Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Hard Drive Digital Camcorder (0.68MP, 40x Opt, 2000x Dig, 2.7

Sony DCR-SR42 Handycam

DCR-SR42 30GB Hard Drive Digital Camcorder (0.68MP, 40x Opt, 2000x Dig, 2.7 Review, by Tracey Capen May 18, 2007

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• Latest User Reviews 1 review
• Reviewed by: LilaSolosano2

  Duration of ownership: 2 Months

• Reviewed by: schicb01

  Strengths: Compact, decent video, convenient easy to use

  Weaknesses: IT DIED AFTER 9 MONTHS. I never used it too much in the 9 months I had it. Never abused it, dropped it, let it get wet.

  Overall: My camcorder died last week while on vacation. I called SONY, they had me push the reset button, didnt help. Now I need to send it back for repair and pay $102.01. I am quite dissapointed that they dont warranty their products for at least 1 year parts and labor.

• Reviewed by: sudheer348

  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

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: imran2

  Strengths: better camcorder out there.

  Weaknesses: Everything about this camcorder.

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: NilesCrane

  Strengths: Easy to use, compact.

  Weaknesses: MGEG2 files, poor Image Quality, no viewfinder.

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: coonsdr1

  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

  Overall: 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!! :)