Sony DCR-PC109 Camcorder Review by Nathaniel Hansen Published on Jun 14, 2004 8:00 AM

1. Sony’s DCR-PC109 matchbook-style MiniDV camcorder has a 1/5-inch CCD with 690K effective pixels for video and 1000K effective pixels for still photos. Additionally, the Sony DCR-PC109 has a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 10x optical and 120x digital zoom lens, an “Easy” point-and-shoot mode, and a 2.5-inch touch screen hybrid LCD. The Sony DCR-PC109 has a MSRP of US $899.95, but can be bought online and in stores for around US $700.

Video Performance (6.5)
Sony’s DCR-PC109 has a 1/5-inch CCD with 690K effective pixels for video. This year Sony has reduced its CCD size, but claims to have maintained all-around video performance. Camcorders tested previously by camcorderinfo.com do bear this out, showing no loss in image quality, but maintaining the status quo doesn’t help Sony’s overall ratings, as other camcorder manufacturers (such as JVC) have raised the bar for consumer camcorder performance at a lower price. The Sony DCR-PC109 is equipped with a 10x optical zoom and 120x digital zoom. The Carl Zeiss lens has a 3.2-32mm focal distance and a 25mm filter diameter. With 690K effective pixels for video, under ideal circumstances, the Sony DCR-PC109 performed well. At 3000 lux, the Sony DCR-PC109 performed as well as, if not identically to, the DCR-HC40 (Review, Specs, $539.94). The DSC Test Chart images are exactly alike. The Sony DCR-PC109 renders a crisp color chart, and the resolution bars are decently focused. The blue, magenta, and red tiles are appropriately saturated, but the green and yellow tiles suffer from under-saturation and slight discoloring. The white tiles in the grayscale section are bright, if ever-so-slightly grayed, and there is decent differentiation between the grayscales and the other colors in the spectrum. Overall, the colors are vibrant and distinct.

The Front (7.0)
The front of the Sony DCR-PC109 is streamlined with the lens on top and the infrared remote and white balance sensors at the bottom. To the immediate right of the lens, and consequently sharing camcorder body real estate with the right side, users will note the NightShot infrared ray emitting diode.

The Right Side (7.0)
As real estate tends to be in short supply on matchbook-style camcorders, the right side is quite busy. At the front of the right side of the Sony DCR-PC109, users can access the wide angle and telephoto zoom toggle, as well as the circular photo button. The NightShot Plus switch is directly above the zoom toggle and photo button. Towards the back of the Sony DCR-PC109’s right side is a port cover concealing Mic in, A/V, and LANC terminals. The panel is roughly an inch square. The bottom half of the right side is the shell of the bottom-loading tape mechanism as well as the strap. The strap runs diagonally from the middle back of the right side to the front lower corner. It has a strap release switch/slider above the back of the strap which can be pressed and twisted to release.

The Back (7.0)
The back of the PC109 is very cluttered, as with most matchbook-style camcorders. The back functions as the primary control panel on the camcorder’s body. Starting at the top, there is the extendible viewfinder. Below the viewfinder, on the left side, is the Record Start/Stop button. Beneath this button and on the right is the power/mode switch slider. At the very bottom of the back is a small back light button.

The Left Side (7.0)
The 2.5-inch LCD dominates the Sony DCR-PC109’s left side. Beneath the LCD is the equally small battery port, with the battery eject slider at the back. At the lower front of the left side are the round and flat Easy mode button and the display/battery info button.

The Top (7.0)
On top of the Sony DCR-PC109 is the stereo microphone, with the intelligent accessory shoe just behind. This is a very bare-bones top, as the other controls are located elsewhere.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (9.0)
Automatic, Easy, and Manual modes are available on the Sony DCR-PC109. Easy mode is engaged by pressing the silver Easy button located on the front left side of the camcorder. Easy mode restricts user access to certain aspects of the menu, and makes for worry-free recording. Under good lighting, Easy mode makes adjustments to white balance, focus, shutter speed (AE), and exposure rather well. Regular automatic mode does not restrict access to other features in the menu and makes the same adjustments.

Overall Manual Control (4.0)
White Balance, Shutter Speed (AE Modes), Focus, and Exposure can all be controlled manually on the Sony DCR-PC109. Like all new Sony models, the Sony DCR-PC109 includes the touch screen LCD menu system, which is “handy” but certainly not for making most image adjustments. Several of these manual control features are better left in automatic if recording on the go. White balance, shutter speed (AE), exposure, and focus can be accessed through the touch screen navigation menu. Two other features on the newer Sony model are Spot Focus and Spot Metering, which make great use of the all-touch LCD menu system. These features allow users to touch an area on the LCD screen they would like to adjust. These features would be a million times more useful if there was a button on the body of the camcorder that could bypass the other menu options. As is, it takes several presses of the LCD to get to the feature.

Zoom (5.0)
The Sony DCR-PC109 has a 10x optical zoom and 120x digital zoom, pretty much the Sony standard. On the right side of the camcorder body, users can access the zoom with a finger or right thumb to achieve a minimum of three variable zoom speeds. The positioning is not really ideal for anything other than point-and-shoot recording.

Focus (8.0)
The Sony DCR-PC109 controls focus automatically or manually with the touch screen Spot Focus feature. (This feature does not work in Easy mode.) Spot Focus is accessed through the touch LCD, and once selected allows users to press any portion of a defined rectangular area essentially “telling” the camcorder which area to bring into focus. The task is performed reasonably well at different focal lengths, but, as with any “automatic” focus feature, there is a tendency for the camcorder to jog a little when making the shift.

Exposure (Aperture) (4.5)
Manual exposure on the Sony DCR-PC109 is controlled manually through the touch LCD menu system. Once engaged to function manually, plus and minus icons appear on either side of a white bar, indicating the exposure level (24 steps). Users can also adjust exposure with the Spot Meter option, which works the same way as the spot focus, by touching a defined rectangular area on the LCD for adjustment. Automatic exposure adjustments are made accurately and relatively seamlessly with the Spot Meter option; however, the alternative method, which requires monitoring the numbered bar, is more cumbersome as users must touch the screen to adjust between the 24 possible exposure settings.

Shutter Speed (0.0)
Automatic AE modes of Auto, Spotlight, Portrait, Sports, Beach & Ski, Sunset & Moon, and Landscape can be accessed through the touch LCD screen menu on the Sony DCR-PC109.

White Balance (7.0)
The Sony DCR-PC109 allows for automatic or manual white balance. Manual options of indoors, outdoors, and one-touch are activated through the touch LCD screen menu.

Gain (0.0)
There are no gain options on the Sony DCR-PC109.

Still Performance(6.5)
The Sony DCR-PC109 captures stills to MemoryStick Duos at 1152 x 864 or 640 x 480 resolution. Additionally, image quality settings can be set to Fine or Standard. An 8MB card (included) holds fifteen 1152 x 864 Fine digital stills and 37 in Fine mode and 18 in Standard mode. Capturing quality stills on a digital camcorder is always problematic, as even the cheapest digital camera usually yields better images. Regardless, for those looking for a combination of the two, the manual options and the automatic process are pretty intuitive. Getting them off of the camcorder is even easier with the new docking station (essentially a holder with ports for connecting to other media).

VCR Mode (6.0)
Newer Sony camcorders tend to make good playback devices as the VCR playback controls are accessed through the touch LCD menu. When in VCR playback mode, all standard VCR controls are displayed at the bottom of the Sony DCR-PC109 LCD screen. The LCD can be opened, rotated, and recessed. VCR mode is engaged by switching the spring-loaded mode switch/slider down until the LED next to Play/Edit is illuminated.

Low Light Performance (4.5)
At 60 lux, the Sony DCR-PC109's color representation changes most significantly in the green and blue tiles with both tiles reflecting slightly deeper tones. The blue leans heavily to purple but the green is pleasantly farther away from the yellow in its hue than the image at 3000 lux. The yellow tiles suffer the most, and the stronger green and red pass for orange-yellow or brown tiles. The resolution bars suffer with discoloration and blurriness in the tighter areas. At 60 lux, the white and lighter grayscale tiles are awash with brown. There is some noise and grain present over the whole image, but the amount of color information and definition between colors is comparable to the images at 3000 lux.

At 15 lux, the Sony DCR-PC109 holds a good deal of color information. There is a significant loss of definition between colors, and many of the various tiles are too similar to distinguish. The resolution bars are also distorted with blue and yellow grain. Additionally, the image is slightly out of focus, which is common among most consumer 1 chip camcorders, as the processor struggles to adjust. The image is better than that of the Canon ZR camcorders at this light level, but blue and yellow noise in the resolution bars is somewhat disconcerting. 15 lux is not a lot of light, but it’s more than enough to see the chart plainly with the naked eye. We use this measurement as many camcorder manufacturers (with the exception of Canon) claim in the user manuals that the minimum illumination for video performance is between 5-20 lux.

LCD/ Viewfinder (9.0)
The Sony DCR-PC109 has a 2.5-inch 123K pixel LCD and an extendable color viewfinder. Sony has the best LCD in the camcorder industry, and it’s a shame they can’t spread the wealth. Clean, crisp, and color accurate images are visible from almost every angle on the LCD of the Sony DCR-PC109. The LCD is the main navigation hub, and is in some respects a great idea. From a manual setting perspective, it’s an adjustment nightmare. The color viewfinder can be pulled toward the user at least an inch with a focal adjuster underneath. It’s really meant to be used pushed in for viewing at a distance, and pulled out for viewing up close. When the viewfinder is pushed in all the way, the entire image is visible.

Audio (6.0)
The Sony DCR-PC109 has an on-board microphone situated on the top of the camcorder body, in front of the intelligent accessory shoe. 12 bit or 16 bit audio is possible. The port on the right side of the camcorder body is accessible for A/V connections, but there is no Headphone in port. The placement of the microphone may result in some unwanted user noise, but on a camcorder this small, user noise is unavoidable.

Handling (4.5)
The Sony DCR-PC109 is small but handles pretty well. The handle/strap is a little awkward at first and lacks any sort of solid grip. It’s meant to be tight, but at times the camcorder feels a bit unsteady if held with just one hand. It certainly gives new meaning to point-and-shoot recording, as it very much feels like you are handling a small but clunky firing arm (scary). As with every other Sony model reviewed, the handling section usually harps on the problems with the touch screen LCD menu. The touch screen is great for the Spot features, but if users need to make adjustments on the go, this camcorder may prove irritating and unreliable. The small size of it makes it great for point-and-shoot recording, and for the most part, all of the features are accessible through a combination of moves with both hands. The PC109 lacks a solid portion to the strap, which makes handling a little flimsy at first. This is eventually overcome, as users will get used to the feeling. Preferably the strap would include a solid portion that is connected to the end of the camcorder for a better holding experience. For users used to the PC330 (Review, Specs, $599), or earlier versions of the matchbook-style camcorders, the nylon only strap may take some getting used to.

Ports (8.5)
Ports are pretty sparse on the Sony DCR-PC109. On board are Mic in, LANC, A/V, and DC terminals. The rest of the ports are found on the docking station and include USB, FireWire (DV), S-Video and A/V.

Other Features (6.0)
Docking Station-- The Sony DCR-PC109 ships with a docking station to make transferring, charging, and viewing MiniDV footage even easier. The camcorder fits snugly into the terminal and the accessible ports are all easily accessible on the terminal’s body.

USB streaming-- The Sony DCR-PC109 is equipped for use as a webcam or for streaming live video.

Easy mode-- Easy mode puts the camcorder into simplified automatic mode.

Super NightShot Plus-- For recording images in super low/no light scenarios.

Picture Package Software-- For editing DV movies and photos.

Battery Display Info-- This button displays minutes remaining with the LCD open and with the LCD closed.

16:9 widescreen mode-- The Sony DCR-PC109 has a widescreen option.

MPEG-- MPEG EX movies are recorded in two modes to memory sticks on the Sony DCR-PC109 in two modes: Email and Presentation.

Analog to Digital Pass-Through-- The Sony DCR-PC109 supports analog to digital pass-through.

Comparisons
By way of price, US $700, there are several comparisons that can be made; namely the Sony DCR-HC40, the Canon ZR90 (Review, Specs, $229), and the Panasonic PV-GS120 (Review, Specs, $479).

Sony DCR-HC40 The HC40 is designed for the point-and-shoot consumer. It has a 1/5-inch 680K CCD, and a 10x optical zoom lens. The HC40 includes the “dumbed down" Easy mode. The HC40 has spot focus and spot metering on board. The HC40 is touch screen operated, so spot metering is simple, although getting to the spot metering feature requires some menu fumbling.

Canon ZR90 The ZR90 has a 1/6-inch CCD and a lot more optical zoom power with 22x. The ZR90 is much bigger than the Sony DCR-PC109, and in larger hands may feel more secure. Low light performance on the ZR line may worry some users, but all in all the camcorder is very comfortable to hold, has the same manual control options, and ships with Canon's superior optics on board.

Panasonic PV-GS120 The PV-GS120 has three 1/6-inch CCDs with 290K (x3) effective pixels for video and 280K (x3) effective pixels for stills. The PV-GS120 has a 10x optical zoom, and 25x and 700x digital zoom. Naturally, being a horizontal-style camcorder, it is a lot bigger than the Sony DCR-PC109. The Panasonic PV-GS120 has more manual control options than the Sony DCR-PC109. By way of camcorder type, as a matchbook or celebrity style camcorder, the Sony DCR-PC109 can be compared to the JVC GR-DX97 (Review, Specs, $799) and the Canon Elura 50.

JVC GR-DX97 The JVC GR-DX97 has a MSRP of US $699 and comes equipped with a 12x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, and 1/6-inch 680K CCD. The JVC GR-DX97 has a unique flip-up and out LCD, which makes handling a new and interesting experience. The GR-DX97 performed well at 3000 lux, and decently at 60 lux. The automatic gain keeps images “bright” under low light settings of 60 lux and under, but there is severe color, resolution, and noise distortion, especially near 15 lux. The LCD is unique, but lacks Sony’s touch screen and hybrid brightness quality. Spot metering on the JVC GR-DX97 is much less intuitive, and requires fumbling through the menu to select a predetermined frame within the LCD.

Canon Elura 50-- The Elura 50 has a 1/6-inch 630K CCD with a 10x optical zoom, a 2-inch LCD, and no LED. The Elura 50 has more ports on board, including S-Video, which may be an attractive option for some users. The Elura 50 has the same still options as the JVC GR-DX97, as well as equivalent manual control options.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (6.0)
The Sony DCR-PC109 is a point-and-shoot consumer’s dream. It’s small, it’s capable, and performs pretty well overall.

Budget Consumers (4.0)
The Sony DCR-PC109 is decently priced, and for those looking for the convenience of a pocket sized camcorder, this may be a good choice.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (3.0)
There are some options on board for the hybrid enthusiast. Sony’s MemoryStick Duo is easily accessible for transporting to a PC for editing or emailing.

Gadget Freaks (5.0)
Sony makes pretty good gadget camcorders, and, to boot, the touch screen hybrid LCD is the Cassius Clay of the gadget ring.

Manual Control Freaks (3.0)
There is a good deal of manual control on the DCR-PC109, but look to a Panasonic or even a Canon for more precise manual picture control.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists (4.0)
Best used as a vacation camcorder only for the pro or serious hobbyist.

Conclusion
The Sony DCR-PC109 is a small camcorder that performs well under adequate lighting scenarios. With a 10x optical zoom, and a 1/5-inch CCD with 1000K effective pixels for video, its performance is comparable to the other Sony camcorders in the same price range, namely the HC40. If users are looking for a small, portable camcorder that has the ability to capture good video in good light, the Sony DCR-PC109 is a good choice. Keep in mind, however, the limitations of a touch screen operated LCD. If users don’t like to fuss, and prefer a simplified automatic mode, the Easy mode is a good option and is included on the Sony DCR-PC109. For users who prefer to tinker, know that it is possible, but it’s a bit of a process. The Sony LCD itself is unmatched in the camcorder world, and I hope that other camcorder manufacturers can perhaps reverse engineer the Sony LCD, as it continually beats out the competition by a long shot.

The downside of the Sony DCR-PC109 shows itself in low light image quality. Sony camcorders have a habit of creating unwanted noise and grain at low light levels, particularly in the blue channel. When the lights are down (anywhere below 100 lux, which is equivalent to a well lit indoor room), the result is blue noise distortion and grain all over the image, especially in the resolution bars and in the white and grayscales of the color chart. However, despite its low light deficiencies, the Sony DCR-PC109 is a great little camcorder that performs well under ideal circumstances. This could be a great camcorder for a variety of people, but proceed with caution. If users are new to the matchbook-style camcorder, be sure to get to an electronics store and try one on for size. Handling preferences vary.