Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony DCR-DVD610 DVD Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom

This is a great camcorder. I use the highest quality and the videos have very good quality. Transfering the videos to the computer is very easy, just set the camera in USB mode, connect cables to camera and PC using the USB cable provided and copy the mpeg files to your computer. One file is created everytime you start and stop recording which makes it easy to create a DVD menu.

Another feature that I like is the ability to record video either using the mini DVDs or memory stick. I bought a 4Gb memory stick and I am able to record 59 minutes of video in HQ mode. I went on a trip to London and carried mini 3 DVDs which I didn't have to use. Every night I would transfer videos to the laptop in the hotel and start with 59 minutes of video the next day.

One thing I didn't like about the camera was the battery. It should last longer so I bought another with more capacity.

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.

I so wish I could have given this 5 stars. I recently lost my previous Sony Camcorder [Model DVD92--also mini dvd recordable] and I loved it. I never expected this 610 one to suck so hard.

In general, what's great about Sony's dvd camcorders is that they really are easy to use and take great family videos. I agree with all the reviews that praise the user friendly just pick-it-up and use it accolades. This review really has to do with what you do with that content and how IMHO the newer model is not an improvement over the older one.

The 610 Sucks because:
-Finalizing a mini dvd on my old one took 30 seconds, this one 7 min! [WTF?!?]
-On the mac, in order to edit the content you need to first rip the dvd with a program like handbrake and then hope imovie imports it with the chapters. A long and tedious process. I was told that the usb port could import the movie content on this 610 model directly-not true!-it shows up as a finalized disc, not a hard drive that you can drag/drop from.
-The screen on my old one was actually better, this one has a lot of glare.
-I could flip the screen so my toddler could see herself on the DVD92 while I looked thru the viewfinder. On this one it does not seem you can use the viewfinder and screen at the same time.

Hope this helps! I am returning this one and trying the Sanyo xacti 1000.

Purchased the handycam for family videos as our current digital camera takes subpar videos (especially when you zoom-in during filming). The Sony handycam is easily used right out of the box. The external mechanical buttons/levers are limited and intuitive. The touch screen display drives disc and memory card formatting and other video/picture nuances that are on "auto" unless you change them. I've added a photo memory card which is a nice option at parties and trips. Filming is very easy and the compact disc can be popped out at anytime for viewing in a DVD player (easily mailed to grandparents for their review as well). I have not processed or printed from the picture card yet. The camera's zoom is very smooth and nice. At the max 40x optical zoom the video has a slight shake, even when your hand is not. The camera is very light and easily held in one hand. The viewing screen is more than adequate. I would recommend the camera bag and extra battery combo pack for around $60. Sony's discs are a good buy as well. Overall, nice piece of equipment, good quality videos, and intuitive to use. As other reviewers have noted, the manual is limited, but honestly is not needed.

When my oldest daughter had her first child (it was also my first grandchild) two years ago I bought her a digital camera and printer. I have been since rewarded by receiving many photos of my favorite (and only) grandchild.

Now, for my granddaughter's second birthday, I bought her this video camera. After reading many of the reviews for this and other camcorders on Amazon I picked the Sony DCR-DVD610 because met all of the needs that I had for a camcorder that I would give as a gift:

1. POPULAR. Almost everyone who purchased this item was very happy with it. This was not so with all of the best-selling camcorders, even those at twice the price.

2. EASY. I wanted to get her one that was fairly easy to use. I read the instruction book on-line and felt that this fit the bill.

3. DVDs. It was important to me that it used some sort of DVD as the primary recording media since I feel that it is more archival than tape and more secure than a hard drive only.

4. PRICE. Even though I would have been willing to spend more, I was hoping for something under $400.

I also purchased an accessory kit (which included a bag, an extra battery and 2 DVDs) and then some extra Sony brand DVDs (after reading some of the reviews I decided to stick with the Sony brand in order to avoid the message that pops up when you use a different brand of DVDs).

So far my daughter and her husband have been VERY happy with this gift and I am hoping see some great videos of my beautiful granddaughter who lives several states away.

Sony ACC-DVDH2 Accessory Starter Kit for Handycam, DVD, Camcorders