Sony DCR-VX2000

Review Date
November 17, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Ron , Intermediate

Price Paid
$1999.00 at Web

Summary
My fourth video camera. I replaced a Sony Hi8mm and do not regret it. The clarity is far superior to any video camera I have used. Features are abundant. Bought the camera to record my 30th anniversary trip with my wife to Cancun, Mexico. Best video quality I have experienced on my 65 inch HDTV.

Strengths
Superb video quality and color. No bleeding or unclear edges in picture. Superior low light capability, once you learn how to get to the settings needed.

Weaknesses
Microphone is not the quality you would expect. The users manual leaves a lot to be desired in eplaining the functions. How to get clear low light videos of cities at night or fireworks is not explained, but a true plus feature of the camera.

Similar Products Used
No DV camera ever used, only anolog video cameras with 1 CCD.

Customer Service
Never used. Had 2 Sony video cameras in the past and they still work.

Review Date
July 31, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
qrystallized , Professional

Price Paid
$2400.00 at B&H Photo Video

Summary
I've been using the VX2000 for ~ one year. I must say, this camera is absolutely outstanding for the price. After shooting a music video, several shorts, and various other documentational items with the VX2000, I've come to realize that the quality attainable is excellent. I _highly_ recommend this camera.

Strengths
Image quality, reliability, ease of use, analog-to-DV conversion on the fly, image quality, low light sensitivity, and simple (though good quality) color calibration. Did I mention image quality?

Weaknesses
12x optical zoom (however, this is not that big of a problem because you should rarely use zoom when you can simply move the camera physically closer)

Similar Products Used
GL1, XL1, TRV900

Customer Service
Haven't needed! Great workmanship. Even with unexpected trauma during transportation, the camera is still in excellent condition & working beautifully.

Review Date
March 27, 2002

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Visitors rate this review
1.50 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by
sam roberts , Expert

Price Paid
$0.00

Summary
The VX2000 is a great camera for any serious beginner or a budget intermediate. I have had the Sony VX2000 for 2 years and have been making small movies and fun things with it. Earlier this year I purchased the canon XL1. And although the price is only just more expensive the difference was far greater. The Sony VX2000 is in the same league as the canon XL1 but strives to meet the quality of the canon, XL1.

Strengths
small, light

Weaknesses
bad lens for the prise, bad mic included.

Similar Products Used
XL1, similar although much better.

Review Date
November 25, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Reviewed by
Roger Payne , Intermediate , from London, England

Price Paid
$2200.00 at London

Summary
An outstanding camcorder which gives results indistinguishable on a modern Tv from off-air broadcasts. Superb colour (PAL system on mine), detailed definition,great low light performance, and a wealth of functions for the enthusiast.My quoted price is in pounds sterling

Strengths
Weight in my view an advantage over smaller models, since this aids steadiness, robust construction,excellent zoom and autofocus,overall outstanding performance

Weaknesses
Price? But you get what you pay for. Prints from the memory stick fine for most purposes but some have criticised this. Could have gone for an even better lens, Leica or Zeiss. ape loading door tends to catch the close-by hand strap

Similar Products Used
Perviously used SonyVX1000, also a fine machine, but this one advances considerably

Customer Service
So far, after about 18 months use, none.

Review Date
April 4, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
2 Months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
E. N. Diliberto , Intermediate , from Sonora

Summary
My seventh video camera in 20 years, the VX2000 is a wonderful instument available to an amateur. For the video maker who has gone beyond simply shooting family scenes etc. and is ready to do editing and creative camera use and is aware of image quality this is the unit to buy.

Strengths
Easy control over various image settings, amazing low-light ability, great sound, especially with the intelligent mike at zoom setting, and all mechanical operations, zoom, focus menu placement etc. are improved over all other Sony models, an the image is beautiful. The Swing out screen is invaluable for "cinema varite" technique. Magnesium case and all metal joints and mountings give it a solid feel.

Weaknesses
It is inherently larger than models of lesser capability. One might consider that it takes stills at a lower resolution than other Sony models such as TRV20, PC110 as a disadvantage; but these cameras sacrifice low light video ability to achieve higher resolution stills. The VX2000 is designed to maximize video image. If you buy a VX2000 get a separate digital still camera like the Sony s70.

Similar Products Used
I had the original 3CCD vx100, of which this is the third geration. It can't be compared to any hi8, or single CCD digital Camera.

Customer Service
Sony fixed my trv750 during waranty period, but returned it to somebody in another state who was kind enough to send it to me. The VX2000 has a magnesium case and feels very solid. An extended waranty my be wise for a heavy user. My PC100 has been dropped three times, bouncing down a cement railway stair in Ireland, into a latrine in the Dolomites and into the snow. While scrathed, it still works perfectly, and it feels less sustantial than the VX2000.