Great Mechanics, No frills

Overall the camera is very compact and easy to use. It has intuitive controls that are accessible via the LCD as a touch pad. The built in zoom is one of the best features of the camera, boasting a 40x optical and 2000x digital zoom. The 2000x range is probably only useful if your working as a private investigator.

The sleek metallic look of the camera along with the grip fits comfortably in my hand, I'm a 6' tall guy with an average hand size. The On/Off button is awkward to use however but the record button is in an easy to reach place that doesn't interfere while filming and shut off accidentally.

The night shot is a really neat feature. I had a Canon model Z60 which was basically annoying in night mode as it was incredibly grainy and slow-motion choppy. This is classic Sony night shot technology. The video is something similar to footage shot for the Blair Witch movie but is totally usable and clear. Great for those shots of your first born baby sleeping. Be warned though, flipping the night shot button illuminates a big red light on the front of the camera.

I really enjoy using this camera but my big peeve is that the optical viewfinder shuts off completely when the LCD is open. If you plan on filming kids, you know that they love to watch themselves on a flipped screen and it's really hard to keep them in focus when you can't see the LCD or the viewfinder.

The battery life is adequate but you'll want to get yourself a spare if you plan on shooting a day in Disney World. The occasional user (Birthdays, Becky's recital, Jon's first Bike Ride, etc...) will find the battery is fine.

The firewire transfer (iLink) is the best option for transferring your recordings to your PC. It allows you to take control over your camcorder's editing features to advance and rewind the tape.