The DCR-DVD508 is the high-end unit in Sony's new range of DVD camcorders, replacing last year's DCR-DVD505. Much of what we liked about the DCR-DVD505 remains in the DCR-DVD508, although Sony has made both some compromises and some improvements with the new model, not least of which is a reduction in price. If you'd rather stick with a standard definition DV camcorder rather than make the jump to HD, the DCR-DVD508 delivers top notch performance, yet remains simple enough to operate that it will appeal to experienced and novice home video enthusiasts alike. As with all Sony DVD camcorders, though, the DCR-DVD508 does not offer a sufficient array of manual controls to appeal to serious filmmakers.

Whether you're shooting video or digital stills, the overall picture quality obtainable from the Sony DCR-DVD508 is outstanding. The DV camcorder sports a large 1/2.9-inch, 3 megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor, the largest of this year's Sony DVD camcorder range. The lens is a professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens with a 10x optical, 20x digital zoom capability, and the DCR-DVD508 offers a superior optical rather than electronic image stabilization system. This does a great job at eliminating camera shakes often present during handheld shooting--even at the outer limit of the optical zoom.

As with the other camcorders in the range, the DCR-DVD508 records to either write- once DVD-R, rewriteable DVD-RW or rewriteable DVD+RW format discs and is also compatible with Dual Layer DVD+R discs. Using the latter will store about 38 minutes per disc at the unit's highest quality setting. The menu is accessed via the 2-7/10-inch touchscreen LCD. Basic manual controls such as spot focusing and spot metering work quickly and effectively, although we would have liked to have seen more accessible manual controls for exposure and white balance.

The DCR-DVD508 snaps excellent quality stills at a maximum resolution of 2848x2136 pixels, and is equipped with a built-in flash. Images can be stored to the Memory Stick Duo media slot, although no memory card is included with the camcorder. The unit's built-in zoom microphone provides Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound recording, while the accessory shoe can add a video light or external microphone. The DCR-DVD508 is also compatible with Sony's Bluetooth wireless mic, which captures audio up to 100 feet away.

The essential differences between this model and the DCR-DVD408 below it are the larger sensor, the optical image stabilization system and a bump in price. For about $100 more, you can upgrade to a Sony HD camcorder. For performance from a standard definition DVD camcorder, the Sony DCR-DVD508 is hard to beat; but when considering value for money, we prefer the DCR-DVD408.

Pros: Great video and stills picture quality, easy to use, optical image stabilization
Cons: Limited manual controls

Warranty
90 days, labor; 1 year, parts