Product Description

The Sony DCR-DVD850 is a standard definition, DVD-format Handycam camcorder that offers a step up from the DCR-DVD650. In addition to simple touch panel operation, DVD convenience, and a 60X optical zoom lens, the DCR-DVD850 adds 16GB of embedded flash memory, allowing for extended recording times and Hybrid Plus capabilities, which let the camcorder record video directly to either DVD media, embedded memory, or removable Memory Stick PRO Duo media (media sold separately). The DCR-DVD850 replaces the DCR-DVD810 for 2009. Target consumers are those interested in the convenience and compatibility of the DVD format, as well as those who desire longer recording times out of their DVD format camcorders.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3162 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DCRDVD850
• Dimensions: 4.70" h x 6.30" w x 7.60" l, 2.90 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• 16GB embedded memory
• Hybrid Plus offers flexible recording/transfer options
• 60X Optical / 2000X Digital Zoom
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with SteadyShot image stabalization
• 1/8-inch Advanced HAD CCD Imager

From the Manufacturer
Enjoy those priceless moments over and over with the DCR-DVD850 DVD Handycam camcorder. It combines maximum flexibility with powerful features like a Carl Zeiss 60x optical zoom lens and SteadyShot image stabilization that makes capturing sharp images a snap. Hybrid Plus technology gives you the option to record to DVD, 16GB of internal memory, or removable Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo media (sold separately).

16GB embedded memory
16GB of embedded memory can record and store up to almost 11 hours of video footage (SD LP mode).

Hybrid Plus offers flexible recording and transfer options
Hybrid Plus recording technology delivers a new level of flexibility for transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing devices. Record to your choice of 3-inch DVD media, 16GB embedded flash memory, or removable Memory Stick PRO Duo media (all media sold separately). You can even select from various dubbing functions to easily copy video from Memory Stick media or built in flash memory media to DVD - without using a PC. Images recorded or transferred to DVD media can then be played directly in most DVD Players (SD), computers, Blu-ray Disc players, and even PLAYSTATION 3 video game consoles to share your memories with friends and family.

60x Optical/2000x Digital Zoom
Ideal for sporting events, wildlife, or distance shooting, 60x optical zoom brings you closer to the action, so you can capture extremely tight shots, even from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming (up to 2000x) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with SteadyShot image stabilization
The DCR-DVD850 features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

1/8-inch Advanced HAD CCD Imager
A 1/8-inch Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD imager with 410k (effective) pixel resolution delivers stunning detail and clarity for exceptional video and still image performance.

DVD-R/-RW/+RW and +R DL (Dual Layer) Compatible
The DCR-DVD850 is compatible with a variety of DVD formats (DVD-R/-RW/+RW and +R DL (Dual Layer), allowing you to take advantage of the ease-of-use and simplicity found in DVD media. With DVD+RW media, there is no need to finalize the disc (minimum recording required); simply remove and insert the media into a compatible DVD or Blu-ray Disc player.

2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel LCD display (123k pixels)
The 2.7-inch wide touch panel LCD display provides exceptional viewing clarity with 123K pixels resolution. The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering.

Power On by opening LCD display
Quickly power on your camcorder by simply opening the LCD display.

Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording with Built-in Zoom Mic
Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording captures active sounds coming from all directions, so you can experience your home movies the way you experienced them while recording. The Built-In Zoom Mic focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera's zoom lens.

Includes Sony PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software
Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites.

Color Viewfinder (123k pixels)
The DCR-DVD850 features a 123k pixel resolution color viewfinder that lets you record and review video and still images.

One Touch Disc Burn
Easily burn a DVD copy of your footage using the supplied PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software. Simply connect the camcorder to your compatible PC via a USB cable and press the One Touch Disc Burn Button.

Easy Handycam Button
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people. With a press of the Easy Handycam Button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are locked out, letting you focus only the buttons essential for recording.

Film Roll Index
Like chapters in a book, Film Roll Index helps you easily find desired scenes in video footage. When using this feature, the camcorder previews the beginning of scenes and can create scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds and 1 or 5 minutes).

Face Index function
Face Index makes it easier than ever to find and play back the right video scene. Using Face Detection technology, Face Index indexes your video footage according to the faces detected in each scene. When it's time to play back video, simply search for what you want by selecting from among the detected faces displayed in the index.

Playback Zoom
Playback Zoom lets you zoom in up to 5x closer on your videos during playback or in the playback pause mode.

USB 2.0 interface
A USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a compatible PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.

What's in the Box

DCR-DVD850 Standard Def DVD Hybrid Plus Camcorder, AC adaptor, rechargeable battery pack, A/V connecting cable, clock lithium (installed), application software, USB cable and owners manual.

Customer Reviews

SONY - No Baloney
This Handycam has everything needed to be the most versatile of all of Sony's models with up-to-the-minute technology.

I originally hesitated because this only has an internal flash memory of 16 GB. However, I have a few of the sony memory sticks (4GB) Sony MSMT4G 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) Media and having them as an option allows me to record as much time on this unit as I could usually want. It is true that with the internal flash memory your recording time is restricted to about 11 hours. However, each 4GB of memory stick prolongs that limit by about 3.5 hours and supplements the internal flash memory.

I find the flash medium (and the memory sticks) to be preferrable to an internal hard drive (which can store 60 GB, but, are subject to mechanical failure). Although the hard drives will store 60GB, I rarely have that much to accumulate in digital footage before I dump it to my notebook, or, an external USB hard drive. 11 hours of storage is about perfect for a day of interviews and miscellaneous recording.

This unit is a very nice, attractive, two-tone gunmetal and silver finish. It is slightly larger than the (very compact) DCR 47-87 series.Sony DCR-SR47 Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder (Silver) However, it will still almost fit in the palm of your hand.

The images are sharp quality, indoors or out. It is true (for a change) that the unit allows for one-button record to DVD. You can just slip a mini DVD (3") in the unit by lifting the cover and placing the DVD in the unit. This will burn about an hour to the 3" DVD so you can share it immediately. You need to use Sony's proprietary 3" disc Sony 3" Rewritable DVD+RW for Camcorders - 3pk but they are reasonably priced and reasonably available. The advantage of the searchable .mpg2 CODEC on disc should be obvious (as opposed to DV tapes).

If you need larger DVD burns, with the USB connection, it is possible to burn DVD's on the spot (I use this for interviews) for copies and distribution from your notebook computer. In addition, the internal file configuration can be converted to .wma or .mpg using Sony's proprietary software (included). (You will need to download the software updates to be able to edit the files using, for instance, Vista movie maker or other OS based video editing programs). The CODEC format is .mpg2 (not very efficient, but, allows for high resolution and editability (with updates to Sony's sofware).

This unit is sturdy and made as well as any of the Sony handycams. The chassis is, in fact, a proven design that has been around the SONY marketplace for over five years.

Another very useful feature is the 5.1 surround sound microphone. When you want to accurately record both audio and visual, directional stereo mic's will often pickup background noise and hiss, but, little else other than sound (such as voices talking at the camera) aimed at the mic. With the surround sound, you pick up everyting omnidirectionally. This is not only useful for picking up the voice of the person making the recording (as well as the subject) but has many other uses as well. When video'ing nature, the omnidirectional mike tends to attenuate the background hiss from all directions, yet, still pickup the sounds of birds and other nature sounds.

The digital quality is excellent (680,000 pixels translates to almost (about 75%) HD), and, with proper care in setting up your shots (being careful to avoid reflected or (too much) polarized light) you can make professional recordings.

After reviewing all of the available options out there, I think this is the unit with the most reliable and versatile features that is on the market.

Here are the specs from Sony's website:

Specifications

Recording Format DVD Video Codec MPEG-2

Media Storage Type 8cm DVD (DVD+R DL / DVD+RW / DVD-RW / DVD-R) HYBRID / HYBRID Plus HYBRID Plus
(16GB Built-in Flash Memory and Movie recording on Memory Stick) Image Sensor Type 1/8" CCD

Audio Format Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator (5.1ch.)

Zoom Mic Yes

Carl Zeiss Lens / Filter Diameter Vario-Tessar / 30mm Optical / Digital Zoom 60x / 2000x Maximum Still Image Resolution (Photo Mode) 720 x 576 Image Stabiliser SteadyShot LCD Screen Size &

Type 2.7" Wide LCD (123K / 16:9) with

Touch Panel Face Index Yes

Film Roll Index Yes

Memory Stick Duo Slot Yes

USB Terminal Yes (USB 2.0 High Speed)

Dimensions (W x H x D) 55 x 89 x 130mm Mass (w/o Tape, Battery, etc.) Approx. 390g

Supplied Accessories
AC Adaptor AC-L200 Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FH30 AV Cable Yes Application Software Picture Motion Browser USB Cable Yes

Sony Camcorder
I am very pleased with the overall quality and functionality of this camcorder. The camera takes excellent video (action shots are great). It is very stable and I like having choices on how to save. It is also very easy to download to pc or view on pc or tv. I highly recommend this product. You could not do better, especially at this price!

Great Little Camcorder!!
I purchased this camera after discovering my 8-year-old camcorder no longer worked three days before my vacation. I received my camcorder the day before my trip and only had time to charge the battery and read some basic information. I found the camcorder user-friendly and easy to use right out of the box...and its small size makes handling very manageable. I love the huge 16 GB internal memory and I was able to record my entire trip. The LCD touch panel is fantastic! Although it would be nice if it was a little larger than 2.7", it was not at all difficult to see and use. If I recorded something I wanted to playback later, all I had to do was press a button on the touch panel; then touch the clip. Searching through recorded tape is a thing of the past. The video quality is very good. With that said, I am enjoying getting to know the other features of my camcorder. To anyone looking for a user-friendly and affordable camcorder, I highly recommend this one.