Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850
Editor's Review
The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850 features 16GB of flash memory storage that can hold up to 11 hours of high definition footage. This DVD camcorder is an upgrade on Sony's DCR-DVD810, and features Hybrid Plus movie recording to your choice of mediums. A Carl Zeiss zoom lens, Sony's SteadyShot image stabilization, and a 1/8" HAD CCD image sensor give you exceptional image quality. This camcorder also features a 2.7-inch rotating LCD with touch controls for the greatest ease of use.
Specifications
- 16GB flash memory storage
- 60x optical/2000x digital zoom
- Professional Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar zoom lens
- Dolby Digital 5.1ch recording with built-in zoom microphone
- SteadyShot image stabilization 1/8-inch HAD CCD image sensor 2.7-inch rotating touch LCD display
- Hybrid Plus recording to DVD, flash memory, or Memory Stick Duo
- Part Number: DCRDVD850E
- UPC: 027242763104
- Release Date: Mar 08, 2009
Shop for DVD850 Accessories
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
The video quality of Sony DVD850 sucks (Raul — 02/26/2010)
The video quality sucks... one of my friends purchased SR88 (Sony) and even though with similar configuration the picutre quality of Sony SR88 is very clear.... but DVD88 quality sucks... I am an unfortunate owner of this camera...
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (02/28/2010)
Well, DVD cameras are very compressed, both write in MPEG2, but you can see there's a clear difference. If I had to guess, I'd say that the SR88 has a better lens and larger CCD chip.
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can this product be used for commercial film production? (shaddyco3rdj — 08/25/2009)
what i mean is that i want to know whether this product can give a good quality production if used to shoot a musical video targeting a large and competitive market. thanks.
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (08/26/2009)
Well, the funny thing about film production is that it largely depends on the look you want. But here's the deal. A DVD camcorder may seem convenient, but the quality isn't going to be up for what you want. Once you have the DVD done, you'll need to "rip" it to edit the footage. It'll already be compressed footage to start with and when you output it, you will end up compressing the footage further. Not to mention that burned DVDs can be unreadable after as little as 2-4 years.
So "no," this is the last camera type you want for that. Your best bet is to go miniDV tape and go HiDef. You can always down convert to standard def when you're ready to put it out.
reply to this comment
So "no," this is the last camera type you want for that. Your best bet is to go miniDV tape and go HiDef. You can always down convert to standard def when you're ready to put it out.
Can I purchase a lapel microphone for presentations for this unit? (kbridges860 — 08/10/2009)
I will be using this camcorder in large auditoriums to record speaker presentations. Good unit?
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (08/11/2009)
Unfortunately, no. You need a camera with an external mic jack and this one doesn't have it. In fact, fewer of the last standard def camcorders do. And to be honest, you really don't want a DVD based camcorder. They aren't as convenient as you think. If you want to do any editing of those presentations, you'll have to rip the footage onto your PC and you'll be working with compressed footage from the start.
Go with a miniDV based camera like the Canon HV30. I believe it has an external jack.
reply to this comment
Go with a miniDV based camera like the Canon HV30. I believe it has an external jack.
Is this camera compatible to use with Mac OS? I noticed on the Sony website that they only talk about PC compatibility. (slawalsh — 07/29/2009)
I have a macbook pro and will be using FinalCutPro to edit my movies. Will this Sony camera be compatible when I try to download my footage? Or should I look at a different brand camera?
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (07/30/2009)
It's a DVD camera, meaning you'll have to rip the disc in order to import the footage. Recommend Handbrake or Mac the Ripper. Afterwhich, it'll be MPEG2 which FCP should support. Though you're behind the 8ball on quality since it's already compressed.
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Does this camera's lens open automatically when the display is opened?? (grannyb — 06/11/2009)
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (06/12/2009)
No, it's not automatic. Slide the LENS COVER switch to OPEN. After recording, set the LENS COVER
switch to CLOSE to close the lens cover.
reply to this comment
switch to CLOSE to close the lens cover.
Features of the DCR-DVD850 (esb28 — 02/22/2009)
Does the camcorder have a built in camera flash, does it have a built in light, what is the megapixels for stills and can you play the finished dvd on any dvd player?
reply to this comment
by James DeRuvo (03/03/2009)
No flash, no video light. You can see that plainly on pictures here ( reviews.photographyreview.c... ).
Specs: Still Actual : 250K pixels (16:9), 340K pixels (4:3). Still Picture Resolution : 680K
That's pretty pathetic, IMHO. But that's the least of the camera's problems. The problem, as with any DVD camcorder is the format. DVD. They may be convenient in a shoot and play sort of fashion, but if you want to shoot video and then edit it to take out wasted scenes, add titles and music, etc., you're taking a hit in video quality by shooting native with a DVD camera ( digitalcamera-hq.com/camcor... ). And for DVDs, you'll need to take that DVD and "rip" it to your PC and then encode it into a more editable format if your editing program doesn't support the format. I recommend DVD Decrypter or DVD Shrink. They will get your footage off the dvd and onto your PC. You can then use something like MPEG STREAMCLIP to encode it to a more editable format. Depending on what editing software you use, you may be able to import mpeg2 and even VOB files directly. But understand that you're already starting with compressed footage, so the resolution quality will not be as good as if you had shot native with MiniDV tape and captured to your PC.
However, for DVDs, you'll need to take that DVD and "rip" it to your PC and then encode it into a more editible format. I recommend DVD Decrypter or DVD Shrink. They will get your footage off the dvd and onto your PC. You can then use something like Videoera (PC) or Handbrake (Mac) to encode it to a more editable format. Depending on what editing software you use, you may be able to import mpeg2 and even VOB files directly. But understand that you're already starting with compressed footage, so the resolution quality will not be as good as if you had shot native with MiniDV tape and captured to your PC.
reply to this comment
Specs: Still Actual : 250K pixels (16:9), 340K pixels (4:3). Still Picture Resolution : 680K
That's pretty pathetic, IMHO. But that's the least of the camera's problems. The problem, as with any DVD camcorder is the format. DVD. They may be convenient in a shoot and play sort of fashion, but if you want to shoot video and then edit it to take out wasted scenes, add titles and music, etc., you're taking a hit in video quality by shooting native with a DVD camera ( digitalcamera-hq.com/camcor... ). And for DVDs, you'll need to take that DVD and "rip" it to your PC and then encode it into a more editable format if your editing program doesn't support the format. I recommend DVD Decrypter or DVD Shrink. They will get your footage off the dvd and onto your PC. You can then use something like MPEG STREAMCLIP to encode it to a more editable format. Depending on what editing software you use, you may be able to import mpeg2 and even VOB files directly. But understand that you're already starting with compressed footage, so the resolution quality will not be as good as if you had shot native with MiniDV tape and captured to your PC.
However, for DVDs, you'll need to take that DVD and "rip" it to your PC and then encode it into a more editible format. I recommend DVD Decrypter or DVD Shrink. They will get your footage off the dvd and onto your PC. You can then use something like Videoera (PC) or Handbrake (Mac) to encode it to a more editable format. Depending on what editing software you use, you may be able to import mpeg2 and even VOB files directly. But understand that you're already starting with compressed footage, so the resolution quality will not be as good as if you had shot native with MiniDV tape and captured to your PC.
chris (07/19/2009)
does any one know where i can get software for the dcr-dvd850 for macs?
reply to this comment
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850 Reviews
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD850 Reviews by Camcorder HQ Users
- 3.0 out of 5
Not as good as claimed
(Mark VanRiper — 12/27/2009)
I have tried to like this camera and have read the manual several times thinking it was me that couldn't the settings right. The picture is viewable but not as good as claimed. The sharpness just isn't there and lighting is a major player with this unit. Night videos inside your house are substandard and require perfect lighting arrangements to record. I would send it back if it were with in 30 days of purchase myself. I'm stuck with it I know and I would welcome any input from any other owners that have figured out settings or any little tricks I may have over looked.
