture 1.0-megapixel stills, a wide-angle view and superior color reproduction with the Advanced HAD CCD on the DCR-DVD305 Handycam camcorder. You'll enjoy crisp and clear monitoring and playback on the 2.7-inch-wide Clear Photo LCD Plus display. And your home movies will be brought to life with 5.1ch surround sound recording.

1.0-Megapixel Advanced HAD CCD Imager
1/5.5-inch Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD imager with 690K effective video pixels provides excellent detail and clarity, for exceptional digital video (up to 520 lines of resolution) and still image performance. Realize great looking digital still images with 1,000K effective pixels.

Advanced HAD CCD Technology
Enhanced CCD design allow more light to reach the imager which reduces video noise to improve signal-to-noise ratio by up to 6dB (2x better than a standard CCD). Particularly effective when shooting in dark situations.

DVD Format Video Recording
The DVD recording format delivers digital picture and sound quality comparable to that of MiniDV, but on DVD. Playback of the DVDs couldn' t be simpler. After finalizing the disc in the camera, the disc plays back in compatible DVD Players, computers and even PlayStation 2 video game consoles.

DVD-R/RW and + RW Compatible
The DCR-DVD305 is compatible with a variety of DVD formats allowing the ease of use and simplicity found in DVD Media. With DVD+RW media there is not a need to finalize the disc (minimum recording required). Simply remove the disc and insert the media into a compatible DVD Player.

12x Optical/800x Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action up close from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens
Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating offering less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

Dolby Digital 5.1ch Recording
The DCR-DVD305 is supplied with a Dolby Digital 5.1ch Microphone. By recording in 5.1 channel surround sound you can experience your home movies with active sounds coming from all directions. Enjoy your personal home movies the way you experienced them while recording.

2.7-Inch Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels)
Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 123K pixel LCD rotates up to 270-degrees for multiple viewing angles, providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The Hybrid LCD Screen provides accurate viewing in sunlight or bright light, virtually eliminating the "wash-out" common with traditional LCD screens.

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media
Capture still images up to 1152 x 864 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Visual Index Screen
Shows thumbnail images of movies and still images when playing back on your camcorder or DVD player, making scene selection easier.

Analog Inputs
Record any analog NTSC source to digital video via the analog inputs. Perfect for archiving analog tape recordings. This recorded video can then be edited on your computer.

Color Viewfinder
Provides a clear, color view of subjects and makes spotting and/or following subjects easier.

Super SteadyShot Picture 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 some other image stabilization systems.

Active Interface Shoe
Conveniently gives you the option of adding accessories such as lights, flashes and microphones to the camera, which can communicate with the camera and also draw power from the camera.

USB 2.0 Interface
USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your DVD Digital Handycam camcorder to computers for fast transfer of video and still images to your computer for editing. The camcorder can also be used as an external DVD burner, convenient for making copies of your DVDs or burning edited movies.

Additional Features

• InfoLithium battery with AccuPower meter system
• Super NightShot Plus infrared system
• Progressive shutter system
• Program AE (autoexposure) modes
• Fader effects
• Picture effects

What's in the box
Sony DCR-DVD305 1MP DVD Handycam camcorder, power adaptor/in-camera charger (AC-L25), InfoLithium® rechargeable battery (NP-FP50), wireless Remote Commander remote control, AV cable, Surround Sound microphone, lens cap, Picture Package software ver. 1.8 and Nero Express 6 (conversion software), USB cable, cleaning cloth

Product Description

Zoom: 12X Optical, 800X Digital

1/5.5", 1 Megapixel Gross Pixels Advanced HAD CCD

2.7" Touch Panel SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels)

USB 2.0 Interface, Analog Inputs, Audio/Video Output (Multi A/V)

SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System

Program Auto Exposure Modes, Digital Picture Effects, Fader Effects

Super NightShot Plus Infrared System

Exposure: Touch Panel (24 Steps)

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media (Up to 1152 x 860 Pixel Resolution)

Wireless Remote Commander Remote Control

Dolby Digital 5.1-Channel Audio Recording (With Included Microphone)

Recording Media: 8cm DVD (DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW)

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens

InfoLithium Battery (NP-FP50) with AccuPower Meter System

Stamina Battery Power Management System, Battery Information

Manual Focus Capability

Active Interface Shoe

Recording And Playback Times: HQ: 20 Minutes, SP:

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Great Camera, June 2, 2006

By 

Rick Mutchler (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCR-DVD305 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Just received my Sony DVD305 a few days ago and am extremely satisfied. I have put this camera through the ringers, from Black and White, to Sepia, to Still Images, to Super Night Shots and I firmly believe this is the best camcorder I've ever owned! I was particularly impressed with the small size, yet the image stablizer really controls any shaking. The still images are fantastic for a 1 Mega Pixel camera.

You cannot go wrong with this camera, not to mention it was over $150.00 cheaper on Amazon than getting it from Best Buy, Circuity City, or Ultimate Electronics!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Looked at them all - picked this one., February 25, 2007

By 

Suburban Dad (MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCR-DVD305 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought the DCR-DVD305 after using a Hi8 Camcorder for a few years and a VHS Camcorder for many years before that. I would consider myself an "occassional" user and typically only pull out the camcorder to capture vacations, holidays, family events, sporting events, and trips to the local theater to watch friends and family perform. I spent countless hours researching camcorders online and in the stores before I purchased this and flipped back and forth between Hard Drive (bad), MiniDV and DVD models before I finally settled on DVD. That said - here's some insight that I think would help other camcorder purchasers:

(1) DVD305 vs the competition: If you've been doing online research, you've probably found that most reviewers give the highest marks to two competing models: the Elura 100 and the Sony DCR-HC96. Both of those use the older MiniDV format and are said to have more bells and whistles, better low light filming conditions, and longer filming times on one cassette, and better ability to edit films on the PC. I managed to borrow both of those models from friends and try them out before I bought the DVD305 - and truthfully I didn't see much difference. Maybe a serious filmmaker can tell the difference, but an occassional home user won't be able to.

(2) Edit on a PC - I've seen some other reviews here where the reviewer said they couldn't edit their movies on their PC. I have Windows 2000 and a USB2.0 port and didn't have any issues. I used the included sony software to download the movie to my PC, used 3rd party software to edit, then burned my edited movie back to a new DVD using the camcorder (yes...you can use this camcorder as a DVD burner when it's attached to the PC with the included USB cable). I'm guessing the other reviewer didn't read the help files that come with the software.

(3) DVD vs MiniDV - I've heard that MiniDV is a better quality medium and can record for longer than a DVD. As far as quality goes, I couldn't tell any difference in the quality between the two. The MiniDV does record longer, but they also cost about twice as much as the DVDs and they're much bulkier to carry. So for me, I prefered the low cost of the DVDs the ability to put about 10 of them in a tiny little case in the front pouch of my camcorder bag (imagine putting 10 MiniDV tapes in a bag - it would fill the whole bag up!!!). Also, if you want to share your movies with friends, you'll need to transfer MiniDVs to DVD anyway. Going straight to DVD removes the need to purchase a DVD recorder.

(4) Size - All of the models were about the same size. If you're trying to figure out how big this camcorder is, imagine a US dollar bill. The 305 is about as long as dollar bill and an inch or so taller. The 305 does feel a little awkward to hold, but the same is true for all of the small camcorders.

(5) Low light - Seriously, I'm not sure what all the fuss is around low-light. I filmed in lowlight conditions with the 305 just fine. The viewfinder does appear a little grainy in really low light, but the film looked just fine. And think of it...how often are you filming in the dark?

Overall...my advice is this. If you're an occassional user, stop reading the reviews and buy this camcorder. You'll be VERY happy you did!

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Got It, May 13, 2006

By 

Jamie D. Naas "Shoppah holic" (Murphysboro, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCR-DVD305 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I wasn't planning on buying it already, but I had a few margarita's for lunch. Came home with it, and was quite pleased. It worked out of the box!

When my kids came home, we played with it. Low light, full light, it was set for the widescreen, which looks funny on the tv, so I have to set it for the smaller screen I have. That's ok. The widescreen may look better on my computer monitor, so I will withhold judgement here.

I do wish the batter could work longer. You will have to buy an extra battery if you plan on doing any filming away from a power source for any amount of time.

I also wish it came with a disk, like my sony camera did. But that's minor.

So far I'm pleased with my purchase. It's intuitive to use, and I love the touch screen controls. I used it, played with it, changed settings before I read the manual.

I will be back again later to update if anything comes up!