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Customer Reviews for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
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Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Model: HDR-SR5
SKU: 8346159
UPC: 027242719651
Keep pace with the action with this camcorder that features smooth slow recording for improved capture of the winning goal or other fast-paced events. The high-definition image sensor captures intense and vivid detail and crisp color.999.99
Average Customer Rating:
4.3
out of 5
(20 Reviews) 20
Rating Snapshot 20 reviews
5 stars
10
4 stars
8
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
1
95% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
19 out of
20)
Customer Reviews for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Review 1 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
A Quality Product
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Treemistruss
from Springfield, MO
on 07/21/2008
The videos look professional. They have a crisp look and they are easy to upload online. I was happy with the ease of use for this camcorder. When pictures look that good, you want to use it all the time.
At some point I would love to be able to use it with Vista.
At some point I would love to be able to use it with Vista.
What's great about it: Videos look professional, easy to use
What's not so great: It's not yet compatible with Vista
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 2 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Fun toy with lots of features
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: heydoug
from Illinois
on 07/06/2008
This was a purchase to replace a higher-end Sony Digital 8 camcorder I purchased in 1999. So this one is VERY much lighter and smaller that what we're used to. I've been impressed with the ease of transfer to the computer and the fact that each video clip is one smaller file rather than with tape being the giant file you had to carve up. We've had it for almost 2 months now. We haven't gone on a trip yet, but if you do, I'd recommend getting a bigger battery as the standard one lasts only 96 minutes. Anyway, I've made several video movies and burned them to DVD since having this toy. Our family has enjoyed it since we've uploaded the videos to our web site for them to see as well.
What's great about it: Light, small, great quality in good light, easy software
What's not so great: poor quality in lower/normal indoor light
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 3 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
BEWARE BEFORE YOU BUY
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: hippychic
from ohio
on 12/23/2007
After having this Video camera for 1 week and 2 trips to best buy and a talk with the Sony tech. Beware of these issues before you buy: The software supplied is not compatible with Vista so you need to purchase additional software. You must have a blue ray DVD player to view you HD DVDs and your computer must have a BLUE RAY DVD Burner to burn in HD. You can use the SD Quality video but then why buy and HD video cam corder if you can't use the HD features with out buying all the other stuff to go with it.
I decided to return this camcorder instead of spending and extra $750 on all the stuff needed to us the HD Quality.
I decided to return this camcorder instead of spending and extra $750 on all the stuff needed to us the HD Quality.
What's great about it: Great Quality Videa
What's not so great: software not compatible with Vista
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-3points
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Review 4 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Great HD Camcorder
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Digitalguy
from New Jersey
on 10/12/2007
I upgraded from an antique Panasonic model that was about 10 years old, so of course this model is a huge step forward. The video quality is great. All of our TVs are HD with HDMI inputs, so connecting the camera to watch what you have just shot is simple. The sound from the 5.1 mic is great also, better then I expected.
Sony Vegas Studio is an additional purchase / download from Sony, about $120. But, you can download a 30 free trial version to try out. This should have been included in a camcorder costing around $1000. However, it makes editing and burning to DVD an easy experience. I see several people complain about the touch screen control system, but I find it easy to use.
One drawback is the base station, you have to use it for transferring files to the computer and to charge the batteries. I guess this was intended to get you to purchase the optional charger. Without it, you can't have a battery charging while you use the camera. However, I have found that the battery capacity is very good.
Sony Vegas Studio is an additional purchase / download from Sony, about $120. But, you can download a 30 free trial version to try out. This should have been included in a camcorder costing around $1000. However, it makes editing and burning to DVD an easy experience. I see several people complain about the touch screen control system, but I find it easy to use.
One drawback is the base station, you have to use it for transferring files to the computer and to charge the batteries. I guess this was intended to get you to purchase the optional charger. Without it, you can't have a battery charging while you use the camera. However, I have found that the battery capacity is very good.
What's great about it: No tapes or discs, excellent image quality, ease of transferring files, instantly find clips with no searching
What's not so great: Doesn’t come with Sony Vegas Movie Studio, base station.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
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Review 5 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
cool device
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: jakefeb3
on 10/10/2007
This is a great camera becuase of the hard drive. It allows you to easily break apart and catalog your shots.
What's great about it: hard drive, easy to catalog
What's not so great: not as many options as professional cameras
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
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Review 6 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Great Camera
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: hooligan
on 09/22/2007
Great picture quality! Night shot works good with built in infared light. Easy transfer of video from camera to pc. Also works great for taking still photos, even while recording video.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 7 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Awsome!!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: nicageo
from San Francisco, CA
on 09/18/2007
Great quality videos and pix!!
The camera is absolutely easy to use! It works best if you have the NERO dvd burner since it allows you to burn High Def videos!
I love this camera!!
The camera is absolutely easy to use! It works best if you have the NERO dvd burner since it allows you to burn High Def videos!
I love this camera!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 8 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Sony HD Editing
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Prosumer
from Clarence Center, NY
on 09/18/2007
I moved up to Sony HD from a solid 10 year use of a Sony SD video camera. The video quality is amazing and the HD has more than enough space for hours of video. I took the camera on vacation and it did an amazing job, the videos are stunning.
Transfering it to my PC Hard Drive is so easy with the included software. I had to buy Pinnacle Studio 11 software to allow me to edit the video and make DVD, HD DVD, and streaming online versions of my movies. Currently, I am streaming all my movies from my Windows Media Center PC through the XBox 360 in HD to my HD TV and really loving the quality. When HD DVD recorders are available I will burn the content to this format. I also know that Nero's latest software is a good program for editing the content. The fomat that is used by Sony, naturally, is native Blue-Ray so it goes easily to Blue-Ray format. I hope that this clarifies some of the editing questions.
Transfering it to my PC Hard Drive is so easy with the included software. I had to buy Pinnacle Studio 11 software to allow me to edit the video and make DVD, HD DVD, and streaming online versions of my movies. Currently, I am streaming all my movies from my Windows Media Center PC through the XBox 360 in HD to my HD TV and really loving the quality. When HD DVD recorders are available I will burn the content to this format. I also know that Nero's latest software is a good program for editing the content. The fomat that is used by Sony, naturally, is native Blue-Ray so it goes easily to Blue-Ray format. I hope that this clarifies some of the editing questions.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 9 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Great Camera
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Snowbound187
from Warwick, RI
on 09/17/2007
This camera is great I love it the picture is so clear and bright it's unbeleavable
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 10 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
awesome video
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: kholeinone
from VA
on 09/17/2007
This handycam is truly amazing. Sony did a great job with capturing awesome colors and outstanding video quality. The night vision is truly amazing. I've been shooting video for a week now and have had no problems with battery life or anything else. A very easy to use and understand camera. Love the touch screen.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 11 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Amazing 1080 Playback!!!!!!!!!
Customer Rating
5.0
As I have said before with the VGN-CR123E Laptop, SONY ROCKS!!!!!! Great SONY product for the price and a must have to Rec. and store family moments.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 12 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Great Camera
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: MarcU
from NJ
on 09/14/2007
The Sony HDR-SR5 is a great camera. We purchased this camera to record our new daughter. This is a simple camera to use and the features are great. It is real easy to attach the dock and upload the videos to Google. I would highly recommend this camera to others. The 40GB hard drive is more than enough space to record the moments.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 13 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Great product
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: jayhawker77
from maryland
on 09/14/2007
This is a great product. The high definition is great and the camera is easy to use. I recomend this to anyone looking to get a high definition camera.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 14 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
i like it alot
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: lianoosh
from la, CA
on 09/14/2007
It is really great and i really like the hard drive. the zoom is also great and im really happy i got this camera. i also got a light to go with it for parties when it tends to get dark and you dont want a green night vision light.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 15 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Looks great but lacking in software
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: mynxdog
from New Orleans
on 09/13/2007
I like the camera but am really disappointed with the teenie software program that came with it to edit. I tried to find compatible software to edit video but there isn't any yet. Fairly easy to use/figure out the controls, lightweight camera, typical of Sony products.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 16 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Bought this after Returning Another Brand Camcorde
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: deziner912
from Warner Robins, GA
on 09/12/2007
I returned another brand cam and stepped up to high def with this one. Was disappointed in the other brands video quality.
This camera has good video quality, compared to the standard def the other brand. Can get a touch grainy sometimes when the image stabilization kicks in, but overall, very nice. Lots of good features. Good battery life. Easy to transfer video. Software is ok, nothing elaborate.
My biggest disappointment was not having an external microphone hookup. I had to order an adapter to fit into the active interface shoe so I could use a wireless microphone. The onboard microphone (dolby digital 5.1 surround sound) does a good job in small areas. I used it to record our church services from the back of the sanctuary, but the sound is not very good in this large of an indoor area. Haven't tried a zoom mic or outside yet, but with the adapter I hope to get better sound quality plugging into the church sound system and using a wireless microphone that I ordered.
The night vision is great! My kids were amazed when it could record them in what seemed like a pitch black room! Haven't explored the full capabilities of this yet. Active interface shoe will allow hookup of an infra
The Handycam Station is nice. You can recharge from it or hook up to your television or pc. It came with several cables, USB, S-Video, RC, etc. Only thing it did not come with was the HDMI interface cable, that was a dissappointment.
Also, not having a viewfinder is a little disappointing. I haven't tried to record in bright sunlight yet, but understand that could be a bit hard with just the LCD.
Accessories such as lens, filters, etc. can be found at reasonable prices. I've already bought a zoom lens, wide angle lens and a 3 set of filters at a very good price. Also a brand name wireless microphone.
Overall: Easy to use, good video quality, and a nice camera. Sony is definitely the best in the market in my opinion.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 17 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Great HD Camcorder
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: scorsese
from Phoenix Metro, AZ
on 09/10/2007
This is the best camcorder I have ever owned. With a 40 GB hard drive, you never have to worry about finding a blank tape or DVD. Excellent picture quality (except in low light). I would recommend this camera to anyone.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 18 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Excellent Value - High Def!!
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Balshk
from Cincinnati
on 09/09/2007
By far the best value HD camera available. Very easy to figure out how to use, outstanding video quality and very good still photos (4 MP). Also excellent to have an HDMI port out to the TV for easy hookup and HD output. Only downside is that the battery life is short at a bit more than 2 hrs and extra batteries are expensive. Also, at this price it would be nice if Sony included a carrying case.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 19 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Best Camcorder Ever
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: allan75
from Champaign, IL
on 09/09/2007
I bought this for almost a week already and I'm very much pleased with it. I've been searching for a good camcorder for a good price and this is what I found. Its very compact and lightweight. It has a bright and clear LCD screen. Its very easy to use and all the functions are user-friendly. One need not to be a pro for this. The video looks great, thanks to HD.
I didn't put a 5 star for this because of its battery. Its pretty good that you can record for 13-15 hours of video with its 40 gig hard drive, but you'll only have 2 hours for your battery and you need to bring a spare if you don't want to lose your fun and that would cost you a $100 to $200. But for me its nothing because this gives me what I wanted. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.
I didn't put a 5 star for this because of its battery. Its pretty good that you can record for 13-15 hours of video with its 40 gig hard drive, but you'll only have 2 hours for your battery and you need to bring a spare if you don't want to lose your fun and that would cost you a $100 to $200. But for me its nothing because this gives me what I wanted. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Review 20 for Sony Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 40GB Hard Drive & Color Touch-Panel LCD
Great Item!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: swjohnson79
from Peoria, AZ
on 09/09/2007
Love the quality of the still pictures and video. Easy to use, easy to figure out, good battery life, and love the accessories it has to offer!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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