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Compare most popular Digital-Camcorders to Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405

Product Name Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405

Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF200

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505

Canon DC40

Canon DC40

Release Date 01/19/2006 04/01/2009 03/15/2009 01/19/2006 03/30/2006
Price Range Check latest prices » $600 Check latest prices » $549-$890 Check latest prices » $379-$599 Check latest prices » $700 Check latest prices » $499
Review Summary The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405 is a solid DVD camcorder, as long as you don't mind fiddling with a touch-screen interface on a too-small display. While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking. You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100. Full-featured but somewhat bulky, the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505 DVD camcorder matches its MiniDV competitors in most areas, while offering the convenience of direct-to-disc recording. The Canon DC40 definitely deserves a spot on your short list of DVD camcorders.
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Basic Specs

Product Type Camcorder Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder - 1080i Camcorder Camcorder
Enclosure Color Gray Black Silver
Digital Zoom 120 x 300 x 120 x 120 x 200 x
Effective Sensor Resolution 2.05 megapixels 2.99 megapixels
Total Pixels 3.3 megapixels 3.89 megapixels 2.1 megapixels
Optical Sensor Size 1/3" 1/4" 1/5" 1/3" 1/2.8"
Optical Sensor Type Advanced HAD CCD CMOS ClearVid CMOS CMOS CCD
Min Illumination 0 lux 0.4 lux 0 lux 0.6 lux
Analog Video Format NTSC NTSC NTSC NTSC
Special Effects Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Old Movie, Luminance Key Art, Ball, Cube, Wave, Sepia, Mirror, Mosaic, Color Mask, Black & White
Image Stabilizer Electronic (Super Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange) Optical (Steady Shot) Electronic (Super Steady Shot) Electronic
Digital Scene Transition Wipe fader, Black fader, White fader, Overlap fader Wipe fader, Black fader, White fader, Overlap fader Beam, Flip, Jump, Tide, Puzzle, Zigzag, Wipe fader, Black fader, Corner wipe
Min Shutter Speed 1/4 sec 1/60 sec 1/4 sec 1/6 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/1000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/2000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode
Shooting Programs Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & ski, Portrait mode, Sports lesson, Sunset & moon Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait mode, Twilight mode Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & ski, Portrait mode, Sports lesson, Sunset & moon Snow, Beach, Sunset, Foliage, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Slow shutter, Portrait mode, Stitch assist, Super night mode
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white) Indoor, Outdoor Indoor, Outdoor Shade, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white)
Exposure Modes Program, Automatic Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic Program, Automatic Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority
Camera Flash Built-in Built-in flash Built-in flash Built-in flash
Digital Video Format AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVCHD, MPEG-2 MPEG-2
Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction Auto mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
Features AF illuminator
Widescreen Video Capture Yes Yes Yes Yes
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