Digital Video Camera & Camcorder Review

With high performance video recording and a fresh new body design, the DCR-PC1000 MiniDV Handycam® camcorder takes form and function to a new level. The 3 CMOS imaging sensors provide superior detail and clarity in both video and still image recording. The 2.7 Megapixel digital still memory mode captures beautiful, high-resolution still images onto

CNET has an editor review on the Sony DCR-PC1000 Camcorder and has a rating of 7.6 out of 10. They say: “The Sony Handycam DCR-PC1000 is an odd camera, both in the sense that it has some unusual characteristics and in the more negative sense that it’s a bit quirky. It’s unusual for a three-chip camera not only because of its small size but also because it uses CMOS sensors rather than the CCDs found in almost all other camcorders. Its blend of advanced capabilities with a clumsy point-and-shoot user interface makes it odd in the second sense. Experienced videographers looking for a compact three-chip MiniDV camera might do better to check out competitors from Panasonic that offer more practical physical controls. However, for the technophile who wants a stylish, cutting-edge camera and will fiddle with the controls only occasionally, this capable Handycam merits a close look.”

CamcorderInfo has news on the Sony DCR-PC1000 Camcorder and writes - “Despite this pretty negative review, in one way, Sony should be incredibly happy with the DCR-PC1000. With this camcorder, CMOS chips have definitely proved themselves. We were very skeptical when Sony announced the first CMOS chip this past January, but it appears like they’ve managed to squeeze some impressive performance out of the chips. The video performance is excellent, the low light performance is respectable, and the still performance is comparatively some of the best we’ve seen out of a camcorder.

That being said, Sony has further pigeon-holed their camcorder line for the consumer who wants point and shoot ease of use and nothing more. Taking off the microphone input and closing the battery compartment were mistakes. Sony has stripped all advanced features from their camcorder line, and then suddenly realized that people spending $1,300 on a camcorder are likely to want some manual control and some options. The resulting camcorder, the DCR-PC1000, is horribly confused as to whose market it is to appeal and looks like a sad and unsuccessful attempt to make a prosumer camcorder. Instead of building off their consumer platform with a few manual control upgrades, Sony should have tried to squeeze the great manual control of the DCR-VX2100 and the HDR-FX1 into a small form factor, like Panasonic did with the PV-GS400″

Amazon has a user review on the Sony DCR-PC1000 Camcorder and writes - “I recently purchased this camcorder and have been pretty pleased. It does an excellent job with good lighting (outdoors). In addition, it is very light and easily portable in a jacket pocket. It is very simple to use. My wife (who is not a gadget-user) can work it very easily. The 2.8 megapixel camera takes good photos (a bit washed-out and no red-eye reduction).
On the downside, it does poorly in lower-light situations (I would NOT buy it if you are planning to do much lower-light videoing). The battery life is not great (about 90 minutes). The software that it comes with is also annoying and does not allow much user control for video editing.
Overall, it takes excellent video when the lighting is appropriate. For the price, I would expect better lower-light performance.”

Further Sony specs here

Sony, DCR, PC1000, DCR-PC1000, camcorders, camcorder, review, reviews