The Sony DCR-DVD 505 camcorder, released in early 2006 replaces the DCR-DVD 405.  It runs on a single Advanced HAD 1/3 inch ClearVid CMOS imaging sensor that has an effective resolution of 2.1 megapixels in both video and still photography modes.  It records digital video in MPEG-2 format using DVD disk media.  It is compatible recording thru DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW disks – all in 8cm sizes.

This camcorder records in three qualities.  It can record in High Quality (HQ), Slow Play (SP) and Long Play (LP) setting.  Video quality at bright light conditions (3000 lux down to 60 lux) is impressive, characterized by vivid images and well balanced color saturation.  Sharpness, however, is a problem for this camcorder and most videos may have a soft, fuzzy look in them.  At low light performance (15 lux or below), there is a noticeable increase in noise and a greenish tint to the videos.

Still photography saves in JPEG format.  Still pictures have a maximum resolution of 2304×1728.  There is a built-in flash mounted at the front of the camcorder and it has an effective range of one to eight feet.  The flash can also be set to Off, Auto, Fill-in or Red-eye Reduction modes.  You can set still capture storage to six settings, with Fine and Standard JPEG at 2304×1296, Fine and Standard JPEG at 2304×1728 and Fine and Standard JPEG at 640×480.  The camcorder has the ability to capture still images while in video mode.

The memory stick slot sits at the rear end of the camcorder, between the viewfinder and the battery compartment.  It can only support Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo cards.

The camcorder has a Carl Zeiss 5.1mm – 51mm zoom lens mounted at the front.  The lens has an aperture range of f/1.8 to f/2.9 and a shutter speed range of 1/4 sec to 1/4000 sec.  It also features a 10x optical zoom and an additional 120x digital zoom capability.  To optimize the zoom capability of this camcorder, the DCR-DVD 505 is also equipped with Sony’s Super Steady Shot electronic image stabilization system that is capable of up to 70% shake-reduction capability.  The lens also features a built in lens shield that will free you from worrying about keeping the lens cover of your camcorder as you start shooting.

The lens features a 30mm filter diameter and a motorized zoom adjustment.  You can set focus adjustments to Automatic or Manual modes and control Zoom adjustment in two ways.  The camcorder has a zoom control at the upper right rear portion of the camcorder and the zoom control buttons on the lower portion of the LCD panel.  The zoom toggle in the rear end of the camcorder is easy to use and proves to be sensitive.  A single nudge at this switch will send the camcorder in a slow zoom.  The zoom speed automatically adjusts depending on the pressure exerted on the switch.

Audio input for this camcorder is thru a built-in mic mounted at the top of the camcorder.  Several mics are installed at the front of the camcorder and are angled to capture sounds from the front left, front right, rear left and rear right to provide a surround experience.  Although the mic records in 5.1 channel surround sound, it is still limited in terms of versatility, as the camcorder doesn’t offer an optional microphone jack.  The camcorder however, has an accessory shoe that can accommodate Sony accessories like external mic or lights.

Automatic controls for the DCR-DVD 505 are comparable to many Sony camcorders.  The DCR-DVD 505 has two auto mode options with its Auto and Easy modes.  In Auto mode, users can record in a point-and-shoot fashion and will still have minimal access to manual controls like White Balance, Exposure, Zoom, Focus and a few more.  In Easy mode, the camcorder eliminates all manual adjustments, and it runs fully automatically.  In Easy mode, the touch screen’s menus disappear, and five buttons that will only provide access to the Still media, Clock, Beep and Format replace them; all other options and controls are set to automatic.

In Manual operation, the DCR-DVD 505 offers few options.  Most manual controls are located in the P-Menu located at the lower right of the LCD display.  There are controls for setup, still media, smooth slow record, exposure, spot focus, fader, spot meter, focus, program AE to name a few.  There are, however, no manual controls for shutter speed and aperture like most camcorders in this price range.

The connections and ports for the DCR-DVD 505 all sit in the left bottom side of the camcorder.  There is one LANC remote jack, one composite video/audio (input/output) and one DC power input.  Inside the LCD cavity, at the center, directly beneath the playback speaker is the USB 2.0 port.

This camcorder is also equipped with a 3.5 inch TFT active matrix hybrid touch screen LCD.  The LCD has a resolution of 0.211 megapixels.  For alternative video monitoring or playback, the DCR-DVD 505 also has a 0.3 inch color viewfinder.  The viewfinder has an effective resolution of 0.123 megapixels.

The camcorder package includes an NP-FP60 Li-ion rechargeable battery that can approximately provide 1.75 hours or extensive use.  Dimensions for the DCR-DVD 505 are 2.6in x 5.6in x3.5in (W x D x H) and it weighs approximately 1.1 lbs.

For video and still image editing, the DCR-DVD 505 comes with the Picture Package 1.8.1 software.  The software will provide options in copying clips from your DVD disks to your hard drive or to another CD (reproduction), and it also has a feature that will allow you to make short videos and collages based on the videos and still photos you took.

In comparison, the Panasonic VDR-D300, Panasonic’s top DVD camcorder, boasts of a more versatile manual option and excellent handling features.  The DCR-DVD 505, however, may have the upper hand in the auto control category.  The VDR-D300 may also perform better in video sharpness but is in a disadvantage when shooting in low light conditions.

With a price range of $600-$850, the DCR-DVD 505 is not a cheap camcorder.  With its 3.5-inch, touch screen LCD, decent video and still photography performance and Sony’s popular Easy mode, this camcorder is ideal for DVD-recording enthusiasts who are inclined to shooting in auto modes more than manual operation.

Technical Specifications

LENS/ZOOM

Carl Zeiss ® Vario-Sonnar ® T* lens
Zoom Key (Lever/Button on LCD frame)
Zoom/Zoom Speed (Optical)
with Lever during Standby: 10x/variable (0.87-24.33 sec)
with Lever during Recording: 10x/variable (0.87-24.33 sec)
with Button on LCD frame: 10x/9.37 sec
Digital Zoom¹: 20x (120x)
Selection of Digital Zoom Ratio (2 steps): 20x/120x (Setup)
Precision Digital Zoom²
F: 1.8-2.9
f (Focal distance): 5.1-51mm
f (35mm conversion) in “MOVIE” position:
16:9³ (41.3-485mm)
4:3 (37.9-445mm)
f (35mm conversion) in “STILL” position:
16:9 (40.4-404mm)
4:3 (37-370mm)
Filter Diameter: 30mm
Auto Lens Cover
Super NightShot (“MOVIE” and “STILL” position)
Super NightShot plus (“MOVIE” and “STILL” position)

CAMERA

Focus System: Full Range Auto/Manual
Manual Focus (Panel)
Spot Focus
Auto Focus: Linear Mach AF
1/3” 2304H Interlace ClearVid CMOS Sensor
Number of pixels: 2,100K (gross); in “MOVIE” Rec position, 16:9: 1,430K (actual); in “MOVIE” Rec position, 4:3: 1,910K (actual); in “STILL” Rec position, 16:9: 1,490K (actual); in “STILL” Rec position, 4:3: 1,990K
Minimum Illumination: 3 lux; (with NightShot) 0 lux
Shutter Speed: Auto / 1/4-1/500 (Colour Slow Shutter, Program AE, Super NightShot)
Auto: 1/60-1/250
Program AE: 1/60-1/500
Super NightShot: 1/4-1/100
Colour Slow Shutter: 1/4-1/250, Off (Menu)
Auto Shutter (Setup)
Colour Slow Shutter in “MOVIE” and “STILL” Rec position (Touch Panel)
Program AE⁴ (Setup): Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Sunset & Moon
14-bit DXP
Auto Non Flicker
Exposure Control (Touch Panel, 24 steps)
Backlight Compensation Button
Spot Meter
Iris Control / Gain Control (Auto only / Auto only)
Review
Smooth Slow Rec
Self Timer (Touch Panel)
Disc Title
Fader⁶ (Touch Panel): Black, White, Overlap, Wipe
Camera Noise Reduction
16:9 Wide (High Quality)
16:9 Default
Clock Setting (Setup): World Clock (Area or Country SET); DST or Summer Time
Date/Time Auto Indication
SteadyShot (“MOVIE” position only, Electronic, Super SteadyShot)
SteadyShot ON/OFF (Setup)

CAMERA (STILL)

Dual Rec: Number of pixels (in “MOVIE” Rec position, 16:9): 2.3M (2016 x 1134); Number of pixels (in “MOVIE” Rec position, 4:3) 3.0M (2016 x 1512)

VIEWFINDER

Colour
Size: 0.3”
123K Dots
Backlight Select⁷ (Normal/Bright, Setup)

AUDIO

Linear PCM Digital Stereo Playback
Dolby Digital 2ch Recording (with Optional Mic)
Dolby Digital 2ch Playback
Dolby Digital 5.1ch Recording
Dolby Digital 2ch DownMix Playback
Built-in Stereo Electric Condenser 4ch Microphone with Automatic Wind Position
5.1ch Centre Mic Ready (with Optional Microphone)
16mm Speaker
Speaker Volume Control (+/-, Touch Panel)
MIC Reference Level (Normal / Low)
Surround Monitor
Multi-sound Switch (HiFi Sound, Bilingual Switch) (Setup)

RECORDER/PLAYER

Formats: DVD-R/-RW/+RW (Physical); DVD-Video/DVD-VR/DVD+RW Video (Logical)
Line-in REC
Scan (+/-)
Step (+/-)
Next
Previous
Slow Playback
Visual Index
Moving Index Image (Setup)
Selectable Index Number: 6/12 (Zoom/Setup)
Movie Quality: HQ (Average: 9Mbps, VBR); SP (Average: 6Mbps, VBR); LP (Average: 3Mbps, VBR)
Linear Time Counter
Data Code
Date on Subtitle (Setup)
OSD On/Off Button
OSD Output (Line Out/LCD/Viewfinder)
TV Type Select
Playlist Edit: Add, Delete, Move, Divide
Original Edit: Delete, Divide
Photomovie Create
x1.1-5 Playback Zoom (Touch Panel + Zoom Lever)

INPUTS/OUTPUTS

Multi-AV (Video In/Out / S-Video In/Out / Audio In/Out)⁸
Remote (Stereo MiniMini)
USB Terminal (mini B/Hi-Speed)
DC IN

LCD SCREEN

Size: 3.5” WIDE (16:9 ratio)
Number of pixels: 211,200 dots (960 x 220V)
Hybrid LCD Monitor
Touch Panel
LCD On/Off⁹ (LCD Open/Close Related)
Backlight Brightness Select¹⁰ (Display Button – Press & Hold)
Brightness Control (+/-, Setup)
Colour Control (Setup)
Upside Down / Mirror
Opening Angle: 90°
Turning Angle: 270°; Counter Clockwise: 180°; Clockwise: 90°; For Monitoring: 0°
Anti-glare Treatment
Anti-fingerprint Treatment
EVF ON with Reversed LCD (Mirror Mode)

REMOTE COMMANDER® CONTROL

Model: RMT-835
“MOVIE/STILL” Common: REC Start/Stop, Zoom
“MOVIE”/”STILL”/”PLAY”/”EDIT” Common: Cursor Key (4-directional), Enter, Display
“STILL” Position: Photo
“PLAY/EDIT” Position: Playback, Stop, Next, Previous, Scan/Slow, Pause, Visual Index, Data Code
Mode: DVD2

MULTI-LANGUAGE OPERATION

Menu/Warning Messages: English, Simplified English, Traditional Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, Canadian French, Latin American Spanish, Korean
Default Language: English

OTHERS

Charge on Camcorder
Setup (Active Menu)
Start/Stop Button on LCD Frame
Zoom Button on LCD Frame
Wide Select Button
Play/Edit Button
Auto Shut Off (Setup)
Remote Sensor / Remote On/Off (Setup)
Beep Sound / On/Off (Setup)
Warning Message
Front Tally / On/Off (Setup)
InfoLITHIUM System
Remaining Disc/Battery Remaining Indicator
Battery Information
Demonstration Mode (Setup)
Easy Handycam
Weight (without Tape, Battery, etc.): 540g
Weight (with Battery)¹¹: 590g (NP-FP50), 630g (NP-FP60), 630g (NP-FP70), 680g (NP-FP90), 640g (NP-FP71)
Power Consumption (Viewfinder/LCD/LCD + Viewfinder): 4.2W/4.5W/4.7W
Power Requirements (AC Adapter/Battery): 8.4V/7.2V
Charge Time for 1-Hour Shooting (Floating Charge): 40 min.
Charge Time for 1-Hour Shooting (with AC-VQP10 AC Adapter): 40 min.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 66 x 90 x 147mm 
Active Interface Shoe
Calibration (Setup)
Digital Picture Effects (Setup)¹²: Luminance Key, Old Movie
Picture Effects (Setup)¹³: Mosaic, Monotone, Sepia, Pastel

DIGITAL STILL PICTURES

Formats: DVD-R/-RW/+RW (Physical); DVD-Video/DVD-VR/DVD+RW Video (Logical)
Memory Stick® media Types: Memory Stick Duo™ media, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (Parallel Interface), Memory Stick PRO Duo™ High Speed media (Parallel Interface)
Default Recording Media: Memory Stick® media
Selectable Recording Media: DVD/Memory Stick® media (Setup)
Recording Mode: Fine (1/4), Standard (1/10)
Recording Method: Progressive Scan, Progressive Shutter System¹², Frame REC
Image Size: 16:9: 3M (2304 x 1296); 4:3: 4M (2304 x 1728), 1.9M (1600 x 1200), VGA (640 x 480)
Compression: JPEG
DCF Compatible (Memory Stick® media)
Exif2.2
PictBridge™
Date / Time
Continuous File Number REC
Image Delete (One/All)
Review
x1.1-5 Playback Zoom (Touch Panel + Zoom Lever)
Slideshow (Touch Panel)
Copy Between DVD and Memory Stick® media

DISC TOOLS

Format
Finalize
Un-Finalize
Memory Stick® media Format

FLASH LIGHT

Modes: Auto/Forced/Prohibited (Button, with Menu, Anti-Red Eye On/Anti Red-Eye Off)
Red Eye Reduction (Setup)
Flash Level (High / Normal / Low)
Recommended Distance (in “STILL” position) 0.3 – 2.5m