Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom by Sony
|
Our Price: $629.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $245.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom
Digital camera Review: It's what I was looking for!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are looking for a camcorder easy to use and easy to share video with, the Sony DCR-SR 42 is the camcorder for you!!! Compact with a very nice designe!Digital camera Review: Better than anticipated
Summary: 5 Stars
The Sony DCR-SR42 w/30GB Hard Drive is better than I expected when I placed my order. It is so easy to use. The digital camcorder playback is so crisp and clear. And the colors are reproduced so faithfully. I am also impressed that the camera can easily be used at night and otherwise under poor lighting conditions. I am very pleased.
The software that comes with the camera is easy to use and probably satisfactory for most users. But I use other software programs for both camcorder and still photos because they have more features.
It is true that the still photographs are only of snapshot quality. But they are much better than the photos taken with my Palm Zire (a PDA with a 1MB built in camera). Of course my PDA is sneakier - has a crude camcorder function - and is always with me.
Of course, for personal or family use, I would confidently recommend the Sony DCR-SR42. More good news: this is not the latest model and should be available at a bargain price.
Digital camera Review: Make sure you can edit MPEG-2
Summary: 1 Stars
This review has been updated, but the rating remains the same:
This camera uses MPEG-2 format that Windows Movie Maker on my new Vista computer can't read; I bought Sony Vegas Movie Studio thinking that would work but it won't load on my computer.
Sony says it's not their fault, it's Microsoft's fault if Visual C++ won't load. Microsoft is no help.
Sony said they would help if I'd bought from directly from them, but because I bought from Amazon, I was on my own.
UPDATE: Found out from an online forum that the problem arose from Updates to Windows not being permitted by Windows Vista. Was told to alter msconfig file, allowing updates, enabling Visual C++ installation and Vegas installation.
Still not pleased with performance of Sony and Microsoft. Millions of their customers use their products to record and edit videos; how many of them are getting annoyed because these two companies don't communicate?
Rather than wander around online forums looking for customer support, I'll look for their more responsive competitors.
Apple Camcorders, anyone? It's time for an iCam!
Digital camera Review: Very poor video quality
Summary: 2 Stars
I have to say, first of all, it hurts me to write this review. I wanted to like this camera. I really, really did. I loved the size, the shape, the ease of use. I even ordered an extra battery on how much I was going to use it. But I just didn't like the video quality. It is plain bad. I even thought I was going to be able to live with it, but I watched a few videos last night and made some side by side comparisons, and it was just too much for me to bear. I am taking it back to the store tonight to get my money back.
The interlacing was AWFUL. If the camera moves slightly, the lines dominate the screen. Even in bright sunlight, it looked like a youtube video. A few months ago, my wife won a "FlipVideo" hard drive recorder that takes very simple video with no zoom, etc. Seriously, these videos were better than this Sony's. This was the deciding factor in me taking this camera back. I am going to try another camera to see if it is just this one or all Hard Drive based recorders.
Digital camera Review: Fantastic Camera!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very slick little piece of electronics! It has got its own internal hard drive so there are no CD's to pop in and out. Fits to contour of your hand for better grip. Flip screen is sturdy and useful.
The only thing I would list as cons would be the fact that its a tad bit pricey (but you do get what you pay for). And the camera itself takes a bit of time to get familiar with.
But other than that, if you are looking for a high quality camera that has everything you could need, look no further!