The Sony DCR-DVD308 is one step up from the entry level DCR-DVD108 in Sony's range of DVD camcorders, and is itself an updated version of last year's DCR-DVD305. The DCR-DVD308 shares a lot in common with its junior sibling, but we feel it offers enough improved specs and extra features to make it worthwhile for users to lay out the extra cash and upgrade to this unit.

While the 1/6-inch Advanced HAD CCD imager is the same size as that on the DCR-DVD108, the DCR-DVD308's sensor is higher resolution, at 1 megapixel. The huge zoom of the DCR-DVD108 has been sacrificed on this model, though. The DCR-DVD308's Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens offers a 25x optical zoom function and the same digital image stabilization system. The primary benefit of the upgrade in imager is to deliver larger resolution stills. (For a noticeable improvement in video quality, you'll need to look at the next model up in the range, the DCR-DVD408, which offers a larger 1/3-inch CMOS sensor.) The DCR-DVD308's image quality in good lighting is solid rather than spectacular. Low-light performance is again disappointing: the level of noise increase substantially in less than ideal lighting, and colors tend to become washed out.

Like the other units in Sony's DVD camcorder range, the DCR-DVD308 offers a choice of DVD recording formats. The unit records to 8cm mini discs in either write once DVD-R format, or rewriteable DVD-RW or DVD+RW. It is also compatible with Dual Layer DVD+R discs. If you use DVD+RW discs, you won't even need to finalize the disc before playing it in a compatible home DVD player or recorder.

The DCR-DVD308 includes a MemoryStick slot for recording and storing stills and is also PictBridge compliant. Hook the camcorder to a compatible digital printer and you'll be able to make prints without the need of a PC. Print size, layout, date and other settings can also be made directly from the camera. Another significant upgrade from the DCR-DVD108 is the inclusion of a 2.7 widescreen LCD. This again doubles as a touch panel control but its widescreen sizing is formatted to match your HDTV.

This remains a user-friendly DV camcorder, with excellent automatic controls as well as a number of Program AE modes. Manual controls are locked away in the touchscreen menu system, which will put off manual control enthusiasts. Sony has upgraded the built-in microphone for Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound recording. The DCR-DVD308 also offers a remote control jack and an accessory shoe for adding a video light or external microphone.

While the Sony DCR-DVD308 delivers similar video quality to the entry level unit in Sony's DVD camcorder range, the extra features and improved stills quality make it worth the higher price.

Pros: Higher resolution imager, 5.1 channel audio recording, accessory shoe, widescreen, improved stills
Cons: Little improvement over cheaper counterpart DVD108, smaller optical zoom

Warranty
90 days, labor; 1 year, parts