Summary: Would not pay $$ for it
Comment: My wife was given this Handycam as a service award at work.
We have owned camcorders ranging from RCA full-size VHS cameras 20 years ago to Toshiba full size VCR on up to Sony 8mm & Super 8mm.
Honestly, and I think you will see this confirmed by many sources on the internet... the picture quality of older camcorders seems much better than these newer smaller models.
It seems despite the hi-tech digital wizardry, video enhancement and all the other tricks the manufacturers try to use to squeeze to get more performance out of their small "handycams" today.......... you simply CAN'T FAKE GOOD FULL SIZE OPTICS AND LENS.
This DCR-DVD710 has worst color and picture quality than our Sony Super 8mm.
In fact, the Super 8mm is not as good as our regular Sony 8mm which had a large front lens.
More importantly, the power button on this camera broke the 3rd time we used it.
Now the only way to turn it on/off is by removing the battery.
On the other hand, our old cameras have traveled with us to Asia and Europe and still work great.
I am glad we did not pay for this camera, but it did help teach us a lesson.
If at all possible in your budget, don't spend less than $900 on a camera if you are the least bit concerned about picture quality and go with the largest full size lens you can get for your money.
Trying to use fancy digital tricks to get a good picture thru a lens that is smaller than a dime is technically NOT GOING TO WORK WELL.