3 Megapixel Image - 2 Megapixel Video - 10x Optical Zoom - 120x Digital Zoom - 16 MB Memory Stick Duo Included - Firewire - MPN: DCRPC350
Strengths: Color is great. It does take a few seconds for the unit to warm up and the color stabilizes but once it does it is great. The weight is neglible and makes it easy to carry around all day.
Weakness: Having to use the large capacity batteries makes the unit bulky.
Not having a lot of experience with digital camcorders I found this unit easy to learn and to use. It interfaces well with my iMac and I'm making video productions after only 15 days of use. The base unit setup is very easy to get used to and eliminates the tedious plugging in of small cords when dumping to the iMac. The features of the unit seem to be easy to access and easy to use, especially the touch screen menus. I've been asked many times to demo this camera.
I did find one small problem so far, the SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo cards do not work in this unit. I tried a 512mb one and didn't find out it was incompatible until I had maxed out my sony 256mb unit in Belize. Back in Tampa we tried another one at the store and it didn't work either so I'll stick to Sony memory sticks. Still camera functions are easy to use and maybe too easy as I occaisionally hit the button for a still while filming in camcorder mode. The camera took a low res photo every time I did this. But low res photos aren't comparable to the shots you get using the unit in still photo mode. I also sometimes found myself recording mpegs while in camera mode. The unit never complained and will do what you ask quickly with no complaints. I had to train myself to remember what mode I was in before recording or taking a photo. Either way the unit never failed to get the shot. For it's size and features I'd recommend this unit to any amateur video fan. It is expensive but I'm glad I waited for it and didn't settle for the DC PCR330. If you buy one I suggest you get a couple big batteries and at least 2, 256mb memory sticks. This unit will make you take lots of photos and video it's that much fun to use.
Carl Laury
St Petersburg, FL
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TopStrengths: Quality two in one solution, size, convertable hand strip, night shot, customable menu.
Weakness: Sony's high price accessories. Strange microphone position. Extra Cradle for computer connection.
When I decided to buy a camcorder, I know I want my camcorder can take quality still picture. When I travel, I don't want to carry big bags with lots of accessries and batteries with me. I want a all-in-one solution.
There are not too many options I have, Sony DCR-PC350 and Panasonic PV-GS400, which make things easier.
Size and weight are the most crital aspect to me, becasue I want my wife, who has small hands, can also use it. Although Panasonic provide great functions, such as 4mega pixels still image, 3 CCDs, and so on, Sony is much smaller and lighter than Panasonic's.
I personally want to use it for home/travel video. Therefore, I don't mind to have less special features.(I don't want to be a professional camera man anyway.) Also I don't mind to have less manual control, which I prefer automatic more. (I am just too lazy.) I don't like to spend couple days of my life just try to read the big instruction manual. I know I won't use those special feature anyway.
Why bother. Haha! As long as it's small, easy to use, don't need to spend too much time teach myself and my wife how to use it, and of course it can take quality picture and good video. I am a happy man. So that's why I choose Sony's.
Till now, I am happy with the camcorder. The price is just a little bit too high. Well, that's the price for updated technology, right? The only thing I don't like is the cradle. I have to put on cradle to download my stuff to computer. GOD, that's stupid.
If you are like me, don't like to carry too much stuffs and just want to enjoy the moment instead of being a camera man, this is a good choice for you.
Ps: When I purchase this camcorder, it doesn't come with Firewire(1394) line. I don't know what sony expect me to do to download my video from the machine to my computer. And the line cost me 30 dollars.
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TopHow do they compare the PV-GS400 and the DCR-PC350 ?
Does the DCR-PC350 have real 16:9 widescreen, I don't see this in the review.
Strengths: Compact, well built, lots of function, excellent video
Weakness: memory stick compatibility, picture is so so, expensive accessories, did not include firewire
Looked at many cameras but wound up with this one. Got it because of its small size, though a little heavy for its size. Neat feature is that you can record from tape to memory stick as MPEG1. You can also do real time video recording from any video source such as tv or vcr onto memory stick. The picture quality is good but kind of grainy for a 3MB camera. I also like the menu shortcuts on the small screen so you can go to important function just one touch on screen. Other than that, I would recommend it for its video quality.
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TopStrengths: compact and handy. Nice design. No motor noise compared with GS400 which my colleague bought.
Weakness: Large capacity batteries are needed. No iLink cable come with the it. Have to load the video into the computer with low quality. And the software used for it is unpractical.
This is the first camcorder I have. Even though it's very expensive but I bought it because its compact and nice design. I want a camcorder with digital camera function so that I don't have to bring lots of equipments when I am traveling. And this one definitely fit my requiments. It's quality is OK, but not as good as I expected with such prices. Compared with GS400, this one is light, handy and comfortable. GS400 is too heavy to hold it for long time shoting.
But, I don't know why sony don't provide the Firewire cable, so that the video download to computer with USB is not so good. BTW, probably the software used for it is the worst software I saw so far.
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TopStrengths: Compact and easy to use, especially with the Easy Cam feature on. Photos appear crisp and clean for a camcorder. Touch screen LCD easy to navigate.
Weakness: Might be too small for some hands. Side-mounted flash is easy to accidentally cover up while using photo mode. Requires Memory Card Duo.
I'm extremely pleased with this camcorder. I bought it as a replacement for my Sony DCR-PC110 and find there are many similarities and many improvements as well. I particularly like the touch screen LCD and the additional buttons on the side of the LCD which allow me to telephoto or zoom without worrying about pressing a wrong button on the other side of the camera. (Both the photo and telephoto buttons are next to each other and it is quite easy to accidently snap a photo while using the LCD screen instead of zooming in on your shot.) I wish I could have used my memory cards from previous Sony equipment but this camcorder requires a Memory Card Duo. There is a EasyCam setting which makes the camera easy to use from the first day, though I prefer controlling things a bit more than this setting allows. I don't like the side flash setting; I prefer the pop-up flash at the top of a camcorder and really think Sony screwed up on this feature. I have not used the computer software yet but will hope that downloading photos will not be too complicated.
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Testseek.com has collected 5 expert reviews for Sony DCR-PC350 and the average expert rating is 68 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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Sony Handycam DCR-PC350 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 3.48 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #2 MiniDV camcorder of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a...
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Sony’s DCR-PC350 is the company’s most expensive matchbook camcorder from 2004. It’s a good camcorder, especially for a matchbook, and it definitely beats the socks off of Canon’s high end Optura 400 and Optura 500. While the Opturas may take the cake in the manual control department, as they offer manual audio control and true shutter adjustment, the DCR-PC350 offers superior performance...
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If you're looking for a small, compact camcorder that's easy to use and shoots great looking video, look no further than Sony's DCR-PC350. Sony's 3.3 megapixel matchbox-style DCR-PC350 replaces the similar DCR-PC330, with the only major change being a reduction in size. The camcorder features a 10x optical zoom and a fairly large 1/3-inch CCD that delivers outstanding low light and video...
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Sony Handycam Digital Camcorder - 2.5" LCD - CCD
Strengths: Excellent picture quality Compact size. User friendly menu system NO MOTOR NOISE!!!
Weakness: Slow auto-focus in lower lighting No headphone jack Microphone placement picks up ambient room noise
Phenomenal picture in every lighting situation, grain free in low light. Customizable touch screen menu for quick access during filming. Extended life battery is smaller than I thought and lasts over 2 hours. This is the best camera I have ever used. Have tried and returned matchbook cameras from panasonic and canon. Sony is the best hands down. Especially in low light, the picture is absolutely beautiful.
The only issue I have found concerns the auto-focus. The camera does tend to wander in focus in less than favorable lighting. That being said, I have tried several other matchbook cameras from panasonic and canon and was not able to get a half-way decent picture in the lighting situations that the sony handles brilliantly. Even in dim lighting, the picture is grain free and the subject matter sharp as a tack. I am blown away by the picture from this camera. I used the canon optura 500 in similar light and the picture was very grainy and fuzzy. Manual focus solves the issue, but to be honest, it isn't that bad. If it weren't for this one issue, this would be the perfect camera. There isn't much more sony can do to improve things, they have definitely hit the peak. My guess is this particular model will be scarce after the holidays. Get one now!!
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