Sony DCR-SR42 ¿ Camcorder Digital Handycam de 30Gb

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

Very easy to handle and transfer the files and finally making the DVD

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

strengs are : userfriendly, easy to handle and easy to move files to computer

a built in light would be nice to have!

I really recommend

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

I use this for home memories, parties, picnics.
Can't get better. 30 gig, a lot of space.come home, download to pc, or press the burn button on the base, and it burns the ideo files to DVD.
ove the camera.
anoop

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

very nice camcorder. high quality videos. low price. easy to use.

ideal for first time HDD camcorder users

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

I bought this to record my opera performances, and use the DVD I make for audition purposes and to catalogue my performances. I love everything about this camcorder except for the image quality.

I took the camcorder traveling and took a variety of "test" video - different situations with different lighting, etcetera. I found that no matter what, the images were never sharp. This seems to be because of the c. 340,000 pixels. I wish I had realized this before purchasing or I would have upgraded to a model with higher pixels, rather than returning it and purchasing another. Also, I'd like to agree with other reviewers that there is a small delay with focusing when the camera moves, lighting situation changes, etc.

I love the size being smaller than my 35mm SLR camera, its great ease-of-use, it's very easy to use with my tripod (has typical screw-type hole in bottom of camcorder just like my digital and SLR camera, my tripod easy screws into this and I needed nothing additional), I don't mind not having a view-finder and having to use the built in screen. I find view-finders are hard to look through anyhow, and the batteries sold with the HandyCams have a zero-memory effect, so you can charge and recharge without losing how much time the battery will work for; also, there is a large range of batteries available for this camera; the biggest lasting a whopping 14 hours or so. Very neat.

Included software is a breeze, I particularly love the still photo option (you can take a still jpg out of any moment in your video with one click) and the video-trimming option as well.

The last camera I bought was 8 years ago for my wedding. This shows technology has come a long way, and prices on bhphoto are unmatched, with free extras included too.

I am SO happy to just plug this into my usb port to upload to DVD. With any other type of camcorder storage, I have to upload to VHS, and then find a friend who can burn a VHS to DVD. Now I am in total editing control; it's all over much easier and faster. I can use my computer's DVD burner. Hooray!

I am returning the DCR-SR42 and I have since ordered the DCR-SR200 - eagerly awaiting it to arrive to view the greatly improved pixel quality in the upgrade (millions of pixels instead of 340k).

Am not clear on sound quality yet for stage performances (have only recorded well-lit rehearsals so far), nor dark lighting issues from the stage. But I will say, when testing in my apartment, it did a great job with its night vision. It can shoot either infra-red (things look kind of green) and are not slurred, or you can turn that function off and I assume the camera slows down to accommodate low lighting situations. It still worked great for me in these test situations, and did not distort color once I turned off the infra-red option and put the color-enhance for low-light option on.

I found the included how-to pamphlet was not nearly as helpful as the adobe manual included in the software, or the DVD included by Sony.

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

Recently purchased this camera and loved using on our trip to Disney World. Comfortable, lightweight, easy to use and good video quality. So nice to not have to worry about having tapes or discs. Plenty of memory even on the highest quality video setting. [...]Thanks B&H, you've earned a new customer!

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

Since its a pretty basic camera im just going straight to the point: since its a HDD, you can record crazy hours continuous without worrying about tapes. the record time can outlast the 4 hour battery. its the perfect camera to take anywhere you go. if you are the type of person who just loves to record anything happening around them, doesnt pick on image quality, looking for the simplest camera to operate, this is it. hook this up to a standard tv and it looks totally fine. with so many hours to record and the lightness of it, it want to be everywhere you are! oh on top of that the crazy 40x OPTICAL zoom. its like having a spotting scope that records video at that range! you can get all kinds of snipe shots; its a generally, super fun camera to have!

Problems Encountered: No problems, although the 40x zoom on max gets a tad soft but who cares, your getting footage 3 or 4 times closer than most 10x optical zooms out there.

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

1. The camcorder does have a shoe for a tripod.2. Your not suppose to jerk the camera fast, the focus is just fine.3. It looks great on 36 screen don't know about larger.4. The still pictures off the video looks great up to 8 1/2 by 11. Didn't buy it to use as a still camera.5. The widescreen format works like a widescreen format. Thats the way its suppose to look.I am very satisfied with the whole package. It will serve my purpose with no problem. I'm bought it to take the Chile with me when I go hiking in the Andes.I highly recommend the Sony DCR-SR42

Expertise: 30 years of experience

Problems Encountered: None what so ever, I will have to get use to using the touch screen tho. I recommend you buy a protector for the screen, so you won't be damaging it.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: 2

Items I Recommend: extra battery

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

This was my first time using a HDD camcorder and it has been great not having to spend extra money on tapes. Sadly that is one of the only good things.

Expertise: Two years of schooling for videography, going on three.

Problems Encountered: Okay now we get to the real point.This camera has some problems. 1. It doesnt have a shoe, so you have to go out and buy an external one, and clip it where the tripod should go.2. It gets out of focus easily; you have to pan very slow.3. I'm not to crazy about the MPEG-2 format.4. It doesn't have a viewfinder.5. I dont think it records in real 16:9 widescreen. It seems to just crop out the top and bottom of your image.6. Lastly I find out the picture quality is a lot worse once I see it on a bigger screen.Save your money and get the DCR-SR200 or 300. Better yet go save up a bunch and get the Canon XH-A1, I can't wait until I do.

Items I Recommend: A wide angle lense.

Comments about Sony DCR-SR42 30GB Handycam Digital Camcorder:

I didn't know what quality to expect from a lens that has 40x optical zoom, but i must admit that the image quality is excellent. Sturdy design, easy to use, great camera. If I find anything negative in the future I will update my review.