When I went to buy my first DV camcorder (a JVC MiniDV) I had expected it to have some sort of Digital Media or something to store the video…of course we all know that it uses tape. This just shows how little I know about video…It’s not something I am really into.

I’ve been happy with Sony’s digital cameras and I wanted the PC55 since I saw the press release. I wanted black, but I wasn’t paying $800 for something I use twice a year, ebay gave it to me for $455 shipped with a three year warranty {used twice, mint} so I had to settle for silver.

I have already purchased the Sony leather case, LCS-PC55, and I will update this thread with pics when I get it.

First, the specs:

Specifications • Imaging Device: 1/6” 680K Gross Pixel CCD

• Video Actual: 340K Pixels

• Still Actual: 340K Pixels

• F: 1.7 – 2.2

• Focal Distance: 2.3 – 23mm

• 35mm Conversion: 44 – 440mm (Camera Mode); 44 – 440mm (Memory Mode)

• Filter Diameter: N/A

• Optical Zoom: 10X

• Digital Zoom: 120X

• Carl Zeiss® Lens: Yes, Vario-Tessar®

• Focusing: Full Range Auto Focus

• Image Stabilization: Yes, Super SteadyShot®

• Minimum Illumination: 5 Lux

• Low Light Capability: N/A

• Shutter Speed: (AE Mode)

• Viewfinder: N/A

• LCD: 3.0” Color1 (123K)

• Accessory Shoe: Yes, Intelligent

• Video Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Special)

• Audio Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Stereo, Special)

• Interface Connector for Handycam® Station: Yes

• USB: Yes (On Handycam® Station)

• USB Streaming: Yes

• LANC (Accessory) Terminal: N/A

• Memory Stick™ Compatibility2: Yes, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media

• Headphone Jack: N/A

• Microphone Input: N/A

• White Balance: Auto/Outdoor/Indoor/One-push

• Exposure: Yes, Touch Panel (24 steps)

• Power Consumption (VF): 2.9w

• Dimensions (WHD): 1 3/16 x 4 x 2 7/8 (45 x 99 x 72mm)

• Weight: 290g (10oz) w/out Tape and Battery

• Supplied Accessories: AC-L200 Power Adapter/ In-Camera Charger, NP-FA50 InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery, DRCA-C131 Handycam® Station, RMT-831 Remote Commander Remote Control, Stereo AV Cable, USB Cable, Lens Cap, Shoulder Strap, CD-ROM with USB Driver (PicturePackage™ Software Ver. 1.0 for Sony)

• Service and Warranty: 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor

Now the features:

Weighing in at only 10 ounces, the camcorder’s body measures only 4 inches tall and almost 3 inches wide – making it fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. The extra large 3.0” Hybrid LCD display1 provides a clear, sharp monitor and rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles. Its metallic silver design makes it stand out wherever you go. 

•  Advanced HADâ„¢ CCD Imager
1/6” Advanced HADâ„¢ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 340K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance.

•  MiniDV Recording
Offers up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution, 3X the color bandwidth and a significantly higher signal/noise ratio, to provide spectacular video performance.

•  10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

•  Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® Lens
Carl Zeiss® lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

•  Progressive Shutter System
A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.

•  Analog to Digital Conversion with Pass-Through
Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam Camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK®1 interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.

•  SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System
Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera “shake” without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems. 
•  3.0” Touch Panel SwivelScreenâ„¢ Hybrid LCD Display2 (123K Pixels)
Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.

•  Handycam® Station
The supplied Handycam® Station provides quick and easy connections to a TV for viewing or to a PC for editing and sharing video. Just placing the camcorder on the Handycam® Station instantly makes the connections- no need to search for cables or wires when charging or playing back.

•  USB Streaming
Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder’s tape. It’s like having your own video conferencing system.

•  i.LINK®1 DV Interface
A digital high-speed bi-directional interface which provides Audio/Video communication between two compatible devices. This connection allows for pure digital transfer between devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, such as camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards and PCs3.

•  InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPowerâ„¢ Meter System4
Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony’s rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening “memory effect”. Sony’s exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

•  Picture Packageâ„¢ Software
Easily organize still images and video, and turn them into stunning music videos using the supplied software.

•  Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duoâ„¢ Media5
Capture still images at 640x480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo™ Media for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick® devices6.

•  Slide Show Plus
Playback your still images on the large 3” hybrid LCD screen. Choose from 4 playback styles: simple, monotone, fancy and standard.

•  Tele Macro Function
Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocussed so that the subject stands out.

•  Active Interface Shoe
Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.

•  Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes
Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset & Moon modes.

•  Picture Effects
Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony’s Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone, Solarize, Pastel and Mosaic. Effects available in Playback mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone and Solarize.

•  Battery Information
At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. The display will show how much the battery is charged, in 10% increments and the recordable time left when using the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.

•  Manual Focus
Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder’s auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.

•  Easy Handycam® Button
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam® button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are “locked out” leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational.

Now, some pics:

First Impressions:

As you can see, even compared to what used to be very small (the JVC) this Sony is just tiny! The LCD is huge! It weighs next to nothing with the battery and a tape in. It feels sleek and solid. The remote is surprisingly big and thick for a camera this small. I would have rather had a slim credit-card sized remote…but this isn’t a major issue.

I should mention that the eBay seller forgot to pack the CD-Rom and the AV cables…he is sending both to me next week.

Use:

The camcorder comes on very quickly when you flip the switch. It zooms in and out very quickly, almost too quick. It has a very quick auto focus and the steadycam works very well. Almost every function is controlled via a touch screen LCD display so there are not many physical buttons. There is a photo button on the camera that takes a crappy 640x480 still. Besides that, the mode selector, Zoom button, record button, and eject button, everything else is controlled on the LCD.

LCD menu:

As you can see there are seemingly endless LCD menus to go through…half of which I have no clue what they do.

Pure digital:

Armed with a fresh 1GB MS DUO stick, this can take around 6,050 wonderful 640x480 still pictures or about 185 minutes of 320x240 video. Neither feature is great, but I guess if you want to film something that isn’t really important and you want to post it online, it saves a bunch of time converting it to MPEG.

Conclusions:

While I don’t think this is for people who are serious about video, I think this is perfect for people like me…occasional use, compact, light, and easy to use. After the purchase I have a hard time recommending it at the $800 MSRP but if you can grab it anywhere around 50% off, I would jump all over it.

Erik

Oh yeah, in case there are any baseball fans….

Go White Sox!!!

angels! zonk.