Sony DCR-DVD508 6.1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000M3GXJW
• Item model number: DCRDVD508
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,473 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Powerful and practical, the DCR-DVD508 merges quality with performance. By letting you easily record to DVD-R/- RW/+RW/+R DL (Dual Layer) media formats, this 6 MP Handycam is an ideal way to share your moments with everyone. A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens sees all so you never have to miss any detail ever again.

DCR-DVD508 Highlights

3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor 1/2.9-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor with 2280K effective pixels (in 16:9 mode) provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance.

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 camcorder, the disc can play back in most DVD Players, computers and even PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 video game consoles.

DVD-R/RW/+RW and +R DL (Dual Layer) compatible The DCR-DVD508 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 time required). Simply remove the disc and insert the media into a compatible DVD player.

10x optical/20x digital zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up 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- Sonnar T lens Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating for increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording The DCR-DVD508 will record in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound through the built-in microphone. By recording in 5.1 channels, 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 widescreen hybrid touch-panel Clear Photo Plus LCD The 2.7-inch, 16:9 LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high-resolution 211K-pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles and provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Smooth slow recording By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds, you can capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen during the video.

Memory Stick Duo media slot Capture still images up to 2848 x 2136 resolution (in 4:3 format) directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy transfer to PCs and emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Super SteadyShot (Optical) image stabilization system An advanced form of Sony's SteadyShot image stabilization system that controls a higher range of shake and vibration frequencies. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some digital stabilization systems.

On-screen zoom and record buttons For additional control of the camcorder, the DCR-DVD508 features zoom and record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low-angle shots.

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

One-touch wide-angle shooting Easily switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a button.

Progressive shutter system A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive-scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear, with excellent definition.

Active interface shoe Provides a location directly on the camcorder to which one may add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication with those accessories.

Additional Features

• Super NightShot infrared system
• InfoLithium battery with AccuPower meter system
• Manual focus
• Scene selection modes
• Picture effects
• Fader effects
• Battery information
• Easy Handycam button
• Multi-lanugage menu

Product Description

Imaging Device: 1/2.9" ClearVid CMOS Sensor

Pixel Gross: 3200K Pixels

Recording Media: 3" (8cm) DVD (DVD-R/DVDRW/ DVD+RW/DVD+R DL)

Recording and Playback Times: Single Layer - HQ: 20 min., SP: 30 min., LP 60 min.

Dual Layer - HQ: 35 min., SP: 55 min., LP 110 min.

Video Actual: 2280K Pixels (16:9), 1710K Pixels (4:3)

Still Actual: 2280K Pixels (16:9), 3040K Pixels (4:3)

SteadyShot Image Stabilization: Yes (Super; Optical)

Accessory Shoe: Active Interface Shoe

White Balance: Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor

Memory Stick PRO Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 4GB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function.

Still Image Mode(s): JPEG

Minimum Illumination: 1.5 Lux (0 Lux with Super

NightShot Infrared System)

Low Light Capability: Super NightShot System

Easy Operation: Yes

Fader

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars easy and excellent, October 4, 2007

By 

W. Murphy "Amazonaholic!" (Long Island NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony DCR-DVD508 6.1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Electronics)

After MUCH research, trial and error, and actually trying 3 other video cameras, this is the one we stuck with. We even went to some local stores that had cameras on display, loaded in a blank dvd, shot some footage, and compared them at home on our 56" HD DLP TV.
Clarity of picture, ease of use, quick and easy transfer to pc and burning to dvd, quick and clear focusing....all these were high priority when we shopped around. We wanted to also be able to take still shots with reasonable results, so we went for something with a high megapixel.
We tried other Sonys, several Canons and a Panasonic, all priced from $300 to $800. This was the one that came out tops in all categories.
Touch screen controls are easy to use and intuitive. Manual is clear and well organized (especially compared to the indecipherable Canon instructions!) Software is very basic but does the job it's meant to do. Some customization in the software, but if you want anything fancy you'll need to buy something else (none of the cameras came with anything amazing as far as video software goes). Transfer of videos or pics to pc is quick and very easy.
Zoom may not be the highest of other cameras out there but it's quick, quiet, focuses fast (unlike the Canon, which at times was unable to focus at all). Night shot button is easy to use and does the job well, although we shot video in a poorly lit restaurant ("ambient light") without the night shot on and it came out really well.
Still shots are easy to take, though if you're looking to snap a shot quickly, stick with a dedicated still camera. It takes a while for the camera to be ready to go, and time between shots is considerable. Still, they come out far better than the other cameras did and works fine for what we wanted; the ability to take video or reasonable quality stills, without having to carry around a lot of gear. I plan to buy a digital camera for those times when very high quality, or speed, is important. At todays low prices, it's worth the investment.
So in closing, well worth the money (GREAT deal at Amazon, compared to local stores, chains, or other online sites).
Easy to use...100%
Video quality...85% (high def camera would be only thing better)
Picture quality...85% (get dedicated digital camera for the important shots)
Price for the product....100% well worth the price, if you buy it at Amazon and don't overpay at the local chain stores!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Great Camcorder, June 20, 2007

By 

Tony Wiggins (Bowie, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCR-DVD508 6.1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Electronics)

I recently purchased the Sony DVD508. The picture quality is "Excellent".
I've been a professional photographer for over 15 years and I can tell the difference between a average quality video and a fine quality video. This camcorder is on of the best that i've used. For under $800 it gives you the best bang for your buck. The camcorder is easy to use. It took me approximately 15 minutes to install the software onto my computer. I use pinnacle studio 11 for editing the frames, which is relatively easy for an amateur or pro. Again, you will absolutely love the quality of your end product, which is all that really matters.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like it a lot..., May 30, 2007

By 

S. Woodward "tech savy!!!" (Cincinnati, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCR-DVD508 6.1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Electronics)

I purchased this camcorder in March 2007. I like it. I have no problems with transferring videos to the computer. Video quality is crisp and clear. Battery life is about 1 hour I will be purchasing an addtional battery soon. I like the night shot mode. I recorded a school play and it turned out very clear sound quality was superb in. Nice to be able to take digtial snapshots while in record mode. Picture quality is good. I was able to fit 3 dvd+rw disc onto one dvd. I have not tried editting video inforamtion. This camera is perfect for families who want nice quality videos of chidren's school performaces, vacations, family times. I am very happy with the purchase. I paid just over $900. If you have windows vista the included software is incompatible. A simple free download from Sony's website to get the software required for Vista users. I am giving it a 4 star simply for battery life after years of comlaints about battery life one woulde think a battery with a longer life would be included in higher end camcorder's.