Sony DCR-IP7BT MicroMV

Review Date
November 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Wanda Tinsley , Intermediate

Price Paid
$1700.00 at direct from sony

Summary
LOve the compactness of the product. Quality of picture is good. I have not been able to successfully transfer the vieop from the camera to the computer to the dvd. Customer service was of some help, but i have replaced this camera with the new one that burns directly to a mini dvd.

Strengths
small size

Weaknesses
ease of transferring to dvd

Similar Products Used
other sony digital camcorders

Customer Service
so-so

Review Date
December 19, 2002

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
4.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
Michael Baldwin , Casual , from Suwanee GA

Price Paid
$1100.00 at Best Buy

Summary
I have not been ale to capture decent video and edit. Sony has released this camera before they thought about consumers being able to capture and edit the video. Didnt Sony test this before releasing? Customer support has not been helpful and noone seems to know anything about how to correct this.

Strengths
Small tapes 1 hr of video..great quality when playing directly off camera and tape.

Weaknesses
Cannot capture quality video and support for Sony is non existent

Customer Service
not good

Review Date
October 15, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Kai Ahlefeld , Intermediate , from Paris

Price Paid
$2000.00 at Duty Free Perth Aust

Summary
Small camera but completly useless if you want to edit the video on a computer. Mot mac compatible. Does not run on dual Processor PC's and not even on a Sony Laptop. Completly usless in my view. If somebody wants to buy mine please email me under kai@bureauparis.com

Strengths
none

Weaknesses
The only digital camera I know that is unable to transfer a good quality video to a computer.

Customer Service
Of no help whatsoever

Review Date
April 23, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
4.80 of 5, 5 votes

Reviewed by
aquakreiger , Intermediate , from NY, NY

Price Paid
$1500.00 at Onecall

Summary
Given the diminutive size of this camera, it really can't be beat. This camera offers all the great features (digital stills & mpeg via memory stick or tape, internet access, and of course digital video. it has all the necessary hook ups: USB, firewire, standard AV jacks, etc) While the picture quality suffers in low light (as all camcorders do), the camera takes excellent footage in natural light and well-lit indoor circumstances. I previously owned a Sony DCR-TRV11, which I was very happy with. Even though it was fairly small as camcorders go, you don't really want to lug it around everywhere you go. This is why I bought the DCR-IP7- it literally fits in your pocket, and thus I am more inclined to take it along. The digital still are good enough (really I consider that feature a bonus). The only feature this camera lacks compared to others is some form of night shot- but to be honest with you, I never used it on my last camera. While you might want a 3CCD camera for professional use, I would strongly recommend this camera over any other; just for the shear fact that its size allows you to take it anywhere- and the more you have it around, the more you are going to use it. The video quality of the microMV is right on par with miniDV. it is worth the couple hundred bucks extra.

Strengths
size; host of features; easy to use; did I mention size?

Weaknesses
autofocus occaisionally touchy (especially in video mode)
zoom button can be a bit of a pain to use, but you get use to it

Similar Products Used
Sony DCR-TRV11, Sony DCR-TRV30

Customer Service
never used