January 7, 2009 4:15 PM PST

Not dead yet: Sony rolls out two DVD-based Handycams

by Joshua Goldman

(Credit: Sony)

I'm sure there are still people out there that want to record standard-definition video directly to DVD. Sony, however, has made its latest DVD Handycams sort of bridge products between the past and present.

The DCR-DVD850 (available in February for about $430) is a new "Hybrid Plus" model able to record video to 3-inch DVDs, Memory Stick flash media, or its 16GB of internal memory. (Presumably you'd also be able to move video off the flash memory to disc as well.)

The unit also carries a 60x optical Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar zoom with Super SteadyShot stabilization, 2.7-inch touch-screen LCD, and the ability to record audio in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound with its built-in zoom microphone.

The DCR-DVD650 loses the 16GB of internal memory, but in return you save $130 and all else seems to stay the same. It also shows up in February.

On Sale Now: $265.00 - $299.99
View the latest prices for Sony DCR-DVD650

On Sale Now: $369.00 - $429.99
View the latest prices for Sony DCR-DVD850

Josh Goldman is a senior editor for CNET Reviews, covering digital cameras, camcorders, and related accoutrements. His ego is too big for this little box. E-mail Josh.
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