Sony DCR-SR100 Camcorder Review

The JVC GZ-MG70 was JVC’s most expensive model in their G-series of hard drive camcorders until being recently replaced by the GZ-MG77. Both camcorders can be found for $899 online and consumers will note only minor changes between these two models. This model has a 30 GB hard drive like the SR100 as well as 10x optical zoom. Unlike the SR100 is the lack of an accessory hot shoe (we’ll take proprietary over nothing) and a recording format that proved nearly impossible to export for editing purposes. The GZ-MG70 records video and audio in the .mod format and when moving from camcorder to PC the camcorder split the video and audio files into two separate folders. In comparison, the Sony DCR-SR100 made exporting video a breeze and users will find that they are able to edit this video with a number of editing programs. In addition to this formatting faux pas, the camcorder has a smaller 2.5 inch LCD, a mere 42 degrees for wide-angle shooting with heavy crop and zoom, and no viewfinder at all. Although equipped with more manual controls than the auto-control friendly Sony DCR-SR100, the GZ-MG70 fell quite short of the mark in general and is not a recommended camcorder for consumers interested in the possibility of a solid state camcorder.

The JVC GZ-MG77 has a 1/3.9 inch 2.2 MP imager, a 30 GB hard drive, 10x optical zoom, and no viewfinder. Besides the slightly larger imager and a 2.7 inch widescreen LCD the GM-MG77 is nearly identical to its predecessor.

The JVC GZ-MG77 also offers a Direct to DVD function with the purchase of a $200 Everio Share Station CU-VD10 portable DVD recorder. The SR100 has a similar function, but only works in conjunction with Sony Vaio computers, and only when those computers have certain software. Winner: SR100.

Sony DCR-DVD405
The DCR-DVD405 is one step from the top-of-the line in the DVD series of camcorders by Sony and consumers will find that this camcorder retails for a hundred dollars less than the DCR-SR100. This camcorder comes equipped with a 1/3 inch 3.31 gross MP CCD and the same in-camera flash and Active Interface hot shoe for accessory lights, flashes and microphones. The DCR-DVD405 also features Sony’s friendly easy to use interface and simple control layout as well as the illogical 2.7 inch touch-screen LCD system in addition to the secondary electronic color viewfinder. This camcorder records still images to Memory Stick Pro memory cards and users will find that the additional purchase of large memory cards will about even out the cost jump between these two models. The wide angle field of view is comparable with the SR100 and users will find that overall the SR100 provides a compelling alternative to this DVD camcorder. Winner: the SR100.

Panasonic SDR-S100
The Panasonic SDR-S100 is a compact matchbook style camcorder with a smaller 1/6th inch 3 MP sensor and a reliance on SD memory card for recording video and still images. This camcorder doesn’t have the bulk of the DCR-SR100 and while this is great in terms of portability, it also means users will lose features like the in-camera four-channel mic array, and proprietary hot shoe. Both offer a flash for stills. This camcorder does have a 10x optical zoom and interestingly, the user of this petite camcorder will find a wealth of manual control options over shutter, aperture, focus, white balance and gain. The SDR-S100 comes with an optical image stabilization which is essential since camera shake was a problem with this small camcorder. The SDR-S100 has a 47 degree field of view when shooting in wide angle and a 45 degree field of view when in 4:3. This camcorder saves on space by not including a viewfinder and the 2.8 inch LCD is marginally larger than the one found on the DCR-SR100. Included in the purchase of this camcorder is a vastly smaller 2 GB memory device. Winner: SR100.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
The point and shoot user will find that the DCR-SR100 is geared towards their usage style with an easy mode and a simple interface that uses features like spot focus and meter which certainly aren’t complicated (or efficient). The major concern for this group will be perhaps the menu structure that is illogical and elusively constructed.

Budget Consumers (3.5)
With a retail price of $1100, it seems unlikely that the budget consumer will make the jump to HDD formatting. Adding to the high price is the prospect of lower image quality due to high compression of MPEG2 and the budget user will realize that MiniDV tape camcorders are still where it’s at for their needs.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (5.0)
The Sony DCR-SR100 does have extensive hybrid capabilities and users should appreciate both the well placed in-camera flash and the opportunity to add proprietary hot shoe flashes. The flash button on this camcorder is poorly designed and is easily lost on the back face of this camcorder.

Gadget Freaks (7.0)
While HDD camcorders are a relatively new phenomenon to the market, the heavy compression levels of MPEG2 should dissuade the true gadget freak looking not only for the latest technology but also the highest quality.

Manual Control Freaks (3.0)
For the manual controller, the Sony DCR-SR100 is a camcorder to be avoided with features like white balance being buried in the giant over-arching comprehensive menu structure. Manual controls should be accessible from the start and camcorders shouldn’t require their users to reformat internal menu structures in order to make controls functional. In addition to manual white balance, this camera allows for manual focus and exposure to be adjusted via the touch-screen interface. Spot metering and focus,while interesting ideas, struggled to perform successfully when navigated with the 2.7 inch LCD.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (4.0)
The pro/serious hobbyist section of the consumer market will find that the poor MPEG2 video quality, oversaturated color levels, lack of external zoom or focus rings, rudimentary and limited manual controls, and touch-screen interface to be inadmissible compromises.

Conclusion
The DCR-SR100 is a big first step in for Sony. No, they are not the first manufacturer to make a camcorder with an internal hard disk drive. But they are the first to make HDD camcorders that produce good video. We all know that the tape-era is coming to a close, but not until this moment did we have a viable path out. Clearly, Sony is drawing on the success of its other big sellers. The SR100 has the same imager as the DVD405 and the HC96. The SR100 is also using a similar compression engine to the one found on the DVD camcorders, but they have improved upon it. Video quality has improved and the files are now .MPG instead of .MOD, which makes them easier to import without losing the audio (a persistant problem with .MOD files).  

In comparing the SR100 to the JVC GZ-MG70 and MG77, Sony is the clear winner. The video quality simply blows it out of the water. While the JVCs may handle better and beat the Sony out in portability, ease of use is about the same.

We’re not saying that the SR100 is a perfect camcorder. It suffers a lack of manual controls and (in our opinion) handling problems due to the touch screen menus that plague all Sonys. However, we cannot deny the ease of use that make Sonys such a draw. HDD camcorders will only improve upon Sony’s chief quality, eschewing fragile tape mechanisms and DVDs.

MiniDV still trumps HDD in video quality, but the gap is closing quickly, and the DCR-SR100 is the best of the bunch. At $1000, this is still out of the price range of most consumers, but you can be sure that the product line will expand and prices will fall in the next year. This is the future of camcorders.