Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Ordered product expidited & after a week it was never received. I finally received notice from Amazon that the order was cancelled (by the vendor). My guess is they never had the product 2 begin with. I'll NEVER use them again. I don't understand why it took over a week 2 discover the product was not available. I would not recommend.

When you buy a product that is designed & meant 2 fulfill certain needs, just expect the best performance out of those features.

The PC55 is a camera 4 the everyday home shooter, easy 2 use & made with the best SONY quality 4 one of the smallest MINI DV camera ever created.

If you are thinking about buying this camera don't hesitate one minute, this camcorder is one of the kind, it gives you pretty much the flexibility & video quality of a regular camcorder but with the amazing bring-it-in-the-pocket size & all the coolness & attention that it brings along (let it be your best Ice breaker, believe me it works like heaven!). I work 4 a camera store & let me tell you: we haven't received one return of this model during the time I've worked there (8 months), which proves the high quality SONY has built into this model. I have been using mine 4 a few months now & all I can say is that "the product is great... period!".

Let's get real, the 500 bucks you are paying 4 it is not 4 the film quality kind of movie you get in the picture (for that you need 2 spend at least a couple of thousand dollars) but the portability & worriless of no need of the big luggage a camcorder used 2 be in the past" (some times people don't realize a motorcycle couldn't be compared with a truck or vise versa).

About the picture shooting option, well let's see! A camcorder is 4 videos & a digital camera is 4 photos, if you want 2 have them both in one package, that brings excellent quality, you'd have 2 spend a lot of more money than if you bought them separately, let me explain you in a few words, the average photo quality 4 a MINI DV camcorder is 1.3mp or lower (the same quality you get out of your cell phone camera) 2 be honest with you, the manufacturers add this option just 2 give it an extra feature & at the same time take more money out of your pocket, with tape less digital cameras it happens the same way, the video & sound quality are very poor; so why bother paying more 4 a camera with both functions being excellent (there are quite a few out in the market now, starting around $1200 4 models of similar size) instead buy two little cameras, one 4 each use, 4 half of the price.

If you are looking 4 a cool, high quality & durability MINI DV camcorder with the smallest size available in its kind, The SONY DCR-PC55 is your BEST option.

To finish, I just want 2 wish you all enjoy, more than the product, the unmemorable moments you will live with your loved ones because of this little fellow.

The camera is one of the best considering the price & the size of it. The only problem I found is that it has not a light, so you will need 2 buy the external one, if not all the shots that you do at night will be very dark.

I have own this camcorder 4 6 month
it's a good camcorder, esay 2 use, easy 2 bring
As it's design purpose, PC-55 is enough 4 home use
Only one thing I want 2 mention here, before I buy this camcorder, I thought that I can record video on MS duo in mepg format, & it's easy 4 post-edit on PC, you know, tansfer a MiniDV tape 2 computer may need a huge space 2 save.
However, when I replay the video which stored on MS, the sreen was full of mosaic
fortunately, when use DV type 2 record, this situation never happens. good quality.
The one press photo button also becomes useless because the bad quality.

If you want 2 capture every precious moments, this is the right camcorder 4 you. It's easy 2 operate & the video is crisp & clear. The sound is pretty good as well. You can also take still picture & video at the same time (thanks 2 the memory stick).

Don't burn your video using your computer, it took me time 2 download 2 a CD or DVD. Instead burn them as you watch them. It's quicker that way.

You will love it the first time you use it.

Sony DCR-PC55 Handycam(R) Digital Camcorder is a tiny travel-friendly that enables video & still images 2 be recorded on compact MemoryStick Duo digital-media memory cards or MiniDV tape. A large 3" LCD monitor lets you view incoming images & play them back. There's even a built-in mic & speaker. At only 1-10/13 x 3-9/10 x 2-5/6 inches (WHD) with a weight of about 10 ounces (with tape & battery), this is one comfortable camera 2 use & carry. Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source 2 digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam(R) Camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK(R) interface in real-time 4 easy PC editing of your analog footage Supplied Handycam(R) Station provides quick & easy connections 2 a TV 4 viewing or 2 a PC 4 editing & sharing video. Just placing the camcorder on the Handycam(R) Station instantly makes the connections- no need 2 search 4 cables or wires when charging or playing back Stay connected 2 family & friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface Capture still images at 640x480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick(R) Duo Media 4 easy transfer 2 PCs 4 emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible MemoryStick devices Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations Sony Service & Warranty - 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor