Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850 DVD Hybrid Camcorder with 60X Optical Zoom (Silver)

This Handycam has everything needed to be the most versatile of all of Sony's models with up-to-the-minute technology.

I originally hesitated because this only has an internal flash memory of 16 GB. However, I have a few of the sony memory sticks (4GB) Sony MSMT4G 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) Media and having them as an option allows me to record as much time on this unit as I could usually want. It is true that with the internal flash memory your recording time is restricted to about 11 hours. However, each 4GB of memory stick prolongs that limit by about 3.5 hours and supplements the internal flash memory.

I find the flash medium (and the memory sticks) to be preferrable to an internal hard drive (which can store 60 GB, but, are subject to mechanical failure). Although the hard drives will store 60GB, I rarely have that much to accumulate in digital footage before I dump it to my notebook, or, an external USB hard drive. 11 hours of storage is about perfect for a day of interviews and miscellaneous recording.

This unit is a very nice, attractive, two-tone gunmetal and silver finish. It is slightly larger than the (very compact) DCR 47-87 series.Sony DCR-SR47 Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder (Silver) However, it will still almost fit in the palm of your hand.

The images are sharp quality, indoors or out. It is true (for a change) that the unit allows for one-button record to DVD. You can just slip a mini DVD (3") in the unit by lifting the cover and placing the DVD in the unit. This will burn about an hour to the 3" DVD so you can share it immediately. You need to use Sony's proprietary 3" disc Sony 3" Rewritable DVD+RW for Camcorders 3pk but they are reasonably priced and reasonably available. The advantage of the searchable .mpg2 CODEC on disc should be obvious (as opposed to DV tapes).

If you need larger DVD burns, with the USB connection, it is possible to burn DVD's on the spot (I use this for interviews) for copies and distribution from your notebook computer. In addition, the internal file configuration can be converted to .wma or .mpg using Sony's proprietary software (included). (You will need to download the software updates to be able to edit the files using, for instance, Vista movie maker or other OS based video editing programs). The CODEC format is .mpg2 (not very efficient, but, allows for high resolution and editability (with updates to Sony's sofware).

This unit is sturdy and made as well as any of the Sony handycams. The chassis is, in fact, a proven design that has been around the SONY marketplace for over five years.

Another very useful feature is the 5.1 surround sound microphone. When you want to accurately record both audio and visual, directional stereo mic's will often pickup background noise and hiss, but, little else other than sound (such as voices talking at the camera) aimed at the mic. With the surround sound, you pick up everyting omnidirectionally. This is not only useful for picking up the voice of the person making the recording (as well as the subject) but has many other uses as well. When video'ing nature, the omnidirectional mike tends to attenuate the background hiss from all directions, yet, still pickup the sounds of birds and other nature sounds.

The digital quality is excellent (680,000 pixels translates to almost (about 75%) HD), and, with proper care in setting up your shots (being careful to avoid reflected or (too much) polarized light) you can make professional recordings.

After reviewing all of the available options out there, I think this is the unit with the most reliable and versatile features that is on the market.

Here are the specs from Sony's website:

Specifications

Recording Format DVD Video Codec MPEG-2

Media Storage Type 8cm DVD (DVD+R DL / DVD+RW / DVD-RW / DVD-R) HYBRID / HYBRID Plus HYBRID Plus

(16GB Built-in Flash Memory and Movie recording on Memory Stick) Image Sensor Type 1/8" CCD

Audio Format Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator (5.1ch.)

Zoom Mic Yes

Carl Zeiss Lens / Filter Diameter Vario-Tessar / 30mm Optical / Digital Zoom 60x / 2000x Maximum Still Image Resolution (Photo Mode) 720 x 576 Image Stabiliser SteadyShot LCD Screen Size &

Type 2.7" Wide LCD (123K / 16:9) with

Touch Panel Face Index Yes

Film Roll Index Yes

Memory Stick Duo Slot Yes

USB Terminal Yes (USB 2.0 High Speed)

Dimensions (W x H x D) 55 x 89 x 130mm Mass (w/o Tape, Battery, etc.) Approx. 390g

Supplied Accessories

AC Adaptor AC-L200 Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FH30 AV Cable Yes Application Software Picture Motion Browser USB Cable Yes

I am very pleased with the overall quality and functionality of this camcorder. The camera takes excellent video (action shots are great). It is very stable and I like having choices on how to save. It is also very easy to download to pc or view on pc or tv. I highly recommend this product. You could not do better, especially at this price!

Buy Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850 DVD Hybrid Camcorder with 60X Optical Zoom (Silver) Now

I purchased this camera after discovering my 8-year-old camcorder no longer worked three days before my vacation. I received my camcorder the day before my trip and only had time to charge the battery and read some basic information. I found the camcorder user-friendly and easy to use right out of the box...and its small size makes handling very manageable. I love the huge 16 GB internal memory and I was able to record my entire trip. The LCD touch panel is fantastic! Although it would be nice if it was a little larger than 2.7", it was not at all difficult to see and use. If I recorded something I wanted to playback later, all I had to do was press a button on the touch panel; then touch the clip. Searching through recorded tape is a thing of the past. The video quality is very good. With that said, I am enjoying getting to know the other features of my camcorder. To anyone looking for a user-friendly and affordable camcorder, I highly recommend this one.

Read Best Reviews of Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850 DVD Hybrid Camcorder with 60X Optical Zoom (Silver) Here

I use this camcorder for recording night youth football games under lights, for the most part. It performs quite well and the 16x9 images are perfect for flat panel TVs. I like the software provided with it. It allows effortless transfer of files from the camcorder to your computer, and easy (if somewhat plain) video DVD creation. I have not tried editing functionality, but it seems to me that specialty video editing software would be better in any case. It can also catalog all video and photographs in your computer into a calendar, and displays changing thumbnails on the dates the images were taken, with other useful features.

The camera has 16gb of internal flash memory, and I doubt that I will ever use a DVD recordable. Internal memory is easily transferred to your computer with a common USB cable for editing, storage and DVD burning if desired. One reviewer commented that this camera is a "dead end" and I can't see why that is true. Between the internal memory and the memory stick capability, the DVD recordable is an extra optional feature that need not ever be used. I chose this camera over pure flash options because its video quality is usually rated higher than other Sony camcorders, other than HD models, especially at night.

The internal memory is rated for 232 minutes at the highest quality video setting. I have already purchased a higher capacity battery, since the supplied battery will only run about 60 minutes with the LCD open. I may not bother with additional memory sticks because I have more capacity than I anticipate needing at any one time already. (Individual football games certainly don't need 232 minutes of video.)

The video quality is very good during daylight hours and good to very good at night under game field lighting. I believe that the only way to do better would be to jump up several hundred dollars to digital, which was more than I wanted to spend. Audio quality is excellent and is in 5.1 surround. Internal operational menus are not overly complicated. I enjoy using this camcorder and would recommend it to anyone not wanting to spend quite as much as true HD video required.

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I originally bout the 650 because I thought it had an internal memory but it doesn't. It returned it back to the store and spent an extra $50 to get the 850. Not only does it have the internal memory but it also records in 5.1 surround. The only thing more it would need would be to record in HD. But for the price, you can't beat this little camera. It even takes still photos.