Sony NSCGC1 Net-Sharing 5MP CMOS MPEG4 Camcorder Reviews

• VERY DISAPPOINTING!

  
  By AFLZNB58TNCR1 on 2007-09-26
  Being the first consumer to review this, I feel its my duty to make sure you all out there know the pros and cons of this new "Net Sharing Cam".
  
  I have previously owned the Sony DSC-M1 in which I recorded some lectures and tutoring sessions during my first two years of medical school. I loved that camera so much that I did not purchase the Sony DSC-M2.. Thats why this time around I didn't think twice of a new first generation product by Sony with similar features to replace my 3 year old camera/camcorder combo.
  
  The DSC-M1 costed $599 when it first came out, and this GC-1 is only $199. I didn't think too much of the price difference because the features are pretty much the same as 3 years ago: 5MP camera, MP4's at VGA 640x480, 90 minute battery life, about the same size, etc. I just figured they toned it up a bit and released it as a new model and cheaper price since this is 'so 3-years ago'...
  
  PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
  Right off the bat you can tell this Sony GC-1 is likely made out of cheaper parts to account for the cheaper price. The packaging makes it look like a toy more than a camera (most of which come in boxes by Sony, but this one comes in a plastic package). The physical appearance is nice, but it feels cheaper than the DSC-M1 sinc its more "plastic-like" than "metal or solid-like". Thats not too bad though if it can match performance-wise to my old Sony DSC-M1 (read below). Also, even though the dimensions are almost the same, the weight is noticably lighter than before and is worth mentioning.
  
  MAJOR PROBLEM:
  
  When rotating the screen the full 270 degrees (or 180 after flipping it open) to take a photo of yourself, it shows your image on the screen INVERTED (left on right, and right on left side). If you try to take a photo of yourself the long way (full body shot, verical), it shows you UPSIDE DOWN! This has not been an issue in previous Sony models I own that allow 180 degree rotating (i.e. DSC-M1). If you have played with this camera or own it, please e-mail me at amitd0c2b@yahoo.com and tell me if you have experienced this issue or not. If you don't own it and have questions, you can e-mail me as well. Please note that the 'd0c' has the number ZERO in it, not the letter O. I have verified with Sony Customer Support via phone that this may be a problem in all units currently released.
  
  PERFORMANCE:
  
  -If you have previously owned a DSC-M1 or M2, you will get accustomed to all the buttons fairly quickly. And you also won't complain about how to hold it without getting in the way of the flash (as CNET complains). There a few modifications to the buttons, but all in all, it will only be a learning curve for someone new to the Sony swivel screens.
  
  -The screen is a bit pixely compared to my 3-year old camera, but not as bad as it sounds when I write this. I'm just comparing it to what I've had from Sony in the past, otherwise its adequate if you are a new owner.
  
  -They no longer indicate how many minutes til your battery is about to die, rather it just shows a battery icon like a cell phone of it draining. I feel thats a downgrade as I loved the original battery indicator telling you exactly how much time you had left. The battery life is about the same, advertised at 90 minutes. However, the battery is internal (but it does not get weaker over time like most other batteries). The drawback on this only may be if you are out on a long trip you can't keep a 2nd spare with you anymore.
  
  -The zoom is digital rather than optical, and I didn't understand what the difference was til I actually used this camera. Digital zoom is terrible because it has this boxy effect as you zoom in closer to the object or person, while optical zoom is much smoother (my 3 year older cam had the optical zoom, why did they downgrade, who knows?!)
  
  -Atleast when you zoom in now or have a shaky hand, you don't have as much blur in image or video.
  
  -The software is much better than the past, it allows you to immediately upload, e-mail, or save them to your computer in smaller file types like WMV quickly - or you can just keep them as the original MP4s as well.
  
  -This camera has a built-in webcam which comes in very handy too if you don't own a newer laptop with a built-in cam already.
  
  -Does not come with any memory chip or case, both must be purchased separately.
  
  CONCLUSION:
  
  Having a 180 degree rotating screen that shows you inverted horizontally and upside down vertically kind of defeats the purpose of having a rotating screen to take photos of yourself. Please note that this issue only occurs if rotated the full 180 degrees, not when taking normal photos of someone else yourself. Zooming is a definite downgrade as comapred to the past. Photo and video quality is slightly a downgrade. Size and weight is a definite upgrade. Software and having a built-in-web cam is an upgrade, but I rather have had better quality zooming and a properly working screen when fully rotated than a web-cam in this. Overall, its a disappointing camera compared to the past - but you get what you pay for.. But if you are looking for something low budget from Sony that will get the job done, this is the camera to go for.
  
  On a bonus note, the GC-3 is releasing shortly, so maybe Sony will get it right with that one. I can confirm this because my instruction manual said this, as well as the case that I bought for this product.
  
  All the best,
  Amit
  
  
  

• Well suited for job at hand

  
  By A3NCTGYNXELO9R on 2007-10-28
  OK, so it's not Blue Ray High Def video, but it's good enough for the folks in England to see their grandson crunch his first leaves or do his first snow angel.
  
  The camera is well suited for it's intended purpose -- fits in your shirt pocket -- pop up the LCD viewer, the camera turns on, and your ready to auto shoot. Uploading to a video site is so easy that even this 62 year old tech-phopic can do it without saying -- huh?
  
  William in Colorado
  
  

• Super Cool!

  
  By A11SPSEM08VIXX on 2007-10-30
  I bought this for my son and I to shoot funny videos of ourselves. For the price this is an excellent little device. I am sure the price will be $150 before long. For the instant video crowd and youtube people this is a great cam. The 4 gig card is a must have.
  
  

• Great little video camera

  
  By A32E587YH0X7E3 on 2007-10-21
  This sony video camera is just so much fun to use. You can carry it anywhere and take great videos. It also allows you to take photos. The battery has a decent play time. The battery is rechargable which is a nice feature.
  I would highly recommend this great little video camera.
  
  

• Not pleased at all.

  
  By A1C08T7URITX0Y on 2007-11-27
  I have to say I read the reviews and so I purchased this. It is light weight. Simple to use. Great size. ONE HUGE ISSUE: the light is for the flash for taking pitures not recording. That means if the light is dim even if you change the settings you will get a dark video. I returned it - very disppointed.
  
  
• NOT WORTH IT
  By A353BTCJCBJFZU on 2007-12-09
  Sony really pulled the wool over our eyes with this one. The sleek design and attractive features catch our attention, but for what? I purchased this camera as soon as I heard about it (Even after reading some not-so-great reviews), but it was definitely a poor decision! The picture quality is so-so, but the video is AWFUL. It's really dark, there's a motion blur because the capture is slow, and the sound is tunnel-like. This is worth $50, not $160! I'm very disappointed and returned it even though I really wanted it to work out. Buyer beware!
  
  
• Great (cute!) little camera
  By A3EIUV6XEFZVH2 on 2008-01-02
  I purchased this camera because I was having my 1st child, and wanted to be able to capture the "big day", as well as other moments in her life. I didn't purchase this camera w/the hopes of being a major filmmaker. This camera is great because it(s);
  - small and compact
  - looks great
  - has a flash
  - takes stills as well as movies
  - has ability to take stills while filming
  - has a large viewing screen
  - screen rotates all the way around so you can film yourself and see what you're filming at the same time ;o)
  - easy to use
  - has rechargable battery (+++++)
  - can be used w/PCs AND MACS
  - comes w/software
  - the SONY name!!!
  
  Yes, the only downside is that it is terrible w/low light, but just make sure you're using sufficient daylight or inside light, and you'll be fine (guess you're out of luck if you wanted to film your own night time horror flick!).
  
  Also, make sure that you purchase a memory card to go w/. . . I found that the 2gb is enough (4.55 hrs of filming time!) - Sony 2 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo (MSX-M2GS)(Retail Package)
  
  
• Trendy...
  By A1BHKXP04QYIMD on 2008-01-12
  It's nice to have a hand size cam to pull out anytime, anywhere, and this does as expected, plug in the mini usb for access to a mass storage device and access the MPEG4 (MP4) format videos. 8GB mem duo pro stick allows for roughly 5 hours and 45 min of 30fps record time. It has 4meg onboard but it's useless other then for maybe a few 5mp pics. Overall nice product but could use a little more light sensitivity in the darker hours but works excellent in normal lighting, just not dim lighting. Camera has a flash but no light for camcorder function.
  
  
• Well Worth The Money!
  By A2XADQIKLWDDPI on 2008-01-14
  Okay, so I chose this product over the others just because its a Sony! Actually, I bought this for my wife who will kill me if I chose some other brand that's not even known in a lot of corners in the world. I did make my homework and studied virtually everything available in this product segment and I have to agree that there are a lot others with better specs and lower prices. I did look at the reviews and saw a lot of negatives, but like I said, my wife will kill me if I chose something else so there I went and picked this. Lo and behold, I actually liked what I saw! All functions were simple and easy to use. Resolution was very good (never mind that others had higher resolutions, this one is more than good enough for me). I don't understand some of the comments here that build quality is poor - it actually is one of the very few with a solid feel to it (not to mention that it's the most elegant looking). A lot of the others that were cheaper felt just like that - cheap! I also could not understand the complaints about the operating manual. It was short but everything you need to know is already written there. I'll be the first one to admit that I myself was surprised with how positive I felt about this item. I braced myself for a few weeks of regret but I honestly believe that I actually got what I feel is overall the best of the bunch out there. Specs may speak for the others but believe me, this product will sell itself once you see and feel it!
  
  
• Lightweight
  By A2SJNNZUAE2X2M on 2008-02-28
  So this was my first video camera. Thus far it has been great. I have used it for online video presentations, my longboarding, and general wheather conditions i want to show online. Only problem i had with it, when i was recording my speech, there was feedback from the mic from any movement. Other than that, it is great. Ha, and because i have big hands, i have still have a habbit of covering the lens while i am holding the camera.
  
  
• Great little video camera... LOVE IT!!
  By A2219QP3IPGYEI on 2008-02-07
  This is our first video camera. I love how lightweight and portable it is. Recently took it on our road trip to San Francisco. It takes fantastic moving videos on the road, or when I was standing still filming at Fisherman's Wharf. I even dropped it once, and it still kept on working with no problems. I have used it every day and especially enjoy filming my grandkids. Pics outdoors are great. I even took great videos indoors at Oracle Arena during and after the basketball game. Perfect.
  I have uploaded videos and emailed them with no problems. Now, 3 more friends are buying one. BTW, I also have a Sony Mavica digital camera, and now I reach for this one before lugging around that huge camera!!
  
  
• I like it
  By A16YFYSPHQ12HQ on 2008-03-10
  I purchased the camera out of the box at a local Circuit City a couple of weeks ago.
  Its easy to use and upload stuff now that i know how to use the camera. For those without advanced computer knowledge it would be very frustrating. Getting video up on You tube and other sites is easy.
  Converting MPEG4 files needs to be accomplished and you need to get software to do this.
  
  The video quality is fine but not as good as camcorders that i have owned.Stick to outdoor video or very well lit indoor scenes.
  Still pictures are great outdoors. I find indoor pictures even with the flash to be pretty poor compared with a digital camera
  
  Overall, good for the 80 Bucks i paid plus the 29 bucks for the 2 gig storage. Lots of space for short videos and lots of pix.
  
  The battery stays charged for a long time too. I like this feature. No more batteries to charge or purchase.
  
  I even youngsters in the family play with the camera.
  
  
  
  
• I love Sony but they dropped the ball on this one
  By A2J89OZ8MX4FVB on 2008-01-04
  I bought this camera today to take on a vacation. Since I don't vacation often I cheaped out because I will only use it once. First off, I had to buy a 2 GB card for $50.00 on top of the price - it doesn't come with a card. I spent over an hour trying to set the date and time. The buttons are so small it's nearly impossible to use the toggle switch for up/down/side ways. I am leaving for vacation tomorrow and I fear I will not get the information I want because this camera is very difficult to figure out if you are not a wiz with these things. Save your money and invest in one a little larger. You will regret purchasing this.
  
  
• Great Little Camera
  By AQS90PTW00B5N on 2008-01-21
  A great little video camera. Easy to operate, easy to transfer to my I Imovie software, easy to upload to my blog site. I have bbeen looking for an easy to use video camera for years. Finally found it in this.
  
  
• Doesn't live up to expectations of a sony product.
  By A3OTDZL80FBKMG on 2008-01-25
  Generally, my first impression was that the camera is cheaply constructed. The LCD screen feels very very brittle, and friends who have borrowed it said the same thing. The door over the connectors is held in with a small piece of again cheap plastic or rubber material. I see this door falling off in short order. Recordning is fairly easy. Push the button and it starts, push the button and it stops. The video quality outdoors is reasonable. Indoors is not so good - and low light conditions is horrible. I assumed you could turn on the flash to use it as additional lighting but that is not the case. Low light is poor and you can do generally nothing about it other than providing an external light source. Not good if you are outside and its getting closer to dusk -- or indoors and you forget to turn on all the lights in the room before you catch that magical moment of a toddler (jk).
  
  This brings me to software. I use a mac and iMovie or iPhoto like the camera. The built-in software is only for windows. I cannot find a mac version. I think that is a good thing because I tried the software on windows and its really quite poor. I am fairly savvy with computers and yet I am not sure what they are trying to accomplish with this horrid software.
  
  So, in general - I am very unimpressed and would not recommend this camera at all. I originally bought it to keep around and use outdoors to not have to worry about a more expensive camera - well, I should have applied this money towards the purchase of another camera or even a digital camera with video mode - because I think that would have been much much better.
  
  
• U get whay u pay for
  By A2R6M6OZFR05CO on 2008-03-01
  Pros:
  1. Good picture quality (for the $ paid)
  2. Small size / weight
  3. Simple to use in movie mode
  4. Very fast start-up (1-2 seconds)
  
  Cons:
  1. Editing software (no easy way to translate MP4 into MP3)
  2. Mediocre sound (sound wheezing while skiing and I am not that fast skier)
  3. You need to add a memory card
  
  Overall - for the money paid, it's a good deal.
  
  
• Complicated but impressive
  By A3MIPZ0H6W5IZ4 on 2008-03-01
  I actually just bought this camera today and I've already gotten the hang of it. It took me a while to realize that I could only take 2 pics because there is no memory card. I was stuck on that for about 3 hrs. But overall the camera is well worth the price and I love the swivel screen so I can do self photos. I highly recommend this camera if you're looking for a device that has all the basics. (web cam, video, camera)
  
  
• The jury is still out...
  By A3IYOP4OHSP1QZ on 2008-05-19
  I have shot news professionally and still own a broadcast Betacam and my faithful Canon GL 1 mini DV camera.
  
  I bought this camera as a Sony-refurbished play-thing with MPEG-4 technology.
  
  I also was told that is should be seen by newer Macs with the latest iLife software as an AVCHD camcorder. My iBook is 7 years old so when I fire up my Mac Mini - I will have a better idea on IF it will work with iMovie or not.
  
  This camera reminds of some low light and compact Sony Hi8 cameras of 15-18 years ago. No zoom but some had a tele lens switchable to a fairly wide and fast normal lens. I would not put "the glass" on this camera in the same league as the afore-mentioned camera series.
  
  After shooting in daylight and at dusk with this camera - this has to be a "bright daylight use camera". I recommend a small sturdy tripod for it. There is supposed to be some minimalist stability when using the video side but --- use a tripod.
  
  The zoom is not designed to be used when filming - it jerks.
  
  The camera has problems around engines - car, motorcycle or diesel train engines and picks up microphonics or noise in the video. I am a train buff and tested this on some METRA train run-bys and even at 40 feet away - the video jittered. More so when talking to a friend on his Harley.
  
  Setting all of the many camera settings can be a pain - my purpose was for web based stuff - am going to the Indy 500 and was going to throw this baby in with my other stills gear for shots on "Gasoline Alley" - not the race.
  
  So I am still putzing around with this thing.
  
  The wonderful Sony memory cards are great but very pricy. IF you buy this camera - buy another makers' card. It should be cheaper.
  
  A good thing? The stills camera side is not bad in the headshot mode - did not take any tele shots with it.
  
  Lastly - is this a good kid's camera? Yep - to play with and try shooting YouTube home movies.
  But if your kids or grads are more serious - buy a Sony/JVC/Canon/Panasonic mini dv camera or SD card camera...
  
  
• Sony NSCGC1
  By A3RTDU3X791JO0 on 2008-06-16
  I never have been a video recording nut. My wife and I take ballroom dance classes from Parks & Rec, but while we can do quite well during classes, only a few weeks later we have forgotten what we learned. Using this to record what we learned while at our last class provides us with a great visual 'review' to remind us just before we go out dancing! For a minimal investment, this has served us very, very well.
  
  
• Nice
  By AC7GIBOA23H8C on 2008-06-25
  It takes great pictures but the video is not all that good but its a nice little gadget.
  
  

• 3-Year Extended Service Plan - Covers Electronic Items $0-$200 - Repair
• Targus Camera/Video Standard Case
• Ambico BC-04GA Gallery Series Medium Camcorder Bag
• Sony 4 GB Memory Stick PRO DUO ( MSX-M4GS ) (Retail Package)
• Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus [OLD VERSION]

• Sony LCSGCA Carrying Case for Net Sharing Camcorder (NSC-GC1)
• Sony 4 GB Memory Stick PRO DUO ( MSX-M4GS ) (Retail Package)
• Sony 2 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo (MSX-M2GS) (Retail Package)
• SanDisk SDMSPD-4096-A11 4 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo (Retail Package)
• Sony MSXM8GS 8 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo (Retail Package)