Sony - Handycam 408 Camcorder Review

I've had my Sony Handycam for about 3 years now. I love it. I wanted to document my childrens early years, So I went to the store and compared the different cameras. The sales lady told me to choose one that was light weight and small because you would have to be holding it up for a while. The Sony Handycam was just that and easy to hold one handed which is important. I chose a digital Handycam Over an Analog one because the picture is way more clear. You can see extreme detail in digital format where analog is less clear and sometimes hard to focus.  The one I have records on a small tape which i can playback and record on VHS through my VCR. I chose it partly because it was cheaper than The one which records on DVD Format, But actually because I believe it is more durable on VHS as alot of my DVD's and CD's skip and don't play. I wanted my memories on something that would survive us.

My Sony has alot of features beyond the normal picture adjustment features. I can fade a scene in or out like in professional movies. It has a light as well as a nightshot which can take pictures in solid darkness. I can also add dates and personal sayings to the screen to make the movie more memorable and personal. I can also choose to look at the Lcd screen or through the eyescope when I am recording and playing the tape back. The Lcd screen adjust and pivots to whichever angle is best for you. Their is also a place for a digital memory card so you can take and keep still pictures like a typical digital camera. I can also play this camera through my computer and watch and edit it on the Pc, as well as, Burn it to DVD if I choose to so i can actually have it recorded on DVD as well as VHS and there will always be a 8mm small tape as a master copy to play on the camera itself as well. You can also stream it through the web.

I love my camera and have never had any trouble with it so far. The only thing I don't like is That it seems like either the battery or the tape seem to give out on me after a little while. The battery life is okay but not what it should be in my opinion. The longest you can tape for is maybe an hour before the tape is finished which is the longest tape that i have seen for this kind of camera. I wish i could get at least two hours out of the tape instead of one.

My camera came with a USB cable, neck strap, hand strap, PC software for editing images, a battery, owners manual and a charger. It Takes either Hi8 or 8mm tapes and can be transferred to various other forms. I spent a little over $300 for this camera and so far it has been well worth it. i would recommend this camera and the Sony brand to anyone as being really good quality for the money.