Since our initial review of the TRV950, a number of vocal users have reported very poor low-light performance in that camera. Sony's reliably self-reported minimum illumination confirms, and we can verify with our tests, that the PDX10 does need adequate lighting. This is largely due to the compact size of the CCDs and the lens. We explicitly tested the PDX10 side-by-side with a Sony PD150 (a professional version of the VX200). In poor lighting conditions, we were able to manually get brighter images from the PD150, partially because of the larger lens, but also as a result of increasing the gain. If you frequently shoot nighttime or indoor video using only available light, you might consider a camera with better low-light capabilities than the PDX10. The PDX10 may not have the best low-light performance we've ever seen, but this is certainly not the same as saying that it has poor low-light capabilities. Under normal conditions, even the ambient lighting of our office was more than enough to produce very bright and sharp video. This camera will be just fine at weddings and banquet receptions.

If you've ever glanced at the rest of this magazine, you'll know that all serious videography requires adequate lighting and, by extension, so do all camcorders. This is the number one difference between amateur home video and professional video. A single, well-placed light indoors or a bounce card reflector outdoors will make more difference in your videography than the finest and most expensive low-light camera ever produced.

The PDX10 has a couple of other functions not found in the TRV950, such as user-settable timecode (which is not a minor feature) and a black and white viewfinder. Likewise, the TRV950 has some functions not found in the PDX10 (such as Bluetooth networking and a pop-up flash). With some of the clearest and sharpest video around, these are both excellent cameras. Deciding between the two is simply a matter of assessing your requirements (e.g. DVCAM) and whether the highly-integrated XLR adapter and shotgun microphone are worth the additional $400. The compact size, imaging quality and audio flexibility of the PDX10 will certainly not disappoint.

Format: Mini DV
Lens: 12:1 optical zoom, fl=3.6 to 43.2mm, f/1.6-2.8, 37mm filter, Sony Video Lens
Image Sensors: 3 (three) - 1/4.7-inch CCDs; 690,000 pixels
Image Stabilization: Optical
Viewfinder: 44-inch black and white
LCD Viewscreen: 3.5-inch color (246,400 pixels)
Focus: auto, manual, Spot Focus
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/10,000 sec.
Exposure Control: auto, manual, Flexible Spot Meter
Iris Control: auto
White Balance: auto, manual
Inputs: i.LINK (IEEE 1394), S-video, composite, RCA audio, 1/8" mini microphone, 2-channel XLR audio (line, mic, att. mic, +48V)
Outputs: i.LINK (IEEE 1394), S-video, composite, RCA audio, USB, headphone
Edit Interface: LANC, i.LINK (IEEE 1394)
Other Features: 8MB Memory Stick, 1,152x864 stills, touch panel, true 16:9 widescreen mode, low-cut audio filter
Dimensions: 3 3/4 (w) x 4 (h) x 8 (d) inches
Weight: 2 lb. 1 oz. (sans tape and battery)

• XLR audio adapter and microphone
• Compact size
• 16:9 widescreen mode

• Default audio set to 12bit

The XLR audio capabilities make this compact camera a serious choice for professionals on the go.

$3,100
Sony Electronics
1 Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(800) 686-7669
bssc.sel.sony.com