As the very happy owner of a Sony Handicam, this review for the Sony DCR-DVD203 caught my attention. And yet as you read this review, you’ll see that not all cams are created equal.

The DCR-DVD203 could have shaped up to be a nice alternative to the DCR-DVD403 (for those with more limited funds). It features a widescreen LCD screen and DVD+RW compatibility. However, with poor video and still quality in both bright and low light, the DCR-DVD203 did not exceed or even meet our expectations the way the DCR-DVD403 did.

Video Performance (5.0)
Not quite the most advanced member of Sony’s new DVD line, the DCR-DVD203 features the same imager found on last year’s DCR-DVD301 (though technically, this camcorder is available this year as well) and coincidently this year’s MiniDV camcorder, the DCR-HC42. This imager is a 1.07 MP Advanced HAD CCD. Unfortunately, this imager does not guarantee the same stellar performance put out by the DCR-DVD403. However, the same excellent automatic controls are still available.

At a light level of 3000 lux, our testing environment’s equivalent to a bright sunny day, the DCR-DVD203 did not perform terribly well. Especially compared to its more advanced sibling, the DCR-DVD403, the DCR-DVD203’s flaws really stand out. While the DCR-DVD403 surprised us with its color quality, balance, and brilliance, the DCR-DVD203 could not live up to our expectations. [Read the rest]