I normally use a DSLR for videos but the Sony Camcorder is nice to have around. Actually, when in a wet or dusty location, I would rather use the Sony than risk damaging my more expensive cameras.

I bought this camera for the 60x optical zoom. I take photos and videos of wildlife, and this camera gets me in close when I don't want to use an additional lense. It took a bit of getting used to because it is very lightweight and hard to hold steady, but when you get the target locked in, it is...

IntroductionLooking for an relatively inexpensive compact video camera?

Price: 300$; Light and compact.

Poor battery life; Tiny touch screen; Poor low light recording

I am returning this camera. I used the mini DVD to record a very special event in my child's life, and the DVD got damaged when I tried to open the cover, so all my images were lost! I have been told that DVDs are very touchy and images can get ruined very easily.

i USE THIS IN A ARENA TO TAPE MY SONS RACES IT HAS GREAT SOUND & PICTURE QUALITY THE PRICE OF THIS ITEM WAS FAR CHEAPER THAN ANY WHERE LOCALLY EVEN DURING ALL THE HOLIDAY SALES.

Comfortable to Operate; Durable; Great Features; Great Picture Quality; Great Sound; Simple Controls; Versatile

Sony DCR-DVD650 DVD Handycam Camcorder is a stylish, light-weight recorder that gives the option of recording direct to DVD. In addition to being a camcorder this device can also take still photos so it can double as a digital camera.

I got this camcorder for Christmas and I'm very pleased with it for the most part.  I say for the most part because a little foul-up occured while we went to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center and for some reason all the video on my DVD-RW got erased.  I have no idea what happened, but

The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option.

Simple operation; records to DVDs or Memory Stick flash media

Soft video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects; DVDs not ideal storage medium

DVDs were never a perfect solution for directly recording video with a camcorder. The medium makes even less sense now with hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models reasonably priced and able to store much more video in far smaller packages.

Simple operation; records to DVDs or Memory Stick flash media

Soft video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects; DVDs not ideal storage medium