Review on 📷 Sony DCRTRV230 Digital8 Camcorder: Discontinued by Manufacturer, Limited Stock Available! by Shawn Parker

The 230 model is the most affordable all-digital 8 camera this year. (130 will not play analog 8mm tapes). The camera is a joy to use. Picture quality is a staggering increase from 8mm and it's a delight to be able to view full frames one at a time. I compared to mini DV and found no difference in quality (Digital 8 - 500 lines vs 525 for DV). Tapes are easy to find and cheaper than mini DV. Sony has added a useful "intermediate limit" to digital zoom. This feature allows the user to limit the digital zoom to a usable area. (Approximately 3 times the maximum optical zoom.) The color LCD screen is ideal for eye shots and great fun for kids. Are there any disadvantages? -Some don't like black and white eye viewer. I prefer it because the details in it seem better. -The backlight button is easy to confuse with the adjacent controls. - This year, Sony dropped the Force to Infinity focus button. (Often this was useful). - I don't like the bottom opening deck, but it makes sense since you can strap the camera to your hand while changing bands. - The standard video output connectors have been replaced with a mini video connector. This helps make the camera smaller, but can make replacing a lost cable more difficult. The features I would most like to see next year: Hover the menu button off-camera and add an option to briefly display the date and time at the start of each scene in playback mode. What about the memory card option in the 330? I suppose it's a matter of personal preference, but I bought this camcorder to have a very good camcorder. If I want a good digital camera, I buy it.