Sony DCR-DVD105 Camcorder Review

The DVD105’s front contains the camcorder’s lens barrel tip, slightly less prominent and massive than that on last year’s DCR-DVD92. Below this, as on the DCR-DVD92, is a curving slope which features an infrared sensor and, further down, a stereo microphone. Microphone placement is fine; just be careful you don’t rub against the mic when you open the LCD screen.

As its front notes, the DCR-DVD105 does feature Carl Zeiss optics. While perhaps more of a name-drop than a viable selling point, these are nice features for such a low-end camcorder.. The DVD105 has a filter diameter of 25mm, 20x optical zoom and 800x digital zoom, F=1.8 – 2.5, and f=2.3 – 46mm (which translates to a 35mm equivalent of 44 – 880mm in video and still mode).

The Right Side (7.0)
The right side of the DCR-DVD105 features the camcorder’s DVD mechanism drive, slightly smaller than that on last year’s DCR-DVD92. Running along the bottom of the camcorder’s right side is Sony’s comfy, if large, strap. This strap has more Velcro on it than do Panasonic straps, generally, which adds a step to adjustment. However, it is also a bit more comfortable.

To the immediate left of the DVD mechanism is a small port cover, which, while grey like the rest of the side, sort of sticks out as ugly. Its placement is better than it seems, however, as the cover rests directly under the user’s pointer-finger knuckle during handheld use. Users will often cock their fingers to operate the camcorder’s zoom toggle, photo button, and mode selector switch, so the cover won’t be obstructive. While the cover is large enough to cover two ports, it only covers one here: the camcorder’s Audio/Video output port.

The Back (5.5)
The back of the DCR-DVD105 is the main control center for the camcorder. Prominent features include the large battery port, Direct Current adaptor port, and other controls. The battery port and DC input port are close together here, putting power all in one place; a smart design means that the battery port can fit larger batteries as well as the standard size. Also, the DC input does not interfere much with the camcorder operation, as it will be most likely used with a tripod and thus does not hinder handheld use.

The camcorder’s primary record button is located to the right of the DC input port, along the right side of the DVD105’s back; it is a bit slender ,but should be adequate, especially as a secondary record button rests on the margin of the LCD screen.. Above these is the mode selector switch, which has been changed from last year’s DCR-DVD92. On this year’s model the switch sits toward the top of the camcorder, easily to access with a pointer finger. User can chose between video capture mode and still capture mode with this device or capture stills to disc in video capture mode. Well done, Sony. Next to these controls is the camcorder’s viewfinder. Its color capability is nice, but its extendibility, or lack thereof, could be an issue.

The Left Side (5.5)
The left side of the DCR-DVD105 features the camcorder’s 2.5 inch LCD screen. Its size is one of the main downgrades from the DCR-DVD205 (Review, Specs, $384.99). It also lacks the 205’s Wide Select Button, which switches between widescreen and 4:3 LCD screen display. The DCR-DVD105 does have a widescreen capability; it’s just a black bar on the top and bottom of the 4:3 screen. The Wide Select option is located inside the camcorder’s touch screen menu system.

Buttons under the DCR-DVD105’s LCD screen include a button to shuffle between display options and battery info, and, more importantly, a button to activate the camcorder’s Easy mode. While I would have liked to have had this button in an easier position to get to, this design is a relatively good one. The LCD screen itself features secondary buttons for zoom controls and the recording. Above the LCD screen, on the camcorder exterior, are two buttons for back light and access to the Play/Edit mode.

The Top (6.0)
The top of the DCR-DVD105 is slightly flatter than that on the DCR-DVD92 last year. The curved upper rim of the DVD mechanism, for so long very prominent on DVD camcorders, has been reduced here to a flatter surface. On it is the switch with which to open the DVD mechanism itself, change discs, etc. Close-by is the camcorder’s Night Shot Plus switch, which makes it easy to change the camera to night mode. Further towards the back of the camcorder’s top are its zoom toggle (and what a nice zoom toggle it is), its photo capture button, and the upper portion of its mode selector device. All three of these controls are clustered together for easy operation: I just wish they’d swap the zoom toggle and photo button, which would put the toggle directly beneath my index finger.