2004 CamInfo Select: Best Camcorder Under $1250

by Camcorderinfo.com Editorial Staff
Published on Nov 22, 2004 12:00 PM



As the year rolls to a close, and low camcorder prices drop even lower, the sub-$1250 CamInfo Select price category is fairly sparse. Hardly any camcorders cost more than $1,000, which is a great thing to be able to say. Only three years ago, the majority of camcorders were in this range. Of the consumer models this year, only the Sony DCR-PC350 (Review, Specs, $899) and DCR-HC1000 and the Pansonic PV-GS400 (Review, Specs, $1099) cost as much as $1,500, and only the DCR-PC350 costs under $1,250. While our winner takes the prize somewhat by default, it is a great camcorder, and if we didn't like it as much as we do, we would simply have not given an award in this category in the first place.

The price shuffling that takes place at the end of the year not only tends to confuse buyers as to what’s a good deal and what isn’t, but (at least, this year) leaves a gray area between the sub-thousand-dollar camcorders and the higher-end consumer camcorders that hover around the $1500 mark. While we could, and most consumers will, compare the DCR-PC350 with the PV-GS400, the $200 price difference is just too much to ignore. Both have outstanding low light and video performance -- some of the best on the market, which makes them both winners in our minds. While we like the PV-GS400 for its manual control, others will love the small size and ease of use of the DCR-PC350. Because it serves this market so well without compromising on quality, we are giving it an award.

Sony DCR-PC350

Read the Full Review of the Sony DCR-PC350
Worthy of its price, the DCR-PC350 is a reminder of what Sony is capable of producing. While the camcorder has its problems, Sony has taken the time to craft a camcorder for a specific kind of user: someone looking for a upper-end home video camcorder that is more portable than something like the DCR-HC85 (Review, Specs, $593) or the PV-GS400.

Price aside, the DCR-PC350 is the best matchbook camcorder this year. It far surpasses the Optura 400 (Specs, $999) and 500, and while these two Canons outperform the DCR-PC350 when manual control and handling are considered, the DCR-PC350 blows them away in the low light category. The DCR-PC350 also produces some great stills at a resolution of 2016 x 1512, and records them on a Memory stick Duo/Pro Duo. It also has a microphone input, a hot accessory shoe, and a pop-up flash.

The DCR-PC350’s excellent low-light performance is aided by the camcorder’s 1.3-inch, 3.13 MP CCD, the same as on last year’s DCR-PC330 (Review, Specs, $599), and transcends the camcorder’s 10x optical zoom, which is mediocre even for a matchbook camcorder. The DCR-PC350 features a LCD screen that's a downgrade from last year’s DCR-PC330, with reduced pixels; however, it's still one of best out there.

There are many doubled-sized pluses and minuses to the DCR-PC350. While the camcorder features a great focus ring and nice functions like Spot Metering and Spot Focusing, they come at the sacrifice of true manual shutter speed, iris, and gain. Further, they require the user to access many of the remain manual function through the touch screen menu system. While there's a hot accessory shoe toward the rear of the front of the camcorder, the viewfinder cannot be angled upwards and extended.

Though manual control isn’t the strongest point of the DCR-PC350, a few special features join up with the camcorder’s superior low light performance to change your mind about this little machine. A CineFrame 24 function is included, which digitally manipulates the camcorder’s 60i (60 interlaced fields per second) to produce the look of film. While this option is more choppy and gimmicky than professional trickery, or the “true” 24P found on the XL2 and the AG-DVX100, it is a nice option for the home videomakers who want to shoot a mock western with their child dressed as a cowboy or something like that. Also, the DCR-PC350’s 16:9 widescreen mode is one of the best fake 16:9s out there, with its expanded pixel area and good resolution. The DCR-PC350 also features a 5x playback zoom and allows zooming during playback.

The DCR-PC350 is lighter than the DCR-PC330, which improves its handling and makes it more portable. Indeed, considering the focus ring, the easily accessed easy mode, and the nice grip, handling on the DCR-PC350 would be a breeze if it weren’t for the pesky touch screen menu. On the other hand, without the touch screen, we could never enjoy the Spot Metering and Spot Focusing options.

The DCR-PC350 is a great camcorder, not because of its manual control or its gimmicky CineFrame 24 mode, but for its low light performance coupled with its portability. It’s perhaps the best matchbook camcorder. Take a look at the Panasonic PV-GS400; if you value manual control, the DCR-PC350 is likely not the choice for you. But if you want the excellent quality of the PV-GS400 with added ease of use and compact size, you can't go wrong with Sony's DCR-PC350.