Sony Handycam DCR-IP5 Micro MV Camcorder

Pros: Size, Size, Size!

Cons: Zoom button & Menu Joystick

The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a camera you will actually use this is it! But be sure to purchase Pinnacle Studio 8 to unleash the full potential of MicroMV format.

Review: In my search for a new family video camera the first thing that came to mind was what would it take for me to actually use it instead of it sitting in a bag in the closet? The biggest reason I never used my last Sony (Digital 8) video camera was it's...

Pros: Size, Clip Menu Search Feature

Cons: Cost, No night mode. Low Light picture quality. No true widescreen mode.

The Bottom Line: Remember, this camcorder is best used as a general all around vacation camera. The best.

Review: What makes a perfect vacation camcorder, one that you can EASILY take with you EVERYWHERE. This camcorder fits the bill. It is worth it to pay the extra price for the size because once you use it, there will be times when you look back on your vacation...

Pros: TINY! Plenty of usable features, good video quality.

Cons: MicroMV has major compatibility issues.

The Bottom Line: If DON'T plan on doing any digital editing: Get this amazing small camcorder! If DO plan on doing digital video editing: LOOK ELSEWHERE.

Review: This camcorder has a tragic flaw: MicroMV. Since I've had this camcorder I've pulled my hair out hunting down ways to get standard video editing programs to recognize the video format that this camcorder uses. I've tried everything from XMuxer to...

Pros: Small, Sony, Small

Cons: Poor software, average movie quality.

The Bottom Line: Wait for other models Sony will develop. Nice size, but still room for improvement on quality, even if it's a Sony.

Review: I have the Sony IP5 camcorder and a bit of experience with it. First, the size is awesome: it really fits your pocket. The price is reasonable, but the overall quality is average.
The steady shot is just a name (you still get shaky movies) and the...

Pros: Small Size, Can Zoom in very close, Cool Effects • Generally easy to use

Cons: WILL NOT WORK WITH MACS!!! Noticable compression, Expensive Tapes, Zoom button is pretty touchy...

The Bottom Line: If you plan on doing any DV editing, do not buy a Sony MicroMV camera. It is the MicroMV technology that you cannot edit like 'normal' DV cameras.

Review: I bought this camera after a fair amount of research, but failed to uncover the tidbit that it is TOTALLY incompatable with iMovie/Mac, as well as ANY OTHER editing software on any platform. You can ONLY edit using the included 'Movie Shaker" software...

Pros: small, portable

Cons: fragile, expensive, unsupported, not digital unless you use their software.

The Bottom Line: unless you think its too cute to pass up or your friend gets sick of his and dumps it on you, try something else.

Review: I bought the ip5 with some disposable income, had a new child i wanted to capture in a nicer format than the 8mm i was using. One thing i didnt gather from the "expert" at best buy or the box was that it uses a sony proprietary format, only useable in ...

Pros: Light weight.

Cons: Very expensive camcorder and format. The zoom and rec/standby buttons are few ergonomic.

Review: This is a very expensive camcorder, and has nothing to do with others. Doesn't have nightshot, memory stick and other functions of an average camcorder. Only you are paying the "micro mv" format and the inneficiency of SONY. Advice: Better buy a JVC ...

Pros: Size.

Cons: MicroMV format is a nightmare, 0 support from Sony.

Review: The camera is fine, Sony's proprietary MicroMV format is NOT. I have had the devil's own time trying to get footage from this camera to DVD. The included software repeatedly crashes on my high-end computer, as does Pinnacle Studio. As I write this I ...