Product Description

What do you call a camcorder that's part computer? Sony calls it the Network Handycam IP. You can call it state of the art. Thanks to leading-edge Bluetooth technology and Sony Memory Stick it's the world's first camcorder that lets you e-mail and surf the net. With 1.5-megapixel, Carl Zeiss 'T' Coating lens and 14-bit DXP the DCR-PC120BT give you the most exceptional picture quality.With the DCR-PC120BT digital camcorder, you are able to access the Internet via the Bluetooth compatible modem adaptor without using a PC. You can simply capture digital video and still picture with the Handycam, and send image files to friends through e-mail anytime, anywhere. Furthermore, you can also browse Web sites with the Bluetooth wireless Internet connection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10816 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Sony
• Model: PC120BT
• Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, Windows Me, PowerMac, Windows NT 5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 3.5, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Macintosh, Windows NT, Mac OS 9 and below
• Dimensions: 8.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• MiniDV camcorder
• 10x optical, 120x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• 2.5 inch color LCD and color EVF
• Shoots megapixel stills and stores them on included 8 MB Memory Stick
• Bluetooth adapter lets you wirelessly network with similarly equipped PC

Amazon.com Product Description
Sony has taken the time to combine an enormously disparate set of functions into one startlingly potent package: the DCR-PC120BT. Not only do you get the high-resolution still mode (the images top out at about 1.4 megapixels, good for a camcorder), you also get an MPEG movie mode, Bluetooth wireless networking, and an MPEG movie mode. Beyond these extras, you do get the standard set of digital camcorder amenities, such as the 10x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, and IEEE 1394 port.

The extras that Sony has packed into the PC120BT are mostly the standard set of extras. However, it's the addition of Bluetooth that truly sets this camcorder apart. With Bluetooth, you can wirelessly connect to any PC equipped with its own Bluetooth adapter, and upload photos, MPEG movie clips, send e-mails, and even--although we're not sure we see the utility of this--surf the Web. Both the digital stills and MPEG movie clips are recorded onto the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

The standard accoutrements play out fairly well with a 10x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization. The 2.5-inch LCD is not terribly impressive except when you remember that this is a small camcorder (very small), and the 2.5 inches actually fit quite well with the overall package. You also get Sony's NightShot shooting mode--it's an infrared mode. The PC120BT also includes a few nice ports, including: USB, mic input, IEEE 1394, mini-AV, and S-video.

From Digital Living Today
The Sony DCRPC120BT is a new consumer camera that uses a German Zeiss lens to produce excellent video images and 1.5 megapixel still photographs as well. Connect through USB or Firewire directly to an editing application on your computer, or use the memory stick to move your still images back to the machine for editing and printing. Super SteadyShot picture stabilization and a 10x Optical/120X Precision Digital Zoom allow for all sorts of shooting versatility. But perhaps the DCRPC 120BT’s most distinguishing feature is its adoption of Bluetooth technology, which makes it possible to upload the digital information recorded on your camera to your Bluetooth-enabled computer or printer, or even the Web, wirelessly. More and more devices are adopting the Bluetooth protocol to allow machine interaction without frustrating cable and power inconsistencies. By including it in this camera, Sony opens up all sorts of possibilities involving the Web and wireless transmission

Customer Reviews

excellent compact camcorder
My criteria for a camcorder included compact size & the highest Mega pixel CCD for digital picture clarity. I researched the dcr-pc120, dcr-pc101, canon optura 100 & 200mc. (I decided to stay away from the microMV camcorders namely because they only have 60min max recording tapes and i feel the miniDV's have a larger audience)

I chose the dcr-pc120bt sony because:
1. it had a built in quality intelligent flash (4 settings - forced, red eye reduction, off, auto)
2. Hologram AF Low Light Laser Assist function (this function is incredible, using a class 1 laser for focusing in low lighting)
3. 0 lux nightshot rating
4. Progressive shutter system
5. Sony's great features and the warranty/options Sony offers

I considered the following equal in my comparison:
1. the digital zoom is not much good after 120x, therefore canon's 200x didn't become a factor
2. both have carl zeiss lenses
3. size
4. canon's optical stabilization is basically equivalent to sony's digital stabilization.

cons on the dcr-pc120bt:
1. grip and functioning the controls are a bit ackward (it takes a few days to get used to)- the canons 200mc is much more comfortable.
2. bluetooth functions pushes up the price.

I have no regrets on buying this camcorder! It took 2 minutes to install the USB driver and my computer recognized the memory stick as a removable disk where I could download pictures. If you can afford it, purchase this high quality pc120bt camcorder.

It stands out
During my research I shortlisted following camcorders: Sony dcr-pc120bt , dcr-pc101 and Canon Optura 100mc.
All three had very similiar features but
120 stood due to following reasons:
1) 1.5 Mpixel CCD + progressive shutter
2) Halogram LF-- this feature will give even a 3 M.pixel cam run for it's money
3) Mpeg movies capability i.e It records Mpeg format on tape/memory stick which you can email as it's many times smaller than video file.
4) Built in intelligent flash
5) I could buy it for less ...with 5 year warranty.
...

Cons:
1) Canon 100mc has Optical stabilizer
2) dcr-pc101 has touch screen LCD. ( Idon't know how much I will touch though!)
3) Zoom control is on odd place for my big hands!

Camera arrived last week and I compared to the videos of my previous recordings (JVC dv + panasonic DV -- borrowed from friends) and difference is as big as HDTV Vs Regullar and unbeliable Snapshots !

This camera has bluetooth which I will enjoy couple of years later when there are more bluetooth devices.

Anyway , I like it for that price.

I love the pc120bt
I narrowed my search down to three camcorders: the Sony dcr-pc120bt, the Canon Optura 200mc and the JVC dvm96u. I first purchased the JVC and returned it because I was unhappy with the still picture quality. The next week I did the same with the Canon. I thought that the stills would not bother me because these were infact camcorders, but it did. The Sony is the best purchase I have made in a long while. The still pics are excellent. What sets the Sony apart from the Canon is the fast "low-light" focus. It actually emits infrared lasers (that are visible) to capture a sharp focus. It is a feature that you probably will not notice unless you handle all three camcorders as I did. For a purchase this expensive, I did not mind paying a little more for the Sony. The Sony is by far the best quality out there. It is full of features and the video quality is excellent. The low-light focusing system coupled together with the pop-up flash basically eliminates the need for a dedicated still camera. I keep on enphasizing the still picture quality because that is the true measure of a good lens and that was my criteria for a camcorder; 2-in-1 functionality and compact size. It is posible for someone to be happy with the Canon, but you can't go wrong and will definately love the Sony.