I was just commenting on the previous review, questioning why a reviewer would copy/paste info and submit it for three different cameras. What I found was that the reviewer was trying to explain the differences between the three cameras, so that the consumer can make an educated decision as to which camera suits them best comparing features and price. I found the reviews very helpful, and it actually helped me to decide which model I wanted to buy. I'm sure that is what makes this individual a reviewer in the top 100 at amazon.

While the price is higher than other camcorders on the market, I think this product is worth it. It's easy to set up and use, the editing software for the computer is decent, and I'm able to get high quality footage and share it with family and friends.

One note of caution: the software really does require a higher speed computer and/or updated platforms like Windows XP. It ended up leading to the demise of our old computer (a Windows ME), but functions much better on our new one that has XP.

This camera made it to Oprah's 2003 Favorite Things List. That prompted me to take a look at it, and I was really impressed! We ended up buying it, and we're so glad that we did. Wow, what a great video-camera! It's compact, quiet, and very easy to use. We were able to set it up & record without even opening the instruction manual. The playback quality on the LCD screen is amazing, and the sound quality is near-perfect. I'm so happy with this camera. I highly recommend it for its ease of use, light & comfortable size, and the simplicity of recording directly onto a dvd. No more copying from small tapes to larger VHS tapes for me! That was such a frustrating experience and the editing quality was horrible.

I'm really pleased that I'll be able to share video of my daughter with friends and family who have dvd players, or video viewing capability on their computers.

FOLLOW-UP: We took this camcorder to Sea World and the footage was excellent. It was nice not to have to lug around a heavy piece of equipment while trying to transport a toddler, stroller, etc. Once we got home, I put together a 5 minute edited video using the ImageMixer software from Sony (included when we purchased the camera). Wow, it was so user-friendly! I added some of my own music to it, as well as some text to some scenes. Then we burned the edited project to a simple, inexpensive CD-R instead of DVD-R, for family/friends to view on their computers. I checked, and many in-home computers have some sort of video viewing software such as Windows Media Player, or another compatible program.

I purchased this product when my son turned 7 months old, just 1 month before his first x-mas.
I looked at all the competition and quickly singled it down to either the Sony DVD200 or DVD300. For an extra 100 or so dollars I could have bought the DVD300, but the 3.5 LCD screen was not important to me. The only difference in the DVD200 and the DVD300 is the LCD Screen size.

The ease of use is great! 5 Stars there!
The noise and vibration is almost un-noticable. Don't be worried by others comments about the vibration and noise. I noticed it as soon as I put the DVD Disk into the camcorder, but while video "taping" I didn't feel a thing.
The zoom is great, and I am very happy with the lens. I like the special features such as being able to change the lens, put filters on the lens, add flash and mic. hardware as well.

If I had to find something I didn't like about the camcorder it would have to be the Pixela software that comes with it. I own a Sony Digital Camera that came with similar SW, and was not pleased with that either. I wish sony would just get away from Pixela!

Overall, if you are in the price range of 600 - 1200 dollars for a camcorder, there is really no other reasonable product to compare it to. I was planning on spending approx. $600, but the benefits of doing this right out weighed the 300+ I haad to shell out.

Things I don't use that got bad reviews: 1 meg. pix. still shots. If you are buying a camcorder for still shots don't buy this or any camcorder. BUY A CAMERA!

Also, the only concern I had going into this product was how do you stop and start again with DVD technology. I was so happy to find out that when you stop recording the DVD is indexed. So if you start and stop 6 times, you will have 6 imaged indexes to look at. If you just want to keep recording after every time you stop, simply press the record button and it will take off from your last track. Nothing to worry about with respet to stopping and starting over and over again.

----This review was based on about 10 hours of use, and was not used with DVD-RW DVD's. I only used DVD-R DVD's. DVD-RW's offer in camera editing, but might not work on all DVD players. However, if you don't edit inside the camcorder, it will work fine and you can use the Disk up to 1000 (one thousand) times.

the DCR-DVD200 is at the middle of the recently released line of miniDVD camcorders from sony. other models in this line are the DCR-DVD300 and DCR-DVD100. the main difference the three camcorders in this line are LCD size and CCD resolution:
- DCR-DVD300: 3.5" LCD, 1MP CCD
- DCR-DVD200: 2.5" LCD, 1MP CCD
- DCR-DVD100: 2.5" LCD, 640K CCD

pros:
- records dolby digital stereo.
- carl zeiss lens.
- 10x optical zoom.
- video quality almost at par with miniDV camcorders (at slower recording modes).
- Super SteadyShot image stabilization system - and sony's system really helps.
- three low light shooting modes: Nightshot, Super Nightshot, and Color Slow Shutter.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB 2.0, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.
- USB 2.0 support for fast downloads.
- the convenience of DVD navigation - simply select the scene and you're there!
- supports analog-to-digital conversion.
- hot accessory shoe with lots of optional accessories.

cons:
- expensive - as with most sony products, you pay a premium, plus you pay for DVD convergence.
- average low light performance.
- no memory stick support; if you want to take a still picture, it is saved on the DVD.
- mic picks up DVD spinning noise in quiet environments.
- finalizing a DVD takes upwards of 10 minutes, and it can be a confusing process.
- don't expect much from the still images recorded, even at 1MP resolution.
- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.
- smaller LCD (2.5") vs the DVD300 (3.5").
- no manual focus ring.
- getting video into editing software (e.g. Final Cut Pro) is harder than it should be.
- not Mac friendly.
- poor battery life with included battery so add $$ to your budget to buy a higher capacity spare.
- compared to current release camcorders, this is a pretty big one at 3.1 x 3.8 x 5.6" weighing 1 lb 6 oz.

this is a nice, solid effort by sony and i give them points for dvd convergence. however, in my opinion, the DCR-DVD200 is too big and not easy to use. it's expensive for the feature set but the alternative to this dvd camcorder (a miniDV tape camcorder and DVD recorder combo) is even more expensive. i already have a dvd recorder so for me, a smaller and easier to use miniDV camcorder makes more sense. if this is your situation as well, i would recommend a panasonic gs-70 or sony's pc-105, both miniDV camcorders. otherwise, if you want a finalized DVD straight out of your camcorder, consider the DCR-DVD200.

a final note. if you have decided you want to record directly to a DVD, which camcorder should you buy? DCR-DVD200 or DCR-DVD300 or DCR-DVD100? you save seventy bucks (street price) by going to the DVD100 but in my opinion, you give up a lot by going to a 640K CCD so i wouldn't recommend going there. if you want a bigger 3.5" LCD, it'll cost you an extra seventy bucks. i think this is a fair price for the upgrade.

i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.

Frustrating that I can't hook this up to my iMac. We first got a Sony laptop- but couldn't edit our discs on that. More than a year later- we got an iMac (which we love)- wish the Sony camera would connect via USB to the iMac. the imac doesn't support miniDVD. Any suggestions (besides get a Canon)?

Otherwise- the camera is ergonomic and works well - so long as you don't intend to edit on an iMac.