Sony DCR-PC-330 How good is it?

Bill Lapson · July 1st, 2004, 12:29 AM

I just realized that using fixed focus and turning off the image stabilizer might result in better "panned" shots. Does this make sense?

I haven't bought a camcorder yet so I'll have to try this setup in the shop.

So far, the Sony 330 seems to be best (for my purposes). I'm not sure the new version of it is a great improvement (350?). The stills look fine, it has a strobe light, video in the LCD looks good, reviews all positive. Only the touchscreen interface makes me gag a bit. Haven't found a single salesperson who was competent with it. Haven't read anything nice about it in DV Info Net either.

Norm Couture · July 1st, 2004, 08:05 AM

I agree wit Bill about TouchScreen control.
I haven't tried it; just read about it. But I'm used to hit the Manual Aperture button, fiddle the jog-dial to adjust the iris/gain while fine-tuning the manual focus ring, and press REC.
I can't imagine navigating through on-screen menus to go from one control to the other while my subject is doing its act!
On the other hand, I know that integrating most controls in the software can substantially reduce the production cost of a camcorder: less buttons and moving parts to assemble mean more affordable price.
Compromise is the magic word here...

Boyd Ostroff · July 1st, 2004, 08:08 AM

I agree that the touchscreen is not the way to control basic camera functions. However it works OK for secondary features, as implemented on the PDX-10. The spot focus and spot meter are two useful additions.

July 1st, 2004, 08:05 AM	#32
Norm Couture Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Quebec, QC, Canada Posts: 123	I agree wit Bill about TouchScreen control. I haven't tried it; just read about it. But I'm used to hit the Manual Aperture button, fiddle the jog-dial to adjust the iris/gain while fine-tuning the manual focus ring, and press REC. I can't imagine navigating through on-screen menus to go from one control to the other while my subject is doing its act! On the other hand, I know that integrating most controls in the software can substantially reduce the production cost of a camcorder: less buttons and moving parts to assemble mean more affordable price. Compromise is the magic word here... __________________ Norm :)

July 1st, 2004, 12:29 AM	#31
Bill Lapson New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Danville CA Posts: 15	I just realized that using fixed focus and turning off the image stabilizer might result in better "panned" shots. Does this make sense? I haven't bought a camcorder yet so I'll have to try this setup in the shop. So far, the Sony 330 seems to be best (for my purposes). I'm not sure the new version of it is a great improvement (350?). The stills look fine, it has a strobe light, video in the LCD looks good, reviews all positive. Only the touchscreen interface makes me gag a bit. Haven't found a single salesperson who was competent with it. Haven't read anything nice about it in DV Info Net either.

July 1st, 2004, 08:08 AM	#33
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	I agree that the touchscreen is not the way to control basic camera functions. However it works OK for secondary features, as implemented on the PDX-10. The spot focus and spot meter are two useful additions.