Best small AVCHD Camcorder

[Robert Morane]

Mark, thanks to you for introducing us to what seems the quasi perfect travel video camera.
Could you provide a link to the "operation manual" of the camera I can't find it on the Sony site.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Sony eSupport - HDR-GW77V/B - Support

[Robert Morane]

Mark, thank you.

[Warren Kawamoto]

How long does the battery last in this unit, when shooting continuously?

[Robert Young]

I just purchased the GW 77 a few days ago.
It looks like the battery is good for about 1 hour.
If you are out for a day's shooting, better have a couple of spares in your pocket...

[Mike Burgess]

Robert, I don't know if this is allowed, but where did you purchase your GW77?

Mike

[Robert Young]

Online @ B&H Photo Video

[Mike Burgess]

I noticed that the prices for the GW77 from a couple of online websites, has gone back up after having dropped a bit a few weeks ago. Any clue as to why the fluctuations in price?

[Mike Burgess]

Well, to answer my own question; who knows? I see that the price has dropped again on B&H. I am getting antsy to purchase a GW77 now.

Just noticed post number "409": Beach Boys 1963 I believe.

[Robert Young]

Sony pricing seems anomolous right now.
I just bought a a Sony CX760- It was listed on Sony site and B&H for $1,499,
It was priced @ my local Sony store for $1,299.
Since the only one they had in stock at the moment was the display case model, they sold it to me for $1,150.
I grabbed it and ran, no questions asked...

[Dave Blackhurst]

We're getting close to the end of the "model year" - probably a bit of clearing out of the product pipeline going on.

Soon we'll have "new" stuff to drool over and discuss... presuming some of these models sold well enough that they don't disappear entirely - many many changes in the marketplace, and it's going to be interesting to see which market segments warrant "new" models, or carryover (or subtle "remixing") of "last years" model.

As already mentioned "best" can vary from user to user and of course is somewhat dependent on what you're wanting from a camera.

If you also shoot stills, take a look at the DSC-RX100... almost incredibly small package, fairly large sensor, decent lens, stills are on par with an SLR in many shooting situations, and it's only a stop or two behind something like a CX/PJ series camera, less if you go to shutter priority in movie mode and adjust the shutter to 1/30 instead of 1/60. Probably the best "pocket rocket" if you shoot stills and video. Pricey for a still camera, but not so overpriced once you add in the video, which keeps up pretty well with the more expensive CX/PJ video cam offerings.

There are other P&S cameras with 60p video, but smaller chips make them a little worse off in low light... In good light, or if you pick up a little LED light for "worst case" shots, you still might find the results acceptable.

Just picked up a used PJ710 (PJ760, but without the viewfinder), the "magic eyeball" is simply incredible, and takes out wobble unbelieveably well, it's reasonably small, and handles low light nicely, it includes a couple "little" LED's that will punch out enough light to light your scene (and also blind your subject...). Not a bad little camera, typical of the upper end of the Sony consumer line.

Ultimately, you've got to decide what features you really need - weatherproof/shockproof? External mic/headphone capable? How much manual control? Do you want a "dual purpose" still/video cam, and which is most important? What if any filters/lenses/accessories do you think you need or want to use?

Lots of things to consider, and a lot of excellent choices, it's hard to buy a "bad" small HD camera, so it mainly comes down to what your personal considerations are. Or, as suggested in another thread, you could always buy an iPad or high end smartphone <wink>.... Sony is acually jamming some crazy features into "cell phone camera" sensor blocks...

[Mike Burgess]

Well, I guess I will wait until January to see what the price will be on the GW77. Hopefully, there will still be enough in stock at B&H or Amazon.

[Robert Young]

I believe the GW 77 was only released this last June.
If so, it probably has a while left on its product cycle.

[Mike Burgess]

Merry Christmas to all. Just saw that the price, from a couple of vendors, for the GW77 has dropped another $50.

[Robert Young]

Ask and ye shall receive :)