Joe McCleskey is an instructional media specialist.

• Horizontal Resolution: 490 lines


• Field of View (4:3): 35-degrees


• Field of View (16:9): 40-degrees

Format: Mini DV
Lens: Leica DICOMAR F/1.6, 10:1 optical zoom, 72mm filter diameter
Image Sensor: 3 1/3-inch CCDs, 410,000 pixels each
Viewfinder: 0.44-inch color LCD, 180,000 pixels
LCD Monitor: 3.5-inch color, 200,000 pixels
Focus: auto, manual focus ring
Anamorphic 16:9: yes
Image stabilization: optical
Exposure: auto, manual
Minimum shutter speed: 1/4 (60i, 30p); 1/6 (24p)
Maximum shutter speed: 1/2000 (60i), 1/1000 (30p, 24p)
Iris: manual
Gain: low, medium, high
White balance: auto, manual, presets
Audio: 12-bit, 16-bit; audio dub mode available
Microphone input: XLR x2, switchable to line input
Headphone output: 1/8-inch stereo mini plug
Inputs: FireWire, S-video, RCA-style composite video, stereo audio
Outputs: FireWire, S-video, RCA-style composite video, stereo audio
Edit interface: FireWire, 2.5-inch wired remote
Other features: 60i, 30p and 24p record modes, user presets, scene presets, audio level meters, hot shoe, built-in lens shade, stereo on-camera microphone, zebra stripes, internal speaker
Dimensions (wxhxd): 5 1/2 by 6 1/3 by 14 1/2 inches
Weight: 3.7 lb (sans tape and battery)

• Excellent picture and sound quality
• 24p recording
• Good response to customer feedback

• Low-res color viewfinder
• Some controls poorly placed

A serious contender in the 3-chip prosumer camcorder market.