The Sony Handycam DCR-SR88 is Sony’s entry-level hard-drive-based standard-definition camcorder. The main attractions are its small size, large storage capacity (120 GB), megazoom lens(60x) and simple operation all at a sub-$400 price. So if you are planning to get a cam this season, just read below the quick review.
Lets follow few of its key specs:
- Dimensions (HWD) – 2.2×2.6×4.1 inches
- LCD size, resolution – 2.7-inch LCD, 230K pixels (touch screen)
- Storage capacity, type - SR68, 80GB hard drive; SR88, 120GB hard drive; Memory Stick Pro Duo, SD/SDHC cards
- Lens(zoom, aperture, focal) - 60x, f1.8-6.0, 39-2,340mm (16:9), 44-2,640mm (4:3) (35mm equivalent)
- Minimum illumination – 3 lux (1/30-second shutter speed)
- File format (video, audio) – MPEG-2 (.MPG), Dolby Digital 2-channel stereo
- Battery type, rated life – Li ion rechargeable, 45 minutes
- Included software – Sony Picture Motion Browser (Windows only)
- Recording time - 20 hours and 33 minutes
- Image stabilization type – Electronic
- Resolution, sensor size, type – 680K pixels, 1/8-inch CCD
- Price (MSRP) - SR68, $349.99; SR88, $399.99
Its physical controls are textbook camcorder design with a start/stop button at the back and zoom rocker up top in front of a shutter release for snapshots in Photo mode. The whole package is roughly the size of a soda can. The hand strap is comfortable if a little low and because hard drives have become so small and light, there’s barely a bump encasing it, making the body mostly lens. On the top left of the hard drive is a small door hiding a power input. The battery gets charged while attached to the camcorder.
Flip open the touch-screen display (there is no viewfinder), and you’ll find two rows of buttons in the body cavity for power; backlight compensation; direct-to-DVD recording using Sony’s $149 VRD-P1 DVDirect DVD burner; turning on and off an LED lamp under the lens; and changing over to Playback mode. The last of the I/O ports are in this cavity, too: an uncovered Mini-USB port.
This camcorder was designed for hassle-free recording and as such doesn’t have a lot of extra shooting options. There are more scene options if you chose to get specific and the same goes for white balance. Also, should you want to be more hands-on with focus and exposure, you can control both by touching the spot onscreen you’d like the camcorder to draw its information from. Hence it’s a good option to grab if you are planning for a SD.
Tags: audio mpeg, inch ccd, inch lcd, memory stick pro duo, minimum illumination, sdhc, software sony