Sony Handycam DCR VX2000

Pros-The lowlight is amazing, easy to use, bayonet mounting system (For lens's), zoom and focus ring are perfectly responsive, still pictures are AMAZING for whats supposed to be .8mp (roughly),the battery compartment is recessed so you can fit larger batteries without having them extrude too much. Overall perfect placement of all controls (except one listed below). 3ccd's produce a very detailed picture, deffinetly above and beyond the standard for filming weddings and can easily be used for broadcast use. Also this camera is much easier to handle than an XL1. Also the big eyecup for the viewfinder is really nice.

Neutral-Some say the 2.5 inch LCD screen isn't enough but I honestly never even use it. Stick with the viewfinder so you can avoid looking like a soccer dad. A common problem with this camera (and the vx2100 and pd150/170) is that the scroll wheel (to change menu settings) gets dirt clogged in it so sometimes it gets "jittery" but i've found out that this can be fixed by blowing into it for just a second or two. The finger grips below the handle are nice too but not neccesary, which Sony realized in makeing the vx2100.

Cons-There isn't too much and deffinetly nothing major. Some people think that the vx2000 doesn't pick up sound as well as the vx1000 but I honestly don't think that's true. It just depends on how you set your audio and if you even know how to (its very simple, theres a super obvious "AUDIO LEVEL" button). Something I don't like is that when you take off the viewfinder magnifier (for whatever reason) you are pretty much guaranteed to get dust in there which is annoying when your filming and you keep thinking theres dust on the lens. Oh also I hate how one of the loop hole areas for the shoulder strap is located on the accessory shoe which too me it feels like it'd tear the accessory shoe right off if you put the strap on it and hang it from your shoulder. But I don't use the shoulder strap so I'm fine with it, just bad engineering that I'm pointing out.


If you have any questions please don't hesitate in messaging me with any questions you may have.

I have borrowed this camera from my brother about 5 times and I love this camera. The video quality is amazing when compared with any other consumer camera. Actually, the VX2000 is supposed to be a prosumer camera, but it's so easy to use on AUTO mode. Although, you want to take advantage of the many manual controls for different lighting situations. You will hardly ever need a video light to shut indoors because the noise level is so low. The only thing I did not like is that the built-in microphone is a little delicate, it feels like it will fail very soon. You may want to get an external mic instead. As for the still images captured in the included card, forget about it. The max resolution is 640 X 480. Although the image quality is great, you can get much better stills with many of the new digital cameras on the market today for less than $500.

I've used these cameras for a number of years professionally shooting weddings and they give incredible results. They are fantastic in low light situations and give a great all around picture. Very easy to access nearly all buttons (with a little difficulty getting to the exposure button) and a very "user friendly" camera. Reccommended!