In the world of miniaturised consumer digital video cameras nothing beats Sony's DCR-PC110 Digital Handycam (AU$4,500) in terms of size, design, and shear number useful features. The only thing that mars this otherwise undeniably sexy camera is its poor image quality in low light and bright light conditions.
The developers at Sony are masters of squeezing electronics into the tiniest packages imaginable, and the DCR-PC110 is no exception. This mini DV camcorder, which is slightly bigger than a pack of smokes, is actually two cameras in one. You get a digital still camera that can capture one-megapixel (1,152 by 864) images to a Sony MemoryStick and a digital video camera that captures full-frame, full-motion video to digital videotape.
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The two newest features on this camera are a still picture pop-up flash and the ability to record short MPEG-1 video clips directly onto MemoryStick media. Both the still picture images and MPEG videos can be stored on MemoryStick. If you don't have a MemoryStick reader for your PC, don't sweat it--you can transfer digital files from the camera to your PC using a standard USB cable. Other impressive features on the camera include extremely responsive auto-focus, superb SteadyShot picture stabilization, and an incredibly sharp LCD and colour viewfinder.
The camera's onboard stereo microphone performs admirably well despite its small diaphragm and placement on the top of the body. The automatic gain circuitry is efficient, adjusting for extremes in volume levels with great agility. The camera also has a microphone-in jack as well. Though there are no manual audio controls and not a lot of bass response, few will complain about this camera's sound.
The PC110's NightShot technology, which uses infrared light it emits from just under the lens, is remarkable, letting you shoot in absolutely no light. It needs to be, because the camera performs poorly in low light conditions. Though there is a low light setting, this seems to be only a slow shutter speed, which produces a "stroby" look, replete with annoying coloured video noise, in the final product.
In daylight, there is a narrow exposure "sweet spot" where the camera functions well. The PC110 doesn't have a built-in neutral density filter, however, so it doesn't handle contrast extremes very well. A scene with bright sun and shadows becomes a challenge to shoot in, even when using the camera's manual exposure control.
In the next generation DCR-PC model we'd like to see 30 frames per second progressive scan recording and better low light performance. As it is, the PC110 packs a lot inside its small package, but its picture quality leaves something to be desired.
Sony DCR-PC110
Company:Sony Australia
Ph:1300 137 669
Price:AU$4,500
Rating:
7%
2%
