Digital-MicroMV Reviews

Pros: Incredible small size; can literally be carried in your pocket;

Cons: Video quality mediocre at best (740x320); transferring data files from IP7 to PC has been a nightmare. Literally 25-30 hours of work with varying degrees of usefull tech support (Sony drops the ball on this one) - Formats available are MPG1 and a form of MPG2 called TR - File must then be translated- this is explained in the following website http://134.102.55.200/haupt/SonyIP7_to_MPEG2-PS.htm

In summary, I would wait at least another year or two, when the kinks have been knocked out. This leaves to much to be desired.

You can't beat this camera for portability! I have owned this camera for almost a year now and have been pleased with its performance. I chose to buy this camera for its small size because I was going on a trip to Europe with my best friend. I kept this camera close at hand in my purse the whole time. It was great to be able to take out this camera and record at the drop of a hat!

I had traveled to Europe before with another friend and he took a normal sized camcorder. When I travel to Europe, I don't like to stick out as a tourist and I was constantly embarrassed when he would take out his regular camcorder and take video because it was so obvious that we were tourists.

With my Sony DCR-IP7BT on my most recent Europe trip, I was able to take tons of video without anyone noticing! When people did notice that I had a camera out, they thought it was only a still camera because it was so small.

I have used the video editing software with much success. :) Granted, it takes a while to edit your video, but it is so simple and there are so many effects you can add, I don't think the average person will be disappointed. I have edited our vacation video and really enjoyed being able to do the editing on my laptop computer and adding in the special effects.

I have really enjoyed owning this small camcorder. It was so useful and I will never again take a normal sized camcorder on vacation. I'm sure you could get better video and still picture resolution on another camera; but because this camera is so delightfully compact, I can't complain.

This camera is perfect for someone who is concered about size and portability. It is not cheap, but I have no regrets when I watch video of priceless memories from my trip to Europe.

All of the negative reviews are un-warranted. If you want to buy this unit, make sure you understand what it was designed for.

I saw a Sony Exec talking about it at a marketing show; she was discussing their ad strategy for it. The Exec stated that it was designed for a business traveller who wanted a TINY camcorder to take some "hobby" shots while on the road.

I bought this unit for a BUSINESS trip to Hong Kong. For this purpose this camera was PERFECT. It easily fits in your briefcase. Until you own this thing, you have no idea what a leap it is in terms of size. On my trip, I would routinely just stick it in my (bulging) pocket.

For this size comes a tradeoff. The camera opeates on MPEG2. The CCD has a lower than normal resolution. Both of these are okay; the larger problem is, at this size, you can get a lot of camera shake (even with the stabilzer feature). Overall, the picture quality is fine.

I would not own this as your only camcorder. I would not use this for any "movie making" or run of the mill home vidoes. I would however HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to anyone that wants to take videos on a business trip and not look like a tourist; or needs to grab some video to show their spouse who didn't get to go.

Bought it last year! Nice and small, but even Pinnacle Studio 8 can't handle the compression. No voice, can't burn to DVD, blah, blah, blah. You name it I had a problem with it! And now, come to find out, Sony has stopped production AND will no longer pursue MicroMV. They are moving back to MiniDV! ARGH! Pinnacle won't support their product any longer with this compatibility issue and Sony abandons it.

I bought the Canon Elura 50! Great with stills and video. Inexpensive, only 1 ounce heavier and about the same size!

As my wife called it...... I bought Beta instead of VHS! Never be an early adopter.

Mark

the dcrip5 is for the early adopters among us. it has "wow" written all over it but make sure you're ready for the limitations of the microMV format.

pros:
- small size, and lightweight: 1.88"W x 4.0"H x 3.13"L weighing 12 oz. this is the main selling point of this camcorder.
- 10x optical zoom.
- Super SteadyShot image stabilization - and sony's system works.
- delivers vibrant colors when shooting in daylight.
- connectivity options: firewire, S-video, composite.

cons:
- microMV format is proprietary and may go the way of betamax.
- microMV video quality is noticeably worse than MiniDV.
- microMV also uses a different data-compression scheme than MiniDV, which means that it may be incompatible with your DV-editing software.
- no still photo capability.
- no video light.
- not Mac compatible.
- very bad ergonomics - a small camcorder will have small buttons and consolidated controls.
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.
- battery life could be better.
- only 2.5" LCD.
- non-intuitive menu system.
- no headphone or mic input jack.
- no accessory shoe.

given the limitations of the microMV format, a smaller camcorder is the only reason to use it. and a tiny camcorder is what sony has delivered and that's why this is a four star product for me. but if you can stand a slightly bigger camcorder, check out other miniDV options. these are more affordable, better supported, and almost as portable.

i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.

I am writing this information here because I found the reviews of the DCRIP-5 at Amazon.com's site helpful when I was considering the purchase of the camcorder. It is a great camcorder because it overcomes the one obstacle that people encounter when they want to record something in their life on video tape. That obstacle is the bulkiness of most camcorders, which makes using them a major preduction. The DCRIP-5 fits in a pocket. You can carry it with you anywhere with no hassle at all. It is about the size of a digital still camera.
Today I installed Pinnacle's Studio 8DV, the software that Sony recommends for use with their Micros DV camcorders. It works great and there is an update available at the Pinnacle web site to allow Micro DV users to capture video directly from the camcorder.
I recommend this combination, the DCRIP-5 and Pinnacle's Studio 8DV to anyone who wants no hassle video taping and computer editing.

on paper, the IP220 looks like a winner. but after a close look and i'm not as sold...

pros:
- delivers vibrant colors when shooting in daylight.
- 10x carl zeiss vario-sonnar T* lens.
- 2MP still capability.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, bluetooth, mic input, etc.
- has a built in pop-up flash for taking stills.
- steady shot and night shot.
- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.
- top-loading cassette.
- boatloads of optional accessories.
- manual focus/zoom ring on lens.
- has NightFraming which allows you to focus and compose your scene in total darkness with the aid of the infrared emitter, then shoot a full-color still with the pop-up flash. very cool.

cons:
- microMV format is proprietary and may go the way of betamax.
- microMV video quality is noticeably worse than MiniDV.
- images emerge washed-out when shooting indoors.
- uses an mpeg version that may not be compatible with your current video editor.
- Super Night Shot, Color Night Shot very choppy in low/no light.
- not Mac compatible.
- very bad ergonomics - zoom and photo shutter controls are poorly positioned.
- LCD can't tilt backwards - if you've had it before, you'll miss the ability to show kids themselves as you videotape them.
- the advantage of microMV is size but that's not reflected in this camcorder. this is the biggest microMV camcorder out there: 3.9"W x 3.0"H x 5.3"D, weighing 1.5 lbs. you can get smaller camcorders like the panasonic's gs70 or sony's trv33 or the pc105. granted, those have less features, mainly still camera capability (2.0 megapixel vs 1.0 megapixel).
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.
- the included 8MB memory stick (for a 2 megapixel still camera!) is unacceptable. you'll need at least a 64MB memory stick with if you want to take full advantage of the higher resolution pics you'll be taking.
- although bundling the camcorder and still camera together means you only have to carry one piece of equipment, it also means that if one breaks, you have to replace both.
- as an alternate to this bundling strategy, you can get a gs70 or trv33 or pc105 and get a 3 megapixel still camera and still save money in the process!
- battery life could be better.
- only 2.5" LCD and it's not as crisp as others in the sony line-up.
- non-intuitive menu system.
- bottom loading battery so you can't replace this while mounted on a tripod.
- the accessory shoe is not a hot shoe.
- no built in video light but you can get one less than a hundred bucks.

in the end, the microMV format is a deal breaker for me. it is sony proprietary and not widely supported. and the main reason for even using microMV (size) is not really reflected in this camcorder. if you're looking for a camcorder/camera hybrid, i'd say wait a couple more years (hopefully). the still quality is just not there yet. your best bet is to get a decent camcorder and complement it with a stand-alone digital camera.

i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.

I bought the Sony DCR IP220 because of its 2.0 Megapixel capabilities and while I love the resolution that it displays on the TV, I am not impressed with the quality of footage after capturing to computer. Here are the pros and cons that I have found:

PROS:
1.Great resolution and great quality video produced (530 lines and 2.2 megapixels). (5 star quality)
2. Digital zoom (X700) works fine using a tripod and produces somewhat clear images. Any zoom magnification up to X120, produces very clear moving images.
3. The still pictures are compatible with any 2.0 megapixel camera.
4. Low light video never appeared grainy.
5. Touch screen menu-Many options are available & can be reached quickly. It has a similar feeling to a PDA Palm pilot.

CONS:
1.Video Editing or video email is only possible if your computer system is Windows ME, XP, 2000, and above. If you have Windows 98/98SE and below, then you need to upgrade.
2.If you are into serious computer editing, then this is not the camera for you. The Micromv format is supported only by Sony's Movie Shaker (included), Ulead's MediaStudio Pro 7, and Pinnacle's Studio Deluxe 8.1 . MovieShaker captures with the best quality, but it produces pixellated moving images and stores the files as .mmv. After capturing, the file must be exported to mpeg/avi/etc format. To render 1min 46secs of mmv footage, it took me about 30 mins for mpeg 2 and 8 mins for mpeg 1. MediaStudio 7 captures micromv footage very easily (after downloading the patch) and offers the quickest,most compatable options (direct output to avi/mpeg). Capture is instantaneous (as is cpaturing from most DV camcorders). However, the quality is also somewhat pixellated and the playback is jerky in moving areas. I have not tried Pinnacle.
2. No microphone input jack! It is hard to record a speaker's message if you are in crowds of people. If you have large hands, you may end up covering the bulit in mic and receive no sound at all.
3. Tiny Buttons!It is very difficult to zoom using the very tiny zoom button. Also,the record button is sticking out and you can accidently knock it.
4. Touch screen menu. If for any reason the touch screen is damaged, then it is dificult to command function of the camcorder.

If you are not into Computer editing or emailing video, then this camera deserves a "5 Star Rating". However, considering that I bought the camera with the intentions of editing, I have to say that I am a little upset with the finished quality.

Pros: Small size. Good ergonomics. Screen on back. Still photos. Compact tapes & batteries.

Cons: Expensive. MicroMV format may or may not equal MiniDV. Lens could be more wide-angle.

I found the camera easy to carry, though I kind of wish it had a neck strap. I think the size is about right - not too small to handle, but still very easy to carry. One complaint/frustration was that its lense doesn't seem to be as wide-angle as I'm used to - trying to tape inside buildings, etc. I found myself constantly backing into corners and still cutting people off at the waist, etc. - I may have to look into getting a wide-angle lense for this. Of course, I was trying to tape inside 150 year old houses with small rooms, so that didn't help. As for video and still quality, all I can say is that they look fine to me - I watched for pixelization or other artifacts reported as being problems with MicroMV, but haven't noticed any even in dark areas. I will say that experimenting with the night shot and super night shot, I don't see much use for them - I could hardly distinguish what I recorded in these modes. I was impressed by the ability of the still camera and flash to take decent photos of buildings from around 50 feet away in near total darkness. I didn't expect the flash to work at such a distance, but the photos came out quite well. One reason I selected this camera was that I thought it was better designend for use in underwater housings than the PC120BT I was also considering - primarily because the screen is on the back rather than flipping out to the side (which requires a much larger housing, or not using the screen). I didn't get a chance to try the camera in an underwater housing on this trip, but I still think the design will lend itself to this application. Ergonomically I prefer the IP220, but I have lingering questions about whether I sacrificed video quality by going with this model. But that's based on others's comments on previous MicroMV camcorders - not on any problems I've seen with my own camera or video. I haven't yet loaded video or stills onto my PC for editing, so I can't comment on that.

If you use iMovie your forced to use analog input. Why? Sony won't release the compression scheme to developers.

If you have an Apple, skip MicroMV.

I've owned an unit for 4 months now, and it's everything I expected it to be, plus a little bit more.

What I loved:
- Portability: if you aren't taking your camera with you, you aren't making those memories. I needed something that I would want to (or at least, not mind) carrying everywhere. And this one is perfect. Till the next 'world's smallest' camcorder comes along!
- Image quality: I have a regular television and this has more than enough resolution for that. The DVD's do have lower resolution than you'd ideal want (especially if viewed on a laptop screen), but I found it easy to live with that flaw
- Battery life: Pleasantly surprised. I'm getting a full day's output out of this on a single charge. Like another reviewer put it, you likely won't need another battery

Not-as-bad-as-I-thought:
- Noise: A little whirring as you record, but isn't loud enough to be a problem
- MicroMV compatibility: The supplied software (especially Movieshaker) is really good. Last I checked, two of the biggest software editors (Ulead and Pinnacle) supported this format. Sony's support for this format continues to be a little suspenseful - they've denied abandoning it, but haven't committed to supporting it in the future either

the low points:
- Still image resolution: Less than 1 MP! Why, god, why?
- Low light photography: Doesn't really exist. Neither does a flash for the camera

Video nuts may not like the artifacts that this unit produces. If you are outputing to VHS tapes, it won't matter, but if you are into capturing the highest fidelity possible for future generations, or for display on a large flatscreen TV, you should try this out in the store before buying. Just play the output hooked up to a large flatscreen. Now compare to another camcorder you are considering. I'll bet the DCRIP1 comes up short, but it is a judgement call if it is significant enough. The camera I use for family shots is a Triple CD Sony TRV950- and it produces near HDTV like quality, far outstripping the DCRIP1.

Near HDTV quality means zipideydoodah if you miss the shot because the camcorder is not always available in your pocket. Because of this, 3 times as much video is being taken with the DCRIP1 in my house.

I haven't had any problems converting the tapes to DVDs. I used the Sony provided MovieShaker app to rip them to disk, then MyDVD to shoot them to DVD. More hassle because this unit isn't automatically recognized by standard Video applications due to it's nonstandard driver. (Gee- what a shock that Sony often ignores standards). It is nice the MicroMv tapes have memory to store the stop points and recording date/time of the clips, but the feature is only a nice to have. If it was more taken advantage of my software programs I use, it would be a relevant feature.

This extreme portability might not be worth the price premium. After all, there are some good Mini tape camcorders that though not pocketable, are very close to this unit in size, and probably have better video output quality.

My unit quickly had a problem with lens cover not opening completely. It is an annoyance and probably coverred by warranty but I don't think I'll send it back, since it is easily slid open manually. This sort of think may be an inherent risk due to the hairy mechanics on minature cameras. Might be something to consider if you are in a more dusty or marine environment as I am.

The integrated camera is what you'd expect for a 1Mpixel. I took some snapshots- but there are many very decent >4Mpixel pocketable cameras so don't rely on this one for being an all in one. Maybe in a few years we will get a true all in one camcorder/ digital camera. We aren't there yet.

I'll echo what someone else said about low light. It is ok, but not like the ones that take shots in utter darkness.

If you decide to buy- get some extra tapes off the net because the local stores charge a fortune for the MicroMVs- that is, if they even have them. I bought both tapes and camera from Amazon. Very fast delivery, no complaints or hassles as usual.

One last thing- The battery life on these puppies is a lot better than the old days. My habit was to buy two extra batteries. I didn't for this unit and probably won't need an extra. If you are going to be shooting a lot before getting to another outlet, that's another thing but I shot for a full day at disneyland and still had plenty of juice.

My camera has been down to Key West for a short film shoot.
Not a problem it produced the most vivid clearity one could imagine.Also shot footage for The Discovery channel with this camera last month with pro-qaulity.

DVD burns complement this camera this camera looses not one bit of qaulity when editing.
Esspecially if you have a good enhancement program youll love the results the Xl1s produces bump up the saturation and the colors jump out....

I have shot with about every camera out there and the Xl1s beat em all hands down on weight and ease of use.Picture qaulity is by far the best .500+ hours on my Xl1s and it works better than new.
You know, you have to read the manual to adjust for lighting conditions other than that I can produce a great film feel to my work with this DV camera.
A must for the person looking to make his mark in the business.
Dont settle for a gl2 or a panasonic, you'll know what Im talking about once you shoot with this unbelieveable camera.

One thing this camera is very stable,and with practice youll throw away your tripod.....
You,Gotta practice camera technique people....
If you have the cash this is your camera..

The picture quality of the XL1s is outstanding and it is known to be the industry's leading pro-sumer camcorder. It is also an extremely versatile camera, allowing you to change lenses, vary your audio options (such as connecting to professional audio sound systems), and film in both frame and wide-screen formats. The only drawbacks are that it is quite a leap in complexity and it doesn't have a pop-out viewfinder, which means you're stuck looking throught the eye-piece or have to buy an attachable view-finder.

It isn't for your average videographer who wants to just take video of family and vacations. It is actually being used to film documentaries and for professional services such as filming events such as weddings (which is what I use it for).

Due to its size, weight, complexity, and cost (especially when you add the optional accessories such as filters, additional lenses and microphones, etc.), you had better be very serious about videography before you invest in the XL1s. If you are, you will be thrilled with this camera.

What's reviewer: "a customer" & "Tyrone Brumwell"...thinking! There is a Canon XL2 comming out next month in August. I contacted Canon USA and verified it. You can do the same at 1-800-OkCanon. SAVE your money for this new beauty ($4,000) it will be worth it! Read the specs at canon's website. The Xl1 and XL1s, don't come close!!!

The Optura 200MC is a good choice for three types of users. First, if you need a small camcorder with decent quality. I take this camcorder trail running and get great footage passing people while leaping over logs, etc. I simply couldn't carry a bigger camcorder some of the places my Optura 200MC goes.

Second, my acting classmates borrow the camcorder to review rehearsals. It's easy for a student to "point and shoot" without training. The viewscreen is big enough, and the built-in speaker loud enough, for two or three students to gather around and watch.

Third, I advise spending half (or less) of your video equipment budget on a camcorder. Budget plenty of money for audio gear, tripod, lights, computer and software for editing, etc. If this leaves only enough money for an Optura 200MC, buy it. You'll make better videos with an Optura 200MC and good accessories than with a GL2 or XL1S and no accessories.

The Optura 200MC has three shortcomings. First, the built-in microphones are awful. You hear mostly motor noise. The Optura 200MC lacks a microphone hotshoe for adding an external mike. I bought Canon's microphone mounting bracket, a Sony directional mike, an extension cable to use the mike for interviews, and two Sony wireless mikes. This totalled $400. I now get great audio, although the external mike and mounting bracket double the size of the camcorder.

Second, the FireWire chip has failed twice, and the exposure manual control has failed once. Each repair takes a month. If you need a dependable camcorder, consider buying a more expensive camcorder.

Third, the video quality is pretty good for a 1-chip camcorder. It has only two preset color balances, sunlight or incandescent light. On cloudy days, or with florescent lights, etc. the color balance is off unless you do a manual white balance. The color saturation is OK, not great. The lens sharpness is pretty good, and it handles low light better than you'd expect. The automatic exposure uses a spot meter in the center of the frame. If you have a bright patch of snow or clouds in the center, everything else is too dark. Like the color balance, you'll sometimes have to manually adjust the exposure.
--
Thomas David Kehoe, author of "Hearts and Minds: How Our Brains Are Hardwired for Relationships"

I purchased this camera a week ago around [$$$]. There were other electronic stores advertising this camera for around [$$$]. The next closest deal I found for a camera of this size, with 1.3 megapixel still picture and mini dv technology was around [$$$]. This camera is a steal!

I've had it for a week and what caught my attention initially was the quality of the construction. This camera is solid. The controls are well laid out and anything you need is at your fingertips. I have tested the still picture and mpeg to memory card features. Downloading the images and mpegs to the computer was as easy as easy could be. Although I haven't printed any stills yet, I was surpised by the superior picture quality as it showed up on the monitor. The mpegs are a little weak, but if you need superior video on your computer, buy a firewall cable. It's not included, but at this price you should have plenty of money left over for accessories.

Of the two negative reviews of this product, one refers to it's high price tag, no longer a factor at over [%] off. The other isn't even reviewing this camera.

The only negative I can find is I wish they included a dv camera to computer focus regarding the video in the same way they include instructions and features for the memory card. I.E. I wish they included the firewire. I know, WAAAAAAAAAA. This camera is two cameras in one, and two compact cameras at that. If you want to take pictures and videos of travel or everyday life but don't want to be bogged down by two cameras or bulkier cameras, this is the one for you.

The price you see now on Amazon and other Amazon providers is way out of whack for what this camera is available for from other sources. I considered the Optura 300 and the Elura 50, but I already had a major investment in BP-500 series batteries and chargers. I also use an Optura Pi and a Rebel Digital. Be aware that the 300 and the 50 use other model batteries that are much less available and less robust than the 500 series batteries. I am a big believer in optical stabilization but that is becoming less important nowadays due to excellent electronic circuits.

Getting to the camera, I also do not miss the accessory shoe as I bought this camera for two reasons. The battery compatibility as I mentioned and its small sized ergonomics. As other reviewers have mentioned, the rotating hand strap makes the camera comfy and very handy. My wife can throw it in a purse or I can keep it in the same bag as my digital rebel. And that's the point. Along with the Optura 300 and Elura series, this is a go virtually anywhere miniDV cam. The person that is comparing (and comparing poorly) the GL2 to this cam misses the entire point. 2 different cams for different purposes. I doubt that if you are considering a GL you are even looking at a compact cam. The GL and XL series cams are much much better than any of these.

If you want a compact camera with optical image stabilization, with typical Canon engineering, optics and quality, this would be an excellent choice. But shop around for a deal because the Optura 300 is also very good (some would say better) and the Elura 50 is a budget minded compromise if that's what you need.