Sony DCR-IP5 DV Camcorder

The Sony DCR-IP5 is the smallest and lightest camcorder we've seen. But despite its miniscule size, it still has a bright 2.5-inch LCD screen that is easily viewable in all but direct sunlight; it also has battery life comparable with that of the other camcorders we've reviewed, at about an hour. While this unit has no memory card slot, a more expensive version (the DCR-IP7) includes a Memory Stick slot for storing still images and a Bluetooth wireless network adapter.

However, the camcorder's small size does have its disadvantages. It doesn't leave an awful lot of room for the controls, so many of them are extremely small and awkward to use; testers with large hands found the DCR-IP5 a bit difficult to work with, as the controls aren't where the fingers naturally fall. You are also paying a lot for the compact size: At $950, this is the most expensive camcorder we've looked at.

You get a reasonably good selection of features on the camcorder, including composite- and S-Video-in and -out ports and an effective digital image stabilization system. However, the camcorder has no infrared illuminator, though it does provide a slow-shutter mode that tries to make the most of existing light by slowing the shutter speed down.

The DCR-IP5 uses Sony's new MicroMV tape format instead of the more common MiniDV tapes. The Micro MV tapes are much smaller than MiniDV tapes but still hold a full hour of video thanks to the fact that the video is more compressed than it is with MiniDV. The extra compression didn't seem to impact the quality of the recorded video (which looked good, with accurate colors and clear sound). We did notice, however, that the microphone on the top of the case picked up extraneous noises a little too easily.

The downside of MicroMV is that most video editing software can't read in the video. While you can use just about any digital video editing program with any MiniDV camcorder, with MicroMV you are stuck with either Sony's own MovieShaker software (comes with the camcorder) or the extra-cost special version of Pinnacle's Video Studio software that is advertised in the packaging.

UPSHOT: Provides the ultimate in portability, but the fact that you can't use the MicroMV tape format with video editing software other than Sony's own limits the appeal.

SUMMARY

Sony DCR-IP5 10X optical/120X digital zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD screen, remote control, 3.4 by 3.9 by 1.9 inches, 12 ounces with tape and battery, FireWire-in and -out, composite and S-Video-in and -out. One-year warranty, 24-hour daily tech support. $950 800/571-7669 www.sonystyle.com