The debut model in Sony's new Handycam SR series, the SR100, bears a striking resemblance to a thermos, but you'd best not try to pour coffee down the tubelike throat of Sony's entry into the hard-drive-based camcorder market. Sony may have come a little later to the market than JVC, but it looks like the company learned a few things from users' experiences with that company's MG series.

For instance, the 3-megapixel SR100 integrates some data buffering and shock-absorption technology to prevent video loss if the camera gets jolted (though we don't recommend taking it on your next extreme vacation). It also incorporates the Dolby 5.1 recording found in the higher-end DVD camcorder models (center-channel mic optional) and a 30GB hard drive.

Plus, it's a lot cooler-looking than JVC's.

You should be able to get your hands on one of these in May, after plunking down $1,100.

Article discussion: Sony Handycam DCR-SR100 is tubular to the max