The Sony DCR-DVD 105 is an upgrade of Sony’s previous DVD camcorder model, the DCR-DVD 92.  Like most DVD camcorders, it records in MPEG 2 format for video recording.  It also offers three quality modes when recording with its HQ, SP and LP settings.  It is compatible recording in DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW 8cm disks.

The DCR-DVD 105 features a 1/6 inch Advanced HAD CCD imaging sensor with an effective resolution of 0.68 megapixels.  This is a standard definition camcorder; hence, the small imaging sensor.  The 1/6 inch imager is perhaps the smallest chip that you’ll find in many entry-level camcorders in the market.  Even with a small imager, the DCR-DVD 105 can record in wide screen modes – 4:3 and 16:9.  It has a decent color balance output and little over saturation – the same characteristics of the DCR-DVD 92.  The DCR-DVD 105 however, boasts of a sharper and crisper image than its predecessor.

Entry-level camcorders, with their small imaging sensors do not to fare well in low light environments.  The size of the imaging sensor technically plays a big part capturing light; therefore, the bigger sensor will allow more light in and will result to a better low light performance.  At 300 lux down to about 60 lux, the DCR-DVD 105 outperforms most of its competitors by producing crisper images and retaining most of the image’s color information.  Below 60 lux however, the amount of noise (mostly blackish) starts to dominate the images, which is normal for a 1/6-inch chip camcorder.

The DCR-DVD 105 also has Sony’s popular Easy Mode that works perfectly for point-and-shoot use.  With this mode activated, the camcorder disables access to manual controls and it operates in full automatic.  All the exposure, shutter speed, aperture, etc., adjust automatically to maximize the output images.  At this mode, the camcorder can produce its best video output.

The DCR-DVD 105’s manual mode, however, is not as impressive as its auto capability.  It only gives the basic manual options that are present in most camcorders in its category.  It offers manual adjustments in White Balance, Exposure and Focus only.  It has no manual shutter speed and gain control.  White balance settings include Auto, Preset (Indoor and Outdoor) and Manual.  It also has Special Effects when shooting videos (Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel and Monochrome) and available Shooting Programs (Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & Ski, Portrait, Sports Lesson and Sunset & Moon).

The camcorder has a Carl Zeiss zoom lens mounted at the front of the camcorder.  The 2.3-mm-46-mm lens is equipped with a motorized zoom adjustment.  It is capable of 20x optical zoom and an additional 800x digital zoom.  Aperture range is from f/1.8 to f/3.1 and shutter speed range is from 1/sec to 1/4000 sec.  It has a filter size of 25mm and comes with a removable lens cap.  Focus adjustment for the lens comes in Manual and Automatic modes.  Manual focus adjustments work thru the camcorder’s touch screen LCD.

The DCR-DVD 105 has a 2.5-inch touch screen Hybrid TFT active matrix LCD display.  It has an effective resolution of about 0.123 megapixels.  When recording in bright light conditions or under direct sunlight, LCD display can be subject to glare and ghosting, making video monitoring difficult.  For this reason, Sony has equipped the DCR-DVD 105 with a viewfinder for alternate video monitoring purposes.  The electronic color viewfinder has an effective resolution of 0.123 megapixels.

The camcorder also has Sony’s Super Steady Shot electronic image stabilization technology.  The stabilization is optimum at about 10x zoom, but to maximize the camcorder’s 20x capability, you may need to have a very steady hand or a tripod to eliminate any shake effects in the video output.

Still image photography for this camcorder stores in JPEG format.  Still images have a maximum resolution of 640×480 or about 0.34 megapixels.  This still photo resolution is less than what entry level digital camera can offer.

Other features include a Self-Timer that provides the user with up to ten seconds of delay – available for both video and still photo modes.  You can turn on the NightShot Plus mode using a switch located on the top part of the camcorder.  Then, the Super NightShot Plus system increases the intensity of the NightShot Plus.

The camcorder ships with a NP-FP50 Li-ion battery pack that will provide approximately two hours of recording performance.  The battery compartment sits at the back of the camcorder with enough room to accommodate an upgrade to a larger capacity battery.  Audio input is thru the internal mic only, mounted at the lower front of the camcorder.  It records in 5.1-Dolby Digital Surround sound format.

This camcorder is portable and compact for a DVD camcorder, weighing only 1.1lbs.  Dimensions are 2.2in x 5.1in x 3.5in (W x H x L).  Connections include one composite audio/video out, one remote control jack and one DC power input.

As comparison, the Panasonic VDR-D100 outperforms this camcorder in lowlight conditions (15 lux down), as it retains most of the color information, while Sony produces an almost black, white and gray image.  The VDR-D100 also offers more ports, which include S-Video, not present in the DCR-DVD 105.

For an upgrade, in terms of video quality, you may also want to check the DCR-DVD 105’s successor, the DCR-DVD 205 that costs about $90 more.  It has a slightly larger imaging device with its 1/5.5 inch CCD sensor, which nearly doubles the camcorder’s resolution, compared to that of the DVD 105.  Other than the wide screen LCD and the upgrade in its imaging sensor, all manual and automatic settings remain identical to the DVD 105.

Overall, performance evaluation of the DCR-DVD 105 doesn’t make it suitable for intermediate users.  Video editing is almost impossible for most DVD camcorders.  This camcorder excels best in ease of use and overall handling with its Easy mode.  The automatic mode and the way this camcorder performs in automatic make it perfect for point-and-shoot applications like capturing family affairs or in vacation.  In this mode, operation is easy, even in constantly switching environments, making this device perfect for beginners as an entry level DVD camcorder.

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Technical Specifications

General

• Imaging Device : 1/6″ CCD
• Pixel Gross : 680K
• Video Actual : 340K Pixels
• Still Actual : 340K Pixels
• Recording Media : 8cm DVD (DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW)
• Recording and Playback Times : HQ: 20 min., SP: 30 min., LP 60 min.