Sony DCR-TRV33 review

The DCR-TRV33 is the high end of the Sony entry level 2003 MiniDV camcorders. The DCR-TRV33 offers strong handling and is light weight and balanced well making it very easy to use. Although the touch screen LCD makes it very hard to control the manual picture functions on the DCR-TRV33. In all the DCR-TRV33 is the advanced product of the DCR-TRV22, the two camcorders are very similar, though nearly identical to its slightly cheaper sibling, the DCR-TRV22, the DCR-TRV33 MiniDV camcorder has a couple of important differences. The improvement is a CCD with a higher resolution: 690,000 effective pixels for video (compared with the TRV22's 340,000 pixels) and 1 megapixel for stills (up from 680,000 pixels).All their OEM battery code is : np-qm71d, np-qm91d.

Sony DCR-TRV33 detail info:

MPEG Movie EX Mode-2

USB Streaming-2

Super SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System

12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo

14-Bit DXP A/D Conversion

Battery Information

Digital Picture Effects

EXIF 2.2

Fader Effects

InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System

Intelligent Accessory Shoe

Pixela ImageMixer Software

Powerful np-qm71d battery
Program AE (Auto Exposure)Modes

Simultaneous Record Mode

Stamina® Battery Power Management System

10X Optical/120X Precision Digital Zoom

2.5" SwivelScreen™ Touch Panel LCD Display (123K Pixels)

Megapixel Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick® Media

Features of Sony DCR-TRV33

For a camcorder in this class, the TRV33 has a relatively average feature set. Some competitors offer zoom ranges as high as 20X, but the TRV33's 10X should be enough for most home moviemaking. Programmed autoexposure modes optimize the camera's settings for different situations, such as days at the beach and in the snow. Exposure shift and manual focus are also available via the touch screen.

Widescreen mode A new addition to the MiniDV2003 is a 16:9 mode which utilizes more of the picture. Instead of letter boxing the shot as older camcorders would, the DCR-TRV33 utilizes all the pixels on the CCD, stretching the picture - resulting in the highest resolution 16:9 picture that the camcorder can produce. A nice feature is that although the picture is stretched on the tape - it appears letterboxed in the LCD and viewfinder so you aren't looking at a distorted picture.

Along with the typical special effects, including Black And White, Sepia, and Mosaic, you'll find an option that makes your movies look like old films by simulating a slower frame rate and adding a sepia tone. The infrared NightShot mode allows you to shoot in total darkness. The results have a strong greenish cast, similar to what you see with night-vision goggles. If that's unacceptable, go instead with the Color Slow Shutter mode, which maintains colors but produces jerky, noisy recordings. The accessory shoe accepts a combination video light and flash, which improves the quality of indoor footage and stills. Simple built-in wipes and overlays let you create transitions and titles without editing on a PC.

Performance of Sony DCR-TRV33

The DCR-TRV33 and all it's sister camcorders in the Sony 2003 MiniDV line are the auto super stars. The combination of pretty responsive auto controls with the Spot Focus and Spot Metering features make the DCR-TRV33 a great camcorder for anyone wanting to point and shoot. The zoom can be rapid or precise, slow, and steady. Alas, the TRV27's focus ring has given way to LCD gimmickry. Judging perfect focus can be tougher on the display than with the viewfinder, and tapping a screen to adjust focus doesn't feel as quick or as natural as turning a ring. Focusing is even more difficult in direct sunlight, which makes the LCD hard to see.

Compare with Sony DCR-TRV22

I prefer the video performance of the DCR-TRV33 over the $100 cheaper DCR-TRV22 - though only slightly. The DCR-TRV33 includes a slightly smaller CCD than the DCR-TRV22 which shows in the low light performance. There also isn't a significant difference however it is noticeable. Where the DCR-TRV33 outperforms the DCR-TRV22 is on still performance. In general I feel that the still performance on the DCR-TRV22 is a joke, the 640 x 480 stills are useless. The DCR-TRV33s stills are much better. This is the only major difference between the two camcorders. If you are looking for a camcorder that can produce stills I would go with the DCR-TRV33. If stills aren't important go with the DCR-TRV19 (it's best to just skip the DCR-TRV22 - it's the weak point in the Sony line).

Accessoies of Sony DCR-TRV22

Sony DCR-TRV33 battery can also fits for TRV22, TRV27, TRV25. Its OEM code : NP-QM91D, NP-QM91D.

Color Viewfinder (113K)

MPEG Movie EX Mode-2

USB Streaming-2.

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