Introduction
Sony DCR-SR100
September 7th, 2006 | by David Elrich
- Photos:
Video results in easy mode were good - not great - although much better than the Everio GZ-MG505.
Highs: 3.3MP CCD; 30GB HDD; 5.1 Dolby Digital sound; color viewfinder
Lows: Colors a bit washed out; no memory card slot; awkward placement of mode dial
Where to buy:
Introduction
I was there when it happened at CES. In January, Sony executives announced they were entering the hard-disc drive camcorder category, a new type of home video maker pioneered by JVC’s Everio G series. Remembering full well what happened when Sony decided to sell DVD camcorders after Hitachi and Panasonic labored at it for years, I had a feeling of déjà vu all over again (credit goes to baseball-great Yogi Berra for that cool line).
In case you’re not up on the latest market share stats, here’s the scoop. Once Sony released several DVD camcorders, it practically obliterated the competition because Sony knows what camcorder owners want—easy-to-use models that deliver good video. Now that DVD cams are an ancient battle with Sony on top, the company is moving into JVC’s turf with the new DCR-SR100. On paper it’s somewhat similar to the recently reviewed $1,299 GZ-MG505. Instead of a trio of CCDs, however, this has only one, but it’s the same 3.3MP chip used in the DCR-HC96 we liked so much.
There are other differences between the two that we’ll go into on the following pages. Now is this camcorder worth $999 versus the more expensive JVC? Keep reading…
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by John P. on December 21, 2007:
“Quote: The video taken with the camera, and transfered to a DVD, plays as a series of individual video clips rather than seemlessly as a movie or TV show should. I've had the same problem with this camera. If I had known this problem ahead of time I...” More...