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Camcorder Review: Sony DCR-DVD505 DVD Camcorder

If you're a casual shooter looking to do minimal editing, the Sony DCR-DVD505 may end up in your travel bag. The DVD505 boasts widescreen DVD video recording with its CMOS sensor, while capturing Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound via the built-in mic. Watching your video is as close as the nearest DVD player.

Sony's new line of DVD-recording camcorders is sleeker and easier to use than before. The DCR-DVD505 is a bit longer, but trimmer overall than last year's models. It won't fit into a pants pocket, but it fits nicely into a coat or purse. We quickly noticed the lack of cluttered buttons around a generous 3.5" widescreen LCD. The new design moves the onboard flash from the side to above the lens to minimize protrusions. However, the DVD transport adds a ridge along the top right side of the camcorder. We found it to be a pleasant addition because it makes for a good grip. At the end of the ridge and next to the eyepiece are some of the DVD505's controls. Here you'll find the zoom rocker, photo button, and the mode switch. Cleverly hidden under the eyepiece is a MemoryStickDuo Pro slot for shooting still photos, although the flip-up plastic guard seems unnecessary.

As a step up from the DVD405, the DVD505 uses a single Complimentary Metal Oxide Sensor (CMOS) instead of a CCD sensor, takes 4 Megapixel photos instead of 3 Megapixel photos, and has a much larger LCD screen. The new CMOS technology allows for more noise-free images and better color, along with more energy efficiency, according to Sony. This equates to longer battery life, and thus more time to shoot video. Sony takes CMOS a step further in the DVD505 by angling the sensor at 45 degrees to produce better images. Sony calls this feature "ClearVid."

Since the DVD505 keeps the exterior simple, you access most features through a graphical menu using the touch panel LCD. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Fewer buttons mean fewer accidentally triggered features, but making useful changes on the fly is impaired. Manual exposure and manual focus controls are both accessed via the touch screen. However, you can't engage them at the same time. We recommend finding proper exposure first, then zooming in to take focus with the manual control. To adjust the exposure, select the exposure menu setting and simply touch the screen to the right or left. A slider appears on-screen, similar to those found in Photoshop Elements or similar photo adjustment programs.

The DVD505's overall color reproduction is excellent. We shot bright yellows and deep reds indoors and out, with great results. In "Automatic," the white balance makes for slightly cool blue images. You'll want to use the "One Push" manual setting though, which makes for the most accurate color. While the CMOS sensor certainly does its job in the color department, the images aren't as sharp as those shot on Mini DV tape format. This "softness" is simply a trait of recording to DVD.

Just like equipment used for your favorite Hollywood pressed DVDs, the Sony DVD505 uses VBR (Variable Bit Rate) recording, since your video goes through extra compression steps to fit on the disc. This keeps the picture quality high when there's lots of action in the shot. The result? Your high-action shots will look good but they'll take up more space on the disc, and you'll be able to record for longer periods when your subject is stationary. Instead of measuring your recording in the traditional total running time, the DVD505 measures it in bits. The more complex the video, the more bits used, thus allowing action and complex shots to be clean instead of creating the pixelation that can happen from too much information absorbed. You still get an estimated time remaining readout, but it will vary according to the DVD's needs.

The immersive feeling of surround sound is as fun as it is useful. This Sony allows for Dolby 5.1 surround sound recording with the onboard microphone. Aided by the on-screen display, we were able to monitor our soundscape without headphones. We listened to the sound in our 5.1 booth, and we were pleased overall. All five channels showed some separation. For the best audio experience, we recommend using the DVD505 with Sony's optional Bluetooth mic (see sidebar).

"Finalizing" your movie disc allows you to easily watch it on most DVD players. Do this by selecting "Finalize" from the camcorder's on-screen menu. If you don't finalize, you'll still be able to watch individual movie files on a computer. Also, be aware that these small movie disks should not be used with slot-loading DVD players, only tray-loading players with a designated seat. Our test disc worked fine in all environments: in PC, Mac, and our home theater system.

Navigating by way of touch-screen can take some getting used to, so it's best to practice before recording anything important. While the menu isn't the best place for manual controls, this camcorder is really about having fun and not worrying about technicalities.