Sony Professional DSR-PD170 3 CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15.9 x 4.9 x 7.1 inches ; 3.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001851PA
• Item model number: DSRPD170
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,560 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 18, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The DSR-PD170 is a high quality video camera well suited to a broad range of applications -- from event videography to training videos to filmmaking. It's small size and long battery life make it ideal for use in the field, and its broad array of manual override features make it a very adaptable camera for all sorts of shooting environments.

Two XLR audio inputs allow you to connect pro mics or external audio.

3CCD camera system
Originally, camcorders used one CCD--the imaging device that turns light into electronic information--and let the image processing unit decider the color information from the data. Like today's broadcast video cameras, however, the DSR-PD170 uses a prism to divide incoming light into three beams and uses specially tuned 1/3-inch CCDs to create red, blue, and green composite images, which are assembled into a final image. The result is a more film-like vibrancy and more accurate color representation. Advanced HAD technology reduces fixed pattern noise and the vertical smear sometimes associated with CCD images.

Audio
The DSR-PD170 records two channels of PCM digital sound with the 48 kHz/16-bit or 32 kHz/12-bit mode. It features a ECM-NV1 electret condenser microphone, as well as two XLR audio input connectors for use with professional-grade microphones or external audio sources.

A zoom lever and a rec start/stop button are built into the handle.

12x optical zoom lens
The DSR-PD170 is equipped with a 12x zoom lens. Zoom comes in handy when you can't get close enough to your subject for proper framing, such as a sporting event or nature photography. The camera also has digital zoom feature selectable for 24x or 48x. Users should note, however, that digital zoom comes at the expense of picture quality, since it is achieved by discarding part of the information from the frame.

In order to facilitate zoom control and recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom lever and a rec start/stop button have been added to the carrying handle. Furthermore, the supplied wireless Remote Commander unit can be used for external control.

To protect your investment, the DSR-PD170 comes with a lens hood with a built-in lens cap, which will keep your glass from getting dirty or scratched. The hood can be opened or closed by using a lever on the side of the hood, so it will never get lost. Also, it comes with a wide conversion lens, which is ideal for shooting indoors or in small spaces.

The kit includes a wide converter lens and hood.

Optical Super SteadyShot system
Sony's optical Super SteadyShot System helps remove the slight hand jitter and vibration that is often the bane of video production. Sensors inside the camera detect horizontal and vertical movements and the camera can counteract those movements by adjusting the lens mechanism on the fly. This is superior to digital anti-shake systems that counteract image shake by trimming off edges of the frame.

Large precision black & white viewfinder and LCD monitor
View your subject through the built-in viewfinder, the swing-out LCD display, or both. The camera features a 0.44-inch type black & white LCD viewfinder and a 2.5-inch color LCD monitor. You'll save battery time by using just one, but you may want to use one for adjusting focus and the other for monitoring audio levels.

Index marking and title function
When using a Cassette Memory-equipped DVCAM/DV tape, an index can be marked while recording with the DSR-PD170 or recording from an external video source, which makes for quick access later on. Also, you can store titles in the cassette memory for overlay during playback.

More DSR-PD170 features

·16:9 Widescreen Acquisition mode -- Captures video at true widescreen aspect ratio without letterboxing		·Digital pictures -- save still images to Memory Stick media and combine with video images through the Media Mix function
·Low Light Shooting -- record in just 11x minimum illumination		·Large-sized Handle -- enhanced design for a better grip
·Date Stamping -- Superimpose the date onto an image		·AV to DV Out -- convert analog input signals to DV signals
·Selectable DVCAM/DV recording -- record and playback in native DVCAM or in DV SP mode		·Custom presets -- choose common color level, sharpness, white balance shift, and agc limit
·Digital effects -- still, flash motion, luminance key, trail, and old movie		·Guide frame -- provides vertical and horizontal subject lines
·Time Code Preset -- fill in any timecode starting value		·Fader -- black fade, monotone fade, overlap, wipe and dot
·Zebra -- displays a striped pattern in the LCD monitor and viewfinder across highlight areas, helping manual exposure settings		·Manual Functions -- zoom, focus, iris , shutter speed, gain, AE shift, white balance, ND filters (1/4 and 1/32), spotlight button, backlight button

What's in the box
DSR-PD170 camera, AC-L15 AC adaptor, ECM-NV1 electret condenser microphone, NP-F570 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack, VCL-HG0758 wide conversion lens, LSF-S58 lens hood for wide conversion lens and hood cap, lens hood with built-in lens cap, RMT-811 Remote Commander and two R6 batteries, carrying belt, i.LINK cable strap, and stereo AV cable.

Product Description

The new DSR-PD170 DVCAM compact camcorder provides high quality acquisition in the DVCAM component digital format, as well as in DV, allowing up to 40 minutes recording on one tape Mini DVCAM tape, or 60 minutes on the same tape in the DV mode. This compact camcorder features three Advanced HAD 1/3 inch CCDs that allow two scanning modes: 480 progressive (for still) and interlaced (for video). These Advanced HAD¿ CCDs also provide high quality acquisition with increased resolution and sensitivity at reduced noise and vertical smear. The new enhancements to the CCDs have enabled the minimum illumination to be improved to an incredible 1 lux. The DSR-PD170 also features a built-in slot for MemoryStick. Up to 988 JPEG pictures can be stored on one 64 MB MemoryStick. In addition, the stored images can be mixed or keyed to the live image allowing logo insertion and/or mix effects. The built-in high MTF quality 12X electronic zoom lens features Auto focus and SuperSteadyShot¿ with manual Zoom, Focus and Iris control capability. Other enhancements from the DSR-PD150 include a larger high-resolution B&W viewfinder and a newly developed color swing out Hybrid LCD with greater brightness to increase monitoring capability in bright light conditions. The DSR-PD170 now has a larger handle with start/stop functions as well as zoom control on the handle for easy access and enhanced shooting capabilities

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding camera, period., December 14, 2004

By 

LA Filmmaker (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Professional DSR-PD170 3 CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I've used this camera on several professional video shoots now, including talking heads, outdoors and an indoor music video. The low light capability of this camera is nothing short of stunning, with clear, crisp images available even when using only available tungsten room lights. We shot a girl playing the piano with candles in the background and only the piano lamp and it looked great. The PD170 is very easy to use for the beginner and a breeze to tweak on the fly. It has solid, nicely positioned controls (for full auto and full manual configurations), pro XLR audio/mic inputs and easily accessible miniDV cassette mechanism that lets you change tapes while the camera is on the tripod. Its DVCam recording mode runs the DV tape at a faster rate, giving you about 43 minutes of recording on an hour miniDV tape. The higher recording speed is not mandatory, but does improve quality when you choose to use it. Autofocus is crystal clear, but easily manipulated manually with a great focus ring. This camera has lots of bells and whistles, including the ability to monitor both channels' recording levels onscreen, while taping. I've heard the networks' embedded reporters in Iraq are using PD170's and I believe it. The quality of the images captured by this camera is nothing short of professional. The heft and feel of the PD170 is just right. it's got a nice, built-in lens cover that's actuated by a solid feeling lever on the side of the lens housing. It also features two built in neutral density filters that can be flipped into position with another lever. The list of features and thoughtful design elements goes on and on. Obviously, I'm crazy about this DVCam and literally don't have a single complaint to share. If you're looking for a rock solid, professional grade camcorder in the $3000 range, look no further. Read up on it and the competition. Then buy this gem and prepare to be bowled over by its performance, pictures and exceptional design.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the greats in prosumer DV history..., July 15, 2005

By 

Shawn Mielke (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Professional DSR-PD170 3 CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Clean, beautiful images. Rugged construction. A fine run'n'gun videographic instrument, although after a year now I wish that I had gone with the shoulder cam version, the DSR-250, but that's another story...

Likes:

Wide range of shutterspeeds (1/4-1/10000).

Clean gain up to 9 or 12 db

and very light sensitive to boot.

Simultaneous B/W Viewfinder and color LCD.

Fairly sharp B/W Viewfinder, a must-have feature, imo.

Dislikes:

A few misplaced and unnecessary controls along the bottom ridge.

A few misplaced and very necessary controls, such as the iris control wheel that gets blocked by LCD screen when open and isn't very accessible for handheld besides.

Weak audio preamps.

For event videography, this camera just plain reigns supreme, for the price.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent camera, May 25, 2008

By 

V. ROBERTSBATES (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Professional DSR-PD170 3 CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have owned my PD170 for about a year now. I bought it to replace my VX2000 (another great camera).

Pros:
1. Excellent quality images for a non HD camera.
2. XLR connectors.
3. Compact size with excellent weight for steady one handed shots.
4. The low light ability of this camera is second to none.
5. Professional look.

Cons:
1. Not a shoulder mounted camera.

I shoot mostly weddings, events and indoor theatre productions.

You can't go wrong with this video camera.