Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.6 x 5.2 x 2.2 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000M3ILF6
• Item model number: DVD108
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (133 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,275 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

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  Camera & Photo > Camcorders > Digital DVD

• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Record directly to DVD with the DCR-DVD108. It’s compatible with DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R DL (Dual Layer) media formats. This affordable, high-quality camcorder is ideal for those looking to enter the realm of recording directly to a 3-inch DVD.

DCR-DVD108 Highlights

1/6-inch Advanced HAD CCD imager 1/6-inch Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 340K effective pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance.

40x optical/2000x 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- Tessar lens Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

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-DVD108 is compatible with a variety of DVD formats, allowing the easy of use and simplicity found in DVD media. With DVD+RW media there is no need to finalize the disc (minimum recording time required). Simply remove the disc and insert the media into a compatible DVD player.

2.5-inch touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high-resolution, 123K-pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles and provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.

Memory Stick Duo media slot Capture still images up to 640 x 480 resolution directly onto Memory Stick Duo media, then transfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Visual index screen Shows thumbnail images of video clips and still images when playing back on your camcorder or DVD player, making your selection easier.

Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization An advanced version of Sony's SteadyShot Image Stabilization 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.

InfoLithium battery with AccuPower meter system Charge the battery at any time because, unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subject to a life shortening "memory effect." Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

Manual focus Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.

Super NightShot Plus infrared system With Sony's Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture natural-looking video even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 20 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems.

Stamina battery power management system Using the optional NP-FH1000 InfoLithium battery, the DCR-DVD108 can continuously record for up to 9 hours (LCD or viewfinder) on a single full charge, providing extra long battery life.

Scene selection modes Scene selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Spotlight, Sunrise & Sunset and Twilight.

Picture effects Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Monotone, Pastel, Sepia. Effects available in Playback mode: Monotone, Pastel, Sepia.

Additional Features

• Fader effects
• Battery information
• Easy Handycam button
• Multi-language menu

Product Description

Versatile and powerful - the DCR-DVD108 Handycam DVD camcorder takes video capturing to a new level. Record directly to DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R Dual Layer media formats1. The built-in Memory Stick Duo media slot and USB 2.0 connection1 allow you to show off your video almost as fast as you captured it. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens with 40x optical/2000x digital zoom keeps you close to the action while the Super SteadyShot technology and Super NightShot feature make sure it looks perfect.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

404 of 408 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, February 6, 2007

By	Jen "Jen" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

I am in no way a computer geek, I had no idea what optical zoom and finalizing disc's meant. But I am a mom that wanted quality home videos of my girls and wanted to spend less than $450. So here is my opinion. I returned my Samsung 164 for this camera. It was the same price but this has the Super Niteshot. The camera is very light and easy to control with one hand. The lens is made of glass versus the Samsung which is made of plastic. The zoom is amazing on this camera, I stood across my kitchen was able to zoom in on the small print on my calendar, AMAZING! I am so glad I took the Samsung 164 back - the indoor quality of that camera was horrible. This is excellent even in low light situations. Very pleased. I was also able to record on the DVD -R's which do not require formatting - just put the disc in and record. Oh and finalizing is just when you are done recording you go the menu on the camcorder press finalize and it does in about 1 minute it says it is complete and your done. Not as complicated as I thought it would be.

228 of 233 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Camcorder, March 5, 2007

By	J. G. Hansen (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This unit records video straight to mini-DVD disks. You can plug the unit into a TV and play back, you can play back on the LCD, you can finalize the disk and put it into a standard DVD player, or a computer DVD drive. The unit comes with software to install on your PC that you can then use to edit the video clips, then re-burn to a new DVD if you have a DVD burner on your PC. The Zoom function on this unit it so powerful it's absurd. It has a standard 40X optical zoom that is more than enough. On top of that it has a digital zoom that you can program for 80X or a totally insane 2000X. I can zoom in on a single letter of a word, in a small print book, from 50ft away, and then the letter disappears and turns to pixels.

It has a "widescreen" setting in the video options, and the manual does not say that this model records in widescreen, but it does! It also has a really cool nightshot feature that uses Infrared Radiation so you can film in total darkness. The sound quality of this unit is what most impressed me. Very clear, and it has a dolby 5.1 surround converter. It weighs less than 1 pound, and the battery lasts for 90 recording minutes on a full charge.

134 of 135 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Customer and Happy With Purchase, April 8, 2007

By	Jamie Ratliff - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have had quite a few camcorders over the years (none of them Sony), and when I was looking for a new one, I did my usual 3-4 weeks of researching, etc. I chose the Sony DVD handycam because it was easy to use, the menu was pretty straightfoward, it had a 40x optical zoom (compared to 32x) and it was DVD. I was skeptical about the dvd part because I had heard about the minimal recording time, etc but I didn't understand the different disk formats I guess. Anyway, I am very pleased with this camcorder, and being able to shoot in a 16:9 format is also a nice feature I didn't even think about at first. So, although I am new to Sony camcorders, I am really enjoying this one. My only advice would be to go ahead and buy the memory stick and the disk pack when you buy the camera because you will want them!