Sony DCR-DVD305 Camcorder Review

Handling (7.0)
As a point-and-shoot camcorder in Auto (Easy) mode, the DCR-DVD305 handles very well. As a manually controlled camcorder, it handles terribly. This dichotomy speaks to Sony’s approach to building most of its consumer camcorders with the point-and-shooter in mind. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this camcorder handles like a dream if you elect to let it do the heavy lifting when it comes to image adjustment. The DCR-DVD305 fits comfortably in your hand, and the zoom toggle is very nicely calibrated. Sony’s zoom toggles tend to offer a combination of good sensitivity and placement that beats out others on the consumer camcorder market. This camcorder is also very easy to use in Easy mode, which is due in part to the touch screen display menu which is entirely text-driven. If you can operate an ATM, you’ll have no trouble navigating this camcorder’s menu.

However, this camcorder is a beast to handle when it comes to manual controls via the touch screen. We believe placing manual controls like focus and exposure in the touch screen interface to be a misguided use of the technology. When operating a camcorder in manual control mode, it’s vital that controls like these are accessible, quickly adjustable, and can be tweaked without compromising the shot. This Sony fails in every regard. Manual controls are buried deep in the P menu; making adjustments is a slow and imprecise process; and the controls themselves block the shot by monopolizing most of the screen real estate. Panasonic camcorders offer a stark contrast in manual mode, with many more controls and an efficient joystick-based interface. JVC and Samsung camcorders also offer better manual controls, while Canon camcorders offer an extensive array of presets.

The DCR-DVD305 is a camcorder built for Easy mode, but if you hanker to venture into the world of manual control, you should look further.

Portability (6.25)
In comparison to most DVD camcorders, the DCR-DVD305 is similar in terms of portability, making it a little too big to slip into a pocket, but small enough to stash in just about any purse or day pack. Camcorders that utilize different media formats are often smaller than DVD models. In DVD camcorders, the drive mechanism will never be smaller than the disc itself. MiniDV camcorders can be smaller in size because they accommodate smaller recording mechanisms. Another small consideration for portability is the ECM-L100 microphone, which adds to the profile of the DCR-DVD305. While this is a small device, you can certainly find smaller camcorders if ultra-portability is a prime consideration for you, but you’ll need to broaden your search beyond DVD. The pocket-sized MiniDV Canon Elura 100 is smaller, cheaper, and a stronger performer overall – but you’ll lose the ability to pop your just-recorded disc into the family DVD player.

LCD/Viewfinder (9.3)
One of the major upgrades from the DCR-DVD105 to the DCR-DVD205 is the DCR-DVD205’s widescreen LCD screen. The camcorder is the cheapest DVD model from Sony this year to offer widescreen LCD. Bigger LCD screens are certainly popular after the outset of the widescreen television. The DCR-DVD205 ships with a 2.7 inch LCD screen with 123K pixels: oddly, this is the same resolution that the DVD105’s 4:3 LCD screen offers. Either way, Panasonic doesn’t offer these. Users can switch between widescreen and 4:3 using the wide select button underneath the LCD screen.

Battery Life (6.9)
The DCR-DVD305 was tested for battery life by continuously recording in its SP mode with the LCD open, the ECM-L100 surround sound mic attached, and no manual control adjustment. It lasted 68 minutes and 13 seconds. Because SP mode takes allows only 31 minutes of recording on one disc, we plugged the DC power in to erase the footage at each 30 minute mark, then immediately unplugged it and continued recording.