Sony DSR-PD100A Camcorder - Dark gray

One of Sony's little powerhouse secrets! The DSR PD100A has always been a standard for most all ENG (Electronic News Gathering) crew back-up cameras. Producing broadcast quality images (using DVCAM) in such a small format is a God-send for those not wishing to be an obvious pro with a $30,000 setup and appear to be a mere mortal with a consumer camera. Anyone getting their hands on one of these will be very surprised with the pro features, pro images, and pro quality. Its no wonder why these were only sold through the Pro division of Sony. The testament of the PD100A is fleshed out in the many Indy feature films that have been shot using this little wonder. To this day, there is still no DV/DVCAM camera that can accomplish what this can for it's size. Used in caving, diving, low-profile ENG, documentaries or hand holding, to this day, nothing out there is as light, small, and compact to achieve such broadcast or production quality.

I was looking for a broadcast quality dv camcorder, and decided that I should try this model first. The price was right and the features were really close to what I was needing. After using this for the first time, I can't believe how well this camera performs!
If you are looking for a High Def. picture, you should shop around for a newer model. If, however, you are looking for a clean and clear picture with tons of editing power and features...This is the DVcam for you!
It's small and light compared to most 3ccd DVcams. The ability to record in miniDV and DVcam formats makes this a versitile unit.
I still can't get over the picture quality of this small handheld recorder.
They still use this model on a lot of TV reality shows, as well as in some major motion pictures.
For it's size and price, you will not find a better production quality dvcam!

I started using the VX-1000 and then decided to buy the PD-100a. I have to say that I am really impressed with the camera. All of the filter lenses and attachments for my VX-1000 were usable with the camera, but with a great 3.5 LCD and alot of the nifty features that were previously only available on the consumer minidv and hi8 cameras.

I understand that the camera is a bit older now, but I shot a short film using a my pd100a and I was really impressed with the footage. It still had the look that the VX-1000 pioneered with the 'near 16mm' look, but when comparing my footage with a vx-2100 that was on set that day as well I prefered the look of the pd100a. The VX-2100 beat it hands down in low lighting, but during day shots it was comparable and would be a matter of prefrence for the filmmaker.

The one issue I do have with the camera is the manual focus ring is ity-bity and very close to the lens housing. The Wide angle lens it comes with (or the one that I was using) makes it very difficult to get your fingers around the focus ring.

Great Camera, I plan on buying another for all of my documentary type filming!

good quality camcorder. affordable, light weight, good for personnal and professionnal work as well. user friendly.

Thanks for all your help. My purchase was like NEW! It' been seven years since I had my Sony PD100A's
stolen!