Sony DCR-IP1 MicroMV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

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Product Details

Data Sheet [184kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.6 x 3.6 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000CG091
• Item model number: DCRIP1
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,771 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 19, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
A next-generation digital Handycam Camcorder, the DCR-IP1 is packed with convenient, advanced features, like a 1/5.0" 1 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD CCD Imager. This HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD imager with 690K (effective) pixels provides excellent detail and clarity, with exceptional digital video performance (520 lines of horizontal resolution). Realize great looking still images utilizing 1000K (effective) pixels. The 1 Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance. Other features include:

This camera can connect directly to select printers. Learn more about PictBridge.

• MICROMV Format Video Recording
  The MICROMV recording format delivers digital picture and sound quality comparable to that of MiniDV, but on tapes that are 70% smaller. Also, with a standard 64K memory in each cassette, you get features not available on any other tape format such as thumbnail images of recorded scenes, scene searching and electronic scene titling.
• MPEG2
  MPEG2 (Motion Pictures Experts Group) is a compression technology that is PC friendly and provides video quality comparable to DV. MPEG2 compression is widely used in digital satellite broadcasting and DVD players. PC editing has never been easier than with the supplied MPEG2 compatible MovieShaker software version 3.1.
• Automatic Lens Cover
  The protective Automatic Lens Cover on the DCR-IP1 automatically opens when the power to the camcorder is turned on in the recording mode. This eliminates the need for an external lens cover and also allows the camcorder to be completely self-contained.
• Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 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.
• 10X Optical/120X 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.
• 2.0" Precision SwivelScreen Hybrid Touch Panel LCD Display (210K Pixels)
  The 210K pixel LCD provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The Hybrid system consists of a transmissive LCD combined with a reflective LCD. By turning off the backlight, it will capture more ambient light virtually eliminating LCD wash-out. Images will be visible in the LCD even in the most challenging outdoor lighting conditions. The "On Screen" touch panel system allows you to navigate through the camera’s menu system at the touch of the LCD screen.
• USB Streaming
  Stay connected with family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio, via the internet with the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene stored on tape. It’s like having your own web camera or video conferencing system. The USB Interface also allows easy transfer of still images and MPEG1 movies stored on Memory Stick Media to the computer.
• Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Media
  Digital Still Memory Mode captures high quality Megapixel still images at up to 1152 x 864 resolution directly to Memory Stick media. Images are stored in the JPEG format providing easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing, or sharing with family and friends. 16MB Memory Stick media is supplied.
• Memory Stick DUO Media Slot
  With Memory Stick DUO Media being 1/3 the size of the standard-sized Memory Stick® Media, Memory Stick DUO offers the same benefits and capabilities, but in a smaller size, perfect for the Ultra Compact Camcorder.
• MPEG Movie AX Mode
  MPEG Movie AX Mode captures high quality, 352 x 240 resolution at 30fps (frames per second), MPEG1 Movies uninterrupted up to the capacity of the Memory Stick DUO Media. For example, a 128MB Memory Stick Media can record up to 20 minutes of non-stop MPEG1 Video with Audio.
• i.LINK MICROMV Interface (IEEE1394)
  Allows high speed digital communication between two compatible devices equipped with a MICROMV IEEE1394 interface.
• Handycam Station
  Placing the DCR-IP1 on the supplied Handycam Station provides a quick and easy connection between the camcorder and an i.LINK supported TV/VCR for viewing, or a computer for video and still image editing. It also supplies power to the camcorder for charging the battery.
• Cassette Memory
  Each MICROMV cassette comes equipped with a built-in 64KB Memory Chip that stores Custom Titles, valuable cassette information such as cassette ID and usage dates, and thumbnail image information from the beginning of a recorded scene. Thumbnail images allow for easy access to recorded scenes.
• Multi-Picture Search
  Exclusive to MICROMV cassettes is the ability to provide thumbnail images of all recorded scenes, allowing quick and easy access to your favorite video memories.
• Color Slow Shutter
  Color Slow Shutter mode allows you to record in low light situations with full color detail by slowing down the shutter speed.
• 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.

Product Description
Sony DV Handycam World's Smallest Camcorder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great if you can live with the limits of MicroMV, December 29, 2003

By	"swe67" (Newark, DE USA) - See all my reviews

I love the unit, but the lack of NightShot and a flash limit low light shooting...In normal lighting, the resolution is excellent....

The still-camera mode is more of a novelty given its relatively low resolution, but I have used it for e-mail and Ken Burns-style transitions in my home videos! Battery life is very good for a camcorder this size...

The unit's ultimate feature is its incredibly small size...You can carry it on your belt with the available HandyCam case and its not much larger or heavier than a last-generation cellular phone. It even fits in a coat pocket!

Some will argue that consumers should wait until next year when tapeless units this size will appear, but tape-based units have one significant advantage....When on vacation, one can always bring extra tapes. When your tapeless unit is out of memory, downloading to a laptop is less convenient and having spare memory is an expensive option!

This is a perfect camcorder for the consumer looking to capture family moments and not wanting to feel encumbered carrying a camcorder. Given its small size, I find I am carrying it more frequently than I did my previous larger miniDV camcorder.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, Simply Awesome., December 14, 2003

By A Customer

I have had this camera for 4 months now and love it. The quality of the video is superb with the Carl Zeiss lens and the super steady shot. The size is smaller than most digital still cameras. I have two complaints. One, when shooting video in low light situations the camera does not have night shot so you can barely see the subject. Second, Sony only sells tapes that lasts for one hour.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some caveats, June 18, 2004

By	Mak Thorpe "makthorpe" (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

Video nuts may not like the artifacts that this unit produces. If you are outputing to VHS tapes, it won't matter, but if you are into capturing the highest fidelity possible for future generations, or for display on a large flatscreen TV, you should try this out in the store before buying. Just play the output hooked up to a large flatscreen. Now compare to another camcorder you are considering. I'll bet the DCRIP1 comes up short, but it is a judgement call if it is significant enough. The camera I use for family shots is a Triple CD Sony TRV950- and it produces near HDTV like quality, far outstripping the DCRIP1.

Near HDTV quality means zipideydoodah if you miss the shot because the camcorder is not always available in your pocket. Because of this, 3 times as much video is being taken with the DCRIP1 in my house.

I haven't had any problems converting the tapes to DVDs. I used the Sony provided MovieShaker app to rip them to disk, then MyDVD to shoot them to DVD. More hassle because this unit isn't automatically recognized by standard Video applications due to it's nonstandard driver. (Gee- what a shock that Sony often ignores standards). It is nice the MicroMv tapes have memory to store the stop points and recording date/time of the clips, but the feature is only a nice to have. If it was more taken advantage of my software programs I use, it would be a relevant feature.

This extreme portability might not be worth the price premium. After all, there are some good Mini tape camcorders that though not pocketable, are very close to this unit in size, and probably have better video output quality.

My unit quickly had a problem with lens cover not opening completely. It is an annoyance and probably coverred by warranty but I don't think I'll send it back, since it is easily slid open manually. This sort of think may be an inherent risk due to the hairy mechanics on minature cameras. Might be something to consider if you are in a more dusty or marine environment as I am.

The integrated camera is what you'd expect for a 1Mpixel. I took some snapshots- but there are many very decent >4Mpixel pocketable cameras so don't rely on this one for being an all in one. Maybe in a few years we will get a true all in one camcorder/ digital camera. We aren't there yet.

I'll echo what someone else said about low light. It is ok, but not like the ones that take shots in utter darkness.

If you decide to buy- get some extra tapes off the net because the local stores charge a fortune for the MicroMVs- that is, if they even have them. I bought both tapes and camera from Amazon. Very fast delivery, no complaints or hassles as usual.

One last thing- The battery life on these puppies is a lot better than the old days. My habit was to buy two extra batteries. I didn't for this unit and probably won't need an extra. If you are going to be shooting a lot before getting to another outlet, that's another thing but I shot for a full day at disneyland and still had plenty of juice.