Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (Silver) | 
| Brand: Sony
List Price: $799.77
Buy New: $420.00
You Save: $379.77 (47%)
New (4) Used (4) from $359.99
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 3356
Color: Silver
Media: Electronics
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 3
Maximum Focal Length: 23
Minimum Focal Length: 2.3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 9.4 x 3.8
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: DCRPC55/S
Model: DCRPC55/S
UPC: 027242669697
EAN: 0027242669697
ASIN: B0007M3PIU
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | MiniDV digital video recording | | • | Ultra compact design | | • | Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens | | • | 3.0-inch hybrid touch panel LCD | | • | Digital still camera function with PictBridge compatibilty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Sony DCR-PC55 Handycam(R) Digital Camcorder is a tiny travel-friendly that enables video and still images to be recorded on compact MemoryStick Duo digital-media memory cards or MiniDV tape. A large 3" LCD monitor lets you view incoming images and play them back. There's even a built-in mic and speaker. At only 1-10/13 x 3-9/10 x 2-5/6 inches (WHD) with a weight of about 10 ounces (with tape and battery), this is one comfortable camera to use and carry. Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam(R) Camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK(R) interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage Supplied Handycam(R) Station provides quick and easy connections to a TV for viewing or to a PC for editing and sharing video. Just placing the camcorder on the Handycam(R) Station instantly makes the connections- no need to search for cables or wires when charging or playing back Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface Capture still images at 640x480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick(R) Duo Media for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible MemoryStick devices Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations Sony Service and Warranty - 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Quantity vs. Quality April 4, 2005
B1R (Detroit, MI)
192 out of 215 found this review helpful
If you're looking for a camcorder that can produce vivid colors and crystal clear picture, stop reading this review now. This camcorder is not for you.
If you can live with a medicore picture quality, but have the ability to virtually pocket a camcorder anywhere you go, read on.
The Styling:
No doubt, this camcorder exudes sex. Glossy finish with chrome accents. Bling! The styling is very appealing and will demand attention. The physical size is so small, it can be pocketed in a pair of jeans. However, the dimunitive size is also its disadvantage. Stabilizing the camcorder with one hand was a challenge due to it being so light and small. The physcial shape of the camcorder was very awkward to hold. Many times, the index finger would partially cover the lens during taping. It was just natural for the index finger to overlay on top of the lens. The zoom button is positioned for a thumb activation. However, when the thumb is re-positioned to employ the zoom button, the grip on the camcorder is compromised. The user will feel like the camera will drop from their hands when using the zoom button.
The Picture:
Outside daylight recording is acceptable. Color re-production is decent. There were still some slight noise in the image. However, there was an un-acceptable amount of purple fringing. This can be seen when recording a dark subject against a bright background. For example, point up at tree branches against a cloudy grey sky. The edges of the branch glows purple.
Indoor recording with common household lamps was littered with noise and poor contrast. The overall picture was very grainy. There were no details in black objects. For example, a black leather chair just shows up as a black object with no other details such as wrinkles or texture.
The Audio:
Audio recorded in 16 bit sounded very good. Voices were clear and with faithful reproduction. However, at times, the microphone was able to pick up the actual tape winding mechanism of the camcorder. It was a constant high pitch whine that can be heard during playback. This is most likely due to the fact that the camcorder is so small that the distance between the microphone and the tape motors are minimized. The same condition was exhibited during the usage of the zoom button. Loud clicks can be heard during playback as the zoom button snaps back.
Conclusion:
This is definitley a case study of Quantity vs. Quality. There is a price to pay for ultra portability. In my opinion, the size of this camcorder has reached the point of diminishing returns. In other words, the camera is too small to be ergonimically correct. The size also compromised the audio and video performance. Buy it to impress your friends......just don't let them watch the final result.
Start Recording Now!Absolutely Excellent Video Recording Packed In An Incredibly Compact Size! November 23, 2005
Peter V. Cannice (Scottsdale, Arizona USA)
58 out of 64 found this review helpful
The Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom is aboslute one of the best MiniDV Camcorders on the market. Even at its original retail price, Sony has packed so much technology into that sleek design that it's truly an amazing gadget. Another feature that I totally loved about this Handycam was that the instructions for use were made clear and operating the camcorder is almost as simple as taking photographs. And you don't at all have to worry about being a professional-the Sony DCR-PC55 MiniDV Camcorders computer will help you out. I tend to have a small shake in my hand when I am holding an object for an extended period of time. After I took my first videos, I assumed that when I played it back I would notice the small movment. To my total surprise, this amazing Handycam with 10x Optical Zoom knew that my hand was shaking and immediately compensated for it. To me, that was a feature that was worth a great deal of money in itself.
There are plenty of great features, more than you'll ever need-but everything you need just in case you want it. My neigbor borrowed it on a trip to Hawaii and apologized over and over as they had left it on a patio and it was exposed to about 30 minutes of light rain. They were ready to buy me a new one and I told them the only change in the camera was that it looked at little cleaner! It's not intended to be placed in water, however I discovered (after researching it on the Sony website) that the body of this small but mighty camcorder is sealed in a manner that keeps it somewhat resistant to the elements.
I did a great deal of research and many comparisons. I spent time online and then went to 2 different electronics stores where I could hold and visualize the camera. I fell in love with the compact design and how comfortable it felt in my hand. Since I did plenty of research, all I had to do was wait for a sale and immediately I made the purchase. When I opened the box I had everything I needed to start shooting photograhs, just after I ready the easy instructions for use. They even provide additional support online that answers questions that might not be addressed in the booklet that is included. Sony stands behind this product and has a toll free customer service number if you have any questions or need support that you couldn't find online. They offer a great warranty and my research on returns is basically that there are not that many.
I hope that this review was somewhat helpful. As I mentioned, there is a ton of great information that you can review. When I'm buying something I always appreciate the opinions of others who have actually purchased the products. Typically, I do my own research and THEN I like to read a review that reminds me that I am making a great purchased. Again, I hope this was helpful at least in part!
Peter Cannice
Scottsdale, Arizona
 The Sony Has It All For You!!! December 8, 2005
Roy Chan (Long Beach, CA USA)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
Pros: Compact, lightweight, portability, easy to use, big screen, good reproduction
Cons: Microphone sensitive to wind, getting used to not having a viewfinder, bad low light performance.
Summary: I picked this camera as an upgrade for my old Canon ZR10. The first reason I chose it was the small size and portability. With a good light conditions, this little beast do its best shots, but in low light conditions this camera disapointed me (specially compared with mi old ZR10). Please don't buy it if you have plans to use it for stills shots because it has a low resolution.
The included handycam station have all the ports (Firewire, USB, power, video) you need to conect it.
The big touch screen is a must, because the screen is the only way to access the camera controls (besides some of them in the edge of the screen).
You can have a camera with more characteristics and better image quality for the same price, but if your concern is the size and portability this will be your best choice in the world of the mini DV format.
Please Get Real!!! Don't expect to get Orange juice from lemons!!! April 3, 2006
Charlie Yellow (Florida)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
When you buy a product that is designed and meant to fulfill certain needs, just expect the best performance out of those features.
The PC55 is a camera for the everyday home shooter, easy to use and made with the best SONY quality for one of the smallest MINI DV camera ever created.
If you are thinking about buying this camera don't hesitate one minute, this camcorder is one of the kind, it gives you pretty much the flexibility and video quality of a regular camcorder but with the amazing bring-it-in-the-pocket size and all the coolness and attention that it brings along (let it be your best Ice breaker, believe me it works like heaven!). I work for a camera store and let me tell you: we haven't received one return of this model during the time I've worked there (8 months), which proves the high quality SONY has built into this model. I have been using mine for a few months now and all I can say is that "the product is great... period!".
Let's get real, the 500 bucks you are paying for it is not for the film quality kind of movie you get in the picture (for that you need to spend at least a couple of thousand dollars) but the portability and worriless of no need of the big luggage a camcorder used to be in the past" (some times people don't realize a motorcycle couldn't be compared with a truck or vise versa).
About the picture shooting option, well let's see! A camcorder is for videos and a digital camera is for photos, if you want to have them both in one package, that brings excellent quality, you'd have to spend a lot of more money than if you bought them separately, let me explain you in a few words, the average photo quality for a MINI DV camcorder is 1.3mp or lower (the same quality you get out of your cell phone camera) to be honest with you, the manufacturers add this option just to give it an extra feature and at the same time take more money out of your pocket, with tape less digital cameras it happens the same way, the video and sound quality are very poor; so why bother paying more for a camera with both functions being excellent (there are quite a few out in the market now, starting around $1200 for models of similar size) instead buy two little cameras, one for each use, for half of the price.
If you are looking for a cool, high quality & durability MINI DV camcorder with the smallest size available in its kind, The SONY DCR-PC55 is your BEST option.
To finish, I just want to wish you all enjoy, more than the product, the unmemorable moments you will live with your loved ones because of this little fellow.
Great camcorder! February 5, 2006
Nolan (Texas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Had this camcorder for few months now and it has been put to a lot of use. Compact, light, and easy to carry around. Tons of features which takes getting use to since most of it is touch screen. Battery life is pretty good. Video quality is excellent as well. Very happy with the purchase, and I have had no problems so far.
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