Sony DCR-DVD105 Camcorder Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jun 28, 2006 12:30 PM

Intro Performance
Format Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features
 Comparisons / Conclusion
Specs/Ratings  
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Widescreen/16:9 Mode (5.0)
One of the biggest differences between the Sony DCR-DVD105 (Review, Specs, $399.95) and all of the subsequent DVD camcorders in the line is its lack of a 16:9 LCD screen. The DCR-DVD205 (Review, Specs, $384.99), DCR-DVD305 (Review, Specs, $498), DCR-DVD405 (Review, Specs, $649), and DCR-DVD505 (Review, Specs, $664) all feature a wider LCD screen and a wide select button with which to toggle between 4:3 and 16:9 modes. In contrast, the DVD105 features a standard 4:3 screen and an inferior crop and zoom based widescreen feature in its touch screen menu system.

Scan Rates/24p (0.0)
The Sony DCR-DVD105 does not offer any alternate scan rates, frame rates, or anything like that. Video is captured at the standard 60i rate; that’s all that’s written in the book of the DVD Camcorder.

Other Features (4.5)
Self-Timer - Available in both still and video recording modes, this feature gives you up to ten seconds to put yourself in the frame. Recommended for the lonely.

Color Slow Shutter - Color slow shutter is the crazy night mode that Sony has been putting on most of their camcorders over the past years. In order to compensate for the nasty monochromatic greenish glow of normal infrared night shot modes, this mode institutes a really slow shutter speed as to let in more of the visible light spectrum, giving realistic color a chance. The only problem is that it’s extremely slow shutter: don’t move, or you’ll blur.

Auto Shutter - This is the closest Sony gets to manual shutter speed control. The default setting for this other feature is “on”, and, according to Sony, it prompts the camcorder’s shutter to adjust automatically in bright light environments. I’m not sure if this is a preset window of performance or what. Frankly, I can’t tell the difference.

Nightshot Plus - This is the camcorder’s normal night mode, accessible via the switch on top of the camcorder itself. This is that greenish infrared-y looking stuff you’re used to.

Supper Nightshot Plus - This option in the camcorder’s touch screen menu system increases the intensity of Nightshot Plus camcorder.

NS Light - This option, also available in the camcorder’s menu system, emits an infrared light out of the front of the camcorder to increase the clarity, if you can call it that, of the video captured in Nightshot mode.

Steadyshot - This is Sony’s own electronic image stabilization system, which can be accessed from the camcorder’s menu system. It is not the optical image stabilization that higher-end camcorders offer.

Fader - Again accessible within the camcorder’s menu system, this option allows users to add fades to their video.

Digital Effect - This DCR-DVD105 ships with various digital effects, accessible in the menu system. They include Lumikey and Old Movie.

Picture Effect - The camcorder also offers a number of picture effects, including Sepia, Black and White, Pastel, and Mosaic.






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