Sony Professional DSR-PD170 3 CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom

I've used this camera on several professional video shoots now, including talking heads, outdoors and an indoor music video. The low light capability of this camera is nothing short of stunning, with clear, crisp images available even when using only available tungsten room lights. We shot a girl playing the piano with candles in the background and only the piano lamp and it looked great. The PD170 is very easy to use for the beginner and a breeze to tweak on the fly. It has solid, nicely positioned controls (for full auto and full manual configurations), pro XLR audio/mic inputs and easily accessible miniDV cassette mechanism that lets you change tapes while the camera is on the tripod. Its DVCam recording mode runs the DV tape at a faster rate, giving you about 43 minutes of recording on an hour miniDV tape. The higher recording speed is not mandatory, but does improve quality when you choose to use it. Autofocus is crystal clear, but easily manipulated manually with a great focus ring. This camera has lots of bells and whistles, including the ability to monitor both channels' recording levels onscreen, while taping. I've heard the networks' embedded reporters in Iraq are using PD170's and I believe it. The quality of the images captured by this camera is nothing short of professional. The heft and feel of the PD170 is just right. it's got a nice, built-in lens cover that's actuated by a solid feeling lever on the side of the lens housing. It also features two built in neutral density filters that can be flipped into position with another lever. The list of features and thoughtful design elements goes on and on. Obviously, I'm crazy about this DVCam and literally don't have a single complaint to share. If you're looking for a rock solid, professional grade camcorder in the $3000 range, look no further. Read up on it and the competition. Then buy this gem and prepare to be bowled over by its performance, pictures and exceptional design.

Clean, beautiful images. Rugged construction. A fine run'n'gun videographic instrument, although after a year now I wish that I had gone with the shoulder cam version, the DSR-250, but that's another story...

Likes:

Wide range of shutterspeeds (1/4-1/10000).

Clean gain up to 9 or 12 db

and very light sensitive to boot.

Simultaneous B/W Viewfinder and color LCD.

Fairly sharp B/W Viewfinder, a must-have feature, imo.

Dislikes:

A few misplaced and unnecessary controls along the bottom ridge.

A few misplaced and very necessary controls, such as the iris control wheel that gets blocked by LCD screen when open and isn't very accessible for handheld besides.

Weak audio preamps.

For event videography, this camera just plain reigns supreme, for the price.

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I have owned my PD170 for about a year now. I bought it to replace my VX2000 (another great camera).

Pros:

1. Excellent quality images for a non HD camera.

2. XLR connectors.

3. Compact size with excellent weight for steady one handed shots.

4. The low light ability of this camera is second to none.

5. Professional look.

Cons:

1. Not a shoulder mounted camera.

I shoot mostly weddings, events and indoor theatre productions.

You can't go wrong with this video camera.

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I bought this as a companion to my Sony DSR 200A almost two years ago. Its been a great addtion for two-camera shoots when color temperatures need to match. Both cameras shoot 16:9 (but not HD), which clients have asked for. Its great for interviews, spontaneous action, b-roll and so much more. Its low-light capabilities have produced some amazing shots to many a client's delight ("how'd you do that??").

The one drawback is that it is not a grab-and-shoot camera. Its automatic features don't respond well and you'll end up with unusable images, especially in bright sunlight. Also its wide angle lens seems to have some focus issues. I tend to not use it as much as I'd like, especially for "live" situations, I don't want to risk losing a shot because I couldn't focus. If you have time to set up the camera properly, you'll get great footage.

Otherwise, its a very handy and smaller version of the DSR 200A, down to the XLR inputs, attenuators and variety of controls. It records on the small DVCAM tapes or on Mini-DV which for some projects, I'll use the less expensive Mini-DVs because of price. I haven't been able to tell the difference.

This has been my go-to camera since I bought it.

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Here we record the sad passing of the PD-100 series of SONY grab-n-go solid video cameras. The PD-170 is discontinued, sadly, lackiing the glitzy features of HD, chip recording, etc. Its single HD replacement model has not shaken out, yet, but when it is proven (if ever) THAT will be the video camera of choice for bottom end of pro video cameras because it will have all of the PD-170 ruggedness, great optics, flexibility of audio, clean recording ONTO REAL STUFF...VIDEO TAPE, and on and on.

I had my school buy the last 5 PD_170 available in this foreign country. Newer is not necessarily better. SONY, please bring back my old friend... if not my PD-100 that went successfully to the mountains of Nepal, at least the PD-170 should live again! No chance, I guess.