Sony DCR-SR220 4MP 60GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 15x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Bought the camcorder about 2 weeks back. Was delivered within 3/4 days. Takes great videos & excellent pictures. Also since its quite handy 2 carry, don't have 2 take my Nikon Digital camera always.
Only con 4 me is the sound volume on the videos. For some reason the volume sometimes is barely audible if one is not speaking loudly wherease my old Sony Hi8 Camera would capture the slightest sound clearly. Have tried all the sound settings but haven't been very successful. Took it 2 daughter's performance concert & there the volume was good.

I film a lot of high school football (at night under the lights) & I bought this camera 2 replace my mini-DV tape Sony handycam. I'm glad I made the switch although the other Sony did a great job. I get high quality images even when the field lights aren't that bright.

I'm switching 2 Adobe Premiere but I was using Windows Movie Maker 2 put together my clips. Unfortunately Movie Maker can't accept the Mpeg-2 clips this camera generates so I have 2 convert them first.

I'm very happy with the camera but the reason 4 a 4 instead of 5 is that I don't think the "Quick On" feature works as quickly as it should. I click it between plays 2 put the camera on stand by. I have 2 be really careful 2 click it again after the team breaks the huddle because there's a little delay coming back on. Even more, there's a delay when I click record back out of Stand by. I've come close 2 missing the start of a play, especially at first.

After I put the clips together I upload them so that other parents can watch. I can't include a link here but if you search 4 "knob noster alumni" you can look undero Panther Pride | Football highlights 2 see clips taken with the camera. The google versions aren't as good because they get compressed a lot so if you have high speed internet I recommend downloading the higher quality clips.

Weeks 1-4 were taken with the Sony mini-DV & weeks 5-7 were taken with the new Sony.

I did a lot of research 2 purchase a camera 4 a family vacation . I originally was convinced I needed a High def camcorder . Once I read how difficult it was 2 use the AVCHD format, I quickly convinced myself 2 stick with the proven platform of MPEG-2 . I went 4 hard drive over the canon mini Dv 4 ease of use & no tapes needed. So far, the camera has been extremely easy 2 use & download videoas 2 my computer. Still pictures are decent but not stellar. Easy 2 charge & review images/videos on the touch screen . I can't imagine why you would need more 4 family type videos.

With 60gb of memory a whole lot can be recorded & later transferred 2 a pc or dvd, sony makes some good camcorders with the carl zeiss lens.

This was my 2nd camcorder. The last one was purchased about 6 yrs ago & was a Hi-8 Sony. This camera has fantastic resolution on my 36" Sony Wega Tube TV. The Hard Drive is great 2 see different videos very quickly (instead of waiting 4 tapes 2 rewind.) It is not so clear on my father in-law's 58" Plasma though. High Def would be better. But 4 recording my family's Birthdays & swim meets its GREAT!

A big thumbs up 4 the amateur family videographer.

Aaron

With a ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor technology & BIONZ image processor, the DCR-SR220 Handycam(R) camcorder captures vibrant, high-resolution video & still images that please the senses. Its dual record mode even lets you take 4-Megapixel photos while recording video directly 2 your choice of either the built-in 60GB hard disk or removable Memory Stick(R) Duo or Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media. Sony's CMOS image sensor with delivers bright, vivid, & spectacularly detailed 2.3-Megapixel video, as well as 4-Megapixel still images, all with prolonged battery life. Exmor technology captures images with high resolution & high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony BIONZ image processor improves camera response time & screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible. Face Detection technology recognizes up 2 8 faces anywhere in the frame & automatically controls focus, exposure, & color 2 help capture smiling faces brightly & clearly. Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses are designed specifically 4 compact camcorders, & utilize precision ground optics 2 maintain the sharpness & contrast found with larger lenses. Aperture - F1.8-2.6 Filter Diameter - 30mm Focal Distance - 3.1 - 46.5mm Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/30 - 1/250 (Scene Selection Mode) Minimum Illumination - 8lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, Shutter Speed 1/30) Video Signal System - NTSC color, EIA standards Format Supported - SD (MPEG2) O.I.S. SteadyShot(R) Image Stabilization White Balance - Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, & One-push (touch panel) Recording Media - 60GB Non-Removable Hard Disk Drive, Memory Stick(R) Duo Media, & Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo Media Dimensions - 3 1/4 x 3 x 5 1/8 (81x76x129mm) Weight - 1 pounds 3 ounces (560 grams) with Battery