Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (White)

If you're looking for a camcorder that can produce vivid colors and crystal clear picture, stop reading this review now. This camcorder is not for you.

If you can live with a medicore picture quality, but have the ability to virtually pocket a camcorder anywhere you go, read on.

The Styling:

No doubt, this camcorder exudes sex. Glossy finish with chrome accents. Bling! The styling is very appealing and will demand attention. The physical size is so small, it can be pocketed in a pair of jeans. However, the dimunitive size is also its disadvantage. Stabilizing the camcorder with one hand was a challenge due to it being so light and small. The physcial shape of the camcorder was very awkward to hold. Many times, the index finger would partially cover the lens during taping. It was just natural for the index finger to overlay on top of the lens. The zoom button is positioned for a thumb activation. However, when the thumb is re-positioned to employ the zoom button, the grip on the camcorder is compromised. The user will feel like the camera will drop from their hands when using the zoom button.

The Picture:

Outside daylight recording is acceptable. Color re-production is decent. There were still some slight noise in the image. However, there was an un-acceptable amount of purple fringing. This can be seen when recording a dark subject against a bright background. For example, point up at tree branches against a cloudy grey sky. The edges of the branch glows purple.

Indoor recording with common household lamps was littered with noise and poor contrast. The overall picture was very grainy. There were no details in black objects. For example, a black leather chair just shows up as a black object with no other details such as wrinkles or texture.

The Audio:

Audio recorded in 16 bit sounded very good. Voices were clear and with faithful reproduction. However, at times, the microphone was able to pick up the actual tape winding mechanism of the camcorder. It was a constant high pitch whine that can be heard during playback. This is most likely due to the fact that the camcorder is so small that the distance between the microphone and the tape motors are minimized. The same condition was exhibited during the usage of the zoom button. Loud clicks can be heard during playback as the zoom button snaps back.

Conclusion:

This is definitley a case study of Quantity vs. Quality. There is a price to pay for ultra portability. In my opinion, the size of this camcorder has reached the point of diminishing returns. In other words, the camera is too small to be ergonimically correct. The size also compromised the audio and video performance. Buy it to impress your friends......just don't let them watch the final result.

The Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom is aboslute one of the best MiniDV Camcorders on the market. Even at its original retail price, Sony has packed so much technology into that sleek design that it's truly an amazing gadget. Another feature that I totally loved about this Handycam was that the instructions for use were made clear and operating the camcorder is almost as simple as taking photographs. And you don't at all have to worry about being a professional-the Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Camcorders computer will help you out. I tend to have a small shake in my hand when I am holding an object for an extended period of time. After I took my first videos, I assumed that when I played it back I would notice the small movment. To my total surprise, this amazing Handycam with 10x Optical Zoom knew that my hand was shaking and immediately compensated for it. To me, that was a feature that was worth a great deal of money in itself.

There are plenty of great features, more than you'll ever need-but everything you need just in case you want it. My neigbor borrowed it on a trip to Hawaii and apologized over and over as they had left it on a patio and it was exposed to about 30 minutes of light rain. They were ready to buy me a new one and I told them the only change in the camera was that it looked at little cleaner! It's not intended to be placed in water, however I discovered (after researching it on the Sony website) that the body of this small but mighty camcorder is sealed in a manner that keeps it somewhat resistant to the elements.

I did a great deal of research and many comparisons. I spent time online and then went to 2 different electronics stores where I could hold and visualize the camera. I fell in love with the compact design and how comfortable it felt in my hand. Since I did plenty of research, all I had to do was wait for a sale and immediately I made the purchase. When I opened the box I had everything I needed to start shooting photograhs, just after I ready the easy instructions for use. They even provide additional support online that answers questions that might not be addressed in the booklet that is included. Sony stands behind this product and has a toll free customer service number if you have any questions or need support that you couldn't find online. They offer a great warranty and my research on returns is basically that there are not that many.

I hope that this review was somewhat helpful. As I mentioned, there is a ton of great information that you can review. When I'm buying something I always appreciate the opinions of others who have actually purchased the products. Typically, I do my own research and THEN I like to read a review that reminds me that I am making a great purchased. Again, I hope this was helpful at least in part!

Peter Cannice

Scottsdale, Arizona

Buy Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (White) Now

Pros: Compact, lightweight, portability, easy to use, big screen, good reproduction

Cons: Microphone sensitive to wind, getting used to not having a viewfinder, bad low light performance.

Summary: I picked this camera as an upgrade for my old Canon ZR10. The first reason I chose it was the small size and portability. With a good light conditions, this little beast do its best shots, but in low light conditions this camera disapointed me (specially compared with mi old ZR10). Please don't buy it if you have plans to use it for stills shots because it has a low resolution.

The included handycam station have all the ports (Firewire, USB, power, video) you need to conect it.

The big touch screen is a must, because the screen is the only way to access the camera controls (besides some of them in the edge of the screen).

You can have a camera with more characteristics and better image quality for the same price, but if your concern is the size and portability this will be your best choice in the world of the mini DV format.

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When you buy a product that is designed and meant to fulfill certain needs, just expect the best performance out of those features.

The PC55 is a camera for the everyday home shooter, easy to use and made with the best SONY quality for one of the smallest MINI DV camera ever created.

If you are thinking about buying this camera don't hesitate one minute, this camcorder is one of the kind, it gives you pretty much the flexibility and video quality of a regular camcorder but with the amazing bring-it-in-the-pocket size and all the coolness and attention that it brings along (let it be your best Ice breaker, believe me it works like heaven!). I work for a camera store and let me tell you: we haven't received one return of this model during the time I've worked there (8 months), which proves the high quality SONY has built into this model. I have been using mine for a few months now and all I can say is that "the product is great... period!".

Let's get real, the 500 bucks you are paying for it is not for the film quality kind of movie you get in the picture (for that you need to spend at least a couple of thousand dollars) but the portability and worriless of no need of the big luggage a camcorder used to be in the past" (some times people don't realize a motorcycle couldn't be compared with a truck or vise versa).

About the picture shooting option, well let's see! A camcorder is for videos and a digital camera is for photos, if you want to have them both in one package, that brings excellent quality, you'd have to spend a lot of more money than if you bought them separately, let me explain you in a few words, the average photo quality for a MINI DV camcorder is 1.3mp or lower (the same quality you get out of your cell phone camera) to be honest with you, the manufacturers add this option just to give it an extra feature and at the same time take more money out of your pocket, with tape less digital cameras it happens the same way, the video and sound quality are very poor; so why bother paying more for a camera with both functions being excellent (there are quite a few out in the market now, starting around $1200 for models of similar size) instead buy two little cameras, one for each use, for half of the price.

If you are looking for a cool, high quality & durability MINI DV camcorder with the smallest size available in its kind, The SONY DCR-PC55 is your BEST option.

To finish, I just want to wish you all enjoy, more than the product, the unmemorable moments you will live with your loved ones because of this little fellow.

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I've had this camcorder for a week now and I think it works great .. except for the touch screen feature. That takes a little getting used to .. especially when accessing the special features (such as fader effects) while filming.

The digital still quality is poor when recording directly to the memory stick .. but the same images taken as a still from prerecorded tape is much clearer.

All in all it is a good product .. just takes some getting used to.