On CHOW: Groundbreaking hangover cure
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet

Compare most popular Digital-Camcorders to Sony Handycam DCR-DVD205

Product Name Sony Handycam DCR-DVD205

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD205

 Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF200

 Sony DCR-DVD650

Sony DCR-DVD650

 Canon FS200 (silver)

Canon FS200 (silver)

 JVC Everio GZ-MS120 (red)

JVC Everio GZ-MS120 (red)
Release Date 01/19/2006 04/01/2009 02/01/2009 02/01/2009
Price Range Check latest prices » $398-$475 Check latest prices » $479-$890 Check latest prices » $200-$300 Check latest prices » $257-$430 Check latest prices » $195-$251
Review Summary The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD205 is as middling as its sibling, the DCR-DVD305; however, it eschews the impractical features of the DVD305 for a lower price tag, making it a better bargain. While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking. The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option. Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available. The JVC Everio GZ-MS120 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-definition camcorder.
Series See all products in this series » See all products in this series »
User Rating Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product!

Basic Specs

Product Type Camcorder Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder Camcorder Camcorder
Enclosure Color Gray Misty silver Garnet red
Digital Zoom 800 x 300 x 2000 x 2000 x 800 x
Effective Sensor Resolution 0.69 megapixels 2.99 megapixels
Total Pixels 1.07 megapixels 3.89 megapixels 6.8 megapixels 3.05 megapixels
Optical Sensor Size 1/5.5" 1/4" 1/8" 1/6" 1/6"
Optical Sensor Type Advanced HAD CCD CMOS Advanced HAD CCD CCD CCD
Min Illumination 0 lux 0.4 lux 6 lux 1.3 lux
Analog Video Format NTSC NTSC NTSC NTSC NTSC
Special Effects Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone
Image Stabilizer Electronic (Super Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange) Optical (Steady Shot) Electronic
Digital Scene Transition Wipe fader, Black fader, White fader, Overlap fader Black fader, White fader
Min Shutter Speed 1/4 sec 1/4 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/2000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode
Shooting Programs Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & ski, Portrait mode, Sports lesson, Sunset & moon Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Snow, Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Twilight mode Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Snow, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Twilight mode
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white) Daylight, Tungsten light
Exposure Modes Program, Automatic Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority Program, Automatic
Camera Flash Built-in Built-in flash None
Digital Video Format AVCHD, MPEG-4 MPEG-2 MPEG-2 MPEG-2
Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
Features AF illuminator
Widescreen Video Capture Yes Yes Yes
Exposure Metering Spot
PCM Digital Sound 24-bit
Remove from comparison