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Shoot! - A Trio of Digital Video Cameras
By Sean Carruthers, posted 1/14/2004 1:10:20 PM

Ultra-compact DV Sony Handycam DCR-IP1
http://www.sonystyle.ca/
Estimated price: $1,600

If you're after something that's even smaller than your typical compact DV camera, Sony's got a new ultra-compact model. In fact, although this model uses a digital video cassette for storage, the DCR-IP1 is barely bigger than most digital still cameras from the compact end of the spectrum. Of course, this ultra-small size comes at a cost.

To get the camera smaller, a few of the functions had to be compressed into a smaller space. Where most DV cameras have a switch that flips between off, camera, and playback modes, and gives you the option to save to tape or memory card, the DCR-IP1 has a single sliding switch; push down to turn on, push down again to save to the memory card, and push down once more to move to playback/edit mode. Also, all of the setup for the camera is done on the rotating LCD viewfinder, which is touch-sensitive; manoeuvering your finger into the right place isn't easy, but a bit of practice will pay off.

The main problem with a camera this small is usability: it's awkward to hold, and because the buttons are all located on the rear of the camera, they're awkward to use. The buttons are the lesser problem here; again, even though the zoom button configuration isn't ideal, you'll get used to it with practice and enjoy the 10X optical magnification.

The bigger issue is that holding the camera is more difficult; chance are that one of your fingers will end up in front of the lens on a regular basis thanks to the lack of anywhere to place them comfortably when holding the camera with one hand. Alternately, you may end up covering the microphones with your finger, which will muffle the sound or generate annoying rustling noises.) It's a bit easier to hold the camera with both hands, using your other hand for stabilization.

Another compromise to get the size down is the decision to use MicroMV cassettes instead of the now-standard MiniDV cassettes. These tapes are a fraction of the size, but for the time being they're also more expensive (around $20 each), and they're also a lot harder to find at retail at the moment; we tracked them down at the Sony Store but not at any of the other usual major outlets for video tapes, including the cutting-edge specialty stores.

The decision to use a different tape format shouldn't surprise those familiar with Sony; the company just loves going against the flow, often developing its own formats even when another is the de facto standard. More exasperating, though: because the format of the camera is different you need to use Sony's own software to get video from the camera onto your PC. The built-in Microsoft DV camera drivers do not work for this camera. Fortunately, Sony's MovieShaker application is very easy and enjoyable to use.

Between uses, you drop the camera into a recharging cradle that also doubles as the USB/FireWire dock for transferring data to your PC. When you flip the camera into play/edit mode, you can transfer your still images to the PC; in camera mode, you can stream live video to your computer, instead. The camera comes with several pieces of software designed to make all of this easier, including editing software and the ability to auto-download images when you drop the camera into the cradle.

In the end, though the camera's a bit of work to get used to, it's quite a powerful little unit, and it packs a ton of functions into a device that's small enough to tuck away into a coat pocket.