Rating  - ultra-portable but microMV is not for everyone
the dcrip5 is for the early adopters among us. it has "wow" written all over it but make sure you're ready for the limitations of the microMV format.
pros:
- small size, and lightweight: 1.88"W x 4.0"H x 3.13"L weighing 12 oz. this is the main selling point of this camcorder.
- 10x optical zoom.
- Super SteadyShot image stabilization - and sony's system works.
- delivers vibrant colors when shooting in daylight.
- connectivity options: firewire, S-video, composite.
cons:
- microMV format is proprietary and may go the way of betamax.
- microMV video quality is noticeably worse than MiniDV.
- microMV also uses a different data-compression scheme than MiniDV, which means that it may be incompatible with your DV-editing software.
- no still photo capability.
- no video light.
- not Mac compatible.
- very bad ergonomics - a small camcorder will have small buttons and consolidated controls.
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.
- battery life could be better.
- only 2.5" LCD.
- non-intuitive menu system.
- no headphone or mic input jack.
- no accessory shoe.
given the limitations of the microMV format, a smaller camcorder is the only reason to use it. and a tiny camcorder is what sony has delivered and that's why this is a four star product for me. but if you can stand a slightly bigger camcorder, check out other miniDV options. these are more affordable, better supported, and almost as portable.
i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.
Rating  - VERY BAD SUPPORT
I have problems with capturing the movies recorded witht this camera to a Sony VAIO. After waiting for ever, Movie Shaker 3.3 crashes and the movie is not captured. Sometimes it works but it is random. But the major problem is that since buying the camera in December 2002, I have been writing emails to Sony and receiving only promises of support but only autamated answers that are not helpfull at all. Also funny is that a couple of times I have received apologies from Sony via email apologizing for not having provided support, using as a justification that they were rebuilding their support site and asking me to send my request againg if I had not solved it by now. There I went and innocently I sent my request again. Have you heard anyting about it? Because I have not. Unless they make a decision to change and start supporting their products and customers, I strongly advice not to buy anyting Sony till this changes. I used to be their fan due to their quality products, but this seems to be true no more. Making money and saving money by shaving support costs seems to be their main driver. Gone are the days where quality was their driver or so it seems from my experience...
Rating - Fraguil circuit, broken twice in half year
I bought IP5 last year, and the digital output circuit has been broken twice. Each time costed me $... to fix. I also heard of other IP5 users having the same quality problems (on Pinnacle consumer board).
Rating - Compute problem solved awesome product
As of March 2003 Sony has come to our rescue teaming up with pinacle to create "Sony EZEditor microMV". For only $ you get Studio 8 software, a fire wire card a 4-6 pin cable, a cd-r and a couple of tapes. Works with all pc software execept 98 first edition, second is ok. As ar as the camera you can rsearch all the features and read all the details. Note that it is soon discontinued to be replaced by the new ip55. I like the ip55 it is better, but much larger making the ip5 and ip7 still my choice because it is so freakin' small. Dont let the computer issue stop you now.
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