Published: 2005-08-23, Author: Robert , review by: macworld.co.uk
Stylish and compact; oversized 3-inch LCD; Active Interface Shoe (hot shoe).
No viewfinder; optical zoom is only 10x; no manual controls; letterboxed (cropped) 16:9 mode; image stabilization is electronic, not optical; no night mode; stills are only 640 x 480; dock required for video transfer; expensive.
The Sony DCR-PC55 looks good, but the video quality is only average. Unless portability is your main consideration, you can find better-featured camcorders than this for the money. ...
Abstract: This model had lackluster performance in several lighting conditions. In bright light settings, comparable to a bright sunny day, the DCR-PC55 produced dull images. The colors were muffled and lacked vibrancy.
Abstract: DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder $799.99 Sony (800) 571-7669 (201) 930-1000 www.sonystyle.com Adventure Cam 3 $299.95 Viosport (888) 579-2267 (906) 226-9393 www.viosport.com You may remember that five years ago, most reasonably priced digital cameras...
Abstract: Getting A Grip The zoom controls are straightforward with a toggle at the back of the camcorder. At first, the size of the camcorder makes handling it a little tricky. Having big hands doesnt help this problem. Furthermore, you need to exercise cautio...
Abstract: <b>Spec:</b> Camcorder, Mini DV, 10 x<br> <b>Good:</b> Extremely small; looks classy and cool enough to take to a Hollywood premiere; easy to learn.<br> <b>Bad:</b> Mediocre video quality; awkward to hold; short battery life; DV connector is on charging cradle.<br> <b>Bottomline:</b> Unless portability is your primary consideration, you can find better choices than this petite underachiever.<br>
Abstract: the left side of the camcorder. Along the bottom of the LCD screen are five nice-looking, quality buttons, including a secondary (or primary) record button, Side Show Plus, Back Light, Disp. Batt. Info, and Easy mode. Also, a small speaker is located ...
Functionality, ease of use, makes a fashion statement.
Lack of external headphone socket, mic shoe only accepts Sony mics, heavy power drain.
For those needing a full range of functionality in a camcorder that includes MPEG video and high quality DV performance in a tiny package the PC55 is hard to beat.
Abstract: Much like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1, the Handycam DCR-PC55 is one of the first digital cameras to utilise a touch-screen LCD. The blending of these two technologies has created a camera that ultimately sacrifices functionality and performance for flas...
