Sony DCR-TRV18 Mini DV Camcorder

Advantages of this model over the DCR-TRV16:

- Memory Stick slot
- 8mb Memory Stick included
- MPEG mini-movies possibility on Memory Stick
- More manual options
- Intelligent accessory shoe (for mics, lights, etc)

However, if you already have a digital stills camera, the presence of a Memory Stick slot is largely irrelevant, and the picture quality is mediocre, with a lot of grain.

800,000K CCD means high quality pictures - I have used a professional Canon DV camera with 3 CCD's and I would say the picture quality of this Sony is on a par with it.

There are some special effects included if you want to edit in-camera or on VCR, but most people with probably edit on PC, so these effects are left mostly redundant.

I liked the fact there was a 16:9 widescreen mode, though I don't think it is an anamorphic conversion; the top and bottom of the picture is sliced off and replaced by black bars. Still it adds that extra something to landscapes and wide shots.

Medium optical zoom (10x) with fairly responsive toggle. I haven't bothered with the digital zoom (120x)

Sony's patented SteadyShot makes pictures very steady if you're holding the camera in your hands. If you whack it on a tripod or just on a table though, you can use the remore control that comes with it to control recording.

There is a TV-out with composite, scart and S-video options, and also jacks for a microphone and headphones.

Thank you Sony for including a manual focus ring; they are (wrongly) getting phased out now by all-auto systems. The only problem is you can't just turn the ring to change focus; you have to click 'focus' first and THEN turn the ring, which I always forget to do.

Open up the rotatable LCD screen and press Menu to have hundreds of different camera options at your fingertips - you can adjust just about anything in the camera (but remember to change it back aftreward!)

Thankfully, there is a COLOUR viewfinder, which can be adjusted in it's length, angle and focus so you always have the best view.

The camera feels fairly light, but sturdy in the hand, and all the important functions are in easy reach when recording. A shoulder strap is also included in the box (Plus - bonus - you get an eco-freindly box because it is made of recycled materials).

The only real problem with the camera is its lack of DV-in. Something I didn't think very important until I realised I couldn't put edited footage back into the camera to record on VHS. Still, if your computer has a TV-out you can work around this.

The only other niggle is the manual which, as well as being text-heavy (though comprehensive), is a mix of English and Greek. Surely Sony could have seperated the manual into two sections?

The Pixela software is fairly basic, but OK for editing home movies. I don't use it myself.

If you can find this camera for under £550 I would say it is worth the money. If you would have to pay anymore than this, I recommend the DCR-TRV16, because it is the same camera, just sans Memory Stick slot and accessory shoe.

Have a hunt through the January sales?