Help! - Sony DCR-PC55/R MiniDV [as opposed to samsung sports cam]

[doctor_evil 0]

Folks,
Ok, I know nothing about cameras. I've seen all the negative posts about the samsung sports cam. I've noticed that Sony has a new mini camcorder out now too; the Sony DCR-PC55/R (www.sonystyle.com) (Specs pasted below).
Can y'all give me your opinion on this cam for non-professional use. I have two main concerns:
1.) Will the Sony funtion at altitude? - some of the posts about the samsung made it sound like that camera might have catastophic failure at altitude.
2.) Any suggestions on mounting? Looks like this thing is a bit small to fit into an L-bracket. Anyone have a link for small brackets?
-- Sony DCR-PC55/R --
Digital zoom 120 x
Effective sensor resolution 340,000 pixels
Gross sensor resolution 680,000 pixels
Progressive scan Yes
Optical sensor size 1/6 in
Optical sensor type CCD
Min illumination 5 lux
Analog video format NTSC
Digital video input format MJPEG
Image effects Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Negative Art, Solarization
Image stabilizer Electronic (Steady Shot)
Video head qty No
Shooting modes Digital photo mode
Shooting programs Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & ski, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Sunset & moon
White balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
White balance presets Indoor, Outdoor
Exposure modes Program, Automatic
Lens System
Lens aperture F/1.7-2.2
Optical zoom 10 x
Lens system type Zoom lens
Interchangeable lens No
Min focal length 2.3 mm
Max focal length 23 mm
Auto focus Active
Equivalent 35mm focal length 44 - 440 mm
Manual focus Manual, Automatic
Zoom adjustment Motorized drive
Memory / Storage
Media type Mini DV
Image storage JPEG 640 x 480
Viewfinder / Display
Display type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color
Display form factor Rotating
Display resolution 123,000 pixels
Audio Input
Audio input type Microphone
Microphone type Built-in
Expansion / Connectivity
Connections 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio (input/output), 1 x DC power input, 1 x Docking station
Expansion slots 1
Cables included USB cable, A/V cable
Additional Features
Video input features Touch-screen control, Progressive shutter system, Analog to digital conversion with pass through
Remote control Remote control - Infrared
Software type Drivers & Utilities
Included accessories Lens cap, Docking station, Camcorder shoulder strap
Power
Battery type - Lithium ion
Power supply included Power adapter - External
Physical Characteristics
Width 1.8 in
Depth 2.8 in
Height 3.9 in
Weight 10.2 oz
-Cheers!

[PhreeZone 20]

Ewww.. its got a docking station. It sucks because thats now an extra thing you have to carry around to show your footage on a TV or to share the footage over firewire.

1/6" CCD is very small. Its low light abilities are not near as great as the other DV cameras typically used to jump.

Its also not threaded to accept a Wide Angle lens. Most the new microsized cameras are giving up things that jumpers use like wide angle lens mounts, external controls, manual focus rings, and LANC ports.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[WrongWay 0]

I'd recommend going on ebay and picking up something like a PC110 or PC120.

Wrong Way
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