Photo Sony DCR-DVD610 DVD Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom
Books and Publications Average Rating:

Rating: - Fun
We are really enjoying our new camera...it works great, it's easy and what surprised us is it only took a few days for it to arrive by mail.

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Rating: - Just for me.
When you're going to buy a new camera there are a few questions you have to answer yourself in order to get the right one:
1. Why should I buy something with specific features if I don't have the appropiate devices?
2. What will I record? family videos? pro material?
3. Which transfer method do I prefer? Memory stick? DVD? traditional tape?
4. How long do you think you'll be recording by day? 1hr? 4hrs - are you sure?
5. Do you prefer to record outside - inside? Daylight - at night?
When you have the answers you can start to look for the new toy :)
My answers and decision:
- I don't have a high resolution tv and I guess I won't buy one of this at this moment, so, a very high resolution camera for me it's not useful.
- I want my camera for my "family life", I won't be recording the last madonna's music video. I don't need special lenses to expand the record - video quality.
- I like to capture at day and night. The night mode is very important for me.
- I don't like to have hundreds of disks around my room, you have to handle it with careful and it can be easily damaged. I prefer to keep all my stuff in my hard disk to play it every time I want without handling cases, cleaning a fingerprint, etc, then, the memory stick option is indispensable for my needs.
- Most of my shots will be walking, running, etc, so a image stabilization system is required.
- I don't think I will record a 6hrs long video. I'm making my digital album not a movie! So, a 2hrs life battery is enough for me, then it comes the memory stick, I got a 4GB - Sony.
In the last years technology is raising very fast with more expensive devices, people is buying without taking in mind the final use for things like this one. I know a couple of friends that recently bought a blu ray player and they connect it to a traditional tv!! Really stoopid, don't you think?
Well, let's see some nice features this camera owns:
1. Touchpanel - LCD. It lets you to handle all the functions easily - quickly. However you have to notice it'll consume more battery charge.
2. Steady Shot works well when there is enough light, of course, if you are jumping while recording is running a clear picture cannot be expected.
3. Microphone capacity is enough to record all sounds around. there is no interference when zoom in/out feature is used.
4. Video quality is very good but picture mode is really bad (my webcam works better than this), however I wanted it for video not for pictures. So, it's ok for me.
5. Battery included charges quickly.
6. Nightshot - infrared sys is good just keep in mind you have to be really close to the target.
7. When you're recording directly in the mini-dvd you have to hold it tight, otherwise you'll find picture noise in the final video.
As you can see this camera was my best option taking note of:
1. the price
2. features
3. Brand (it's not a secret you'll find better quality in sony devices).
I hope all this info can help you to decide the best device for you at this moment.

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Rating: - Works Great
This camcorder works great.
This is our first camcorder we've ever owned, and it serves its purpose well.
Great for the typical family!

Tip on buying the mini dvd's: we purchased the Memorex Mini DVD+RW 10 Pack and they did not work with this camcorder. We know that the sony mini dvd's do work. We called sony and they said it was something about how the memorex dvds are made is why they do not work.

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Rating: - great litle camera
Easy to use, getting started is a no-brainer. Takes great video. Had a little trouble hearing when I taped my son's play performance, but the camera was in the back of the auditorium, so I'm not surprised. I definately recommend this camera.