This is the second 1megapixel camcorder from Sony that we've reviewed. The first, a TRV20E, took the Editor's Choice award in our March Group Test. The PC110E is much smaller, but has the same solid feel about it.

Unlike the JVC DVX-10 and similar compact models, it's not held in the palm with your fingers resting on the top. Instead, the palm strap is attached to a small fold-down plastic pistol grip. This arrangement takes some getting used to and, to ensure steady shooting, it's often necessary to use your left hand for added support.

The Carl Zeiss lens has a focus ring that is much easier to use than the menu selector on other manufacturers' cameras. On the right-hand side, and within easy reach of your index finger, are the zoom rocker, still picture button, controls for infra red night shooting and a dual-function button - light pressure sets the focus to manual and a heavier touch automatically focuses on infinity. The lens has a 10-speed optical and 40-speed digital zoom, and the variable speed rocker can go from one extreme to the other very quickly.

Further back are microphone and headphone sockets, self-timer button, and a button that activates the Super Laser link infra red AV transfer for wireless TV playback with an optional receiver. An S-Video output and the release slider for the Memory Stick are located on the lower right-hand panel.

The back panel houses a fixed colour viewfinder, below which sits the four-position thumb-operated power mode selector and record button. In addition to the off, camera and VCR positions, there's a lockable position for recording to the Memory Stick.

Four more buttons provide access to the menu, manual exposure, back light compensation and fader. The latter provides a small selection of in-camera transitions including dissolve, wipe and a random particle effect.

The fold-out 2.5cm LCD panel, which is mounted on the left side, boasts VCR playback and Memory Stick controls. The mains, Lanc and DV in-out connectors, and a USB port for Memory Stick transfer are located behind a removable plastic panel on the front.

No side of the PC110E is ignored when it comes to buttons, sockets and extras, and the top accommodates a small flash unit that can be used in auto, forced or red-eye mode and pops up when required. Behind this is a built-in small stereo microphone and at the rear an accessory shoe for an external microphone.

Let's not forget the bottom that houses the tripod bush and tape-loading mechanism. However, this is not an ideal situation because if the camcorder is mounted on a tripod you have to remove it to change tapes.

Despite the overwhelming abundance of controls the PC110E is remarkably easy to use. In auto mode the white balance is consistently good and the auto focus is fast. In low-light conditions it has a tendency to hunt in and out, which you'd expect, but it quickly brings the subject into focus.

Switch to manual exposure and focusing is quick and simple. The focus distance is displayed on-screen to make life easier in low light. The PC110E can focus closer than you're likely to want to go, so close, in fact, that the lens hood touches the subject and blocks out the light.

Quality of the still pictures at the highest resolution of 1152 x 864 and with the lowest of the three available compression settings is excellent, but you can only fit five images on the 4Mb Memory Stick. There is a range of key modes for superimposing Memory Stick stills and DV.

You can also record 40 seconds of MPEG-1 video at 320 x 240 resolution to the Memory Stick, which is handy for quick email or web use if you don't have the time or inclination to do the conversion on a PC.

CONTACT: Sony
08705 111 999
www.sony.co.uk.