Sony DCR-TRV280 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
by Sony
Our Price: $599.00
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $150.00 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
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Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SonyModel: DCRTRV280
Color: Grey
Product features:
- 1/6-inch CCD imager with 290K effective pixels
- Digital8 format records digital audio and video comparable to MiniDV on affordable Hi8 tapes
- 20x optical zoom with SteadyShot picture-stabilization system
- 2.5-inch SwivelScreen LCD
- NightShot Plus Infrared System captures natural-looking video in low light
- Pinnacle Studio HD V14 [OLD VERSION]
- AmazonBasics Universal Camera Case for Digital Cameras HF (Black)
- Adobe Premiere Elements 9 [Old Version]
- Roxio Creator 2010 [OLD VERSION]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony DCR-TRV280 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: FOR NOW, THE BEST & MOST AFFORDABLE DIGITAL CAMCORDER
Summary: 5 Stars
After doing hours of research on the internet (and I do mean hours and even days) EXTENSIVE research, I have found that, for the money ($259 from Amazon w/free shipping & also getting the Amazon Visa Card for an added discount), this is the best deal as far as digital camcorders go available today. It is certainly the cheapest priced digital camcorder I could find brand new, and the best built camcorder, especially when compared to the many mini dv's available (they look like they could break if you look at them the wrong way)! I had a friend who had a mini dv camcorder comment on their delicate nature, and her mini dv camcorder also quit working after only a few months of normal use (think about the same price range as digital 8 now--not more costly mini dv camcorders).
The Sony digital 8 camcorders may be discontinued soon by Sony (at least that is the asumption from what I read), but I have read more positive reviews (at this price range) for the Sony digital 8 camcorders than any of the comparable mini dv camcorders IN THIS PRICE RANGE. I purchased a Samsung (JUNK JUNK-AVOID) mini dv camcorder from Sam's Club prior to purchasing the Sony DCR-TRV280 from amazon.com, and I was more than disappointed in the performance of the Samsung mini dv camcorder. The picture from my old RCA Autoshoot VHS-C camcorder produced a picture much better than the Samsung could. I couldn't believe how horrible the quality was on the Samsung mini dv camcorder! This was difficult to tell in Sam's Club as all of their camcorders are in a very bright area of the store.
Also, I think blank tapes (8mm/high 8) will be available still for several more years, and this Sony digital 8 camcorder suits my purposes quite well. The tapes can be erased and reused many many times with very little loss of quality, if any, when well taken care of. I must state the opposite of most people when asked "should I go for mini dv or digital 8?" I say go with digital 8 if you're a "point and shoot" person like I am. Consumer Reports also states that these digital 8 camcorders are amongest the best buys in digital camcorders available today. You have to remember too, that Sony is a big name with a big reputation of producing great quality electronics.
Oh, another thing, how many digital camcorders can you get hours upon hours of use out of a single charge on one battery? Check out the optional batteries that are available with these digital 8 handycams. The NP-QM91D is the longest lasting (6 to 12 hours on 1 charge!) Also compatible with this digital 8 handycam is the NP-QM71D and NP-FM50. BEWARE of generic batteries, however (I found out the hard way!) Sony makes many of their newer models to detect the generic batteries and cause the camera to shut down and not charge the battery. I just sent back a generic NP-QM91D that was only $37.50 (Sony brand is around $149 new). Just stick with the Sony brand name infoLITHIUM batteries only. I re-ordered and got the NP-FM50 for $44 from amazon.com (Sony brand). It will give 2 to 3 hours recording time, which, when combined with the battery that came with this camcorder, will be about 4 hours of battery time. This should be plenty for most users. The batteries also recharge remarkably fast (except for the first two batteries I mentioned. Those require an optional "fast charge charger" to get them to charge quickly).
By the way, the Samsung mini dv had many complaints of low battery time (40 minutes or less). I think Sony makes the longest lasting batteries, and I have done a lot of research on this! I hope you will take my word for it, and check out this digital 8 handycam yourself!
Description of Sony DCR-TRV280 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
Sony DCR-TRV280 Digital 8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical ZoomCamcorders
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