When my miniDV tape camcorder finally died, I knew that I would be getting a hard drive based camcorder, but I didn't know it would be so hard to pick the right one out, so I did a lot of research and finally chose the Sony Handycam DCR SR220. My biggest concern with this model was that I didn't think the 15x optical zoom would be enough. The real selling points were the good sized hard drive, the better than average lens, the excellent video quality and really good still picture quality (4 mega pixels, which is a lot better than most camcorders). This camera turns on quickly and is very easy to use. The software that comes with it isn't terrible, but if you use Adobe Premiere and Photoshop you will probably stick with that. Getting the videos and photos to the PC is very easy and quick, especially compared to DV tape. This camcorder has some very cool features too, like night vision (video in total darkness). "Drop protection" which I thought might include a parachute :-) but it doesn't. It just moves the sensor away from the hard drive and locks in place as well as shutting off the camera. The manual does say that this can be turned off if you need too, in case you are taking video while you are sky diving. It also doesn't work well in non-gravity environments such as outer space. Overall I am very pleased with the quality, ease of use, and mainly the speed of using this camcorder as well as transferring video and photos to a PC. As far as the 15x zoom goes, I did try out the smart digital zoom up to 30x and it was actually better than the optical zoom on my old Panasonic camcorder, so I am satisfied with that. My only recommendation would to be purchase a spare battery and travel battery charger. The reason for this is that the battery can only be charged while in the camera and in the docking station, plus you always have a spare. I think anyone looking for a hard drive based camcorder that doesn't require super zoom features would be very pleased with this camcorder.

I actually returned the sony DCRDVD 308 and purchased this camera instead. I wanted a camera that worked decently in low light conditions. For the price and without having the camera look like I'm from the local news station, I'm very pleased. I was having problems with the 308 not being able re-focus after zooming in and zooming out in low light conditions.... but don't seem to have that problem with this camera. I don't use the night vison feature because that shoots pretty much almost in black and white-but very clear. The color in the regular setting even in lower light is pretty darn good (for a camera that isn't a 3cc). I usually shoot with a tabletop tripod but don't always have the opportunity to use one- and find that the built in stabalization has worked wonders. If you read the manual, you have a lot of options for different settings, too. I agree with the last reviewer, though. I did purchase an extra battery and highly recommend doing so.
I film bands (mostly my husband's) and purchased the extra microphone with the stereo surround sound. It is worth the price! The sound quality is phenomenal! With the 308 I was having problems with lower frequency sounds (bass rhythms or deeper voices)picking up a hissing sound, but don't have that with the 220 even without the extra microphone.
My only disappointment is with the picture taking function in lower lighting conditons-but I'm still working with that and plan to call sony to see if I can work a little more with the settings. But in daylight it takes decent photos. I programmed the camera so the photos go to the memory stick and the video records right to the hard drive. But I bought the camera for the video capabilities, which I have been very pleased with. I have had no problem downloading what I have recorded quickly right to my computer and then right onto a disc to view on my television.The camera is also very small, easy to handle and carry and very user friendly.

I first got a SR200 and then saw that Sony released a successor, SR220. So I returned the SR200, bought the SR220 thinking the successor will be better. The SR200 was a good camera, but I liked the grip and size on the SR220 better.

After I got the SR220 I compared the videos with some samples that I took from the SR200 before returning it. I was just disappointed. The details were far better in the older SR200 and there was less noise. I did notice from the specs that the CMOS sensor on the SR220 is smaller in size than the SR200.

I did a lot of research to purchase a camera for a family vacation . I originally was convinced I needed a High def camcorder . Once I read how difficult it was to use the AVCHD format, I quickly convinced myself to stick with the proven platform of MPEG-2 . I went for hard drive over the canon mini Dv for ease of use and no tapes needed. So far, the camera has been extremely easy to use and download videoas to my computer. Still pictures are decent but not stellar. Easy to charge and review images/videos on the touch screen . I can't imagine why you would need more for family type videos.

This was my 2nd camcorder. The last one was purchased about 6 yrs ago and was a Hi-8 Sony. This camera has fantastic resolution on my 36" Sony Wega Tube TV. The Hard Drive is great to see different videos very quickly (instead of waiting for tapes to rewind.) It is not so clear on my father in-law's 58" Plasma though. High Def would be better. But for recording my family's Birthdays and swim meets its GREAT!

A big thumbs up for the amateur family videographer.

Aaron

I film a lot of high school football (at night under the lights) and I bought this camera to replace my mini-DV tape Sony handycam. I'm glad I made the switch although the other Sony did a great job. I get high quality images even when the field lights aren't that bright.

I'm switching to Adobe Premiere but I was using Windows Movie Maker to put together my clips. Unfortunately Movie Maker can't accept the Mpeg-2 clips this camera generates so I have to convert them first.

I'm very happy with the camera but the reason for a 4 instead of 5 is that I don't think the "Quick On" feature works as quickly as it should. I click it between plays to put the camera on stand by. I have to be really careful to click it again after the team breaks the huddle because there's a little delay coming back on. Even more, there's a delay when I click record back out of Stand by. I've come close to missing the start of a play, especially at first.

After much research I am glad I settled with the Sony DCR-SR220. I was not terribly concerned with high definition and the high prices that go along with it. However, this cameras picture quality is amazing. It is so close to high definition that to the untrained eye it could be mistaken for HD. The zoom is terrific especially when set at macro zoom. The built in microphone is more than ample for most situations. The cameras low light setting is truly a technological break through. The LCD screen is crystal clear although it does get rather dirty with it's touch screen menu. Transfering both video and still pictures to my computer is seamless even though I didn't install Sony's software. The 60 GB hard drive is more than sufficiant. The only items I purchased extra for this camera is the extended life battery to match the huge hard drive and an 8 GB memory card so I could keep my video and still image files seperate. In general I am completely satisfied with this camera and all it's features.

I recorded 400 different videos from my daughter's first cry to her 1st birthday. I cannot get the recorded videos to play back from any software other than Sony's proprietary software.

Sony's tech support states to "I'm sorry for the difficulties, here is a link describing why Sony's videos won't play back on Windows Media Software"
[...]

I understand that Sony cannot support every 3rd party software, but why does Canon and Samsung and Apple product have videos that are supported by Windows Media Player? Sony support states that their videos require a special codec. What the heck do I care? All any user wants is to be able to record and edit on any PC or Mac. Well you can't do it unless you stick to Sony's software which is limited for video editing.

Bought the camcorder about 2 weeks back. Was delivered within 3/4 days. Takes great videos and excellent pictures. Also since its quite handy to carry, don't have to take my Nikon Digital camera always.
Only con for me is the sound volume on the videos. For some reason the volume sometimes is barely audible if one is not speaking loudly wherease my old Sony Hi8 Camera would capture the slightest sound clearly. Have tried all the sound settings but haven't been very successful. Took it to daughter's performance concert and there the volume was good.

So far I really love this video camera. I use it only to take home videos of my daughter growing up and it works great for that purpose. Its super small and easy to carry around. Quick to turn on and record and the picture is clear and it has the face detection just like the sony cybershot camera.