Sony DCR-SR300 First Impressions Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jan 16, 2007 12:00 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons / Conclusion
Specs/Ratings
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Audio
The DCR-SR300 ships with a built-in mic that can record 5.1 Surround Sound audio. This may certainly prove handy to people that a) own a 5.1 channel surround sound playback system connected to their home entertainment center, and b) can shoot in an area with perfect acoustics where the ambient noise of a 5 channel mic set-up is a blessing rather than a curse (consider the heavy breathing of the camcorder operator). Also, the fact that these mics are all so close to each other inside the tiny body means the psychoacoustic space differential will be very small. The two new AVCHD camcorders from Sony this year also include this function. What continues to be a selling point on camcorders over eight hundred dollars is the inclusion of a microphone port, or at very least, the ability to adjust microphone levels manually. The DCR-SR300 includes neither of these, though it does provide an option for adjustment of the MicRef Level, a simple and subtle, high/low adjustment.

Playback
For convenience-lovers, the DCR-SR300 continues the HDD camcorder tradition of the easiest and most convenient playback available.
Users can access the DCR-SR300’s playback menu via the camcorder’s touch screen menu or a small button under the camcorder’s LCD screen. Like previous HDD camcorders from Sony, the DCR-SR300 displays thumbnails of recorded footage on the camcorder’s LCD screen that are tapped for playback. This is another reason why a larger LCD screen would tremendously help the DCR-SR300. There are some rudimentary options for playlist editing, creating, and rearranging.

Viewing your captured footage on a screen bigger than the camcorder’s 2.7” widescreen LCD screen, such as a television, can be done using the on-camera A/V output port or the identical A/V output port on the camcorder’s docking station. To export footage to a computer, the DCR-SR300’s docking station includes a USB port.

Connectivity
On the body of the DCR-SR300, ports include an A/V output, a remote port, and a Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo card slot. The camcorder’s docking station includes a secondary A/V output and the camcorder's one-way USB 2.0 port for exporting footage to the computer. On the downside, the camcorder lacks microphone and headphone jacks. On such a pricey camcorder this becomes a problem. Also, the camcorder includes no A/V input and no two-way USB. It is compatible with a S-Video Out, but you have to buy an optional accessory.






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