Quick Review Camcorders: Sony DCR-DVD405

The DVD405’s sensor offers 3.31 gross MP, an impressive imager that gave very good video in bright light. It had much more accurate color than last year. The DVD505, which costs $200 more than the DVD405, looked nearly identical. Neither camcorder did very well with curved and horizontal lines, which showed “stair-stepping.” This may be the result of too much sharpening or the high compression rate of DVD.

Low light performance was very good, thanks to the large imager. Brightness decreased only slightly, and the colors were very good. Noise increased, naturally, though it was a fine grain noise.

Using the DVD405 is easy, and a great camcorder for beginners. A large Easy button on the side of the body sets the camcorder in full auto mode, which is great (like on all Sonys). Auto responses are quick and accurate. Those inclined could restrict themselves to point and shoot operation for the life of the camcorder with no problems. This is the strength of a Sony.

More experienced users might find this too restrictive. The menu system is a “user-friendly” touch screen LCD. While simple to operate, it is not a speedy system by any means. Also, the screen is prone to picking up fingerprints and grease, smudging the very device you are using to gauge picture quality. We much prefer a joystick.

Still features on the DVD405 are good. It can record JPEGs to MemoryStick Duo and MemoryStick Pro Duo cards at sizes up to 2016 x 1512 (3MP) in 4:3 aspect ratio and 2016 x 1134 (2.3MP) in 16:9 aspect ratio. No MemoryStick comes included. There is a flash, burst mode, and bracketing mode. The stills were extremely sharp, but the colors appeared flat.

Like the DVD505, the 405 offers 5.1 channel Dolby Surround Sound. We are not dismissing that this is technically true. However, preliminary tests by our staff indicate that the sound is far from what most people would expect from surround sound. There was very little difference in the information between channels. Just so you know, this is not Hollywood sound.

If you were forced to choose between the DVD405 and DVD505, the 405 is probably the better choice. There were not enough differences between them to warrant the $200 increase. But the Panasonic VDR-D300 tops them both, with better performance and much better manual control. However, we recognize that ease of use is the top concern for many users, so we recommend checking both of them out before you make a decision.

Sony DCR-DVD405 THE BOTTOM LINE Rating: 207.59

Likes

-Well placed in-camcorder flash -Easy mode -Zoom toggle -Thumbnail playback menu structure

Dislikes

-High compression levels with DVD format -Minimal manual control capabilities -Mic input can only be engaged through the proprietary hot shoe and thus only with Sony brand products -Poorly structured menus are controlled through touch screen interface (not a preferred interface)

Sony DCR-DVD 403 Rating: 210.65	Sony DCR-DVD 505 Rating: 215.73	Sony DCR-DVD 305 Rating:	Panasonic VDR-D250 Rating:	JVC GZ-MG37 Rating: 166.87
Better	Better	Better	Better	Better
-Video performance and resolution will result in more accurate and sharper video	-3.5 inch LCD with 211,200 pixel count is far simpler to navigate with  -1/3-inch, 4.0 gross MP ClearVID CMOS  -Still image max. resolution is larger  -Smooth Slow Record mode	-Lower price at $699 -Included 5.1 Dolby microphone allows for better audio position	-Manual control over aperture, shutter speed, and gain levels -SD card slot -External control layout that doesn't involve complicated touch-screen menus -Menu structures are logical	-SD card slot for still images  -S-video out port in addition to AV out  -Lower price range  -Longer recording times (7 hours in high quality mode) with HDD  -Manual control over shutter speed  -Controllable gain levels  -32x optical zoom  -Wide angle field of view is 55 degrees
Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal
-No manual control over shutter speed or gain  -Manual focus through touch screen interface  -Currently similar price range of $900 onilne  -Manual control over gain and white balance  -10x optical zoom lens  -Thumbnail structure for playback menus  -Audio capabilities  -MPEG2 compression on video files  -18 minute max. recording time -Electronic Image Stabilization -2.7 inch LCD screen with 123K resolution	-Video performance in terms of color and accuracy  -In camcorder flash position  -Audio options  -DVD format  -Sony Proprietary still image media only  -Electronic color viewfinder  -Manual control over focus, exposure, white balance all through the touch screen interface  -Active Interface proprietary hot shoe	-Active Interface proprietary hot shoe  -2.7 inch LCD with touch screen interface  -Electronic image stabilization  -DVD recording format  -Audio recording options  -Analog to digtal pass through  -Active Interface proprietary hot shoe  -Manual exposure settings	-Similar price range  -10x optical zoom  -Electronic color viewfinder  -2.7 inch LCD screen  -Manual focus, exposure, and white balance  -Electronic image stabilization	-2.7 inch LCD (this is not touchscreen)  -Manual control over focus is digital  -Manual white balance  -Manual control over exposure  - MPEG2 compression format -Electronic image stabilization
Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse
-Poorly positioned side-flash unit  -A wide angle field of view one degree less at 46 degrees  -Non-pivoting electronic color viewfinder  -No still media option besides recording to DVD	-Higher price range at $1100 MSRP -Worse resolution results -Slightly larger and heavier frame	-Terrible viewfinder design  -Video quality suffers in comparison to the 405  -Smaller imager size	- Smaller CCD size of 1/6th inch -Easy mode isn't the rudimentary option of the DVD405	-Dull and lackluster video quality  -Poor video resolution  -No viewfinder  -Limited audio options  -Video resolution  -Terrible menu design is confusing and devoid of logic   -Direct to DVD feature is an extra step when compared to the DVD format of the 405