Product Description

Sleek, stylish and amazingly portable, the black DCR-PC55/B MiniDV Handycam Camcorder provides excellent video recording quality in man ultra-compact design. The Advanced HAD CCD imager provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video performance. The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens capture vivid, life-like images while minimizing distortion.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 display provides a clear, sharp monitor and rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles. Its metallic black design makes it stand out wherever you go.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45093 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DCRPC55/B
• Dimensions: .66 pounds
• Display size: 3

Features

• MiniDV digital video recording
• Ultra compact design
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
• 3.0-inch hybrid touch panel LCD
• Digital still camera function with PictBridge compatibilty

From the Manufacturer
Sleek, stylish and amazingly portable, the DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam camcorder provides excellent video recording quality in an ultra-compact design. The Advanced HAD CCD imager provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video performance. The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens capture vivid, life-like images while minimizing distortion.

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 inch hybrid LCD display provides a clear, sharp monitor and rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles.

Features of the Sony DCR-PC55

The ease of shooting with the DCR-PC55

Advanced HAD CCD Imager

1/6 inch Advanced HAD (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 interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.

The huge 3-inch LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees.

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 inch Touch Panel SwivelScreen Hybrid LCD Display (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.

The supplied Handycam docking station makes recharging and transferring video a breeze

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.

InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System

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 Package 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 Duo Media

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 devices.

Slide Show Plus

Playback your still images on the large 3 inch 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.

The diminutive Sony DCR-PC55 weighs just 10 ounces.

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 and Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset and 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 percent 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.

Customer Reviews

Quantity vs. Quality
If you're looking for a camcorder that can produce vivid colors and crystal clear picture, stop reading this review now. This camcorder is not for you.

If you can live with a medicore picture quality, but have the ability to virtually pocket a camcorder anywhere you go, read on.

The Styling:
No doubt, this camcorder exudes sex. Glossy finish with chrome accents. Bling! The styling is very appealing and will demand attention. The physical size is so small, it can be pocketed in a pair of jeans. However, the dimunitive size is also its disadvantage. Stabilizing the camcorder with one hand was a challenge due to it being so light and small. The physcial shape of the camcorder was very awkward to hold. Many times, the index finger would partially cover the lens during taping. It was just natural for the index finger to overlay on top of the lens. The zoom button is positioned for a thumb activation. However, when the thumb is re-positioned to employ the zoom button, the grip on the camcorder is compromised. The user will feel like the camera will drop from their hands when using the zoom button.

The Picture:
Outside daylight recording is acceptable. Color re-production is decent. There were still some slight noise in the image. However, there was an un-acceptable amount of purple fringing. This can be seen when recording a dark subject against a bright background. For example, point up at tree branches against a cloudy grey sky. The edges of the branch glows purple.
Indoor recording with common household lamps was littered with noise and poor contrast. The overall picture was very grainy. There were no details in black objects. For example, a black leather chair just shows up as a black object with no other details such as wrinkles or texture.

The Audio:
Audio recorded in 16 bit sounded very good. Voices were clear and with faithful reproduction. However, at times, the microphone was able to pick up the actual tape winding mechanism of the camcorder. It was a constant high pitch whine that can be heard during playback. This is most likely due to the fact that the camcorder is so small that the distance between the microphone and the tape motors are minimized. The same condition was exhibited during the usage of the zoom button. Loud clicks can be heard during playback as the zoom button snaps back.

Conclusion:
This is definitley a case study of Quantity vs. Quality. There is a price to pay for ultra portability. In my opinion, the size of this camcorder has reached the point of diminishing returns. In other words, the camera is too small to be ergonimically correct. The size also compromised the audio and video performance. Buy it to impress your friends......just don't let them watch the final result.

Start Recording Now!Absolutely Excellent Video Recording Packed In An Incredibly Compact Size!
The Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom is aboslute one of the best MiniDV Camcorders on the market. Even at its original retail price, Sony has packed so much technology into that sleek design that it's truly an amazing gadget. Another feature that I totally loved about this Handycam was that the instructions for use were made clear and operating the camcorder is almost as simple as taking photographs. And you don't at all have to worry about being a professional-the Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Camcorders computer will help you out. I tend to have a small shake in my hand when I am holding an object for an extended period of time. After I took my first videos, I assumed that when I played it back I would notice the small movment. To my total surprise, this amazing Handycam with 10x Optical Zoom knew that my hand was shaking and immediately compensated for it. To me, that was a feature that was worth a great deal of money in itself.

There are plenty of great features, more than you'll ever need-but everything you need just in case you want it. My neigbor borrowed it on a trip to Hawaii and apologized over and over as they had left it on a patio and it was exposed to about 30 minutes of light rain. They were ready to buy me a new one and I told them the only change in the camera was that it looked at little cleaner! It's not intended to be placed in water, however I discovered (after researching it on the Sony website) that the body of this small but mighty camcorder is sealed in a manner that keeps it somewhat resistant to the elements.

I did a great deal of research and many comparisons. I spent time online and then went to 2 different electronics stores where I could hold and visualize the camera. I fell in love with the compact design and how comfortable it felt in my hand. Since I did plenty of research, all I had to do was wait for a sale and immediately I made the purchase. When I opened the box I had everything I needed to start shooting photograhs, just after I ready the easy instructions for use. They even provide additional support online that answers questions that might not be addressed in the booklet that is included. Sony stands behind this product and has a toll free customer service number if you have any questions or need support that you couldn't find online. They offer a great warranty and my research on returns is basically that there are not that many.

I hope that this review was somewhat helpful. As I mentioned, there is a ton of great information that you can review. When I'm buying something I always appreciate the opinions of others who have actually purchased the products. Typically, I do my own research and THEN I like to read a review that reminds me that I am making a great purchased. Again, I hope this was helpful at least in part!

Peter Cannice
Scottsdale, Arizona

The Sony Has It All For You!!!
Pros: Compact, lightweight, portability, easy to use, big screen, good reproduction

Cons: Microphone sensitive to wind, getting used to not having a viewfinder, bad low light performance.

Summary: I picked this camera as an upgrade for my old Canon ZR10. The first reason I chose it was the small size and portability. With a good light conditions, this little beast do its best shots, but in low light conditions this camera disapointed me (specially compared with mi old ZR10). Please don't buy it if you have plans to use it for stills shots because it has a low resolution.

The included handycam station have all the ports (Firewire, USB, power, video) you need to conect it.

The big touch screen is a must, because the screen is the only way to access the camera controls (besides some of them in the edge of the screen).

You can have a camera with more characteristics and better image quality for the same price, but if your concern is the size and portability this will be your best choice in the world of the mini DV format.