Digital Camcorder Review:
Sony DCR-VX2000 Digital Camcorder (page 2)

Holding the VX2000 with your right hand in the grip strap, it feels pretty solid and secure. It is small and light enough to grip with one hand, but the camcorder's tendency to tip forward means you'll almost always have your left hand on it, too.

Holding it by its handle is very comfortable. Unfortunately, the Start/Stop button on top makes it awkward to access with either hand. It would have been more comfortable if it was on the handle, immediately behind the accessory shoe (which, by the way, is only hot for specific Sony accessories).

The 2.5-inch, flip-out color LCD monitor works well indoors and in low light conditions, but outdoors, like other LCDs, it can be useless in the glare of bright sunlight.

We had heard rumors about a hiss problem in the VX2000. We tested the camera specifically for this hiss and could not find anything remarkable.

The new digital camcorder is an impressive camcorder with a great mix of features and good video performance. Although it has a few minor design drawbacks, it is still a solid performer. It is a suitable replacement for the powerful VX1000.

However, when comparing the VX2000 to others in its category, it is not as impressive. There doesn't seem to be that much more in the new Sony Digital camcorder for the price. Granted, its 3-CCD system provides a fantastic image and the vast array of features is impressive. Hopefully, its street price will be significantly lower than its listed price.

Format: Mini DV
Lens: 12:1 optical, 48:1 digital zoom, f/1.6, 58mm filter diameter
Image Sensors: three 1/3-inch Progressive Scan CCD (380,000 pixels each)
Viewfinder: 2.5-inch color flip-out LCD monitor, 0.5-inch color LCD viewfinder
Focus: auto, manual
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/10,000 sec
Exposure: selective programmed auto (5 modes), manual, backlight and spotlight
White Balance: auto, manual
Digital Effects: Still superimposition, Flash motion, Luminance key, Trail, Old movie
Picture Effects: Negative Art, Sepia, Black & White, Solarize, Slim, Stretch
Audio: 12 or 16-bit stereo

Inputs: IEEE 1394, S-video, mike, mini stereo line audio, Memory Stick
Outputs: IEEE 1394, S-video, RCA composite, RCA stereo audio, mini stereo headphone, memory stick

Edit Interface: LANC, IEEE 1394
Other Features: DPOF (Digital Print Order
Format), Memory Stick storage of still
images, slow-motion playback
Dimensions: 4 5/8w x 5 3/4h x 13 1/2 l inches
Weight (without tape, battery and lens hood): 2 pounds 15.9 ounces
Weight (with tape, NP-F730H battery and lens hood): 3 pounds 9.8 ounces

Video Performance (approx.)
Horizontal resolution (camera): 460 lines
Horizontal resolution (playback): 450 lines

Performance Times
Pause to Record: 1 second
Power-up to Record: 6.5 seconds
Fast-forward/Rewind (60 min. tape) 2 minutes 43 seconds

• Analog capture with pass-through
• Excellent picture quality
• Excellent digital still features, including Memory Stick storage

• Slugish response from zoom ring
• Front-heavy when held with the hand grip
• Top Start/Stop button inconvenient

This is a superb digital camcorder, with features and performance suitable for advanced videographers seeking a professional look and feel.

Sony Corporation
1 Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(800) 222 7669
$3,199
www.sel.sony.com

• Digg This!
• del.icio.us
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit