Despite having a load of MiniDV and DVCam camcorders I was tempted by this Sony DSR-PD1 going cheap on eBay.
Released in 1997 the PD1 is the smallest DVCam camera ever made, it’s a palmcorder barely wider than the tape drive mechanism inside it, with flip out screen and compact lens.
The PD1 is the professional partner to the Sony DCR-PC7 consumer model and is almost identical apart from the dark grey paint finish and the DVCam logo.
This one is fully working and aside from a few bubbles in the paint it’s in good condition. These cameras use a Series-F battery which is wider and flatter than the later NP-F550 style and was only used for a small number of cameras. Luckily the battery for this one still holds a decent charge because replacements are not easy to find.
This photo shows how large the PC7/PD1 is compared to the slightly newer DCR-PC9e from 2001. The PC9e also uses the much more common FM series batteries.
So that’s another camera added to the collection. Once the weather clears up I will be heading out to grab some DVCam footage with it and trying out the low light performance.
