Sony DCR-PC1000 3CCD MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Product Description

With high performance video recording and a fresh new body design, the DCR-PC1000 MiniDV Handycam(R) camcorder takes form and function to a new level. The 3 CMOS imaging sensors provide superior detail and clarity in both video and still image recording. The 2.7 Megapixel digital still memory mode captures beautiful, high-resolution still images onto Memory Stick(R) Duo and Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media for picture perfect prints. The Super SteadyShot(R) picture stabilization system provide smooth video recording for the best possible picture. Up to 530 horizontal lines of resolution Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens - 10X optical zoom lens with up to 120x digital zoom Super SteadyShot(R) Image Stabilization System Program AE Modes - Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports, Landscape, Spotlight, Sunset & Moon NightShot Infrared System - Color Slow Shutter Exposure - Touch Panel, Dial (24 Steps) 2.7 Megapixel Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick(R) Duo Media MiniDV Video format USB Streaming IEEE1394 iLink DV port White Balance - Auto/Outdoor/Indoor/One Push Tele Macro Function Active Interface Shoe Assignable Manual Dial Built-In Flash Picture Effects Unit Dimensions - 2.13 W x 4.48 H x 4 D / Weight - 1.06 lbs. Remote Control

Customer Reviews:

The best Sony camera for family use.......2006-12-07

I love this camera! I used this camera for a year now and in my opinion this is the best Sony camera for family use. It fits easily in a pocket, I just carry it in a ziplock bag to avoid getting it dirty. I carry this camera with me whenever I can, just to document bits of daily family life. I have other Sony cameras, but due to their size I always choose this one. The quality is excellent in good light condition, very good to document family moments. I also like the provided Handycam Station, I keep it on a table, put camera back when I'm home and thanks to this almost never forget to load batteries. I really can't complain about anything. Also, the photos quality are reasonable quality.

What a great little camera!.......2006-06-04

This camera achieves its goal as a sleek, simple dual function (still/movie) camera with moderate access to advanced functions. It is easy to use, small and lightweight, and has a very high coolness quotient. It has an interesting form factor, which I haven't found difficult to use, although the zoom toggle is sometimes difficult to reach because it's placed too high when you're holding the camera low in front of your body. The video is sharp and clear, and the audio is surprisingly good considering the built-in mic is placed on the top of the camera body. I do wish it had even the smallest of lights to assist with low-light conditions, because the video quality can be average in dim light. I think Sony should either have put a standard accessory shoe on the camera, or they should offer more options in terms of accessories, which are limited to a couple of mics and a light/flash or two. For example, a combination video light/flash and quality stereo or surround mic would be fantastic. Also, there is no external microphone input or headphone monitor jack, both of which should be standard on a camera in this price range. The battery life is limited. At full charge it reads 80 minutes. There is a larger battery available, but even that wont hold up to sustained use of zoom and flash. I suspect Sony chose an enclosed battery compartment to keep the camera sleek, but they should get working on a more potent option.

One of the best features of this camera is that it works quite well as a still camera! I use it interchangeably with my dedicated still for anything that will print 4x6 or smaller. Camcorders are typically regarded as glorified cell phones in terms of their still functionality, but this one breaks the mold. While it's not able to capture the same level of detail and color balance, it IS good enough for small prints and my wife's scrapbooking projects.

As for the computer interface, it's very good over USB, and I'm sure over firewire as well. Connecting the camera couldn't be simpler. It auto-detects the usb connect mode, and is easy to switch from DV capture to DV pass-through or memory stick acces. It can even stream video over USB, though I doubt I'll ever use a $1000 webcam. As slick as the hardware is, Sony's software has a long way to go before it is mature. The video capture utility could be great, but they need a usability designer to sort the thing out. For example, it stops every so often at a non-configurable and arbitrary "time limit", making it impossible to simply punch "capture" and walk away from the camera, returning to a single, complete AVI file. I tried some freeware, but it choked on the audio, so I now use Windows Movie Maker. It's a simple solution that can both capture and edit, and it's the software Sony should have produced. They could improve upon it by enabling the ability to install video codecs other than WMA, like DIVX or XVID, or even just plain old MPEG1/2! But it works great for raw AVI capture and edits. I'll use some other tools to convert the video and burn the DVDs.

My overall review of this camera remains 5 stars becuase of:
1) size
2) usability (others have complained, I find it quite good)
3) versatility (camcorder, camera, camcorder - not too bad!)
4) extremely good video quality (in bright light)
5) cool factor

BUT, Sony needs to put out a more powerful battery option, and expand on the shoe accessories. Plus, they need to improve the software profoundly on the next go-around, and they need to add a damn headphone and external mic jack to this thing. Finally, it WOULD be nice to have a more versatile set of manual controls and a simpler mechanical interface to access them (ie a nice control ring), and it would be nice to add a firewire/usb port on the camera to enable direct DV streaming to an external hard disk.

Sweet camera overall, with a few acceptable quibbles...

Great - But Mac Users Need Add'l Firewire Cable.......2006-05-29

I've only had my pc1000 for a week and it seems to be a great camera. The camera form factor, user controls, and picture/audio quality are all better than I expected.

The one area where it missed the mark was that Sony doesn't adequately emphasize that Mac users need an additional 4-pin to 6-pin IEEE (Firewire/i.Link) cable. This is not included and runs around $25.

From the product specs, I misunderstood that a Mac with USB 2.0 would work with the supplied USB cable. USB will ONLY transfer Memory Stick data - not MiniDV data, which is where you'll record most of your video. The only place I found this documented was in the "Troubleshooting" section of the manual. In other words, Sony considers their poor OS support to be a user problem.... Feh.

Once you get a 4-pin to 6-pin Firewire cable, however, iMovie effortlessly imports your video. Don't bother with the included Sony software.

Otherwise, the pc1000 rocks.

3CMOS is not a bargain for DCR-PC1000.......2006-02-01

Iam from Costa Rica, this camera is very expensive I do not recommend you to buy, i t has no night shot or super night shot, the built in Flash has power for close pictures, the picture quality is just aceptable in sun ligth but indoors is very bad, i recommend you to buy the DCR-PC105 or similar from sony, it cost less and is almost the same video quality but this one has more features, the DCR-PC1000 has two modes of picture quality, i do not recommend this device.

Good for consumer, bad for any level higher than "Uncle Joe's Birthday".......2006-01-26

As a Handy-cam, it works fine. It has an "idiot" mode button that allows simple point and shoot operation. So, if you're on vacation and shooting outdoors, you're set with the PC1000. It's fine. The resolution and quality are superb.

Anything beyond those lower expectations, however, forget it. Operating the camera in any type of manual mode is a cumbersome method in sub-menu frustration. Low light performance is atrocious and there's NO WAY to get quality audio into the camera.

None.

You can buy an after market cam-mounted stereo mic from Sony, but it's still doesn't provide good fidelity; mainly because there's no way to get the mic close to the subject --save for moving the camera itself. Not an option if image composition is important to you. More mind-boggling is the decision to leave off any kind of audio monitoring whatsoever. Headphones? Nope, no headphone jack. Not only does it capture sub-par audio, it doesn't allow you any ability to monitor possible flaws in audio capture.

Case in point: I bought the external "hot shoe" mic from sony. Well, if has an 'off' toggle switch on it that's hard to discern, thus I recorded a 20 minute interview with the lousy default cam mic and had no way of realizing my dilemma 'til I play-backed the tape in another machine.

Anyway, the cam makes a nice image in good light, no question, so it's good for video novices that just want simple home movies. Don't expect anything else out of it though.

Product Description

Specialty Series. As the name implies, something special. These are binoculars that don't fit into one specific category, but have one specific feature that many of us might find handy. Lightweight construction, compact size, attractive styling, even the ability to perform two functions as once. The choices are yours.

Specialty Series Features:

371 ft. field-of-view
Lens has anti-reflective coating
Roof prism
2.6mm exit pupil
Weight 7.4 oz.
Center focus
Includes neck strap, carrying pouch, and rubber fold-down eyecups

For information on how to choose the right binocular for you and in-depth technical information, please click here.

Average customer rating:
Tasco Specialty 8x21 Binoculars

Manufacturer: Bushnell
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

Duracell CEF90NC 30 Minute Charger with 4 AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries

Rayovac NM715-8 Rechargeable NiMH AA Batteries, 8-Count Package

Bushnell Binocular Cleaning Kit

Product Features:

Radio/binocular for listening to play-by-play commentary as you watch

Field of view: 350 feet at 116 meters

Porro prism design and Rubicon-coated objective lenses

Features AM/FM radio with earpieces, rubberized finish, carrying pouch with belt loop and neck strap

Fully coated lens

ASIN: B0001DZ2PO

Product Description

For the sports enthusiast, the 821RAD Radio binocular allows you to zero in on the playing field while listening to the play-by-play commentary. Maximize your sights and sounds with this unique accessory. Features fully coated Rubicon objective lenses.

Amazon.com Product Description

Tasco has outdone itself with the Tasco 821RAD Specialty 8 x 21 Waterproof / Fogproof binoculars with built-in FM / AM radio. This uniquely designed radio-binocular lets you get close to the action while simultaneously listening to the play-by-play commentary. Whether you're watching -- and listening to -- your favorite baseball team in the pennant race, or you're following the PGA tour, the Tasco 821RAD is made for you.

Featuring an AM / FM radio with lightweight, snug-fitting earpieces, Rubicon-coated objective lenses, rubberized finish, carrying pouch with belt loop and neck strap, this binocular and radio combination will make you the envy of the crowd. As one of the products from Tasco's specialty line, the Tasco 821RAD offers the promise of pure Tasco quality and performance.

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