Reviewed by
Richard Perrett , Casual , from Long Beach, MS, USA

Price Paid
$1099.00 at 645AF.com

Summary
The TRV50 includes nearly every feature and gimmick available. This is the best quality product in this line of cameras (single CCD). The DCR-TRV50 has a traditional camcorder body with a shape that's easy to hold and easily accessible controls. Unique to this top-line model is a 37mm lens; and is a Carl Zeiss lens with a focal range of 4.2 - 42 mm; equivalent to 48 - 480 mm. The TRV50 uses a 1/4" CCD, with 1,550,000 pixels. For stills, the camera uses 1,390,000 of them, and for video, 970,000. This model has a pop-up flash above the lens, unlike the other DCR-TRV models. Below the lens is the stereo microphone and has good frequency response. An infrared transmitter for nightshot, and another unique to this model is the Hologram AF laser for snapshot accurate focus in dim lit areas! A hot shoe for a plethora of accessories. The TRV50 starts up very quickly, in just three seconds. The camera is very responsive, especially the zoom lens; albeit a little to sensitive. Contains an awesome color lcd finder including a touch screen, which even has a spot focus and spot contrast by touching the area on the screen in real time! Powerful digital effects. Of course manual settings, if you need them. Pictures are recorded at Image size (1360 x 1020, 640 x 480). Usefull remote control. And of course blue tooth compatibility, but without the needed modem accessory (which really is not needed). This model was released for production in July 2002.
And no I am not affiliated with Sony, but I do have an bias towards their products, (i.e. DVD players, CD players, stereos, camcorders, and Televisions)

Strengths
Easy to use!
Highest resolution stills of any camcorder available!
Excellent video quality.
Incredible user friendly touch screen display.
Pop-up flash for still photos.
Hologram AF greatly helps focusing in low light (for stills only), also it has a neat effect.
Awesome Spot Focus/Metering functions using the touch screen.
Loaded with lots of optional accessories.
USB Streaming allows downloading of video via USB (Windows only), firewire is the way to go though.
Converts analog to digital video.

Weaknesses
Stills pics "still" not great.
Super Night Shot and Color Night Shot very choppy.
Bluetooth not needed on a camcorder.
Bottom loading tapes.
Super NightShot and Color Slow Shutter are jerky.
Software for video transfer needs much improvement, I use ArcSoft Showbiz instead.

Similar Products Used
Sony Hi-8 camcorder, JVC analog camcorder, Olympus D-460Z

Customer Service
I have not had any problems, nor have I on any Sony products during the 1-year warranty period, that is.