Sony Handycam DCR-DVD508

• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 7 stars

  Good upper mid-range model

  by Scott Gardener on January 2, 2008

  Pros: Ease of use, support for DVD+R dual-layer (minis)

  Cons: Sticker shock

  Summary: I will be able to give a more thorough review of the experience with this device after I've had a chance to use it for awhile. But, my initial ...

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  Summary: I will be able to give a more thorough review of the experience with this device after I've had a chance to use it for awhile. But, my initial impressions are pretty good. Considering it's price, it should be. At $800, it's not quite in the high definition range, but it's not an entry level model either.
  
  Out of the box, I was able to be up and running inside of fifteen minutes (though plugged in; charging the fully discharged battery takes about three hours). It came bundled with software on one CD and a second instructional DVD that's, well, a DVD. The included CD is for Windows and is compatible with Vista; seperate instructions are included for Mac use, which I have not tested, since I don't have one.
  
  Video can record to both + and - R, and to both + and - RW. It also includes a whopping 6.1 megapixel still camera, which records to, not surprisingly given its Sony heritage, Memory Stick Duo. I have not yet tested the quality of still frame images, but, since this is first and foremost a camcorder, I'm not too concerned. Still, the megapixels caught my attention.
  
  A good argument can be made that in this price range, hard drive camcorders might seem more sensible, and I would have considered it. But, if you have family members who aren't tech savy, the ability to shoot video and stick it in your DVD player without having to go through a middle component is convenient. For myself, I can always copy my DVDs to a computer for editing. For a split techie and non-techie household, this is a great camera, as it still gives me the host of features that I want--basics such as image stabilization, zoom, as well as more advanced features such as a remote control--great for getting myself in the shot.
  
  CNet reviews have been pretty harsh against menu-driven controls. For myself, though, I have not found it to be a problem. (The essentials--on/off and start/stop filming are still hard buttons.) Indeed, as a left-hander, I find holding the camera with my right hand and scrolling through the on-screen menus with my left hand to be pretty intuitive. All you Dextros out there might feel differently, though, so if you plan on buying, try one out in the store first.
  
  I'll have more information once I've got some video. That, and I need a Memory Stick Duo card; all I've got right now are a bunch of SDs and a few CFs.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  This is evertyhing i want in a camera at the moment

  by camiscooler on September 7, 2008

  Pros: I like it how i can reuse the DVD-RWs over and over again, so i never run out. I also like the fact that its touch screen and that the menus are easy to navigate.

  Cons: actuallly i can find anything wrong with it

  Summary: All in all i think its a great camera for a person on a low budget but with high expectations, this camea is the perfect small production camera (I.E. ...

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  Summary: All in all i think its a great camera for a person on a low budget but with high expectations, this camea is the perfect small production camera (I.E. youtube videos)
  And I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a grerat low price camera

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• 7 stars

  I need help on what to buy the 108 or the 508

  by Paula McCormick on December 18, 2007

  Pros: not purchased yet

  Cons: not purchased yet

  Summary: Please, I just need help on which sony DVD camcorder to buy. My daughter plays softball and want to film her games which should I buy the Sony 108 for ...

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  Summary: Please, I just need help on which sony DVD camcorder to buy. My daughter plays softball and want to film her games which should I buy the Sony 108 for the 40x optical or the 508. Please someone help me what to choose.

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