Sony Handycam DCR-DVD810 Camcorder Review

by Jeremy Stamas
Published on Nov 20, 2008 1:30 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format Auto / Manual Controls
Still Features
 Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity Other Features
Conclusion & Comparisons Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings


Still Features (3.50)
The still features on the DCR-DVD810 are limited and nearly identical to what we saw on the DCR-SR85. Photographs can be captured in three sizes: 1152 x 864 (1.0 Megapixels), 1152 x 648 widescreen image (0.7 Megapixel), and 640 x 480 (0.3 Megapixels). The camcorder has a dedicated still image mode, which is engaged by flicking the on/off button to the left. Photographs can only be captured to the camcorder's 8GB of internal memory, or Memory Stick Pro Duo cards—still images cannot be recorded to DVD.

The DVD810 has no built-in flash, but it does have an active accessory shoe that will work with external flashes purchased from Sony (the shoe will only work with Sony products). The camcorder's NightShot mode can be used for still images, but there is no direct adjustment for aperture or shutter speed. Focus, exposure, and white balance can all be set for photos in the exact same manner as video mode. There is also the option for a 10 second self-timer in the Camera Menu. In comparison, the more expensive Sony DCR-DVD910 comes with a built-in flash, a maximum 4.0 Megapixel still image resolution, and a face detection feature.


The Photo Settings menu, inside the Home menu contains the following items:

Photo Settings Menu
Page 1 Image Size, File  Number, NightShot Light, Guideframe, Flash Mode, Flash Level
Page 2 Redeye Reduction


The Photo Settings menu is located in the Home menu

Playing back photos on the DCR-DVD810 is just like viewing recorded videos. Photos are arranged as a series of thumbnails, and clicking on them brings up a full screen image. The Photo Playback menu only has a few features, but they are different than what you'd see on the Video Playback menu.

The Photo Playback menu contains the following options:

Photo Playback menu
Tab 1 Print, Slideshow 
Tab 2 Delete, Delete By Date, Delete All

Still Performance (6.00)
To determine the still performance of the Sony DCR-DVD810 we photographed an X-Rite Color Checker chart under bright, even light. We then ran the still images through Imatest imaging software to get results. At best, the camcorder produced a color error of 10, which is a disappointing score. This is very similar to the results we got with the Sony DCR-SR85, another camcorder with poor color performance. The Sony DCR-DVD910, however, produced a color error of only 5.72, which is closer to what we're used to seeing from Sony.

On top of the shoddy color accuracy, the Sony DVD810 also produced a significant amount of noise. It's noise percentage came in at 1.895%, which is statistically identical to the 1.9025% produced by the DCR-SR85. Again, the DCR-DVD910 proved to be a better still image performer, averaging 1.1325% noise. Finally, the saturation level on the DVD810 measured at 105.6%, which is normal for a camcorder in this price range.

Still Resolution (5.21)
We test still resolution on camcorders by photographing an ISO 12233 resolution chart under bright, even light. We then take these still images and run them through Imatest imaging software for analysis. According to Imatest, the Sony DCR-DVD810 measured a horizontal resolution of 625 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) with a 3.4% undersharpening. It measured 496 lw/ph vertical resolution, with a 17.6% undersharpening. The horizontal resolution on the DVD810 closely matches what the DCR-SR85 scored, although the SR85 scored a bit better on vertical resolution. The DVD910, shooting pictures with a higher pixel count, produced a much better still image resolution—1161 lw/ph horizontal. Overall, the still image resolution of the DVD810 is average for a camcorder in this price range.

Much like the Sony DCR-SR85, the DCR-DVD810 isn't the best choice when it comes to still performance. Colors are off and the quality of the image is lousy (it's maximum still image resolution is 1.0 Megapixels). The Sony DCR-DVD910 is far better for taking still images, as our test results show—but there's always the option of purchasing a dedicated still camera, which will provide you with far better photographic quality than any consumer camcorder.



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