Product Description

The DCR-SR42 Handycam(R) Camcorder captures video on the internal hard disk drive and keeps the action close & personal with the amazing zoom. That's why the DCR-SR42 Handycam(R) Camcorder contains 30GB built-in hard disk drive storage and allows you to capture up to 20 hours of recording time (LP). A brilliant 2.5-inch Touch Panel LCD display keeps the controls at your fingertips while a 40x optical and 2000x digital zoom makes sure you catch all the detail. And when it comes time to share your memories, it couldn't be easier with the one touch disc burn capability and the Memory Stick(R) Duo media slot. The DCR-SR42 puts the simplicity back into shooting and sharing your videos. Handycam Docking Station Built-in Stereo Microphone Recording and Playback Times - Approximately HQ 7 hours, SP 10 hours, LP 20 hours Video Actual - 260K Pixels Still Actual - 340K Pixels SteadyShot Image Stabilization White Balance - Auto, Indoor, One-push and Outdoor Minimum Illumination - 3 Lux (0 Lux with Super NightShot(R) Plus Infrared System) Low Light Capability - Super NightShot(R) Plus Scene Modes - Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Snow, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, Sunrise & Sunset and Twilight Analog Audio/Video Output Digital Audio/Video Inputs and Outputs 35mm Equivalent - 39-1560mm (16 - 9 Camera Mode), 36-1440mm (4 - 3 Camera Mode), 36-1440mm (4 - 3 Memory Mode) Lens Aperture - f1.8-4.1 Exposure - Touch Panel (32 steps) Filter Diameter - 30mm Focal Distance - 1.9-76mm; Telemacro Mode - 430mm Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/60-1/4000 (Scene Selection Mode) Power Consumption - 2.6W (LCD) Battery Type - InfoLithium(R) with AccuPower(TM) Meter System (NP-FH40) Power Requirements - 7.2V (battery pack), 8.4V (AC Adaptor) Video Recording System - NTSC color and EIA standards Compatibility - Windows 2000 Professional, XP Home and XP Professional Dimensions - 2 7/8

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #497 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Sony
• Model: SR42
• Dimensions: 6.50" h x 7.00" w x 7.60" l, .81 pounds
• Display size: 2.5
• Included Software: Yes

Features

• 30 GB built-in hard drive; record up to 20 hours
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens; 40x optical/2000x digital zoom
• 2.5-inch touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD
• Super SteadyShot picture stabilization system
• Handycam Station included; one-touch disc burn

Manufacturer Description
You're always making memories. So don't stop capturing them. The DCR-SR42 Handycam contains 30 GB of built-in Hard Disk Drive (HDD) storage for up to 20 hours of recording time (LP). A generous 2.5-inch touch-panel LCD monitor keeps all the controls at your fingertips, while 40x optical and 2000x digital zoom keep all the action up close and personal. And when it comes time to share your memories, it couldn't be easier than with the one-touch DVD burn capability and the Memory Stick Duo media slot. The DCR-SR42 puts the simplicity back into shooting and sharing your videos.

DCR-SR42 Highlights

1/6-inch Advanced HAD CCD imager 1/6-inch Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 340K effective pixels provides stunning detail and clarity for exceptional video (up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance.

40x optical/2000x digital zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario- Tessar lens Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating for increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

2.5-inch touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD The 2.5-inch LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity. The high-resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles and provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.

Handycam Station included Simply placing the camcorder on the supplied Handycam Station cradle provides quick connections to a compatible TV for viewing or a PC for editing and sharing, all while charging the battery so your camcorder is always ready to go.

Memory Stick Duo media slot Capture still images up to 640 x 480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo media for easy transfer to PCs and emailing, printing, or sharing video and images with other compatible Memory Stick media devices.

Super SteadyShot picture stabilization system An advanced version of Sony's SteadyShot system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.

On-screen zoom and record buttons For additional control of the camcorder, the DCR-SR42 features zoom and record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.

USB 2.0 interface USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your hard disk Handycam to the computer and fast transfer of video and still images for editing. The camcorder can also be used as an external storage device, convenient for archiving, storing and trasporting your videos and still images.

DVDirect compatibility The DVDirect system allows for easy transfer to a stand-alone DVD burner via USB 2.0. The VRD-VC30 allows for easy transfer of video for DVD Burning. While the VRD-MC3 allows for seamless transfer of both video and still images for archiving on a DVD.

Easy PC backup Easily back up your footage to your PC using the supplied software. The footage will be stored on your PC's hard drive for archiving purposes and viewing at a later time; the footage is stored by date allowing for quick access. In addition, only new footage is transferred to your PC each time you backup your footage.

One-touch disc burn Easily burn a DVD copy of your footage using the supplied software. Simply connect your DCR-SR42 to your PC via the Handycam Station and supplied USB cable, and press the one-touch disc burn button.

HDD Smart Protection A unique Shock Absorber protects the Hard Disk Drive from physical damage if the unit is dropped. When the 3G Sensor detects a drop (loss of gravity), the power to the Hard Disk Drive is turned off in order to prevent damage; during this time the DCR-SR42 remains powered on and recording video to the built-in buffer. Once the unit has recovered from the drop the buffer is then recorded to the Hard Disk Drive.

Super NightShot Plus infrared system With Sony's Super NightShot infrared system, you can capture natural-looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 20 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems.

Additional Features

• Manual focus
• Scene selection modes
• Picture effects
• Fader effects
• Battery information
• Easy Handycam button
• InfoLithium battery with AccuPower meter system
• Tele Macro function
• Multi-language menu

Customer Reviews

Very poor video quality
I have to say, first of all, it hurts me to write this review. I wanted to like this camera. I really, really did. I loved the size, the shape, the ease of use. I even ordered an extra battery on how much I was going to use it. But I just didn't like the video quality. It is plain bad. I even thought I was going to be able to live with it, but I watched a few videos last night and made some side by side comparisons, and it was just too much for me to bear. I am taking it back to the store tonight to get my money back.

The interlacing was AWFUL. If the camera moves slightly, the lines dominate the screen. Even in bright sunlight, it looked like a youtube video. A few months ago, my wife won a "FlipVideo" hard drive recorder that takes very simple video with no zoom, etc. Seriously, these videos were better than this Sony's. This was the deciding factor in me taking this camera back. I am going to try another camera to see if it is just this one or all Hard Drive based recorders.

Fantastic Camera!
This is a very slick little piece of electronics! It has got its own internal hard drive so there are no CD's to pop in and out. Fits to contour of your hand for better grip. Flip screen is sturdy and useful.

The only thing I would list as cons would be the fact that its a tad bit pricey (but you do get what you pay for). And the camera itself takes a bit of time to get familiar with.

But other than that, if you are looking for a high quality camera that has everything you could need, look no further!

Great camera, great value!
This camera is a great value! It was cheaper than any of my local electronics stores. Very user friendly! Extremely happy with this camcorder. Just now working on making DVDs of the videos I have taken and its has an easy burn which I have not used yet. I am using Windows Movie Maker because I wanted to edit and create and the format the videos download onto computer works great with WMM. No complaints on this camcorder! I know there is an updated version of this but I'm not sure I would even bother spending the extra $$ to get it. This camcorder is great! It also switches between video and photos effortlessly! Great Buy!