Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony DCRTRV70 MiniDV 2MP Camcorder with 2.5"LCD, Memory Stick, and Networking Capability

I hesitate to write a review when I haven't even had the chance to test many of the features of this camera (and it's the first video camera I've ever owned, so my ability to make comparisons is limited), but I noticed that there weren't any reviews of this camera yet, and I thought I could contribute some thoughts.

WARNING: this review will NOT give you a run-down of all the camera's specs and features. That information is easily found elsewhere and is probably better summarized by "experts."

What this review WILL provide is the perspective of a mom who needs a camera for home and family use (I have a four year-old and another child due in a few weeks). I should also mention that I have a lot of experience with SLR film cameras and have a particular interest in avoiding flash and using natural light. So when I went looking for a video camera my priorities were:
(1) excellent image quality (color, resolution)
(2) ability to record good images indoors in natural or low light
(3) compactness (I didn't want anything so big that I wouldn't want to bring it along on trips and outings)

I don't have a digital still camera, so although I still prefer using my film cameras for still pictures, the idea of being able to use the camcorder for stills was also a factor.

The brands I considered were Panasonic, Canon and Sony because I felt that they had the best reputation for optics and overall quality. I ruled out the Canons when they seemed to be getting mixed reviews. I was initially interested in a Panasonic PV-DC 352, but by the time I got around to purchasing, the camera had been discontinued and was not available anywhere. I was less impressed by the newer Pansonics because they had reduced the size of the CCD, and I had heard that a larger CCD meant better image quality in low light.

I narrowed it down to the Sony DCR-TRV 70 and the Sony PC-105. The optics on the TRV 70 seemed better, but I thought that I might prefer the PC-105 for its compactness. (I should mention that at this point I was basing my opinions on specs and information about the cameras given online.) At this point I decided to see the cameras in a store to see and feel what they were like. Once I saw them, I realized that the TRV 70 is not really that much bigger than the "supercompact" PC-105 -- certainly it was not so much bigger that I would be less likely to bring it with me somewhere. However, the lens is considerably bigger (which means better optical quality), and I preferred the traditional elongated shape to the boxy 105 -- it seemed easier to handle and keep steady. (Also I have heard that an advantage of this shape is that the microphone is closer to the subject and further away from the camera operator.)

I decided to get the TRV 70. It was easy to start using right away, and it was easy to hook up to the TV. Some people have complained about the new touch LCD screens that Sony provides now instead of buttons, but I don't have any problem with this feature. The 2.5 inch LCD might be small for those who like a big one, but I prefer this size because it uses up less battery power and is perfectly adequate. Outdoors in bright light I prefer to use the viewfinder.

I haven't tried to take any still pictures yet, so I'm afraid I can't report on that feature. But at 2 megapixels I'm sure that these will turn out fine.
I also haven't tried to hook the camera up to a computer yet.

A common complaint heard about Sonys is that the zoom control is too fast/sensitive. While it is true that it is fast, it can be controlled by using a very light touch. Also, I can see that the advantage of a fast zoom is the ability to zoom quickly in order to set up a shot while still in standby mode (it looks more professional not to be constantly zooming in and out while recording anyway).

In terms of my initial priorities, this camera performs beautifully. Video quality is really excellent. And low light quality is really impressive (better I would say than what I can achieve with my manual-control SLR cameras). Colors are a little more washed out in very low light, but this doesn't bother me -- the color that IS there still seems true.
And the camera is compact and solid -- doesn't feel plastic-y.

Okay, here's an update:
I finally got around to taking still pictures with this camera and I'm addicted! I haven't used a digital camera before but have taken plenty of pictures with film cameras, and I have to say I'm impressed with the quality of the stills I can take with this camera. (The setting I use most often is "fine" and 640x480, which produces images with good resolution that are only about 100-150 kb and so easily sendable via email). The still camera feature is not as good in low light, but the pop-up flash compensates for that. I've also tried capturing stills from video, and that works moderately well, though it is obviously not going to produce as good an image.
One feature I really like in the still camera is the "bracketing" feature which takes 3 shots in quick succession at different exposures -- this is great for trying to capture expressions on quick-moving babies/children's faces!

Just picked up yesterday and took out last night for a run. Have been evaluating against Panasonic DV953. Comparison so far, 1) Sony TRV70 excellant in low light with very little grain in night setting, Panasonic 953 cannot be used unless highly lit object like a sign on bldg. 2) video capture is almost equal to the three chipper. 3) 2.5" lcd is smallish but i did like the touch screen which is very easy to manuver thru setting menus. Panasonic 953 has wheel but still have to use lcd or really cant make options out. however the 3.5" is nice to read and clear. 4) Panasonic 953 has more color saturation and more manual control. Althought with the manual exposure I was able to saturate also on the Sony TRV70. At this point I have not tried still function on either yet, but if you want to shoot indoor footage the Panasonic will need lots of light to avoid grainy picture where the Sony TRV 70 is at home indoors or out in auto settings. With the panasonic hard to find and the sony trv70 available @ $1,000.00 at this point you either have to leap to the over 2k price thresholdfor GL2,VX2000 or better. The sony trv70 or trv80 if you want to pop for the larger lcd may be your choice.

this is a power packed camcorder!
pros:
- other than the sony trv80, this is the only sony miniDV camcorder that has a 2 megapixel still camera built in.
- miniDV media is widely supported.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, bluetooth, mic input, etc.
- has a built in pop-up flash for taking stills.
- carl zeiss lens.
- steady shot and night shot.
- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.
- progressive shutter system.

cons:
- this camcorder is bigger than i would like. you can get smaller camcorders like the trv33 or the pc105. granted, those have less features, mainly still camera capability (2.0 megapixel vs 1.0 megapixel).
- bright 2.5" LCD screen: but i definitely prefer the 3.5" in the trv80.
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.
- the included 8MB memory stick (for a 2 megapixel still camera!) is unacceptable. you'll need at least a 64MB memory stick with if you want to take full advantage of the higher resolution pics you'll be taking.
- although bundling the camcorder and still camera together means you only have to carry one piece of equipment, it also means that if one breaks, you have to replace both.
- as an alternate to this bundling strategy, you can get a trv33 or pc105 and get a 3 megapixel still camera for about the same price.
- no built in video light but you can get one less than a hundred bucks.

all in all, a very nice camcorder. nice work sony.

I did a lot of research before purchasing this camera a year ago. But I've used it A LOT since then and figured I would write a review.

I did comparison tests with this camera vs. Sony's other lower end camcorders. The color and resolution on this one if FAR superior and worth the extra money. I also compared it to the Canon GL2, a 3-CCD camera. The 3-CCD camera was far better in low light and color, but comes with a much heaftier price tag.

The good things about this camera have been mentioned by others. And while it may not fit in your palm exactly, it is really not very big. It looks good, and all the features are easy to find. Overall good design.

There are three things about this camcorder I don't like, but here's what I recommend to solve them:

The lens always looks like you can't zoom out enough. I'm sure there's a technical term for this, but even when you're zoomed out all the way it looks like your subject is too close. As soon as I realized this, I purchased a Sony wide angle lens, which made all the difference. Especially if you're indoors, you want to take in as much of the environment as possible. It does add size to the camera, and means you can't use the flash for still pictures without removing it. But it gives the camera a nice professional look and feel.

The second problem with this camera I've read about with other Sony camcorders: the "whirring" noise of the motor as it is taping. When I first got the camera I didn't notice it, but as time went on the whirr got worse. Also, there's a "hiss" that you get with any camcorder. I solved this by getting a Sony external microphone to attach to the "boot". ECM-MS5908C. It's a stereo microphone, and it's far enough from the motor that you hardly hear it, and also drowns out the hiss. I also got a shotgun mic, but that isn't stereo, so I wouldn't recommend it unless shooting subjects far away.

The other issue is unsolvable, and that's the "slider" zoom in. Instead of moving front to back with two fingers to zoom in, you slide left to right with one finger. It's hard to use, and over-sensitive. I do not understand why Sony sticks with that technology on their consumer models, but not with their 3-CCD professional models.

Overall, a great camera. I do not use the still camera function very often, so I can't comment on that. I use Final Cut Express for the Macintosh to edit, and everything works smoothly with this camera. (Also, if you plan to do any editting, you get a HIGH recommendation from me for Apple computers. Each Apple computer comes with iMovie, a free program that is SO EASY to use to edit video.)

You're obviously reading this because you want to know if this camera is right for you. Here's what I say: if you want better picture quality than other home videos you've seen, and are willing to pay for it, this camera is ideal. I highly recommend the wide angle lens and external stereo microphone, which help you make better videos but also add size to the machine. If you want to spend more to get an amazing, broadcast-quality picture, there's a big leap in cost for a 3-CCD camera. But the Sony DCRTRV70 is right in the middle, and is really a good choice.

THANK YOU SONY!!!! I PURCHASED THIS CAM WITH NO $$ LIMITS. IT IS THE BEST PHOTO/CAMCORDER I'VE USED. EASY MENU USE AND MANIPULATION. UNLIMITED COMBINATIONS OF EFFECT AND PREFERANCES.
THE LAYOUT IS SIMPLE. 90% OF CAPABILITY COMES FROM THE MENU ACCESS. STYLUS BASED SCREEN THAT IS A BIT SMALL. CAMCORDER IS AWSOME! 120X ZOOM IS MORE THAN ENOUGH..GREAT FOR MACRO SHOTS AS WELL AS LONG DISTANT ACROSS MOUNTAINS ETC.. QUICK FOCUS. ACCESS TO INTERNET ANYWHERE ON PLANET WITH SIMPLE HOOK-UP. THIS CAMERA CAN SEND IT'S OWN PICTURES!!! VERY FRIENDLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
CABLES FOR THE TV/COMPUTER/PDA ETC.. ARE INCLUDED. (USB)