Customer Reviews
Can't use viewfinder in direct sunlight 
2008-04-28
I hate this camera. When I use it in direct sunlight I cannot see anything in the viewfinder because of the glare. Is this a fluke or are they all like this? Would love to hear if others have this same problem. Best Buy will not take it back (thank you, customer no service), so I'd love to know if this is something Sony needs to fix.
Great camcorder! 
2008-04-25
This is a great camcorder. It's affordable, produces good video quality, NEAT nightshot mode, and zooms in very far.
There are no cons, it's just a great camcorder.
With every Sony product that I buy my satisfaction of their quality gets better and better. Their quality is really unbeatable. Their products are usually slightly more expensive than other brands, but trust me it's worth it. (my Sony tv is almost 10 years old and works like it's brand new, it's held up fantastically)
Gift recipicient loves it 2008-04-21
Gave this camera as a wedding gift to a couple and the said that they love it.
Enthusiastic 
2008-04-12
I am enjoying this camcorder. I am still learning how to use some of the many features. I got this just a few days before I took a trip. I bought an extra battery and charger to always be ready for what I want to do.
I am very pleased. This is the first time I have had a camcorder.
Great camcorder for beginners! 2008-04-11
I've never owned my own camcorder before, but THIS great device was TERRIFIC to start off with! My boyfriend kept saying, "I know you want a hard-drive camcorder, but this dvd one will be great for just recording small moments at the parties we go to -- It will help you get the hang of using video cameras before you move on to the higher-priced stuff."
I agree!
The camcorder comes with a "Tutorial Video Shooting" DVD that walks you through how to get the most out of your camera. It's pretty cheesey (especially the English version, wow), but whatever. :P I'm guessing it's translated from a different language? Haha.
Anyway, the zoom on this is AMAZING. It's like I can get MACRO shots while standing across the room!! Wow, right?! That was some high quality chin stubble (from the test shots I took, lol!).
It's always good to get a few starter mini-dvd's, just so you have more room to play around. That way, when you mess one up, you won't feel bad!
The camera is super-light, by the way. I only way 95lbs, and I'm definitely NOT athletic. But this was incredibly easy to operate! I wanted to get something small and portable, so this is definitely a great option for me.
Oh, and the "night-shot plus" mode is awesome! It takes good low-light shots with the normal settings, but you can set your camera to brighten up the shot with the touch of a button, or switch the "night shot plus" mode on! It takes video in ABSOLUTE DARKNESS. It's like NIGHT mode. It's intense. I turned off all of my lights and tested it out (complete darkness), and it lit everything up like magic! It doesn't use an actual LIGHT, so you can definitely creep around in the dark and test it out. LOL.
You can film your FRIENDS in the dark. Haha.
I definitely wanna' use this at parties!
Right now, I'm looking into getting the starter kit on Amazon (it comes with a battery, a carrying case, a DVD+RW and DVD-R disc-set. The battery alone costs over $50, so the prices you can get through Amazon are amazing! I'll need a tripod too (which I'm also working on getting!).
I suggest picking up these items as well as a wall-charger for your battery (just in case you plan to go out and need to charge your extras!). :D
Thanks Sony for making such great products!
Bought for a Gift 2008-04-07
Shooting and sharing video is easy with the DCR-DVD610 Handycam(R) camcorder. Compose your shots on the 2.7" widescreen (16:9) touch panel LCD display, then close in on the action using the powerful 40x optical/2000x digital zoom. Gain even more control over your images with Super Steady Shot image stabilization, as well as Super NightShot(R) Plus technology for excellent quality in low light. With Hybrid recording technology, you can capture it all directly to a DVD or removable Memory Stick(R) Duo or Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media. 1/8" Advanced HAD(TM) (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. The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom. Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses are designed specifically for compact camcorders, and utilize precision ground optics to maintain the sharpness and contrast found with larger lenses. With the Quick On feature, the touch of a single button places that camcorder in and out of Sleep mode. Pixel Gross - 680K Filter Diameter - 30mm Focal Distance - 1.9 - 76mm Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/30 - 1/250 (Scene Selection Mode) Minimum Illumination - 6lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, Shutter Speed 1/30) Video Signal System - NTSC color, EIA standards White Balance - Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, and One-push (touch panel) Recording Media - 3 (8cm) DVD (DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW/DVD+R DL), Memory Stick(R) Duo Media, and Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo Media Dimensions - 2 1/4 x 3 5/8 x 5 1/8 (55.0x89.0x130.0mm) Weight - 15 ounces (450 grams) with Battery
Exactly what I was looking for. 2008-03-24
I wanted a camcorder for my family and this one is exactly what I wanted. Its small, easy to hold. I have a 10 month old and I love the videos that we have made. These movies will bring back great meomories for us. The only thing I would change is the battery life. just need to buy a better battery. and the movie disks only record for 30 mins well a little over that but I would want a longer time. The picture quality is amazing and well worth the money. One thing I recommend is to wait a little while before you buy it. The price of the camera has lowered twice since I bought it a month ago. Also you need to buy a carring case for the camera. Its a great camcorder.
Great camera, but instructions lacking 2008-03-22
The camera works very well, but as one who switched from mini-VHS tape to mini-DVD, it does take some figuring out. It's hard to understand why Sony doesn't include an instructional CD-ROM with the camera to help buyers. The written instructions are not easily understood and a CD-ROM about how to take better videos is included, but this doesn't help with basic instruction on how to operate the camera.
Great Camcorder..but.... 
2008-03-06
I like the camcorder..very good, but, it says that come with a remote control..but it doesn't..so that the only thing that upset me, but the camcorder is ok
Excellant camera for the price 2008-02-26
I bought the camera a few weeks ago for to use on a trip to Disney Land. The camera was delivered the day before the trip so there was not much time to learn how to use it.I breezed through it and was on my way. If you own a GPS and or a computer you should have no problems sorting things out. I put in a Sony disk, pushed the Easy button and during the trip took two hours of pictures that are excellant. There is a format for fireworks that I used at Epcot that came out just great. Pictures that I took inside I was very happy with and are much better then the old VHS. I would advise buying a larger battery as well as the small sony battery charger. The charger that comes with the camera is so you can charge the battery through the camera is a rather long piece of wire with a box. My luggage was opened twice for inspection and I believe that was the reason.The 40x telephoto is nice but if you push it to far you will not be able to hold the camera steady enough. At least I can't. The only complaint I have is the same as the first review. If you put in a disk that is not Sony, Disney does not sell Sony, it reminds you of that fact every time you open the camera. All in all for the money i would highly recomend it.
