GUIDE TO DVD CAMCORDERS

Sony DCR-DVD7 DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer : Sony
In Stock : 6

List Price:	$1,159.33
Price:	$298.00
You Save:	$861.33 (74%)

Features

1/6-inch CCD imager with 680K pixels
Compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW formats
10x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot picture-stabilization system
2.5-inch hybrid color touch-panel LCD
Easy Handycam Button locks out advanced controls; perfect for beginners

Product Description

Sony DCR-DVD7 DVD Handycam(R) Camcorder - With many digital camcorders, you must go through a complicated process on your computer, in order to get your video onto DVD media. This Handycam(R) is different, because it records your movies directly onto DVDs! It supports DVD-R/RW & +RW media, and features a whole host of high-end features that will make your movies look their best! Manual Focus Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System 2.5 Touch Panel Swivelscreen LCD Display (123K Pixels) With DVD+RW media, you can go directly from the camcorder to the DVD player without having to finalize the disc (minimum recording required) Super NightShot(R) Plus Infrared System InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower(TM) Meter System Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes - Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset & Moon 8 Picture Effects 5 Fader Effects USB 2.0 Interface

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 4.00 out of 14 reviews

Rating :
Fair to middlin - Laura Piacenti, Mar 29, 2008

Ok I've had this two years also, it's still working, but I haven't used it so very much yet. It's now been on a cruise and to a couple air shows. It does take good video, I've not tried it in still picture mode because I have a way better kodak camera for that kind of thing. It's handily small, not horribly weighty and it's easy enough transferring the data from the camcorder to your computer. I will say however it is TERRIBLE in video taking at the air shows. The LCD viewfinder is HORRIBLE when used for looking up into a sunny sky with little or no frame of reference around the object of video taking, also the LCD can be hard to see into with full on bright sunshine. With it having no other viewfinders on it, I wouldn't recommend it much for such a use. Sony's design on the model is nice, but it really needs a viewer on it that you can use you own eyes with. Also I highly recommend getting a backup battery.

Rating :
Good Camera.... Until.... - Frank Matra, Sep 29, 2007

Had this little guy for almost 2 years....

Then one day it just wouldn't turn on.

Sony wants over 200 dollars just to look at it and the problem is probably a 10 cent resistor.

Also the still photos are terrible. However the videos were good though though sometimes the sound of the spinning disk is recorded and can be heard on playback.

I can't help but wonder if there are better cameras out there at a better price.

Rating :
This Great Camera is ahead of it's time, and overlooked. - V. Ramsey, Aug 16, 2007

2 years and many great movies later, I still love it. All the grandkids have their own special movies with slide shows and music to boot. I use Nero software along with the Picture Package. So what if the mini DVDs are only 30 minutes? That's a good place for a break, or another chapter. NO dull movies here! Now Grandma gets invited to all the kid's events so she can make a movie of it. This little camera doesn't look like the other camcorders, and has been discriminated against...what a shame. I think it is just ahead of it's time!Sony DCR-DVD7 DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Rating :
Handycam review - K. Fitzpatrick, Feb 28, 2006

Extremely easy to use. Price on Amazon was terrific vs. Circuit City Offering. Like the way you can view immediately in the DVD player. Picture quality in sunny conditions is not good and grainy digitial picture taking.

Rating :
Coolest and smallest DVD camcorder in the market! - J. Balderas, Jan 20, 2006

I'd like to share the reasons why I bought this camera and strongly recommend it:

1. Innovative design and size. I absolutely love the design and compact size of this camera. As any other innovative products, the form factor of this camera received mixed reviews. I think it is perfect, I have no problem handling and holding the camera when filming. You have to give credit to Sony: there is no other DVD camcorder in the market this compact, even after a year in the market.

2. Media support. This should be the number one criteria when buying a DVD camcorder. I have read several reviews from other DVD camcorders complaining about issues finalizing the discs or playing them on standard DVD players. I have had no issues whatsoever with discs burned with this camera, and finalizing the discs is a very smooth process: one click and a few minutes. This camera supports DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW. Most DVD players will play all of these formats. The DVD+RW format allows you to view the disc in most DVD players without finalizing the disc, while the DVD-RW format allows you to edit and delete scenes from the disc when used in VR format (though this format is typically supported by DVD recorders only); both rewritable formats can be formatted and reused as many times as you'd like. Note that the capacity of the discs is 30 minutes in SP mode (or 60 in LP mode); this is a limitation of the size of the discs, not the camera. You can buy double-sided discs which will allow you to record 60 minutes in SP mode, but you have to manually swap the disc, so it is equivalent to using 2 different discs.

3. It's a Sony camcorder. I have to mention that I have not owned other brand of camcorders, just because I've been extremely satisfied with Sony camcorders. They not only have a cool design, but they are also the best in terms of ease of use and reliability. I cannot vouch for the quality of this camcorder yet, but I expect this to last, it seems well built. It also comes with a Carl-Zeiss lens, which are among the best in the market.

4. Other nice features worth mentioning:
* USB cable allows you to copy any or all of the recorded scenes to your computer, even if the disc hasn't been finalized.
* Almost all the functionality is driven by the touch panel, and the main menu is programmable which allows you to add only the features you use the most.

OK, so this camera is not perfect, it has some areas for improvement:

1. If you are buying this camcorder to take still pictures as well as recording video, this is not your camera. The resolution of the stills is only 640x480 (less than 1MP), the quality is so poor that it is not even worth using it for stills.

2. Poor low-light filming and no NightShot feature included.

3. No upgradeability, because of its compact size there is not a lot of room for attaching typical add-ons: microphone, flash, or headphones (though you can use an adapter on the A/V cable). The battery provided lasts for about 90 minutes, however you can buy a larger battery, the NP-FA70 which will lasts up to 180 minutes.

4. At the original MSRP of $699, this camera is expensive, if you pay less than $500 for this camcorder, you are getting a good deal. If you're willing to pay over $600 for this camcorder and you're not crazy about its design/size, you might be better off buying the DCR-DVD203, at least you'll get a 1MP digital camera.

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