The TRV80's 2.1 megapixel imager is supurb. I wish the image stabilizer was optical as were my last two (Sony and Canon)camcorders but SONY's super steadyshot is not bad for a digital stabilizer.

I find that the 1600 x 1200 pixel still picture capabiliy of this camera gives up to 8 x 10 inch pictures of really good quality and with the 10x optical zoom very often no picture cropping is needed, like for instance if you use a 4 megapixel digital still camera with a 3x or 4x optical zoom and you have to crop the picture to get the desired final image. You can also take on-the-fly digital snaps while the video is running (at only 640 x 480 resolution however.)

I also do computer digital video editing using Adobe Premiere 6.5 and using the SONY TRV 900 settings in Adobe (until TRV80 settings are released)the camcorder plugged-and-played first try with beautiful quality and color.

Just returned from two weeks of using it in Hawaii from sea level to 14,000 feet on Mauna Kea volcano and am super pleased with the results.

Yes there are weaknesses.

First the memory stick can be accidently bumped during use and the memory stick can fall out (happened to me twice) and be lost (did not lose mine). It needs a safety catch. I am using duct tape now on mine.(Not pretty, but very effective)

Second the manual focus button on the lower left side of the rear can also accidently be bumped and if you do not catch the manual focus indicater being "on" in the viewfinder; you may well take a series of shots which are all out of focus.

Third the plastic cover over the I/O plugs has a VERY THIN plastic retainer so it does not get lost. I expect it to break every time I open it; although so far to SONY's credit is has not broken.

All three items are to be watched by the camera operator and do not detract from the excellent camcorder performance.