Sony DCRTRV530 Digital8 Camcorder with Builtin Digital Still Mode

Rating:
Summary: Excellent buy
Review: This is an excellent buy. I bought 3 of the TRV 30 series camcorders and found this to be the best just because it has a bigger display LCD3.5" and it is moderately priced. I think the picture quality is much better than the 230 or the 330 which were the other two.
I do agree that the still shots could have been much better to print. But overall, the graininess of pictures is much less than that on the 230 or 330.
I do not know about the higher end ones like 930 etc. But this one is value for money

Rating:
Summary: So Far I like it
Review: This is my fourth camcorder. My first two were JVC, Then when they wore out I ordered a Panasonic and sent it back the next day. This one seems just right although I did order a Vidio light for it. I only use the still shots for e-mail or web as anyone knows you can not get pro prints with small resolution. I have a high resolution digital camera for serious stuff and this is great for fun times.

Rating:
Summary: it's discontinued!
Review: this model is being discontinued by Sony, replaced by the TRV-520. Biggest change is the new one will no longer play the hi-8 tapes, only digital. Smaller screen, other minor changes. but because it's being discontinued, you can get it really cheap elsewhere. .... by the way, camera is awesome. A little bulky by today's standards, but it can do tons of stuff.

Rating:
Summary: it's discontinued!
Review: this model is being discontinued by Sony, replaced by the TRV-520. Biggest change is the new one will no longer play the hi-8 tapes, only digital. Smaller screen, other minor changes. but because it's being discontinued, you can get it really cheap elsewhere. .... by the way, camera is awesome. A little bulky by today's standards, but it can do tons of stuff.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed with the quality of Digital still photos.
Review: This was my first video camera that I've ever owned. I really liked the video quality in a lighted area (daylight or lots of indoor lighting). I also liked the sound quality especially with a help of the zoom microphone. Also loved the 3.5" LCD and the high range optical zoom (25X). But was disappointed with the nightshot (even with the IR optional lighting accessory). The Digital still photo quality is less than average, i.e. don't buy this camera if Digital still photography is as important as video recording for you. I was also very disppointed that I was not able to use my Remote Commander to view the Digital still photos (memory). I wish that I would have spent a bit more and bought the DCR-TRV 830.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Disappointed
Review: With this being my first digital camcorder, I really hoped that the video quality was a lot better. I was under the assumption that the video was "crystal clear and near-broadcast quality however the video from my 530 has been anything but. The video is very grainy in all light conditions and very grainy in lower-light (indoor with a few lanps on in room). There actually are only a few settings on the camera and I have played with all settings from all set to automatic to playing with individual settings manually. I have no problems connecting it to a computer and uploading video via the firewire. I did not expect much from the still-shot camera capabilities (USB uploads) as I have a very good digital camera and would equate the quality of the trv530 stills to a $39.00 digital kids camera. Again I am very disappointed with the quality of the video as I was expecting near-broadcast quality. [...] Thanks! Tom...