Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom by Sony
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Digital camera reviews of Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom
Digital camera Review: HDD Camcorder
Summary: 3 Stars
I ordered this camera specifically for a vacation I went on right after Xmas to Fiji. I was impressed with the time it took for the battery to recharge. I had a spare battery but never had to use it during the trip at all. Overall, the camera is good but one feature that really bothers me is that when taking photos with this camera in dark places the lighting is poor. If you use the "nightspot" light switch on the camera then it makes your subjects look light they are possessed with no color in the picture at all. Being I'm a retired Army woman it honestly reminded me of how things looked when I used my night vision goggles. For the price of this camera if you are going to have that feature at least make it half way descent.Digital camera Review: How to calculate zoom....
Summary: 4 Stars
OK, I have to start by saying I have not actually used this product. However, I have to comment on the review that says Sony is falsely advertising a 40x zoom. Unfortunately, the reviewer does not understand what 40x means, and since this is likely true of many readers, I wanted to clear this up.
If you read the specifications, you will see that this Sony camera has a lens with a minimial focal length of 36mm and a maximum focal length 1440mm. To calculate the zoom multiplier, divide the maximum focal length by the minimum focal length. In this case, 1440 / 36 = 40 so indeed the Sony camera has a 40x lens.
So, what happened when the reviewer "GAB" went to the video store and compared this to the JVC and other models? The answer is, he only compared the maximum zooms of the different cameras. The JVC, for instance, turns out to have a greater maximum zoom. JVC's camera specs for this model indicate it has a minimum focal distacne of 2.3, and a maximum of 78.2. You can't really compare the focal length numbers since the cameras are on different scales, but you can apply the same formula to the JVC, in which case 78.2 / 2.3 = 34, so indeed the JVC has a 34x zoom, as advertized. However, to completely compare the lenses, you should also zoom ALL OF THE WAY OUT, and compare those pictures as well. If you do this, you will find the Sony gives a much wider view than the JVC. In other words, the Sony has a wider angle lens than the JVC. So, if you are close to the subjects you are viewing, you will get much more in the picture with the Sony than with the JVC.
The bottom line is that zoom multipler on any camera lens is the ratio of the widest angle to the strongest zoom. Which is more important is up to you. Do you plan to shoot more indooors than out? In that case, a wider angle is probably better due to the close quarters. Do you plan to shoot lots of sporting events from the bleachers? In that case you probably want a greater zoom to get close to the action from a distance. Some of of both? You probably want greatest flexibility, which in this case the Sony gives you slightly more.
Consider how you plan to do most of your shooting, and buy the camera that meets your needs. But make sure you are comparing apples to apples, and considering all aspects of your decision. Zoom is only one of many features on these cameras - compare them all!
Note: Since I have not used this camera, but I had to select a rating for it in order to write this, I choose four stars in order to average with GAB's rating of 2 stars and end up at 3. I apologize is this is misleading to anyone.
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: LOVE IT!
Summary: 4 Stars
My husband purchsed this camcorder; we've had several in the past which were used hesitantly due to learning curve. This one has been in use since day one! He loves the fact that there is no disk or tape involved, has emailed video and is enjoying it to the max. Sorry I can't give you more specifics, I haven't been able to get my hands on it---- :-)Digital camera Review: Love it!
Summary: 5 Stars
The video camera is nice and compact, and light. I purchased this primarily to record my daughter who dances at our high school. Often I am in the stands, but not at the top of the bleachers. This model has more of a wide angle than my previous Canon video camera, so I am able to get more of the whole routine even though I am in the middle of the stands.
I read several comments/criticisms about the zoom -- for my purposes, the zoom on this is fine.
I really like the ability to play back a segment from the hard drive without having tapes, and rewinding.
The operation is very simple and I was able to start using the camera without reading the manual. The touch screen is nice...
I have not used the camera portion yet -- I understand from the other reviews that the quality may not be that great... but I have a camera that I would use for regular pictures anyway... that is not the main reason I bought this unit.
I did the one-touch burn to DVD... and it worked well. It moved ALL of my video over. It would have been "nice" to have the ability to pick which video's to transfer over, but... then I guess it would not be 1-step anymore would it. To "select" which files, I hooked the camera up directly to a DVD burner, and recorded the segments I wanted.