Sony DCR-DVD301 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

This camcorder is the best thing i could have ever purchased, the screen is HUGE,,,,,,the quality is the best, the easy edit software is the best, easy menus, I LOVE IT!!!

I bought this last year with extended warranty as I have kids at home. I bet they tried their best 2 damage the camcorder but with no luck. That's about robustness.
It's big screen is a great feature I don't find this in latest 403. I have tried many brand of DVD's & have not experienced ANY problem with recording or playing back.
Things I like about latest 403 is, it has got 3MP still photography, a flash & a shoe 2 fit light. Otherwise 301 camcorder is very good espcially with marked down price. I feel like buying one more after gifting mine 2 my dad (against my will !! He loved it so much & he asked me first time 4 something & I coudn't say no).
I have seen 403 & if price & size (of LCD) dosen't matter, I recommend buying it. Otherwise 301 is the best.
I have also heared lot of guys complaining about the editing software that ships with this camcorder. Honestly 4 starters, it's better than pinnacle or other high tech softwares because it's easy 2 learn & is targeted 4 entire range of users.
Net net, this is a good deal. And if you got few extra bucks, go 4 403.

Don't get Memorex dvd-r! I know people buy Memorex 4 its price. It well known Memorex doesn't work well with any burners. Go with Sony, Verbatim, Fuji, or TDK even though you pay a bit more.

I use this camera 4 training purposes. I need every recording 2 come out perfectly so that I amy critique the participants. The camera does everything it says it will do but it does not read discs well. Last week, of 3 participants in the room, the recordings failed twice. Bah, humbug Sony! I can't afford 2 lose a recording when my clients are paying 4 the training.

I'm looking 4 another camera.

While I know that a bigger lcd screen is going 2 eat up the battery faster, a 3-1/2 inch screen is an awesome thing. My eyesight isn't what it used 2 be, & also I sometimes like 2 share what I have filmed with my parents right away; the bigger screen is a significant advantage. I don't really care about the new touch screen technology--in less than careful hands I would think that your lcd could be "toast" pretty quickly. Thus I don't mind having "buttons" 2 push. The adjustable viewfinder (now becoming a thing of the past) is a good thing too. The picture quality was great, & the disc finalized, played back in my dvd player without a hitch. The only complaint I would have is about the battery-- the one that comes with the camera runs out pretty quick, even if you aren't using the lcd. I was going 2 get one of the bigger ones, but they seem significantly bigger & heavier. So I just got another one of the small ones. It would also be nice if Sony would include a compact/travel charger instead of forcing you 2 purchase it separate; then again, I guess that's why Sony makes the kind of money it does . . .

Experience exceptional video quality & direct-to-DVD convenience with the DCR-DVD301 DVD Handycam camcorder from Sony. With a 1.0 Megapixel Advanced HAD CCD imager, 10x optical zoom, & a professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, the DCR-DVD301 delivers crisp, clean video that rivals MiniDV in overall quality. Best of all, you record directly on 2 3-inch DVD-R & DVD-RW discs that can easily be viewed on most current DVD players & personal computers.The DCR-DVD301 features a 3.5" Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD display that rotates up 2 270-degrees & provides excellent visibility in even direct sunlight. Other stand-out features of the DCR-DVD301 include 1152 x 864 resolution still images capture, Super NightShot Plus night recording system, & Super SteadyShot picture stabilization. Its lightweight, compact design makes it ideal 4 practically any shooting situation, whether at home, in the office, or on the road.

The DCR-DVD301 lets you effortlessly record the joy of everyday moments directly 2 DVD. The small, 3" DVD-R/RW format plays back in most DVD players, PlayStation 2 consoles & DVD-ROM drives. This flexible format lets you capture both stunning video & over 2000 still images all on one disc while exceptional Megapixel performance offers crisp video & stills. Meanwhile, the unmatched 3.5" SwivelScreen LCD lets you see it all in brilliant color. Get up close with a 10x Optical & 120x digital zoom while the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens helps you shoot like a pro. Key features include:

• 1/4.7" Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD imager with 690K (effective) video pixels provides excellent detail & clarity 4 exceptional digital video (up 2 520 lines of resolution in high quality mode) & still image performance.
• DVD recording format delivers digital video & sound quality comparable 2 that of MiniDV. Playback of the DVD media is simple & convenient. After finalizing the disc in the camcorder, the DVD disc will playback in most compatible DVD Players
• The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens has an advanced optical multi-layer coating offering less glare & flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, & perfect renditions of subtle tones.
• 3.5" SwivelScreen LCD display provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 123K Pixels LCD rotates up 2 270-degrees 4 multiple viewing angles, providing sharp detailed images 4 monitoring or playback.
• Captures high quality still images at 1152 x 864, & 640 x 480 resolution directly 2 DVD-R or DVD-RW media. Images are stored in the JPEG format providing easy transfer 2 PCs 4 emailing, printing, or sharing.
• The Visual Index Screen system shows thumbnail images of movies & still images when playing back on your camcorder or DVD Player, making scene selection easier.
• USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way 2 connect your DVD Handycam camcorder 2 computers 4 fast transfer of video & still images 4 editing. The camcorder can also be used as an external DVD burner, convenient 4 making copies of your DVDs.
• Super NightShot system captures video in total darkness (0 lux) up 2 10 feet away. Super NightShot mode automatically adjusts the shutter speed 2 increase picture Brightness & clarity.
• Super SteadyShot, an advanced version of Sony’s SteadyShot system, controls an even higher range of shake & vibration frequencies 2 achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.
• Mechanical shutter system provides progressive scan performance while using an interlaced scanning system. Digital images will be sharp & clear with excellent definition.

What's in the Box
Power adaptor/in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, wireless Remote Commander remote control, 2 AA batteries, stereo A/V cable, lens cap, cleaning cloth, blank DVD-R media, USB 2.0 cable, CD-ROM with USB Driver & Pixela ImageMixer software (Version 1.5 4 Sony)