Sony DCR-DVD508 Camcorder
Review

In areas where light is plentiful, the DCR-DVD508 produces an excellent image with strong colors and great sharpness. This is thanks mostly to its massive 1/2.9-inch CMOS chip and 3,200,000 pixel count. For a standard definition DVD camcorder, the DCR-DVD508 produces one of the best images on the market.

When the lights dwindle, so does the performance. Again, this is the imager’s doing. Last year’s DVD505 had a 1/3-inch imager with a 2,100,000 pixel count. The DVD508 increases the surface area of the chip by 3 percent, but increases the pixel count by a hefty 52 percent. Those pixels had to be manufactured much smaller in order to fit them on the chip. Smaller pixels mean poor low light and a noisy, grainy image. Even moderately low light shooting failed to impress. The “improved” imager didn’t improve anything but the marketing language. Don’t be fooled.

Unlike a Panasonic, Canon, or JVC, the DCR-DVD508 offers a rudimentary set of manual controls including focus, exposure, and white balance. In addition, making manual control adjustments on the DCR-DVD508 can be vexing due to the small 2.7-inch touch screen interface. Tiny buttons on a small LCD screen do not match the refinement of a rear-mounted joystick. And with lackluster manual controls, how do you grow as a videographer? For a top-of-the-line model, the DCR-DVD508 does not allow much opportunity to learn.

On the other hand, the DCR-DVD508 stands at the forefront of automatic control. Focus and exposure operate smoothly and efficiently, and a host of Scene modes such as Twilight, Sunrise & Sunset, and Fireworks are available for difficult shooting environments. The DCR-DVD508 is also equipped with Sony’s Easy mode, which sets the camcorder to autopilot. To make shooting more inviting, the DCR-DVD508 feels great in the hand. The camcorder is constructed with high quality metal and plastic, and buttons are logically placed to match the hand's natural ergonomics.

The DCR-DVD508 records standard definition video to 8 centimeter DVD discs (sometimes called miniDVDs) in the following flavors: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-R DL (Dual Layer). A standard DVD disc will only hold 20 minutes of footage recorded in the highest quality. Before you settle on a DVD camcorder, consider that hard disk drive camcorders like the Sony DCR-SR300 can record the same quality video for hours on end. The DCR-DVD508 is compatible with most editing programs. Picture Motion Browser is the software that ships in the box, but it is exceedingly basic.

The DCR-DVD508 is a solid device in many respects. The DCR-DVD508 offers admirable video quality in adequate lighting, excellent automatic control, and high quality construction. It also features an optical image stabilization that tested very well in controlled shake tests. On the downside, the DCR-DVD508 failed in low light – an easily preventable error that could have been avoided by maintaining a reasonable pixel count instead of trying to wow consumers with big numbers. This, coupled with the touch screen LCD, Easy mode, and simplified “training wheel” controls are enough to drive away advanced shooters. The Canon DC50 and Panasonic VDR-D310 might not offer the bright light performance of the DCR-DVD508, but they prove to be more versatile. For those who want the best in standard definition DVD camcorders and are looking to take the “Easy” route, the DCR-DVD508 just might be the answer. Also, consider the step-down model, the DCR-DVD408, which has many of the same winning qualities and might side-step some of the noise issues.

For a more in-depth review, visit the Sony DCR-DVD508 Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com