Format: DVD
Imaging Device: CMOS
Size of Sensor: 1/3"
Pixels on Sensor: 2.1 million
Video Effective Pixels: 1.99 million
Focus: Full Auto, Manual w/ touch panel
Shutter Speed: Automatic, AE Mode
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/4 second
Minimum Shutter Speed: 1/4000 second
Lens F-Stop: f1.8- f2.9
Program Exposure Modes: Auto, Spotlight, Portrait, Beach & Ski
Optical Zoom: 10x
Focal Length: 5mm- 51mm
Image Stabilization: digital
Manual White Balance: Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor
Viewfinder: Color, standard aspect, 123,000 pixels
LCD Monitor: Color, 3.5" wide aspect hybrid 211,000 pixels
Progressive Scan: Yes, in Still Image mode
HD Modes: No
Video In: Analog w/ multi A/V, digital w/ USB2.0
Video Out: Analog w/ multi A/V, digital w/USB2.0
iLink Interface: No
Mono/Stereo Recording: 5.1 Dolby Digital
Microphone In: Yes, via hotshoe
VU Meters: Yes, 5.1 surround
Manual Audio Level Controls: No
Headphone Jack: No
Speaker: Mono
Still Shot Media: Sony Memory Stick Duo Pro
Memory Card Included: Yes
Flash: Yes
Wireless Remote: Yes
External Battery Charger Provided: No
Battery Type: Interchangeable
Disk Loading Configuration: Side
Onboard Video Light: No
Accessory Shoe: Yes, Active Interface shoe

• Ease of use
• Generous wide LCD
• Visual 5.1 surround sound monitoring

• No headphone jack
• Can't transfer clips directly from disc to edit

The Sony DCR-DVD505 provides the picture and sound worthy of a President Cleveland (or ten Benjamins.)

Andrew Burke is Videomaker's Editorial Assistant, a member of AIVF, and has worked in video production worldwide.

The Sony ECM-HW1R wireless microphone consists of 2 main parts: a small off-camera microphone and an Active Interface Shoe receiver. Using Bluetooth technology, it records one channel (the center) of Dolby 5.1 surround sound. While Bluetooth is convenient, the sound quality is a bit less than a wired or radio mic. We can't help but like how well it works up to one hundred feet away. We even used it through walls; when we started recording and walked outside the building, it didn't skip a beat. You can clip the mic to a daypack strap, or wear it around the neck with the included lanyard. An elastic armband and fuzzy windscreen are also included inside the accessory bag. You can't use this mic on any camera except a Sony camcorder equipped with an Active Interface Shoe (proprietary) and support for surround sound. The Bluetooth receiver attaches easily and offers a locking mechanism around the base. Of special note here is that the receiver includes a headphone jack. So you can monitor sound even if your camcorder doesn't normally allow for it.

$1,100
Sony Electronics, Inc.
1 Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(800) 222-SONY
www.sonystyle.com