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Sony Standard Definition DVD  Camcorders

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The Sony DCR-DVD910 standard definition DVD camcorder
Complete DCR-DVD910 Photo Gallery

Today Sony debuted its 2008 standard definition DVD camcorder line. The DCR-DVD610 ($349 MSRP), DCR-DVD710 ($399 MSRP), DCR-DVD810 ($479 MSRP), and DCR-DVD910 ($649 MSRP) offer modest upgrades from last year, including smaller bodies. This year, Sony is decreasing imager size and enhancing the processing on all of its camcorders. All camcorders are equipped with a Quick On feature, face detection, and the ability to record video to MemoryStick.

The DCR-DVD610 (photo gallery, specs) features a 1/8-inch chip that manages to pack in 680,000 pixels. Last year’s equivalent, the DCR-DVD108, is equipped with a 1/6-inch chip with the same pixel count. CamcorderInfo.com’s testing labs have yet to determine whether or not the DCR-DVD610’s smaller chip with enhanced processing will contribute to a more solid performance, particularly in low light. The DCR-DVD610 has a 40x optical zoom, 2.7-inch wide LCD screen, and electronic image stabilization (EIS).

The DCR-DVD710 (photo gallery, specs) is equipped with a larger 1,070,000 pixel, 1/6-inch CCD, 2.7-inch Hybrid LCD screen, 5.1-channel Surround sound recording, and an Active Interface Shoe.

The DCR-DVD810 (photo gallery, specs) is nearly identical to the DCR-DVD710 with two prominent upgrades. The DCR-DVD810 is equipped with 8GB of internal flash memory—what Sony is branding as Hybrid Plus, three options for video media. Footage can be dubbed from internal memory to DVD or Memory Stick to DVD. A Dubbing button is available to expedite the process. Three options for storage increases flexibility and overall recording time.

Sony DCR-DVD610
Complete DCR-DVD610 Photo Gallery

Sony’s top of the line standard definition DVD camcorder, the DCR-DVD910 (photo gallery, specs), features a 4-megapixel 1/5-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization (OIS), and Face Detection, which corrects for exposure, focus, and color on up to eight faces. The DCR-DVD910 is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens, 2.7-inch wide Hybrid Clear Photo LCD plus screen, and a built-in flash. Sony’s top standard definition DVD camcorder also includes Smooth Slow Record, Dual Record, and a 15x optical zoom—unlike most high end models with a 10x optical zoom.

Sony DCR-DVD710
Complete DCR-DVD710 Photo Gallery

The DCR-DVD610, DCR-DVD710, and DCR-DVD810 are expected to ship toward the end of January for $349, $399, and $479, respectively. The DCR-DVD910 is set to ship toward the end of February with an MSRP of $649.

Sony DCR-DVD810
Complete DCR-DVD810 Photo Gallery