Sony has announced two new entry-level DVD camcorders for their 2007 lineup. The first is the Sony DCR-DVD108, which features the usual 1/6″ 680K CCD, a non-widescreen 2.5″ LCD, and a whopping 40x optical zoom. The decision to go with a 4:3 ratio LCD rather than a 16:9 confuses me to say the least, but, hey, it’s gonna be the lowest model so why not force people to upgrade. The DCR-DVD108 also records 640×480 still images onto Memory Stick Pro Duo cards. The next step up, the Sony DCR-DVD308 offers a few more features that will probably persuade most people to upgrade.
The Sony DCR-DVD308 offers up a higher resolution, 1.07 megapixel CCD sensor. This allows for larger, 1 megapixel stills but also means the optical zoom is decreased to 25x. The DCR-DVD308 also includes a 2.7″ widescreen LCD, a much-needed upgrade for any user with an HDTV (although you really should be buying an HD camcorder). Finally, a remote control jack, accessory shoe, and a built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound microphone round out the Sony DCR-DVD308’s offering.
Both camcorders also feature Sony’s new “H” batteries that should offer significantly longer battery life than we have previously seen available. Also, both the DCR-DVD108 and DCR-DVD308 feature USB 2.0 ports, allowing both to be connected to your home computer. Up until now the lowest-end models did not feature USB hookups.
Look for these camcorders in February with prices set at $449 for the DCR-DVD108 and $549 for the DCR-DVD308.
