Digital Camcorder Review:
Sony DCR-VX2000 Digital Camcorder

John Davis
October 2000

Sony's new top gun, 3-chip Mini DV camcorder, the DCR-VX2000 has a wide array of automatic features which make using it fun and easy, even for those without a great deal of video experience. At the same time, the VX2000 also has fully accessible manual controls, for when you want to retain creative control. This mix of features, along with a strong performance, makes the new Sony digital camcorder impressive.

Taking its place as the flagship camcorder of the Sony Mini DV line, the VX2000 replaces the VX1000, and for $1000 less, while adding a LCD screen, optical image stabilization and much more. The lower price and improved features make the VX2000 a relative bargain, although it could not really be called inexpensive. Advanced users will be pleased with its image quality, its advanced features and manual controls. While newbies might find it fairly easy to use, this is a lot of camera.

Although you can set the VX2000 to fully automatic, you can also manage everything yourself with controls that are, for the most part, well planned, such as big knurled zoom and focus rings on the lens barrel. Although they aren't mechanical controls per se, the zoom and focus rings almost feel like direct, mechanical controls. Everything from the audio levels to the shutter speed can be controlled manually, much of it on-the-fly, so you can make adjustments while shooting.

The overall weight of the VX2000 is not much when you compare it to pro cameras, but may seem quite hefty compared to the current crop of pocket-sized Mini DV camcorders. The extra weight, however, adds to its pro feel. Many of the smallest cameras are actually so tiny and light they are difficult to keep steady. Although it's front-heavy, the new Sony digital camcorder is still fairly comfortable to use. It would have been nice, though, to have a shoulder rest.

Other professional features include dual neutral density filters, which reduces light intensity without affecting its color qualities. It's also got manual audio control that's essential when trying to accurately record audio. Zebra stripes, which highlight the overexposed portions of a shot, are another professional feature we were pleased to see on the camera. It's also got progressive scan mode, which helps deliver crystal-clear still images.

In addition to the usual set of picture effects, like sepia for instance, the VX2000 also has five high-quality digital effects. There's a luminance key, for example, which allows you to key the live action over a still image in the camcorder's memory. The menu jog wheel allows you to specify how much of the live image comes through, by adjusting the level of luminance where the key cut-off occurs.

Sony has also equipped the VX2000 with a Memory Stick port, allowing you to use one of Sony's storage devices to hold up to 988 images on something just a bit bigger than a stick of gum. These Memory Sticks can be connected to a computer (the VX2000 comes with a USB adapter and a floppy drive adapter is also available) or played back in another device enabled with a Memory Stick port. You can also use the images stored in the Memory Stick to create special effects in the VX2000, such as superimposing an image over a live scene, or vice-versa. It even does chromakeying.

The VX2000 also has an IEEE 1394 FireWire port, of the Sony i.LINK variety and index marking to help locate specific scenes on the tape later. In addition, the new Sony digital camcorder will convert analog to digital with pass-through, which means you can capture your analog video either to a Mini DV tape in the VX2000 or pass the digital video through to the i.LINK port and then into your computer editor or another digital video device. This last feature eliminates the need for a separate analog capture device.

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