Sony DCRDVD300 MiniDVD Handycam Camcorder with 3.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [2.88mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000DJY9P
• Item model number: DCR-DVD300
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,901 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 29, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer If you are looking for an easy to use camcorder that advances the simplicity of making and sharing your videos and pictures via DVD, look no further than Sony’s DCR-DVD300 DVD Handycam Camcorder. Featuring 1.0 MP still image capture (1152 x 864) and a 3.5-inch SwivelScreen LCD screen, the DVD300 is ideal for capturing thousands of still shots and up to 60 minutes of video at high resolutions on a single 3-inch disc. Its Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens produces true-to-life color clarity in videos and still images and its 10X optical/120X precision digital zoom bring the action up close. Additionally, Super SteadyShot Picture Stabilization, Super NightShot O Lux/Color Slow Shutter Recording System and an InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower System highlight the camcorders Worry-Free Recording and connectivity features.

	Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens: Famous for its superior sharpness and color accuracy, the Vario-Sonnar lens is the most advanced multi-layer optical coating system.		Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices.
	Super NightShot Plus Infrared System: An advanced version of Sony's NightShot Infrared system that allows users to record natural color images in low-light conditions, but without the blurring common with other lowlight recording systems.		Battery information is momentarily displayed without having to power on the camcorder. Quickly access the battery's status by pressing the Battery Info button. The Recording Time Available is displayed in minutes on either the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.

And more:

• 1/4.7" 1.0 Megapixel Advanced HAD CCD Imager
  1/4.7" 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 in HQ Mode) and still image performance. Realize great looking digital still images with 1,000K (effective) pixels.

• DVD Format Video Recording
  The DVD recording format delivers digital video and sound quality comparable to that of MiniDV. Playback of the DVD media is simple and convenient. After finalizing the disc in the camcorder, the DVD disc will playback in most compatible DVD Players, computers and even PlayStation 2 video game consoles.

• 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.

• 3.5" SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels)
  Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 123K pixels LCD rotates up to 270-degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp detailed images for monitoring or playback.

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

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

• 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.

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

• AE (Auto Exposure) Bracketing
  The camcorder shoots 3 images at different exposure levels with a press of the photo button.

• Burst Mode
  Capture up to 4 images at 1152 x 864 resolution, or 12 images at 640 x 480 resolution consecutively, perfect for capturing fast action.

• 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.

• Intelligent Accessory 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.

What's in the box:
DCR-DVD300 DVD Handycam, AC-L15A Power Adaptor/In Camera Charger, NP-FM50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery, RMT-820 Wireless Remote Commander Remote Control, 2 AA Batteries, Stereo A/V Cable, Lens Cap, Cleaning Cloth, Blank DVD-R Media, USB Cable, CD-ROM with USB Driver SPVD-0011 (Pixela ImageMixer Software Ver. 1.5 for Sony)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

233 of 234 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DVD camcorder isn't for everyone, October 9, 2003

By 

jemaerca (River Forest, IL, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRDVD300 MiniDVD Handycam Camcorder with 3.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability (Electronics)

the DCR-DVD300 sits atop the recently released line of miniDVD camcorders from sony. other models in this line are the DCR-DVD200 and DCR-DVD100. the main difference the three camcorders in this line are LCD size and CCD resolution:
- DCR-DVD300: 3.5" LCD, 1MP CCD
- DCR-DVD200: 2.5" LCD, 1MP CCD
- DCR-DVD100: 2.5" LCD, 640K CCD

pros:
- records dolby digital stereo.
- carl zeiss lens.
- 10x optical zoom.
- video quality almost at par with miniDV camcorders (at slower recording modes).
- Super SteadyShot image stabilization system - and sony's system really helps.
- three low light shooting modes: Nightshot, Super Nightshot, and Color Slow Shutter.
- big, 3.5" LCD display.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB 2.0, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.
- USB 2.0 support for fast downloads.
- the convenience of DVD navigation - simply select the scene and you're there!
- supports analog-to-digital conversion.
- hot accessory shoe with lots of optional accessories.

cons:
- expensive - as with most sony products, you pay a premium, plus you pay for DVD convergence.
- average low light performance.
- no memory stick support; if you want to take a still picture, it is saved on the DVD.
- mic picks up DVD spinning noise in quiet environments.
- finalizing a DVD takes upwards of 10 minutes, and it can be a confusing process.
- don't expect much from the still images recorded, even at 1MP resolution.
- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.
- no manual focus ring.
- getting video into editing software (e.g. Final Cut Pro) is harder than it should be.
- not Mac friendly.
- poor battery life with included battery so add $$ to your budget to buy a higher capacity spare.
- compared to current release camcorders, this is a pretty big one at 3.1 x 3.8 x 5.6" weighing 1 lb 9 oz.

this is a nice, solid effort by sony and i give them points for dvd convergence. however, in my opinion, the DCR-DVD300 is too big and not easy to use. it's expensive for the feature set but the alternative to this dvd camcorder (a miniDV tape camcorder and DVD recorder combo) is even more expensive. i already have a dvd recorder so for me, a smaller and easier to use miniDV camcorder makes more sense. if this is your situation as well, i would recommend a panasonic gs-70 or sony's pc-105, both miniDV camcorders. otherwise, if you want a finalized DVD straight out of your camcorder, consider the DCR-DVD300.

a final note. if you have decided you want to record directly to a DVD, which camcorder should you buy? DCR-DVD300 or DCR-DVD200 or DCR-DVD100? only one hundred bucks separate these three camcorders (street price). for me, a hundred bucks is worth it to get the 1MP CCD and the big 3.5" LCD.

i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.

119 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best DVD Camcorder available, October 25, 2003

By 

Greg Balko (Aspen, Co USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRDVD300 MiniDVD Handycam Camcorder with 3.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability (Electronics)

I just received my camcorder, so my experience is brief. A more detailed review will follow later.But since there are no good reviews comparing the camcorders on the market I wanted to share my opinion.

All 3 makers have a lot in common; but I chose the Sony over the Hitachi and Panasonic for a few reasons. The Sony had better resolution available for both movie and still mode vs the Panasonic. (I doubt I'll use the still much since it is only 1 megapixel). Sony, has infrared and can do night imaging. The others don't. Panasonic and Hitachi use DVD-Ram instead of DVD-RW. My Denon DVD player will play back DVD-RW and not DVD-RAM. Check your player for compatibility. This is a big deal!! I can pop a DVD-RW directly out of my camcorder and play it in my DVD player. With DVD Ram you have to download it to your computer and then burn a copy onto DVD-R before you could play it. Finally, the Sony had a 3" display, is designed to be compatible with its other cameras in its ability to use accessories universally, felt more solid, and in my opinion has a better reputation.

The layout is similar to their digital cameras and only takes minutes to learn how to use. It has 3 recording modes DVD-R and on DVD-RW (Video and VR) mode. VR mode allows you to do basic in camera editing: (saving the still images as a movie file, erasing, rearranging,dividing) Otherwise, you edit on your computer. You can use the player to burn edited copies & dub old video cassettes. You can fade, overlap, and wipe when doing your intro and exits; quickly review images and delete the last one recorded. It has a plethora of digital effects: sepia, B&W, pastel, mosaic, luminace and old movie effects. It has auto and manual set white balance,auto and manual exposure and focus controls. The dial is a little awkward.

It has 10X optical and 120 digital zoom. Digital zoom is usually poor quality, so the fact that Hitachi and panasonic were 240x digital zoom made no difference to me.

Weak Points: Buy a larger battery. The one included doesn't have enough juice. No case included.

I paid $830 at digitalmegastore.com vs $1099 retail

100 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Video made easier, November 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DCRDVD300 MiniDVD Handycam Camcorder with 3.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability (Electronics)

Sony's DCR-DVD300 is my first digital camcorder. After using a JVC VHS-C camcorder for 8+ years, I did a lot of research, which I highly recommend, and finally decided to purchase the DVD300. But since it was a brand new model, it was very hard to find reviews about it. The few that I found revealed concerns about noise, vibration, editing and the complexity of menu functions. I'll talk about these in a minute but first let me state that the reason why one chooses a DVD camcorder instead of a MiniDV (tape), is that the first offers tremendous advantages over the latter in terms of managing your videos. I should also note that I'm not a professional video maker: all we do is home video to capture life's good moments. Finally, this is going to be more of an operational review, rather than discussing the camcorder's technical features. For these, please refer to the other reviews. That said, here we go:

1 - Noise and vibration: a lot has been said about this "noisy" camcorder and, in fact, the microphone captures the motor noise. But, unless you want to capture the "sound of silence", it won't bother you at all. The same about vibration: while holding the camcorder, you actually feel the DVD spinning. But again, it's not an inconvenience - and this "vibration" does not interfere in any way with the DVD300 operation

2 - Menu: if you feel comfortable changing options on your cell phone or programming your VCR or TV, then you should be OK with the camcorder's menu. You navigate using arrows (up, down, left, right) and a <enter> key - exactly like on your VCR's remote control. Of course, like any new electronic device, it takes a couple of days to get used and memorize the functions.

3 - DVD specifics: recording your video on DVD is totally different from recording it on a tape. A new video clip (or file) is created every time you press the record button. The DVD media allows you to select the exact scene you want to see, without having to watch the ones before it (or using fast forward). Two types of DVDs can be used with the DVD300 camcorder: DVD-R and DVD-RW. The latter can be recorded multiple times like a tape, and allows in-camera editing, while the first don't. Once RW discs are full, they have to be finalized prior to be played in another device than the camcorder; this operation takes 9 minutes. To re-use a DVD-RW it needs to be re-formatted. When finalizing or formatting, the camcorder MUST not be shaken. In some of the reviews that I read, there were some concerns about how reliable a DVD driver, a very precise piece of electronic hardware, would be after a couple of years in a portable device. Since I did not have an answer for this, I decided to play safe and bought a 3-year warranty with the camcorder - just in case...

4 - Editing: the biggest advantage that DVD camcorders have over tape ones it's how easy is to edit your videos, even IN the camera, if you don't have the patience to work with an editing software. The in-camera editing, although not rocket science, demands some patience and understanding of some functions that can be easily learned. If you don't want to edit at all, that's fine; just finalize your DVD-RW (DVD-Rs don't need to be finalized, nor can be edited) and play it on your computer or DVD player (assuming it is compatible with the format, as most are). Two recording modes are offered for DVD-RWs - VIDEO and VR. The latter is the one that allows in-camera editing, but has some restrictions. For example, I wasn't able to copy a disc recorded in VR mode using the provided software. Additionally, VR mode may not be compatible with most DVD players. If you want to go one step ahead and edit your videos in your home computer using the provided software, loading a DVD to the computer is much faster than loading a tape - it takes about a minute to have all the clips (30 min) available for editing. Pixela Imagexxx, the editing software provided by Sony, is very basic and limited, but it will give you nice edited home videos. If you want to fly higher and give your videos a professional looking, look for a more sophisticated editing tool, starting at $100.

5 - Conclusion: this is a great camcorder, even for those who are not very interested in editing their videos. Being able to get a recorded DVD directly to the DVD player is a bonus, something that cannot be done with a MiniDV camcorder. The videos' quality is very good, although the still pictures are not. This was actually my only disappointment with the DCR-DVD300.