Sony DCR-DVD203 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Nick Hyacinthe
Published on Mar 23, 2005 12:00 PM



Sony has introduced the DCR-DVD203 to the world, at CES this year. The camcorder is outfitted with a Carl Zeiss 12x optical zoom and a 1.07 mega pixel still capability, both advancements from last year’s model, the DCR-DVD201. For this model, Sony has stretched the LCD screen to 2.7 with a 16:9 aspect ratio and has also added a touch panel feature. The DVD camcorder captures image on DVD R/+RW in addition to Sony’s standard DVD –R/RW. The camcorder can also record Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound with an optional microphone. These features have evolved the DCR-DVD203’s capabilities beyond that of its parent model.

Video Performance
Unfortunately, the camcorder could not be put through any true performance tests at CES, bright light or otherwise; stay tuned for the full review of this camcorder. The DCR-DVD203 has a Carl Zeiss 12x optical zoom lens with a 1.07 gross mega pixel CCD. Last year’s model, the DCR-DVD201 had a 1/5 inch CCD with 690k effective pixels and performed relatively well, compared to its predecessor, the DCR-DVD101. However, this isn’t saying much, as the DCR-DVD101 performed abysmally. With a similar imager on the DCR-DVD203, we can’t expect much.

Front
The Carl Zeiss silver 12x optical zoom lens takes up most of the real estate on the front of the DCR-DVD203. The silver Lens bulges from the left side of the camcorder’s slender frame. Squeezed underneath the lens, you will find the image sensor, and the microphone resting below it. At the bottom of the DCR-DVD203 rest the the gray port covers for the A/V and composite slots.

The Right Side
The right side has a dark gray veneer and is dominated by the DVD mechanism. Towards the back of the DVD loading mechanism is the DC in port. Beneath it rests the round, silver Power/Mode switch. A gray suede hand strap envelopes the bottom of the DVD tape mechanism.

The Back
Mode lamps (Camera, Still, and Playback) can be found in the rear of the camcorder. The battery governs the back of the DCR-DVD203’s fairly thin frame. To the right of the battery is the silver Record/ Start and stop button.

The Left Side
The Backlight and Easy Mode rest on the side of the silver lens barrel. Stretched throughout the DCR-DVD203’s left side, one can find the new silver 2.7 inch LCD screen which has a 16:9 aspect ratio. Opening the LCD reveals several features. The LCD screen itself contains alternative Record and Zoom control buttons. Beneath the LCD sits a speaker, and to its right are the, Battery Display and Wide buttons. In the belly of the camera, towards the rear lies the camera’s USB port.

The Top
The Open and Super Night Shot Plus buttons sit parallel to one another, in the middle of the camcorder’s cap. Further back is the camcorder’s hot accessory shoe. To the Shoe’s left resides the small silver zoom toggle.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Controls
Automatic controls performed pleasingly. The automatic functions adjusted fairly swiftly. The zoom to focus ratio were quick and adequate. Transitions occurred almost seamlessly. Automatic presets are given for white balance, shutter speed, and focus. The camcorder offers adjustments for precise surroundings such as Sport, Spotlight, portrait, Sunset Moon, Beach & Ski, and Landscape. Unlike the DCR-DVD201, the DCR-DVD203’s the automatic and manual functions can be engaged through the touch panel on the DCR-DVD480’s 2.7 LCD screen.

Manual Control
Sony offers manual focus and manual exposure functions; however, similar to last year, Sony does not offer a manual shutter speed options. Scene presets such as Sports, Sunset & Moon, and Beach are given to compensate for the lack of manual control. Moments and memories occur in a variety of settings, not covered by the scene presets, and thus the user’s skill and quality of image will remain stagnate. Sony camcorders are marketed as convenient devices; in their lack of shutter speed, they are not living up to their presentation.

Manual Controls for Sony DCR-DVD 203 are accessed and initiated through the LCD’s touch panel. The touch panel creates as much of a nuisance as the directional pad. The screen is covered in menu options and the user has to interrupt any continuous capture in order to riffle through the menu on touch screen LCD.

Zoom
The DCR-DVD203 offers a 12x optical and 480x digital zoom. The silver Zoom Toggle can be found in the rear of the camcorder crown. The Zoom toggle is small and does present some hassle when attempting to control zoom speed.

Focus
Manual focal adjustments can be accessed through the touch panel LCD. Adjustments are indicated with a pictogram or landscape icon. This can be bothersome because they can only be made through the LCD touch screen. However, the plus side of the DCR-DVD203’s focus, and what distinguishes it from that of last year’s DVD camcorders, is the fact that the focal adjustment meter used includes numerical values, helping the user.

Manual Exposure
Manual exposure can only be accessed through the touch screen menu. The DCR-DVD203 does not provide the exposure settings in f stops, as their exposure value is a combination of both shutter speed and iris values. The proper measurements have to be estimated with the user eye. Once accessed the user presses a + or – trigger to initiate the desired exposure affect.

Shutter Speed
The Sony DCR-DVD203 does not provide its users with a manual shutter speed control feature. In the menu scene presets are offered, such as Portrait, Spotlight Sports, Sunset Moon, Beach & Ski, and Landscape. Come’on Sony, upgrade.

White Balance
White Balance is a feature that can be accessed through the menu system. The user can select White Balance options (Auto, Indoor, Outdoor, One-Push) for specific environmental conditions through the touch panel LCD, as well as to set the white balance manually. These are standard functions.

Gain
Gain is not a featured option on the Sony DCR-DVD203.

Still Performance
The silver photo button on the Sony DCR-DVD203 is located behind the zoom toggle. This model has a 1.7 Mega Pixel still capability, and captures still images at an 1152x864 resolution. This year’s model has its improved means of capturing video as well as still image in DVD+RW format. This year’s model has an exposure bracketing feature, which allows the camcorder to take two additional photographs with a higher and lower f stop setting. The exposure bracketing helps the photographer play it safe. Still camera mode only operates under 4:3 aspect ratio.

VCR Mode
VCR mode is accessible using the menu on the touch screen LCD. Playback options for both still and video are accessed using the touch screen menu. The Camcorder has the ability to connect to the computer through its USB port. Playback can be viewed through monitors and television with its composite Ports.

On Sony’s new DVD camcorders, the capability of DVD+R/RW has been added. This is an improvement from last year’s camcorder’s ability to only record to DVD-R/RW. While differences are subtle, this new compatibility is certainly a step to more convenient playback.

Low Light Performance
At CES there were no means of testing Sony’s DCR-DVD203 on its low light performance. Its imager specs are different from last year’s, and since the Specs have evolved one can only conclude that the DCR-DVD203’s performance would evolve as well. The DCR-DVD203 has a Carl Zeiss 12x optical zoom lens with 1.07 mega gross pixel CCD. Last year’s DCR-DVD201 had at 3000 lux (sunny day) performed well with vibrant and crisp colors, Until we get this camcorder into our testing facilities, we won’t be able to do more than speculate about its low light performance. Stay tuned for the full review.

LCD/Viewfinder
The DCR-DVD203 has a 2.7 rotating hybrid LCD. The LCD has a 16:9 aspect ratio, the first of Sony’s DVD camcorders this year to include such a feature. This feature can be accessed through the silver button underneath the LCD.

As with last year’s LCD the hybrid technology prevents solarization when viewing the screen from an angle which can be a big issue with most LCD screens. The lack of solarization better equips the user to make more fluid transitions between angled shots.

The DCR-DVD203 has a color viewfinder with 123K pixels at its disposal. This viewfinder extends about a half inch from its base. The Viewfinder only has a 4:3 aspect ratio unlike the touch screen LCD’s 16:9.

Audio
A stereo microphone can be found at the bottom of the front of the DCR-DVD203. The camcorder is equipped with speakers that can be found underneath the LCD screen. Through its intelligent accessory shoe, the DCR-DVD203 has the ability to record in Dolby 5.1 surround sound with an optional microphone. The DCR-DVD403 adds the ability to record 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound directly onto the camcorder’s built-in microphone.

Handling
The DCR-DVD has a sleek and slender design which makes it appealing to the eye. It can be discomforting to the user’s palm. It fits in the user palm, but the trouble comes in the balance. It can be a challenge holding a shot still or making a tracking shot fluid with a camera like that. The buttons were a fairly small especially the zoom toggle. This made controlling the zoom speed challenging. For most adults the small buttons will take some getting use to.

The other challenge with this camcorder was it LCD screen. The touch screen LCD may be a technological marvel but it creates a problem when handling the camcorder. All manual adjustments must be made through the touch screen LCD. The screen is filled with menu options hindering the user from taping continuously and successfully. Important moments can be lost, while riffling through the touch screen LCD.

Ports
Several accessory ports can be found throughout the graceful body of the DCR-DVD203. A DC in jack can be accessed on the top corner of the camcorder’s right side. In the front, at the camcorders feet, exists a dark gray port cover holding the S-Video and composites slots. In the camcorder gut, underneath the stretched 2.7 touch screen LCD, one will find a USB port. An Intelligent Accessory Shoe rests at the top of the Sony DCR-DVD203.

Other Features
Super NightShot Plus
This feature brightens up the image through the use of infrared light.

Color Slow Shutter Speed
It brightens up the color image with a slow shutter speed.

16:9
The Camcorder does offer a cinema mode. 16:9 widescreen can be activated by pressing a silver button underneath the LCD touch screen. Widescreen mode can not be engaged in still camera mode.

5.1 Dolby Surround Sound
The Sony DCR-DVD203 can record 5.1 Dolby surround sound audio with the aid of an optional microphone.

Picture Effects
Picture effects such as Sepia, Mosaic, and B/W are available on the DCR-DVD203.

Burst Mode
Numerous pictures can be taken at fractions of a second.

Exposure Bracketing
In this mode, two additional photographs are taken with one f-stop higher and lower than the original setting.

Conclusion
The Sony DCR-DVD203 has made improvements from its ancestor, the DCR-DVD201. Technically, it provides the user with a stretched out 2.7 LCD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio and 12x optical with 480x digital zoom. It also has a 1.07 mega pixel capability, which may work to improve on the mediocre low light performance of its predecessor. Aesthetically, the DCR-DVD203 offers a completely revamped design over last’s year Sony DVD camcorders. Not only has Sony added their touch screen menu, but the entire body of the camcorder has been reworked, including the additions of a slenderer accessory shoe with the ability to record surround sound (with an optional mic) and a 16:9 LCD screen.

As impressive as the specs are, some things are left to be desired. The lack of manual controls on the DCR-DVD203 is troublesome. The Camcorder does not offer manual shutter speed options, rather only given auto exposure presets. Unless the user encounters only sports, Sunset & Moon, and spotlight settings his or her options will be limited; life happens far from the preset parameters. At this time we must take its offerings at face value until it can truly be examined for general and low light video performance. The DCR-DVD203’s predecessors have not performed well under the intense testing. It is only a matter of time before the DCR-DVD203 is put to the test.