Sony DCR-SR80 Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on Nov 2, 2006 7:00 AM
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Technophobes will be pleased to learn that the DCR-SR80 is an exceptionally easy camcorder to use. In fact, this may be the perfect marriage for simplicity. Sony is already renowned as the manufacturer of camcorders for people who can’t change the time on their car stereo. HDD is, by its very nature, the simplest recording medium: entirely self-contained with no tapes or DVDs to label or lose. If you understand the basic principles of folders and files on a computer, you should have no trouble with the DCR-SR80.
The menu system is operated by the touch screen, which most beginners find extremely welcoming. “Oh, I just touch the button I want?! Why isn’t everything like this?” Experienced users tend to find the trail of fingerprints across the screen annoying, which is one reason why you don’t find them on all camcorders, but we readily admit that the touch screen is easy.
The manual that ships with the DCR-SR80 is extremely short compared to most manuals, and seems that it was rushed out to get the camcorders to market before the holiday season. A mere 35 pages long, it probably will not be able to answer all your questions if you’re an absolute beginner. In fact, this review contains some basic facts that are never mentioned in the menu, like still photo sizes (see Still Features below for the complete breakdown). We recommend taking your questions to the web, including our own Camcorderinfo.com Forums.
Handling (7.0)
If you can work your TV remote, you can work the DCR-SR80. That’s hardly hyperbole. The camcorder has so little to it that it’s hard to get bogged down in details. You could turn it on and start recording within seconds. When you’re done, plug it into a TV. To download, plug the USB into the camcorder and camera, and the SR80 prompts you on how to complete the connection. The HDD Info feature, seen below, tells you exactly how much space you have left. It's topped only by JVC, who also tells you how many minutes of shooting time you have left. Simple, simple, simple.
The HDD Info screen gives you the the critical stats on your HDD.
To actually do anything with this camcorder beyond point-and-shoot operation can be a little frustrating. From the outset, let us warn those who like to fiddle with settings that this is not a great choice. As stated above, there’s not much to fiddle with. Manual controls are limited. There’s no viewfinder, so you have no choice but to use the LCD. If the LCD is cloudy from all the touch screen operation, you have to constantly wipe it off to make accurate image quality controls decisions like focus. Features like Spot Focus work great for large, distinct object, but it might not always work for small objects, low contrast backgrounds, or low light shooting.
The DCR-SR80 is extremely compact, as well. Small hands will love it. Larger hands don’t necessarily need to worry about small buttons because most of the controls are on screen. Small bodies like this can sometimes prove difficult to hold steady. Most consumers tend to choose portability over stabilization anyway, but we recommend a tripod, especially for any zooming with this camcorder.
Portability (9.5)
The DCR-SR80 is a good deal smaller than its step-up cousin, the DCR-SR100, and is similar in size to the petite JVC GZ-MG77. If ultra-portability is major concern, the Panasonic SDR-S150 may provide a good alternative, though it records to the lower-capacity SD cards rather than an internal HDD. The Sony DCR-SR80 measures 69 x 71 x 117 mm (2 3/4” x by 2 7/8” x 4 5/8”) with a total weight of approximately 400g (14 oz.), which makes it too big to fit in a pocket, but smaller than the majority of consumer camcorders of any format. The addition of the included Handycam Station to your bag renders the camcorder a bit less portable, and moving footage from the camcorder requires the USB port on the station. With a big 60GB HDD, you may decide you’ve got enough HDD space to leave the station at home.
LCD/Viewfinder (8.0) The Sony DCR-SR80 does not have a viewfinder, nor does the DCR-SR60 or DCR-SR40. The core principles behind the design are compactness and simplicity. Not that viewfinders take up much room or complicate operation, but they probably kept the MSRP down (barely), as well.
The camcorder does have an LCD screen, though, measuring 2.7” in a widescreen format (123K pixels). A screen this size seems just big 
enough to operate the touch screen controls. The 2.5” LCD on the DCR-SR40 is too small. Sony screens are generally very good, however. The SR80’s screen features SwivelScreen technology, which prevents it from solarizing at crooked angles.
enough to operate the touch screen controls. The 2.5” LCD on the DCR-SR40 is too small. Sony screens are generally very good, however. The SR80’s screen features SwivelScreen technology, which prevents it from solarizing at crooked angles. Battery Life (11.3)
The DCR-SR80 ships with the NP-FP50 battery, which should have a charge time of about 125 minutes. The manual also lists a duration of about 105 minutes in continuous recording. We tested the battery ourselves by leaving the LCD open, turning the image stabilization on, and leaving the backlight off. In total, the battery lasted for 113 minutes and 8 seconds (1 hour, 53 minutes, and 8 seconds).
<< Still Features | Audio/Playback/Connectivity >>
The DCR-SR80 ships with the NP-FP50 battery, which should have a charge time of about 125 minutes. The manual also lists a duration of about 105 minutes in continuous recording. We tested the battery ourselves by leaving the LCD open, turning the image stabilization on, and leaving the backlight off. In total, the battery lasted for 113 minutes and 8 seconds (1 hour, 53 minutes, and 8 seconds).
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