Ok, Ok, I got duped into this buy due to "improving, but degrading" technology. I have been using Digital-8, and I wanted a new mini-DV, but this year (2004) Sony decreased the chip (imaging sensor) size to 1/6" in the mini dv tape models. First reviews from camcorderinfo.com are not enthusiastic (smaller chip, higher noise in the image, degraded low light performance and some color saturation issues) this packing more pixels into a smaller die size problems are true in digital cameras (the smaller more dense sony 8mp digital camera sensor), as well as in "new, improved, more pixels" camcorders.
So after reading of this "improvement" and browsing the other reviews I discovered:
1) the sony DCRDVD100 has the largest chip (1/4") size (vice 1/4.7" for the 200 and 300, and 1/6" chip (same as the 2004 mini dv tape model) for the 2004 dcrdvd101 dvd camcorder)
2) the test reviews from last year (100 vs 200) said the 200 "drops from the abilities of the DVD100" in video performance. (you don't EVEN want to read how poorly the new even smaller 1/6" chip in the 101 does compared to those two!)
3) there were still some 100's available as of mid-may this year.
4) all professional (broadcast quality) camcorders are on the verge of going tapeless this year or next, eg the trend will only make dvd camcorders more common.
So here was the cheapest dvd camcorder sony made last year, outperforming it's more expensive brethren and even the
"degraded" model for this year! Yep, wasn't planning on it's purchase, but sure didn't want lose video performance by waiting for one!
Gripe 1, the 100 takes lousy still photos. Ok, so you can take a megapixel still pic with the 200 and 300. 1mp is still lousy in the 8mp era of digtal still cameras. And any camera phone can do a better photo easier. So I am not willing to trade the superior low light, low noise capabilities on video in the DVD100 to gain (still) mediocre still picture performance in the 200 or 300, which I will never use.
Next gripe, there are no mini-DVD's available, and the price is too high! Standard complaint with the introduction of every new technology. I paid $8ea. for the first Maxell 120 VCR tapes back in the mid-eighties, now that buys 10 of them! Froogle mini dvd-r and you may find a bundle of 25 mini dvd-r's for $1 ea. (on sale) like I did in mid-may. Next year at this time they may be 50 cents each, regular price. NOW compare that to the price of mini-dv tape!
S'hows it look? I can't see any difference on playback between the DCRDVD100 and my 3 year old TRV-730 digital eight camcorder, but the convenience is a thousand times better. The mini-dvd's play on my tv dvd, they play on my pc dvd, they play on the camcorder dvd. try that with mini-dv or 8mm dv! I can make mini-dvd duplicates using the camcorder and PC and send these mini-dv's to any relative to share our videos with. I never had the patience to transfer 8mm to VCR, not to mention the bulking up factor of VCR duplicates.
ok, so the time is down to 20 mins per disk. About the same amount of relevant footage I get off a 1 hour 8mm tape, in which I just stick the 8mm camcorder in a corner and let run at parties, too bulky to carry. savings too, since the 8mm tape is still $4ea and I've got that full coverage using 3 mini dvd-r's at $1 ea.
And bless sony for keeping the same battery, charger and flash accessories as in my 8mm dv! Now I have the same batteries to run my cd-r digital camera, the 8mm camcorder and this dvd-r video camcorder. a real dollar savings!
Sony has always won the low-light full color indoor camcorder shoot-out contests, but with the new reduced-size imaging chips for the 2004 models , they apparently have slipped a notch backwards. So if absolute all-round video performance is the most important thing for you, I encourage you to run, not walk to locate the DVD100, before they are all gone. Or wait until the model 102 for 2005 is introduced!
other pros: storage size of completed videos
instant useability/exchangeability with other machines besides the camcorder, no tape drive mechanisms to wear out and eat your prized videos years down the road. dramatic decline in cost of mini dvd-r media compared to micro-dv, mini-dv and 8mm dv tape.
cons: no firewire connection to allow direct digital duping, I'd love to use the sony mini-dvd-r's to download my digital SLR camera's images into a permanent file while I am traveling, but guess that will have to wait until 2005?
I like it, recommended.
