On Tue, 28 Aug 2001 22:40:00 GMT, Chris wrote:

>I hope I'm not rehashing something that may have already been discussed
>here at some point - I looked through this group and also
>rec.photo.digital and also searched the net, but I have not found any
>posted pics of megapixel still shots from the Sony TRV-30.
>I have seen reviews that say everything from crisp and sharp to
>disappointing for the still image quality, so I was hoping to see some
>sample shots.
>I was thinking about getting a cheaper digital video cam and then going
>with the Fuji 6900z as a digital camera (which has a 6X optical zoom).
>I was considering *gasp* the Sharp WD450U for the camcorder (CNET rated
>it good even though it only has a 460K CCD). But if the TRV-30 does a
>nice job of both then I could have all in one :)

You can find some at:
http://www4.big.or.jp/~a_haru/index.html
(look for TRV30 links, the larger files are
full-sized stills). One thing you may find
is that the megapixel stills have considerable
color noise evident (the 640x480 stills from
the same cameras tend to look better, but are
too small to print well). The megapixel video
cameras do have unusually sharp motion-video
images, though (but often with noticeable
artifacting and higher than normal contrast).
I would look at the Sony PC9 and TRV17 for
a nice compromise balance among image
characteristics in the motion-video for
fairly-affordable one-chippers - though the
stills are marginal. I like an old inexpensive
Kodak 240 for surprisingly good stills at a
resolution good enough for 5x7" paper prints...