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Compare most popular Digital-Camcorders to Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

Product Name Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF200

Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (silver)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (silver)

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)

Canon Vixia HG20

Canon Vixia HG20

Release Date 02/01/2008 04/01/2009 02/01/2009 03/15/2009 09/15/2008
Price Range Check latest prices » $300-$730 Check latest prices » $549-$890 Check latest prices » $310-$400 Check latest prices » $379-$599 Check latest prices » $750-$900
Review Summary If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time. 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. If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47. 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. Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG20 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price.
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Basic Specs

Product Type Camcorder Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder Camcorder - 1080i Camcorder - 1080p
Digital Zoom 2000 x 300 x 2000 x 120 x 200 x
Optical Sensor Size 1/6" 1/4" 1/8" 1/5" 1/3.2"
Optical Sensor Type Advanced HAD CCD CMOS Advanced HAD CCD ClearVid CMOS CMOS
Min Illumination 0 lux 0.4 lux 6 lux 0.2 lux
Digital Video Format MPEG-2 AVCHD, MPEG-4 MPEG-2 AVCHD, MPEG-2 AVCHD
Special Effects Sepia, Pastel, Monotone, Old Movie
Image Stabilizer Electronic (Super Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange) Electronic (Steady Shot) Optical (Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange)
Digital Scene Transition Black fader, White fader Black fader, White fader
Min Shutter Speed 1/4 sec 1/4 sec 1/60 sec 1/2 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/1000 sec 1/2000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode
Shooting Programs Snow, Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Twilight mode Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Snow, Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Twilight mode Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait mode, Twilight mode Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, 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, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (warm white)
Exposure Modes Program, Automatic Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic Program, Automatic Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority
Exposure Metering Spot, Matrix
Camera Flash None Built-in flash Built-in flash
Widescreen Video Capture Yes Yes Yes Yes
Effective Sensor Resolution 2.99 megapixels
Total Pixels 3.89 megapixels 3.3 megapixels
Analog Video Format NTSC NTSC
Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction Auto mode, Red-eye reduction
Features AF illuminator
Enclosure Color Black
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