Sony DCR-DVD710 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom

This is my first camcorder & I really love this product. The quality of videos taken is amazing. Battery life is also good. The best feature which I liked is support 4 memory stick. With DVD you cann't shoot more than 20 minutes with high quality but with memory stick there is no such limitation. I strongly recommend this product 2 others.

My wife was given this Handycam as a service award at work.

We have owned camcorders ranging from RCA full-size VHS cameras 20 years ago 2 Toshiba full size VCR on up 2 Sony 8mm & Super 8mm.

Honestly, & I think you will see this confirmed by many sources on the internet... the picture quality of older camcorders seems much better than these newer smaller models.

It seems despite the hi-tech digital wizardry, video enhancement & all the other tricks the manufacturers try 2 use 2 squeeze 2 get more performance out of their small "handycams" today.......... you simply CAN'T FAKE GOOD FULL SIZE OPTICS AND LENS.

This DCR-DVD710 has worst color & picture quality than our Sony Super 8mm.

In fact, the Super 8mm is not as good as our regular Sony 8mm which had a large front lens.

More importantly, the power button on this camera broke the 3rd time we used it.
Now the only way 2 turn it on/off is by removing the battery.

On the other hand, our old cameras have traveled with us 2 Asia & Europe & still work great.

I am glad we did not pay 4 this camera, but it did help teach us a lesson.

If at all possible in your budget, don't spend less than $900 on a camera if you are the least bit concerned about picture quality & go with the largest full size lens you can get 4 your money.

Trying 2 use fancy digital tricks 2 get a good picture thru a lens that is smaller than a dime is technically NOT GOING TO WORK WELL.

I purchased this item from another merchant(Dell 4 $339) about a week ago. In my opinion, its much better than the mini dv format. I love the ability 2 go from camcorder 2 dvd player without any problems. I have not tried recording on the memory stick yet, but dvd video is clear.

We are leaving 4 a trip 2 Australia & have been shopping 4 a camcorder 4 a year. We ordered this one because we have been so happy with other Sony products. The camcorder has a very short field of vision & noisy. Everything is fuzzy except the center of the picture.

The DCR-DVD710 delivers advanced features that let you easily capture & share crystal clear video. A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens & Super SteadyShot image stabilization captures sharp video & still images, even when getting in close with the 25x optical/2000x digital zoom. With Hybrid technology, you can record it all directly 2 either DVD or removable Memory Stick PRO Duo media 4 quick viewing or transfer 2 a PC. The built-in Zoom microphone with Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording captures realistic surround sound, recording your subjects in sync with the camera's zoom lens - helping memories ring true with clear dialog & crisp, discrete sounds.