Typical price: £480
What is it: Camcorder that records to half-size, single-layer DVDs which will play back on a home DVD player
What we think: It's cute and competent. For those looking for a straightforward point-and-shoot casual-use camcorder, it's hard to fault the 7E
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 2 September 2005
Tags: Sony, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD7E, camcorders, dynamic range, plastic
We like:
Utter simplicity of use; intriguing design; solid build
We don't like:
The fact that your footage is trapped on a DVD and not easily edited
You might also need:
A tripod might help if you need to stabilise a shot; 80mm DVDs
CNET UK judgement:
DVD camcorders are, for the moment at least, not capable of matching the output of a cheap MiniDV camcorder. None the less, the convenience of shooting your footage straight to a DVD that can be played back in a normal DVD player makes the 7E an attractive proposition
Full review:
Although tape-based MiniDV camcorders offer a superior image clarity and longer record times than DVD camcorders, there is something uniquely pleasurable about popping a DVD straight out of the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD7E and into your home player. While DVD camcorders have yet to breach the walls of MiniDV's stronghold, they still represent the quickest way to get your footage onto today's most popular home format. Continue Reading...
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD7E History
30 Jan 2006 in Reviews
VHS is dead, long live the DVD. If you loved the convenience of your old VHS camcorder, then you'll find these new DVD-based ones equally appealing. All these camcorders record straight to a half-sized DVD, burning footage in real-time. Once you're done recording, pop the disc out and place in it your home DVD player and you can watch the footage back in glorious colour
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