It looks like Sony’s first HDD digital camcorder, the DCR-SR100, is a success. CamcorderInfo got their hands on one and have completed the first review I’ve seen of the SR100. The main thing everyone has been wondering is how this camcorder will hold up to the JVC tapeless camcorders. At the higher price it seemed like Sony would really have to deliver if they wanted to capture the market.

Well, apparently Sony has pulled it off. The Sony SR100 beat out the JVC MG70 and MG77 with a bang. The captured video from the SR100 is much easier to edit than the video from the JVC, and works with many editing programs. The only problem is the lack of manual control on the SR100, which are severely lacking. Unfortunate for a $1,000 camcorder, too, but Sony is definitely going for a consumer market nowadays (just look at the HC3).

The review’s last line really gives an idea of where digital camcorder’s seem to be heading, at least in CamcorderInfo’s opinion:

MiniDV still trumps HDD in video quality, but the gap is closing quickly, and the DCR-SR100 is the best of the bunch. At $1000, this is still out of the price range of most consumers, but you can be sure that the product line will expand and prices will fall in the next year. This is the future of camcorders.

Check out the full review at CamcorderInfo.