Sony DCRPC100 Digital HandyCam Camcorder

Many digital camcorders now come with a "digital still camera" mode. However, most camcorders' resolution in this mode is usually only 640 x 480 pixels. The DCR-PC100 captures three times as much information in its stills, taking high-quality 1-megapixel 1,152 x 864 images for photo-quality prints at sizes up to 5 by 7 inches. A 4 MB Memory Stick card is included for recording stills. A serial-port Memory Stick reader is also provided for easy transfer of images to your computer.

The DCR-PC100 runs on an InfoLithium battery with Accupower meter system. Optional higher-capacity batteries can increase recording times up to 6.5 hours. To get rid of shakiness, the camera includes "super steady shot" digital picture stabilization. The "NightShot" zero-lux system lets you capture video even when shooting in total darkness, thanks to a built-in infrared beam that illuminates objects up to 10 feet away. The camera also incorporates a LaserLink transmitter, which lets you beam your movies to any LaserLink-equipped TV for wireless playback.

Sony's i.LINK DV interface allows high-speed bidirectional digital communication between any two devices equipped with an IEEE 1394 (also known as FireWire) interface, including camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards, and PCs.

For transferring old analog images to the digital format, the camera includes analog inputs and features a progressive shutter system--a mechanical shutter that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlace scanning system.

Works well with a iMac and iMovie for editing, could not see doing it any other way for less. Some Sony home PCs also allow for editing using the same firewire interface with the Sony camcorder.

Recommendation: If you want super high qulaity video images and want the small size get this camcorder...But don't get it because it has a still image capability, instead get a nice digital still camera for that function.

A side note: if you use a IR filter on this Sony and use the night shot mode you can view and record in infared. Cool for experimental video effects and can be done likewise with most digital cameras I am told.


It's simply great.   August 15, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I've been looking at DV cameras for a while now, and finally settled on the DCR-PC100. I couldn't be happier about my decision. I've made some great movies with it, but I think the best example of the flexibility of this camera came when I went to a wedding last week. Every control on the camera is placed in such a manner that one handed operation of the camera is a snap, and I was able to get the ceremony on video, while easily switching over to capture some stills as well. I had a 64MB memory stick, so I had about 120 hi-res pictures by the end of the reception. It was a snap to dump all of the pictures to a CD and send them to the wedding party to print at their leisure(they were thrilled to have some wedding pictures that they could share with folks that quickly after the wedding). I've used the camera in a wide range of lighting conditions, from super bright sunny days to inside the Monterey Bay Aquarium to a lightning storm in Colorado, and all of the footage turns out great. The video images are super crisp and the colors are nothing short of fantastic. I can't recommend the camera highly enough, and most people who check mine out while I'm using it want one of their own.


Problem with still pictures   June 20, 2001
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

I bought a DCR-PC100E in July 2000. Generally, I am satisfied with it, but I have a problem with making still pictures as follow: I make still pictures in the best quality (1152 x 768, Superfine). When I see the still pictures they are all made with the big sharpenning of edges. If I make a details of some object (faces etc) I can be satisfied for 60%. But if there are many small objects on the still pictures, I don't be satisfied at all, because I see "Edges" on many small objects and the picture is very bad. The sharpenning of edges is a problem of software for DCR-PC100E. My question: Can I eliminate this sharpenning of edges ? Or Is there a FIRMWARE for this Camcoder to eliminate this sharpenning. I can make a sharpenning with some software after making a picture and I don't understand why SONY incorporate a software with it. Thanks to help me.


it's a good product - but....   March 7, 2001
 28 out of 28 found this review helpful

It leaves you wanting more and also leaves you with the feeling that Sony isn't fascinated with customer satisfaction.

We have all known for a while about Sony's propensity towards proprietary formats such as memory sticks, the batteries, just about any accessory and so on and we understand that this is a price that comes with the product. It is a great product, but Sony has left me longing for several things that I'll never be able to get..

Examples: It ships with a 4mb memory stick which holds a whopping 6 still images at full resolution (16-32MB should be the min they ship and they should phase out the 4MB sticks). The fact that they shipped an antiquated serial adaptor for memory sticks with the product seems like a slowly developing joke (why not ship with the USB Card reader?). It uses firewire as it's main way of transmitting video - (ok if you are on a Mac) and then they suggest a $400 capture card when you can buy others with software for under $100. Sony being cheap on the memory sticks, battery and serial adaptor all make sense until you realize how hard they gouge you on these propriety formats - and then makes a bit grumpy. What makes you even more grumpy is that Sony just released the DCR PC 110 - which offers USB connectivity, and MPEG video compression down to the memory stick - the two things (excluding peripherals) that would have made this camera just about perfect.

With all of the negatives out of the system - this is a really great camcorder - compact, easy to use, picture and sound quality are beyond compare, night vision is great, it's feature packed and full of surprises. Out of the box you can record like a pro for hours, the battery info, tape time remaining and a host of other features are just great - so for recording video you can not go wrong with this unit and if you are on a Mac or already have a firewire card - even better.

If not - look @ the Sony DCR PC 110 b/c I'm kinda steamed that I'm stuck with the 100 that has now been phased out..