Sony DCR-DVD305 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom

Product Description

Box Contents:DCR-DVD305, ACL25 Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger, NP-FP50 InfoLithium(R) Rechargeable Battery, Stereo A/V Cable, USB Cable, Lens Cap, Picture Package 1.8 and Nero Express 6 software, Cleaning Cloth
The Sony DCR-DVD305 DVD Handycam(R) Camcorder captures the powerful sound and sharp images you expect from digital photography and video. Built for serious recording, the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers superior image quality -- and its 12x optical and 800x digital zoom make sureyou never miss a detail. Its DVD recording lets you share your video more quickly than ever -- once your stills or movie has been recorded, simply pop the disc into any DVD player and watch it instantly. Preview your images on the large 2.7" SwivelScreen(TM) LCD display, and add multiple effects directly from the camcorder -- or transfer your images and video to a PC through the USB 2.0 port. Creating great video and sharing it quickly has never been this easy. SteadyShot Picture StabilizationProfessional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens Aperture - f1.8 - f2.5 Touch Panel Full Range Auto&Manual Exposure Focal Distance - 3.0 - 36mm Shutter Speeds - Auto, 1/4-1/4000 sec. (AE Mode) Progressive Shutter System Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes - Beach and Ski, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Sports Lesson, and Sunset and Moon Compatible with DVD-R, -RW and +RW White Balance Modes - Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor Picture Effects - Monotone, Mosaic, Pastel, and Sepia Fader Effects - Black, Overlap, White and Wipe Onboard battery information (displayed on LCD) Easy Handycam(R) Button USB 2.0 Port Optional S-Video out Dolby Digital 5.1 Channel Recording InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower(TM) Meter System Battery Life - Continuous recording for up to 8 hours on a single full charge Dimensions - 2-1/5 x 3-7/15 x 5-1/13 (56 x 88 129 mm) Weight - 1 lb. 1 oz. (47

Customer Reviews:

I love it!!.......2007-05-29

I love this camera!!.. It is perfect for everyone from the novice to the pro!!... It also takes great pictures!!

A great buy!!

Handycam camcorder sony dvd305.......2007-05-17

This product was the Christmas gift of my sister and this happy one to be able to record all the important moments with its family

Looked at them all - picked this one........2007-02-25

I bought the DCR-DVD305 after using a Hi8 Camcorder for a few years and a VHS Camcorder for many years before that. I would consider myself an "occassional" user and typically only pull out the camcorder to capture vacations, holidays, family events, sporting events, and trips to the local theater to watch friends and family perform. I spent countless hours researching camcorders online and in the stores before I purchased this and flipped back and forth between Hard Drive (bad), MiniDV and DVD models before I finally settled on DVD. That said - here's some insight that I think would help other camcorder purchasers:

(1) DVD305 vs the competition: If you've been doing online research, you've probably found that most reviewers give the highest marks to two competing models: the Elura 100 and the Sony DCR-HC96. Both of those use the older MiniDV format and are said to have more bells and whistles, better low light filming conditions, and longer filming times on one cassette, and better ability to edit films on the PC. I managed to borrow both of those models from friends and try them out before I bought the DVD305 - and truthfully I didn't see much difference. Maybe a serious filmmaker can tell the difference, but an occassional home user won't be able to.

(2) Edit on a PC - I've seen some other reviews here where the reviewer said they couldn't edit their movies on their PC. I have Windows 2000 and a USB2.0 port and didn't have any issues. I used the included sony software to download the movie to my PC, used 3rd party software to edit, then burned my edited movie back to a new DVD using the camcorder (yes...you can use this camcorder as a DVD burner when it's attached to the PC with the included USB cable). I'm guessing the other reviewer didn't read the help files that come with the software.

(3) DVD vs MiniDV - I've heard that MiniDV is a better quality medium and can record for longer than a DVD. As far as quality goes, I couldn't tell any difference in the quality between the two. The MiniDV does record longer, but they also cost about twice as much as the DVDs and they're much bulkier to carry. So for me, I prefered the low cost of the DVDs the ability to put about 10 of them in a tiny little case in the front pouch of my camcorder bag (imagine putting 10 MiniDV tapes in a bag - it would fill the whole bag up!!!). Also, if you want to share your movies with friends, you'll need to transfer MiniDVs to DVD anyway. Going straight to DVD removes the need to purchase a DVD recorder.

(4) Size - All of the models were about the same size. If you're trying to figure out how big this camcorder is, imagine a US dollar bill. The 305 is about as long as dollar bill and an inch or so taller. The 305 does feel a little awkward to hold, but the same is true for all of the small camcorders.

(5) Low light - Seriously, I'm not sure what all the fuss is around low-light. I filmed in lowlight conditions with the 305 just fine. The viewfinder does appear a little grainy in really low light, but the film looked just fine. And think of it...how often are you filming in the dark?

Overall...my advice is this. If you're an occassional user, stop reading the reviews and buy this camcorder. You'll be VERY happy you did!

Buy this Camcorder!!!!.......2007-01-18

I did my research on this camcorder. I checked around all the Targets, Walmarts, Best Buys etc, learned about all the different camcorders and what they do and dont do. This camcorder is AWESOME!!!! If you want a great camcorder with a camera on it also, with the ease of a DVD this is the camera for you. I was originally going to buy the sony 205 but Amazons price for the 305 was Targets for the 205. So, I have the 305 and love it. The Carl Z lens is great. The clarity of the recording is great. Buy the better DVD-RW's. It makes a difference in the quality of what you are recording. If you want a simple to use camcorder that is well worth the money this is it!! Its small, easy easy to use and your finished product (your memories) are fantastic. One thing I wish the camera had would be a retractable lens cover. Battery life is good, I did not buy an extra battery and had no problem on vacation getting all my video. I just mad sure to plug it in at night. So many great features on this camera, I still am learning all it does.

Not the best choice.......2007-01-16

I received this camcorder as a Christmas gift from my husband. I was ecstatic as I'd been wanting a digital camcorder.

Out of the box, it was pretty easy to figure out how to use, especially because my old camcorder was a Sony hi-8. The controls were pretty intuitive to get started for a "point and shoot" scenario. The touch screen controls were fairly easy to use, but I was concerned with how the screen would hold up over time.

I shot some footage on Christmas day using the supplied microphone that goes in the accessory shoe. No problems as all. The problem came when I tried to get the video on my computer to burn to a full size DVD to distribute to family. First of all, the Sony Picture Package software would not install correctly on Windows XP Home service pack 2. I spent hours searching the net and found the manufacturers website (because Sony does not support it) and downloaded an updated version that did install correctly. The updated software continued to crash my computer, but I did manage to get the video transfered to my system.

I was not overly impressed with the quality of the video. It was taken in medium to low light, which I understand is not the best, but the picture was VERY grainy. I did like the sound that I got using the surround sound microphone, and I did manage to make a nifty DVD with a menu through the supplied free Nero software but again, this took a lot of time because the picture package software kept crashing my system.

At that point I decided to see what options were out there for getting the video to my computer WITHOUT using the Picture Package software. The answer to that is: NONE. I tried demo version of all the major video editing software: Nero, Adobe, even Sony and none of them would capture the video off the camcorder through the USB cable. Only the Picture Package Software would do it and that is unstable. I had read recommendations that a firewire cable would do the trick, but this camera does NOT have a firewire jack.

I ended up returning the camcorder. In doing further research, I opted for the Canon Elura 100. The miniDV tape format holds more video at better quality, it has a firewire port, has a threaded lens to take filters and other lenses like a wide angle, has a better optical zoom, better video quality, and most importantly, I can transfer to my computer using whatever software I choose. Oh, and it's almost $150 cheaper.

Average customer rating:
Barska Point 'N View 1.3MP 8x32Binocular

Manufacturer: Barska
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Binoculars | Optics | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics | Low Magnification (Up to 7x) | Medium Magnification (8x to 11x) | High Magnification (Over 11x) | Zoom | All Binoculars | By Price | Compact | Digital Camera Combo | Fog Resistant | Giant | Image Stabilizing | Pocket | UV Protection | Waterproof | By Use
Product Features:

1.5" LCD color screen flips up for viewing camera images and menu choices with 1.3MP

Menu/Control panel to command different camera functions such as video recording, downloading images, etc

Expand the memory with an optional Secure Digital Memory Card

Multi-coated optics for superior clarity. Ideal for sporting events, concerts and outdoor activities.

Accessories include USB cable, photo manipulation software and carrying case

ASIN: B000BYFFLE

Cheap Consumer Electronics:

Cheap Consumer Electronics List

Cheap Consumer Electronics