| | |  | Point-and-shoot Digital Cameras | Home » » » » Sony DCR-DVD405 3MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom | | | | | | | Description: | | Box Contents: DCR-DVD405, ACL25 Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger, NP-FP60 InfoLithium(R) Rechargeable Battery, Stereo A/V Cable, USB Cable, Lens Cap, Picture Package 1.8 and Nero Express 6 software, Cleaning Cloth
The Sony DCR-DVD405 Handycam(R) Camcorder lets you bring home movie and video productions to life, while making it simple to share images and video. Enjoy sharper, crisper images through the Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens, while capturing every detail through the 10x optical and 120x digital zoom. You can also capture great-looking stills directly onto a Sony Memory Stick(R) PRO memory card, for easier transfer and sharing with other cameras and PCs. The camcorder will also burn your movies and stills directly to an 8cm blank DVD, for the easiest possible sharing of your new masterpieces. Super NightShot(R) Plus Infrared System SteadyShot Picture Stabilization Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* Lens Aperture - f1.8 - f2.9 Touch Panel Full Range Auto & Manual Exposure Focal Distance - 5.1 - 51mm Shutter Speeds - Auto, 1/4-1/4000 sec. (AE Mode) Progressive Shutter System Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes - Beach and Ski, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Sports Lesson, and Sunset and Moon Compatible with DVD-R, -RW and +RW White Balance Modes - Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor Picture Effects - Monotone, Mosaic, Pastel, and Sepia Fader Effects - Black, Overlap, White and Wipe Onboard battery information (displayed on LCD) Easy Handycam(R) Button Active Interface Shoe USB 2.0 Port Optional S-Video out Dolby Digital 5.1 Channel Recording InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower(TM) Meter System Operating Systems - Windows 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Pro Battery Life - Continuous recording for up to 8 hours on a single full charge Dimensions - 2-5/8 x 3-5/8 x 5-3/4 (66 x 90 x 143 mm) Weight - 1 lb. 5 oz. (590g) with disc and b | | | Features: | |
• 1/3-inch CCD imager with 3-megapixel resolution
• Compatible with DVD-R/-RW/+RW formats
• 10x optical zoom with digital image stabilization
• 2.7-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio LCD
• Dolby digital 5.1ch audio recording
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 5.75 inches | | Product Width:
| 0.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 3.63 inches | | Product Weight:
| 3.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 8.7 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.9 inches | | Package Height:
| 5.2 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.35 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 73 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 73 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
174 of 183 found the following review helpful:
 Such an amazing camera, I'd better go to film school to be able to use it's full capability and quality.Feb 22, 2006
By Dr. Beaker
I thought that I had used camcorders before, but this camera makes all the old ones look like (inferior) toys. The quality of the recordings and sound is so good that it's probably a waste for someone like me to own one. But I'm up for the challenge and will try to be worthy of this camera.
The first surprise is that with all it's capability and quality, this camera is still very small and lightweight. I suspect that it's use of a mini-DVD for recording helps, as they are very small, thin, and light-weight. Use of a mini-DVD in the camera, makes the right side of the camera look a little rounder than the other side. But this is where you put your right hand when using the camera. So no one will notice.
The mini-DVD records about 30 minutes of video, although this can be adjusted to 60 minutes (for long play), or to 20 minutes (for higher quality). This is enough for the average camcorder user, during an average day. If you need more, buy more of the mini-DVDs. The DVD-RWs are not expensive and can be reused. They are very convenient for transferring recordings to your PC. So, get a few extra mini-DVD-Rs and a few extra mini-DVD-RWs or +RWs.
The battery that comes with the camera is an FP-60 variety and it probably lasts for about 30 minutes of recording. The battery can be recharged using the camera. If you are going to be using the camcorder more heavily, an extra battery (FP-71 variety, or even better, the larger and much longer-lasting FP-90 variety might be better to have along with you.) There are two separate chargers available including a very convenient and very cool-looking fast charger. The extra battery or two might also be useful if you are going to add a light and/or flash attachment. (There is a small built-in flash, but not a built-in light.) So get at least one extra battery and maybe a charger if you are going to be more than a casual user of this camcorder. And perhaps get the extra light or light/flash attachments.
The large (2.7 inch) and very useful LCD view-screen was also a surprise. This is the first camcorder I've used where there were so few buttons on the camcorder, and most of the function was available instead by touching "buttons" (and using menus) on the viewscreen. This takes less than 5 minutes to get used to. Then you realize how nice it is to have so few buttons on the camera body, where you might push them by mistake. You can hold this camera easily without pushing buttons. Also, it is nice to look at what the camera is seeing, while you are making changes via "buttons" on the viewscreen. This is a very nice feature. And if the viewscreen needs to be wiped clean after all that touching, and mine hasn't yet, then just carefully wipe it clean. The viewscreen also is a very sharp display, showing lots of detail.
Of course, the camera's recorded picture quality is excellent. The quality of the sound recording is also very good, another surprise. And the camera takes nice, sharp 3-Mbyte still photos. All on the same mini-DVD. You can review all the little movies, and all your still photos on the touch viewscreen. Wonderful!
Still photos can be stored instead on memory sticks, rather than the mini-DVD, for people who prefer them. And of course, the camera can talk to the computer via cables, etc. But the mini-DVD is the easiest way to move your items over to the PC.
I haven't tried the remote control for the camera yet, too much too soon. But I'm imagining all the uses I'll have for it later, when I (like Hitchcock) feel the need to be in my own movies.
Ah, and lastly, the "Easy button". What a great idea for someone like me. Make using the camcorder easy! And with great results too, even for someone with lots of experience using other camcorders.
Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to check out how to get into a film school, so that I can do something useful and appropriate with all the capabilities of this camera. Look out Mr. Spielberg, here I come.
103 of 110 found the following review helpful:
Simply pleasedFeb 14, 2006
By Z. Zhang
"FC shopper"
This sounds like bragging, but I really like my DVD405, purchased yesterday. I have done research on DVD camcorders for a while and initially planned to buy DVD403, but as soon as I heared about 405, I held off my purchase and waited until 405 came out yesterday.
Comparing with my old Hi 8 Canon camcorder, DVD405 is so much better: resolution, color, sound, ease of use. Ease of use deserves 6 star. I quickly filmed a bunch of indoor scences using a DVD-RW disk, and I was able to copy it to a regular sized 4.7 GB DVD-R, reformat and reuse my DVD-RW, all in half and hour. Nothing tricky about it.
As you can tell, I am not a video expert and don't demand a lot. But this is precisely what DVD405 is for: people who want to have quality video but don't want to bother with all those technicality or to invest tons of time editing clips.
51 of 53 found the following review helpful:
Excellent Video CameraMar 18, 2006
By B. Pletcher
"B. Pletcher"
Sony does it again...........
As an owner of many video cameras, I have experienced many cameras and have come back to the Sony DCR-DVD405. My first digital DV camera was the Sony DCR-PC100. Great camera, but a little dated. Bought the Panasonic DVD200 and it was terrible...
Then purchased the Sony DCR-DVD403 and was very impressed. So decided to go bigger and buy the Sony HD HC1. Disappointing to say the least especially since I spent $1700.00 dollars. So have now went back to the DVD405 and am done shopping. Great video, excellent Dolby sound, and pretty good battery life. Media is not so expensive when you buy in bulk ($0.48) or buy a few DVD-RW ($5.00/Sony). All my finalized DVD-R movies have played in all DVD players. I always use the High Quality (HQ) to record and yes 20min does go fast, but worth the other positives. Durability of the DVD403 was good so expect the DVD405 to be the same. I like the look and the jack set-ups on the DVD405 better. Also the power button feels more secure. So take it from my experience and check out the Sony DCR-DVD405. Well worth the money, but I still suggest the extended warranty to off-set the unknown longevity of the operating system. Any questions...feel free to email me.
32 of 33 found the following review helpful:
Very Pleased with this CamcorderMay 16, 2006
By T. Turner
Just got this camcorder last week after researching for about 2 weeks. Our MiniDV camcorder was on this blink and we decided it was time to jump to the MiniDVD format. The thing I like about this format is the ability to quickly view footage both on the camcorder and on TV after finalizing the disc. Our main use will be in recording our children, so I don't currently have a need performing time-consuming conversions and editing that the minDV format requires to produce a DVD. Picture quality is equal to, if not better that my Sony TRV-18 miniDV camcorder. Low light shots are very good as advertised.
I like the idea that I can easily copy the miniDVD to a 12cm DVD using the software that came with the camcorder. By utilizing miniDVD-RWs, I can copy the completed disc to the 12cm format and reuse the miniDVD-RW. That will be a big cost savings since the miniDVD-Rs run about $2-3 each versus 50 cents for the 12cm DVD-R.
If you think you are ready for the miniDVD format, I highly recommend this camcorder.
30 of 31 found the following review helpful:
Satisfaction Guaranteed...Apr 03, 2006
By P. Panikkasseri
I bought this camera two weeks ago. Got a chance to record and review its performance indoor and out doors. So far I am very much pleased with the performance. Crisp HD like Video and good 5.1 surround audio. I did some research before buying this camera, I even tried a Panasonic PV GS 250 before buying this one. Eventhough Video quality was close at day light, I did not like its low light performance. From my experience most of the home videos are made at home ( no surprise!) under normal indoor lighting conditions. PV-GS 250 has a lot of options to improve performance by manually adjusting the setting. I still prefer the sony way of leaving the user to get the best shot without worrying about the settings. DVD405 has sharp video ( I saw some reviews saying DVD405 not being sharp enough!!, They are absolutely wrong.) Better skin tones and overall very good video and audio. I am glad I bought this one.
Pros: Better Video and Audio, Cheaper in its class
Cons: Audio 5.1 may not raise to your expectations ( May need a supplementary microphone for its full capability).
See all 73 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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