With its moderately compact body and grip-belt design, the TRV80 is configured for handheld shooting. Finely crafted and machined, this camcorder has a solid feel and weighs 1 pound, 12 ounces with the battery and the cassette loaded. The controls are well labeled, and most people will master basic operation in no time. The cassette hatch is bottom-loading, which means you can't change tapes while the camera is on a tripod. This probably won't be a concern for the typical user, but keep it in mind if you're taping long presentations or performances.

To get the most control, you don't so much hold the camera as let it hang off the back of your right hand, fastening the adjustable belt firmly, as the manual suggests. Even when we did so, we found the ergonomics inconsistent. The Start/Stop button is rather awkwardly placed for the thumb, whose most natural position is considerably lower on the body, over the Memory Stick slot. On the other hand, the pressure-sensitive, spring-loaded zoom lever and the Photo button right behind it are within easy reach of the index and middle fingers.

The power/mode dial and the Record button fall in the usual place under your right thumb.

The zoom switch offers variable speed control; you can snap a still by pressing the Photo button.

One of the distinguishing features of Sony's latest TRV models is their touch-screen menu system, which you use instead of physical controls to activate almost all functions. The setup will appeal to some more than others. For the most part, navigating is easy, although the more-esoteric options will definitely require you to crack the manual.

These conveniently placed buttons are for selecting the Backlight exposure mode and switching between automatic and manual focus.

Shooting in the dark? These controls let you cycle through still-shot flash modes or activate the infrared NightShot mode.

If you prefer the viewfinder to the LCD but want the ability to adjust exposure, you can turn off the LCD and fold it against the camcorder body with the screen facing outward. When you want to adjust exposure or activate the fader, you still touch the LCD, but it remains dark while the relevant settings appear and change on the viewfinder. While this awkward setup is a little better than having no exposure control during viewfinder use, an exposure dial on the camcorder body would have been a lot simpler.