By Joseph Asch (New Hamsphire)

If you really need to jump around from scene to scene on your video using the touch scren, then I guess this product might work for you. But if you want good picture quality, and smooth (not herky-jerky) slow motion, then stick with Sony’s MiniDV format camcorders. I use a camcorder for my son’s and daughter’s sporting events and with the DVD format, the slo-mo is unacceptable; with MiniDV it is smooth and clear. Caveat emptor.

By L. Lantang “L Media” (Ontario, CA USA)

And more versatile. I edit my video 90% (or more) of the time, so mini DVD is perfect. I know and therefore shoot only the scenes that I want to see later. So, +/- 15 minutes of recording in one DVD disc is not a problem for me, btw, you can get more recording time if you use SP or even LP settings. For me, I use the highest quality setting, which is HQ (6 MB/sec).
I always use miniDVD-RW or miniDVD+RW, I have 3 discs of each type. The last time we went outing, I ended up only use 2 discs, and I got plenty of shots that I keep, in fact all 25 minutes of everything that I wanted to record and will see it over and over again.
I use MAC, and Sony and all other DVD camcorder out there don’t supply you with any MAC compatible software. But my MacBook easily recognize the Sony! But since I use DVD-RW, I can (first) finalize the discs, and use “Popcorn” or “Toast” to copy the video to my MAC, it’s faster this way.
And… I can Re-Use the disc later by “Un-Finalizing” it! .. Perfect.
DVD+RW is even better, you don’t need to finalize the disc, you can just pop in to compatible (any player that accept 8″ disc) player to see your recorded video.
Other important spec: DCR-DVD308 uses 1.0 Megapixel Advanced HAD(tm) CCD Imager, just perfect in term of quality and my budget. the 408 uses 2.1 MP and 108 uses 1/6″.
Low light and indoor performance are good, better than Canon and Panasonic and waaayyy better than JVC (all in the same price range and similar specs)
I can go on with the specs, but just go to sonystyle and compare the 108, 308 and 408 yourself.
Canon’s LCD I thought is sharper and brighter than Sony, but you actually can change the setting in the menu, to me, I prefer the default setting since I use it outdoors most of the time, and I can see better with the default setting.
Panasonic has a smoother zoom, in Sony, you can have the same smooth zoom by using the one in the LCD.
I don’t use the photo features (still image), I have a Nikon D40 for that purpose.
My only wish list: ability to record to Memory Stick.
Anyway, this is a perfect camcorder for me.
My other choices (and worthy competitor to the Sony) beside this model are:
Canon DC230 and Panasonic VDR-D230

• Read More About Sony DCR-DVD308 Camcorder

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