Sony DCR-DVD108 Camcorder Review
By Michael Perlman
Reviewed.com Editorial Staff
August 26, 2007
Entry-level DVD camcorders require one key ingredient for success — ease of use. Sony is the king of the block when it comes to ease of use, and the DCR-DVD108 is proof. Between the full autopilot Easy mode, simplified set of manual controls, and touch screen LCD, almost anyone can operate this camcorder. But is the DCR-DVD108 more than just a suburban dream?
Inside the DVD108 is a small 1/6-inch, 680,000 pixel CCD, an imager found in most entry-level camcorders. The DCR-DVD108 produces a decent image characterized by a balanced color spectrum and heightened sharpness. The colors are a bit oversaturated, but that is expected in cheaper consumer-grade camcorders. For the money, the DCR-DVD108 offers a good image. However, it’s a different story when the lights dim. The DCR-DVD108, true to its price point, has difficulty with low light shooting.
Those who like to do most of the driving when it comes to capturing video will be disappointed with the DCR-DVD108’s manual control suite. Focus, exposure, and white balance are the only real controls—no shutter speed, gain, or color adjustments. To Sony’s credit, they do include über-simple controls like Spot Focus and Spot Metering, which allow you to simply touch the area of the screen to be corrected. The 2.7-inch touch screen has some problems, however. The virtual buttons are tiny and the control parameters are quite finicky. More powerful controls, including shutter speed, can be found on Canon’s DC220 camcorder. In addition, JVC, Panasonic, and Canon all feature joysticks on most of its models that are less error-prone than a touch screen.
It’s a different story in Auto mode. Sony is the point-and-shoot master because of one particular feature—the Easy button. One press of the Easy button slips the DCR-DVD108 into full autopilot: all picture adjustments are made automatically, manual controls are disabled, and the LCD menu buttons double in size. The only thing left to do is aim the camcorder and hit record. Sony’s automatic controls function very well, and most shooters will find there is no need to manually adjust the DCR-DVD108.
The DCR-DVD108 records video to 8-centimeter DVDs, often called miniDVDs, in the several varieties: DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW, and + DL. DVDs are the optimal choice for those limiting themselves to simple recording and playback, with occasional and rudimentary editing. The downside to DVDs is that the maximum recording time in the highest quality is less than 20 minutes, and most editing programs require more hoops to jump through in order to capture footage. Still images can also be captured to Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, though the resolution is limited to a paltry 640 x 480.
If simplicity is the key aspect you desire, the DCR-DVD108 is for you. The dearth of manual controls, Easy mode, and touch screen LCD narrow the DCR-DVD108 to a specific market—the entry-level consumer. If you’re looking for more from a DVD camcorder, look into the Canon DC220 or pretty much any Panasonic within this price range.
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