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| Date Reviewed: 08/09/2007 |
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Strengths: -Very easy to use
-Good quality filming
Weaknesses: -Does not come with many accessories, need to buy case separately and does not have a remote control
-Battery life isn't the greatest at about 90 minutes; I suggest purchasing a backup battery
Summary: Sony makes a great product and this hard drive camera is great. It is compact and lightweight, and there is also no hassle with tapes or DVDs. I really appreciate all the film it holds and the 40x optical zoom is amazing. I went to film at a football practice and I was pretty high up in the stands and could easy see players on the opposite sideline with the zoom. Hard drive cameras are the future of camcorder technology. You may consider it a bit inconvenient to have to put the camera in the docking station to transfer video to the computer, but it really doesn't bother me too much. You just have one other thing to plug in and people seem to act like that is a huge inconvenience. This is a great camera with terrific value if you purchase it at the right place. I would recommend it to anyone who isn't a professional!! :)
 96% of People (43/45) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/11/2007 |
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Strengths: Quick start-up, great for everyone, nice feature set.
Weaknesses: 0.68MP lens, small starter battery
Summary: I went with the DCR-SR42 over the JVC MG-130. Both were very similar, but the Sony saves movies as standard MPG files vs. JVC's .MOD files... whatever those are. I also suggest that you buy a bigger battery. The stock battery will give you a solid 60-70 minutes of recording, but considering you have a 30 GB HDD, you quickly put aside recording times and lengths. I added a NP-FH100 and am thrilled.
96% of People (22/23) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/14/2007 |
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Strengths: EASY, EASY, EASY TO USE, great video quality, software easy to install and use.
Weaknesses: Battery a bit hard to put on, my camcorder doesn't sit flush against the docking station (I have to hold it down to get the videos to download), battery life is short (90 mins).
Summary: This camcorder is INCREDIBLY easy to use. I had it out of the box and after the battery charged (120 mins later), I was testing the camcorder out.
All I did was set the "Easy" function (explained in the manual) and I was using the camcorder in a matter of minutes. The Touchpad viewfinder/monitor is awesome, and makes the camcorder extremely user-friendly. This really is a "Point & Shoot" camcorder.
The docking station is very easy to hook up to the computer, by way of the provided USB cable. The video quality of the camcorder looks great on my computer (I'm using Windows XP Home), and the audio quality is just as good as the video quality, on the computer.
I haven't tried hooking the camcorder up to my 40" LCD TV to see how the video looks on that, but I'm perfectly happy with the way it looks and sounds on my computer.
I haven't used the still image function on the camcorder and don't plan to. That's why I have a 5.0 MP digital camera. I use this camcorder strictly for video taking during trips, birthdays, vacations, family gatherings, etc.
I also have not tried the one button "Disc Burn" function yet. But I'll be trying that out some time soon.
This camcorder does have a few downfalls, described above, but the pros FAR outweigh the cons. Also, if you're going to buy this camcorder, you might wanna consider putting out the money to get a good quality carrying case, and an extra battery.
Overall, I'm extremely happy with the purchase of my new camcorder, and don't see myself needing another one in the near future.
92% of People (46/50) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/26/2007 |
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Strengths: Long recording hrs if we have enough battery
Weaknesses: No USB connection in camcorder body. We should use the camcorder station to connect to download.
Summary: 2007-04-27 13:47:59 I love it. Can't find anything bad yet. My parents are going to buy the same one!
This is really tiny and light since it doesn't have DVD or tape in it.
You can recharge battery by connecting to camcorder itself or camcorder station, but no USB connection on camcorder body.
It's very easy to use. Simple but works great!
I used different camcorders before, but so far I think SONY is the best for the movie quality as many people mention.
I love the software program, picture motion browser, which came with it too.
By that, we can organize any types of image files, not only video clips and pictures from camera with the calendar.
92% of People (11/12) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/26/2007 |
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 OK Camcorder...Not the best Strengths: Compact, Lots of storage, easy to use
Weaknesses: No light, The UV Protector (detachable) made my films look dirty, Resolution not up to my standards.
Summary: I brought this camcorder on my trip to Europe and It handled well. However, there were times at night when a light would have come in handy for this camera. Also, the UV protection lens that came with my camera easily left fingerprint marks and dust on my films. I suggest not using one unless you can keep it absolutely clean. The zoom on this thing is amazing. As far as storage, 30gb was plenty for me-advertising 20hrs. of recording. The touch screen is nice and easy to navigate. I highly recommend buying a bigger battery for the camcorder. Also, you cannot charge the battery while it is off of the camcorder--it can only be charged while docked. That is a huge disadvantage, especially if you're switching from one battery to another. When viewing the videos on my TV, it did not give me as good of a resolution that I had hoped. For home videos, this camera will do. For great quality video, look elsewhere.
87% of People (13/15) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 05/08/2007 |
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Strengths: Easy to use and create a DVD!
Good picture even has no enough light.
Handy size and weight.
Weaknesses: Don't try to use the still camera. Poor quality picture.
Battery is so so. Extra one is necessary for traveling.
Software and user manuel are not friendly.
Doesn't have an USB port on this camcorder.
Summary: This is a nice camcoder for me and almost meets all my requirements. Since it has no USB port, you have to carry the cradle when you are traveling if you want to transfer your video to the laptop.
86% of People (12/14) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 05/31/2007 |
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Strengths: 40X Zoom, Picture quality
Weaknesses: no usb port. always carry handycam station
Summary: worth buying . 30 GB memory and 40X optical zoom..Look wise its gud. Got best deal @ $466.00 from electronics express. This is my first camcoder and i found everything in it i was looking for..
86% of People (6/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/04/2007 |
- NilesCrane
- Member Since:
Oct 2007
View Member's:
Reviews
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 I Returned It Strengths: Easy to use, compact.
Weaknesses: MGEG2 files, poor Image Quality, no viewfinder.
Summary: 2007-10-04 05:45:54 I returned this item after one weeks' use. First: I discovered that it records MPEG2 video files to its drive, which cannot be imported into Windows Movie Maker. I had to download a file converting utility program from the web, and the encoded files lose quality.
Even before any encoding or editing, the quality of the video is shockingly POOR, even when viewed on my 19" monitor. A pretty expensive camera for this "quality".
Most of the controls are on the flip-out touch screen, and there is no optical viewfinder.Fine in the house, but nearly unusable in bright light (now that the screen you are trying to view on is covered with fingerprints)
The sound quality was o.k, but the microphone wouldn't handle a loud concert, even when set on "low". Tha autofocus was also somehow affected by loud noises.
80% of People (8/10) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/04/2007 |
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Strengths: I had never used a camcorder before and had one week from time of purchase to learn the basics. I was able to do basic recording and the result was pretty good.
Weaknesses: Instructions on transferring the data to a DVD via a DVD burner on a DVD player were not available. I didn't like having to go to the computer to look at the PDF file for instructions.
Summary: I was able to call SONY tech support and they were wonderful in walking me through creating a DVD.
The camera is small, light and is easy to use, but there are so many things I know it is capable of doing and I need to take the time to figure them out. It would be nice if there were a few pages at the beginning of the instructions that gave basic lessons- e.g. connecting the camcorder to the PC; charging the battery; viewing footage on a TV.
80% of People (8/10) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/07/2007 |
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Strengths: Quality of the video, ease of use and downloading process of video to DVD burner.
Weaknesses: None!
Summary: It definitely meets all my needs. I was looking for something reasonably priced, but yet high in quality. I researched camcorders for over 6 weeks to be sure I would be satisfied with what ever choice I made. This Sony product is not your top of the line model, but when I compared the LUX ratings on several other products, this one had the lowest (LUX 3) of all at this price range. The functions are simple enough to take it right out the box, charge the battery and start using it. Not to mention the hard drive camcorders are definitelythe way to go. I can grab up the camcorder on my way out the door and not have to worry about anything other than to be sure my battery is charged...get an extra battery to help eliminate this problem.
So far, I am very pleased with my purchase and would recommend Buydig, Price grabber and Sony Products to anyone!
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/16/2007 |
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Strengths: light weight, easy to use, great picture quality
Weaknesses: no direct camera/PC connection, short life batter included
Summary: I upgraded, a major one at that, to this camera from a Sony TVR-46. The size difference alone is a huge step ahead. I like the comfort and feel of the DCR-SR42. It is light weight and easy to use right out of the box. A light would be nice or a slot to add one, but that is the upgrade to the SR82. Otherwise, this is an excellent camera for the price. Sony is the way to go!
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/27/2007 |
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Strengths: compact design, easy to use, Good Videos
Weaknesses: 0.68 Megapixels lens, Small battery life, bad still photos, no mounting shoe for video light
Summary: It has compact design and easy to hold in hand. I can take good videos in light and
as well as minimum light, Thought we will not get adequate image quality in very low light,
but not too bad. If you are more concerned about taking videos in low light then, get some
extensible light holder and video light you can overcome this drawback also.
I took videos in different modes like EP and HQ and looks awesome. in HQ mode, with
FH40 battery i got nearly 25 mins of battry life and planning to buy another battery FH70
as backup when i get good deal.
Took some Still images and are very bad. I dont recommend taking pictures using
this camcoder. i recommend to use this for taking videos only. Since i took this comacoder
to take videos in home functions, birthday parties and in-house gatherings, i don't expect
high def quality and features from this.
In high Zoom, image gets un-stabilized and will not be able to record target in good
quality. so zoom is of no use.
Tryed to create the DVD and process is very easy with Vista also.
Overall, i feel happy that camcoder serving for the money i spent.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/29/2007 |
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this is a good camcorder for a youtube, but not for the real picture.
Strengths: small, easy to uses.
Weaknesses: short battery life, finger prints on the display, youtube quality picture.
Summary: i purchased sony dcr-sr42 because it uses hard drive, small, and looked good.
i guess the look has nothing to do with how it works, however.
1. the quality of the video is really so so. i should have listened what Cnet.com said.... don't buy the camcorder because of the the quality of the video. my mistake... the quality of the video is the worst camcorder i have ever seen.
but, i believe it is good enough for youtube...
2. the LCD screen is touch screen and it looks like finger print magnetic. after using about 3o minutes, i very see anything on the screen because of the finger prints...
3. Battery life is really short. the battery lasts about 1 and half hours. Maybe i'm expecting too much f However,when you open the package, it says "UP TO 10 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE"... 10 HOURS...
in my case, the battery lasted little more than 1hour... i don't know how to set up the camcorder to make last 10 hours... but something for sure... it will last more than 10 hours if you put AC into the camcorder. otherwise, don't expect more than 2hours..
(i'm thinking of class action depends on the respond from Sony... since it is a deception.)
so, if you don't care about a video quality, battery life and care about the size of the camcorder, this is a good buy. otherwise, stay away...
40% of People (4/10) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/31/2007 |
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 Waste of money!! Strengths: better camcorder out there.
Weaknesses: Everything about this camcorder.
Summary: This 30GB HD camcorder is the worst, you can buy something 10X better than this camcorder.
After using it for 3 days the HD started to make sounds, I called the sony support and they suggested I send it back to them for repairs. I just bought a new product and I have to send it back to sony for repairs, I don't think so.
I exchanged from the retail store I bought it. After a week later the 2nd Camcorder started the similar problem.
That made me think, what if maybe a year from now this HD Cam goes bad you have wasted your money for throw away camcorder, atleast with miniDV or DVD camcorder you can replace the disc. This had only one solution spend more money to get it repaired or buy a warrenty to last you atleast 5 years.
I called sony again and complained, they took the camcorder sent me a new one and gave me a 5 year warrenty for free.
Since that final exchange the camcorder has been working fine. But for the quality and headche it's really not worth it.
40% of People (2/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/05/2007 |
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Strengths: SMALL , GREAT PICTURE AND MOVIE
Weaknesses: THE BODY IS VERY CHEAP AND BATERRY
Summary: WHEN I SEE THIS CAMERA IN BEST BUY I LOVE I BUY AND I SEE THIS IS THE BEST CAMERA I OWNER BUT THE CASE IS VERY CHEAP PLASTIC YOU PAY 550.00 FOR PLASTIC SONY ALL THE TIME MAKE GREAT STUFF BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAMERA IS THE BATTERY ONLY YOU CAN RECORD MAYBE 90 MINUTES OR LESS YOU CAN BUY ONE EXTENDER BATTERY FOR 180.00 DLLS AGAIN TO EXPENSIVE BUT IS REALLY EASY TO USED GREAT MOVIES THE PICTURES THE QUALITY 3 STAR NO BAD THE BUTTONS EASY NAVIGATION
28% of People (7/25) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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