Sony DCR-SR100 First Impressions Camcorder Review by Matt Culler Published on Jan 7, 2006 1:00 PM

Sony’s new DCR-SR100 is a big step for the company, signifying its entrance into the hard disk camcorder market. Usually at the forefront of innovation, Sony has lagged in this department, as Panasonic and JVC have already released media camcorders. While most hard disk camcorders so far have been obsessed with portability and cosmetic sparkle, neglecting of more practical things like video quality and good handling, the DCR-SR100 seems to address these concerns well and convincingly, at least in the handling department. We’ll have to wait and see if the video performance stacks up.

 Video Performance
The DCR-SR100 is equipped with a 1/3” 3000K Advanced HAD CCD with a Primary Color Filter, with slightly less pixels than last year’s DCR-PC1000 and DCR-HC90 (Review, Specs, $629). We don’t know what to think about this Primary Color Filter business, but it will probably improve things a bit, which would be a welcomed effect considering the testing results of the PC1000 and HC90. At the same time, this imager is also close to that of the DCR-DVD405 in scope. It will be interesting to see how all these cams compare.

Compared to other hard disk camcorders, such as the Panasonic SDR-S100 (Specs, $1199) and the JVC GZ-MG70 (Review, Specs, $499.95), the DCR-SR100 seems like it can hold its own quite well. While it lacks the three CCDs of the Panasonic, it has more pixels than the JVC and takes comparable stills with the best of ’em. Unfortunately, it lacks the S-Video and headphone ports of the Panasonic, but it includes analog inputs. For a hard disk camcorder, the DCR-SR100 is extremely large, compared to JVC’s Everios. This could be a double-edged sword, especially if you’re into portability; however, the DCR-SR100 has a handsome sturdy feel, in my opinion, making it perfect for handheld use. Stay tuned for testing of its actual video.

The Front
The front of the DCR-SR100 features the end of its monstrous lens barrel. The body of the camcorder has much in common with the body type of the DCR-DVD405 and DCR-DVD505, which basically means that is a horizontal, barrel-oriented camcorder, similar to, the Panasonic PV-GS400 (Review, Specs, $1099). In fact, the DCR-SR100 may feature the same lens featured on the new DCR-DVD405. The specs look similar. The camcorder also features a similar flash to that featured on the DCR-DVD405 and last year’s DCR-PC1000.

The Right Side
The right side of the DCR-SR100 is pretty handsome, if I may say so. Because this is where the hands rests during recording, it is largely bare of any function controls, other than the camcorder’s remote jack. This large slab is striped with a large path of lighter gray on which the intense lettering “HDD” rests. The camcorder’s strap runs along the bottom of the right side, as well.

The Back
The back of the DCR-SR100 is unique in its square shape. The camcorder’s battery pack, usually vertically placed, is horizontal here. The camcorder’s color viewfinder is located above this, but can only extend directly backwards, not upwards. But guys, guys, at least it has a viewfinder. JVC’s Everios do not. To the right of the battery is an unfortunately slender record button. Nearby are the recognizable LED buttons indicating whether you are recording to card or hard disc, or playing back. Above these is a handsome mode dial, whose good looks make up for a certain flimsiness. One bump and you might switch to a mode you’re not too happy about.

The Left Side
The left side of the DCR-SR100 features the camcorder’s widescreen LCD screen (2.7”)—not quite as big as the DCR-DVD505’s, but still quite impressive. Below the LCD panel is a narrow port cover revealing the camcorder’s A/V, USB, and DC input. The NightShot switch and backlight button are located to the left of this panel. Under the LCD screen are a number of buttons including the Wide Select (which switches between 4:3 and 16:9 on the LCD), Easy mode, display/battery info, and DVD Burn, a button which allows for quick burning from the hard disc to DVD using the supplied software.

The Top
The top of the DCR-SR100 features the camcorder’s four channel built-in microphone. Behind this is Sony’s custom accessory shoe, into which can fit another optional microphone allowing for Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Behind this shoe is the camcorder’s NightShot switch. On the top of the camcorder there is also the camcorder’s zoom toggle and photo button.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control
Automatic control on Sonys is notoriously good, though always at the sacrifice of available manual control. On the DCR-SR100, these trends remain in place. The camcorder shows a fine ability to focus and adjust shutter speed and exposure accurately. The camcorder also features an Easy mode, accessible within its touch screen menu system. This basically puts the camcorder on auto pilot.  

Overall Manual Control
Overall, manual control on the Sony DCR-SR100 is poor, though just as poor as the other upper-end Sony camcorders this year, the DCR-DVD505 and the DCR-HC96. All three camcorders, while containing quality imagers and solid audio, still suffer from the same lack of manual control as last year’s camcorders. Sony’s spot metering and spot focusing options are available on the camcorder as well.

Zoom
The DCR-SR100 has a 10x optical 120x digital zoom, similar to that of its two main competitors, the Panasonic SDR-S100 and the JVC GZ-MG70. The best part about the zoom on the DCR-SR100, however, is its toggle. Smooth and unobstructed zooms are readily available using this little guy, so much so that it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up in tiny quivering waves. Similar excellent toggles are found on most new Sony camcorders this year.

Focus
Manual focus on the DCR-SD100 is similar to that found on the other two high-end Sony camcorders this year, the DCR-DVD505 and the DCR-HC96. While Sony has included actual focal length measurements during adjustment, the adjustment itself is still cumbersome, annoying, and ultimately flawed. This is primarily due to Sony’s continuing insistent that their touch screen menu is the best thing since sliced bread. I for one am not of that opinion, and I’m sure plenty of others aren’t either.

To adjust focus, the user must tap their way to access it as an option (a process little aided by the customization of the menu) and then tap the cursor along a horizontal meter, shaking the image. Bad news; it would be nice to be able to adjust focus during recording without immediately screwing up the recorded image.

Exposure (Aperture)
The same problems with the touch screen menu system plague manual exposure adjustment on the DCR-SR100, and while this is perhaps less of a problem with exposure than with focus, this subtle positive is immediately negated by the fact that again neither shutter speed rates or F-stops are displayed. Rather, we are left with a horizontal meter and cursor. Humbug.

Shutter Speed
There is no manual shutter speed on the DCR-SR100, continuing the trend this year of Sony concentrating on the cosmetic and imaging specifications on their camcorders rather than control.

White Balance
Standard Sony white balance options (auto, indoor, outdoor, and one push) are available on the DCR-SR100 through its touch screen menu system.

Gain
There are no manual gain options on the DCR-SR100.

Still Features
The DCR-SR100 is sure to capture tons of stills on the 30GB disc space. They can be captured at up to 3MP in both 4:3 and widescreen modes. The maximum resolution for a 3MP still is 2016 x 1134. This is better than the JVC GZ-MG70 which captures stills at 2.12 MP. Other still options include 1.9 MP stills and 0.3 MP stills. All of the manual controls available in video mode are available in still photo mode.

Low Light Performance
With an imager similar to that of the DCR-DVD405, we’re expecting good things from this guy. Certainly, the DCR-DVD403 (Review, Specs, $489) of last year offered good video, and with a suspected better imager this year, both the DCR-DVD405 and the DCR-SR100 top the list for Sony’s new camcorders as far as imaging specs go. We’ll see if they compare to similarly-priced 3 CCD results. This could be the breaking point for video performance on non-MiniDV cams. Stay tuned for a barrage of testing results.

VCR Mode
The playback mode on the DCR-SR100 is accessible through the camcorder’s mode dial, which is adjusted on the back of the camcorder. Sony has overhauled the design of their playback modes this year, making them cosmetically more appealing with improved graphics and whatnot. Stills and video clips, which play like clips in a DVD player menu, are thumbnailed, and you must tap on the screen to navigate among them. The camcorder can be connected to a computer using its USB port, and to a VCR or DVD player using the A/V outputs.

LCD/Viewfinder
The DCR-SR100 features the same 2.7” widescreen LCD found on the DCR-DVD505 and many of Sony’s more expensive camcorders of this year and last year. The widescreen function can be turned on and off with the wide select button found under the LCD screen. When deselected this feature places black bars on the left and right of the LCD image, called pillar boxing, which adjusts the screen for an image in 4:3 form. The LCD itself is Sony’s best, barring the 3.5” screens found on the HDR-FX1, last year’s DCR-PC55 (Specs, $549.99), and this year’s DCR-DVD505. Sonys in general are known for their quality LCD screens which minimize solarization, and this year that trend continues as no other manufacturer seems to match them.

Audio
The DCR-SR100 features the same Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound capability found on other Sony camcorders this year (DCR-DVD505, DCR-DVD405) and last year’s DCR-DVD403. Note that this is cam is 5.1-ready, not built-in. The included mic is a four-channel; the fifth channel is added when you attach the optional microphone to Sony’s custom accessory shoe on the top of the camcorder. Users can monitor the four-channel mic on the LCD. I recommend not buying this camcorder for the surround sound feature alone; it’s gimmicky and bound to be less quality than what you’re thinking. An important point on the SDR-SR100 is that it doesn't include a microphone input or a headphone out jack - a bit setback when it comes to audio options.

Handling
The handling on the DCR-SR100 is perhaps one of its best qualities, and certainly one that sets it drastically apart from JVC’s Everio series, and other more portable hard drive based camcorders. There has been a binary existing in the camcorder market between handling and portability that doesn’t seem to produce a mid-range, neutral solution. The DCR-SR100 certainly falls more on the handling side of things; its certainly less portable than the Everio series, though with much better handling. Its handling is similar to that of the lens barrel-oriented Sony camcorders this year, namely the more expensive DCR-DVD505 and DCR-DVD405. This orientation, and overhauled design, provides a lot of room for the hand to wrap, offering a snugger, sturdier, more confident handling experience. It’s wonderful.

The zoom toggle on the DCR-SR100 is also top-notch, though its placement remains the only serious detriment to the camcorder’s handling. The fact that this toggle doesn’t fall directly under the index finger reduces the user’s ability to comfortably and confidently adjust zoom on the fly.

Compression
Compression, media, and editing ability have notoriously caused problem in the recently-arrived hard disk camcorder genre. I have a feeling similar problems have always reared their grizzly mugs following recent ground-breaking technologies. The DCR-SR100 does makes steps towards fixing problems of compatibility in formatting video files. Sony creates files with an .MPG extension rather than JVC’s obtuse .MOD files, but complications still exist in the audio sphere. Some audio/video playback programs may lose the audio portion of a clip. Hopefully, these problems will be corrected as Microsoft, RealMedia, and other companies update their players with codecs that support the video shot by the SDR-S100.  

The DCR-SR100 includes the same compression engine as the DCR-DVD403, with variable bit rates of 9 Mbps at top quality, 6 Mbps in SP mode, and 3 Mbps in LP mode. The automatic adjustment of the bit rate allows for the maximum amount of recorded footage and a longer battery life.

Media
The DCR-SR100 captures data onto MemoryStick Duo PRO and a 30GB built-in (non-removable) hard disk. This hard disk allows seven hours of the highest quality video to be captured, a great improvement on past hard disk camcorders, though one made at the sacrifice of portability.

Editing
Sony completes the DCR-SR100 with an included DVD burning and software package which might offer some rudimentary editing programs, though we didn’t chance to investigate it; we’re not expecting anything spectacular, however. The camcorder does include a specific button designed for burning straight to DVD from the camcorder itself. This button is located underneath the LCD screen.

Ports
The ports of the DCR-SR100 are primarily located on a panel below the LCD panel on the left side of the camcorder. They include from left to right: A/V input/output, USB, and DC input. There is a remote jack on the right side of the camcorder, and Sony’s custom accessory shoe on its top.

Other Features
PictBridge --This technology makes for easier transfer from camcorder to printer directly, in case you don’t have a computer handy, but you happen to have a printer.

Super NightShot Sony’s infrared NightShot mode is available using a switch located on the left side of the camcorder.

Video Stream Buffer Protection --This feature protects from footage loss, during a shake-up for instance. Footage is saved on buffer memory, then restored to the original file in its proper place .

Primary Color Filter Don’t really know what to make of this one. It could aid still performance definitely, but how and to what extent, we can only find out through testing. I can say though that it’s extremely common on digital still cameras.

Conclusion
It is interesting indeed that one of the highest camcorders both in price and in imager quality this year for Sony is the DCR-SR100, a hard disc camcorder. Are they trying to usher in a newer technology, more state-of-the-art than MiniDV tape, and yet more practical and professional than mini DVD disc? Will it catch on? Are they testing the waters with this one? Perhaps we can make some more conclusive predictions once the video performance of this bad boy is tested. After all, video performance is the deal breaker. Still performance, handling, manual control, and gimmicky audio aside, video is the main priority of any camcorder, and ultimate judgment will be ultimately dependent on it.

The DCR-SR100 is the first competitor to JVC's Everio hard drive camcorders which have been available for almost a year. Those new hard drive camcorders are where JVC sees the future of the industry, much like the audio industry has gone the way of hard drives with the iPod. Sony seems to be testing the waters of this new market with their DCR-SR100. Sony's entrance into the format will certainly boost it up, much like they did with their entrance to the DVD camcorder market. The quality specs point to the Sony possibly beating the JVC high end Everios in performance, however we'll have to see how the test results look. Lastly, the biggest problem with hard drive camcorders is where you put your video once you've filled up the hard drive. JVCs has solved this problem with a direct to DVD burner, and it might be the critical piece in the hard drive camcorder puzzle that will shuttle the format forward. Sony doesn't have that same support, but, as a big DVD company it doesn't seem that far away.