Customer Reviews

Sony DCR-SX44 Flash Memory Handycam Camcorder

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This camcorder does everything it should. For a palm-sized camera, 60x optical zoom is impressive. It comes with 4 GB of internal memory, and it takes Memory Sticks and SD Cards up to 32 GB. This makes its memory sources more versatile than any other palm-sized cam that I've seen.

This year's model, the DCR-SX44, comes with an LED Light on the front of the camera for added lighting in low-light situations. One of the biggest complains about last year's model, the DCR-SX40, was that it had nothing to assist with low lighting. Clearly, Sony addressed the customers' concerns, and I like that.

Other nice features: a switch-on lens cover (button on the side), zoom-in microphone (audio zooms with video), and nice color selection (red, blue, and silver).

It comes with everything you need in the box: battery, power cable, A/V cable, USB cable, and some optional software (which I have not touched).

Uploading videos online straight off the camera is easy. If you want to edit with Windows Movie Maker, you will need to convert video files from MPG format to WMV format. Simple solution: download WinFF file converter for free, and it converts movie files in a matter of seconds. Then you're good to go.

To those who criticized the video quality: Don't buy a standard definition palm-sized camera and expect high definition video. If you did that, then it's your own fault that you're disappointed. For a SD camera, the picture quality is FINE.

Our 1995 Sony camcorder finally bit the dust so it was time for a new one. We only use the camcorder for personal use so we were looking for another basic, easy-to-use camcorder in the $250 range. After spending some time researching camcorders the Sony DCR-SX44 camcorder seemed like a perfect fit.

PROS:
Ease of use
Extremely lightweight and small
Internal memory with optional memory slot
60x optical zoom
Built in lens cover

The menu and controls are pretty intuitive so you will be shooting video in no time. This unit is so small that it's almost too small for large hands to comfortably operate. Fortunately the somewhat small grip is offset by the light weight, which makes extended filming less shaky and fatigue free. I like the onboard memory as well as the option to use SD/SDHC cards. The zoom was very well done, it's amazing how close you can get. I appreciate the variable zoom that makes it easy to control whether you zoom slow or fast. The one knock on the zoom is that you will need a tripod if you expect to zoom in alot, there is no way a living breathing human can hold this still when zoomed all the way. That's more a compliment to the 60x than lack of stabilization though. When not zoomed in the stabilization is fine, not great but adequate enough for a budget camcorder.

CONS:
Video quality
Light for low light conditions looks cool but is basically useless

The first thing I did was set the camera to auto and put it on the highest video quality. After recording a video indoors I played it back on the TV. Not good. Very grainy, out of focus, and dark. I knew low light indoors video would be a problem, so I went outside in full sunlight and played around. Back to the TV and again, not good. All the images in the video were soft with no sharp lines and appeared to be slightly out of focus. At this point I knew I had to be doing something wrong so I started over.

I recorded a multi-situation video (including full sunlight, shade, indoors lit, and indoors low light conditions) using each and every camcorder setting available. I then played these directly to the TV, burned them to a DVD, and downloaded them directly to my computer to view. All versions were soft and fuzzy. I then compared the video quality to DVD's I burned from videos made by our 15 year old Sony tape camcorder. The Sony DCR-SX44 overall video quality (indoor and outdoor) was no better (and sometimes worse) than our old middle of the road camcorder.

(Please note, I have an HD capable TV but do not have HD service, so I do not watch, am not spoiled by, and am not expecting HD quality video)

CONCLUSION:
I wanted to like this camcorder as the brand, style, options, cost, and ease of use matched everything I was looking for. However a camcorder with poor video quality is fatally flawed in my book. It is possible I got a defective unit, but reading other reviews it appears I'm not the only one. I returned this camcorder and got my money back. After doing some more research it appears that for another $50-$100 or so I can make the monumental jump to HD and skip the dying technology that is standard definition.

I have owned this camera for but a few days, certainly haven't become familiar with EVERY feature. I still own a Sony DCR-TRV840 (a digital 8mm tape based camera) and this DCR-SX44 will eventually replace the TRV840.

As a technical consumer, I always review any default settings for devices I purchase; I immediately set the recording mode to highest quality.

Pros: Small size (barely larger than 2 of the old TRV840s 8MM tapes in their storage cases), touch screen menuing system (minimal buttons on the camera), 60x zoom is optical (much more zoom is available if digital zoom is enabled - at the expense of image resolution), several optional battery capacities, a lot of features to suit novice videographers (spot metering options, face detection, slow shutter for low light recording, white balance, telephoto or Macro modes, guideframes (1/3rd rules), 'Zoom microphone' enable, 16:9 or 4:3 recording mode, self timer, media format, view/delete/protect images, more). One added feature: a Reset button, in case you go too far using those menus!

Cons: Cannot take a snapshot WHILE recording (my old TRV840 could do that), small still photo size (640x480, = VGA, VGA sized digital photos were a breakthrough back in the late 1990s), any USB connection requires LCD display to be opened (cannot use USB with the LCD closed), user option buttons are flush with surface of the case and are impossible to determine by feel (for turning on the recording light, playback, backlight, disc burn), small size camcorder forces a small sized LCD display, cannot add a carrying strap - no loops for straps, support for cards larger than 32 GB is not guaranteed (32 GB SDHC support is guaranteed (I'm quoting the manual - the Sony user manual uses the term GB, not GiB)), unusual connector on the camera for A/V outputs (lose the supplied A/V cable and you need to contact Sony for replacement - try doing that in 5 years), pricey batteries if going for larger capacity than stock battery.

All in all, for under $250, this is a good family camera, offering room for experimentation, with direct to flash recording capability.

Since its purchase on Monday, April 6, 2009 at my local Best Buy, I've been very satisfied with this wonderful, portable camcorder.

Before I purchased this camcorder, I used to produce videos with both my Hitachi VM-E635LA 8mm and RCA CC6262 VHS-C camcorders, and while videotaping was simple, capturing and editing on a computer became both troublesome and a hassle, but thanks to my Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41, computer-based video editing has never been any easier for me.

For those who are expecting High Definition video, this camcorder is NOT for you as it records in 720x480 Standard Definition on the highest recording setting [HQ].

Keep in mind, if you are looking into purchasing this camcorder, I highly recommend setting the recording setting to HQ for the best picture quality, as some who've reviewed this camcorder have mentioned poorness in picture quality.

Pros: At a first glance, the camcorder is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and is lightweight and portable enough to take anywhere. The battery life is excellent and gives you up to two hours [if your camcorder's recording mode is set to HQ] when fully charged and to make this camcorder an even sweeter deal, it comes with 8 Gigabytes of internal, solid-state flash memory, [much like USB flash drives] which means no internal moving mechanisms, adding longevity to the camcorder's life. The Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 also has a Pro-Duo Memory Stick slot for memory expansion, adding extra hours to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments. This camcorder also has a responsive LCD touch screen for easy access to changing various camcorder settings, including recording modes, picture settings and white balance. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers excellent picture quality [again on the HQ setting] for such a tiny camcorder. Finally, this camcorder is quite durable for its size. I've dropped mine at least three times in a year's time and it still works like the day I've unboxed it.

Cons: While this camcorder is great, there are some things that it lacks. Being since this is an entry-level camcorder for the consumer, it is not expandable for external audio, such as adding a shotgun, handheld or lavalier microphone. It also lacks a headphone jack for previewing audio, and while the Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 has a built-in speaker, it is not the best for previewing audio from your videos directly from the camcorder itself, and while the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers great picture quality [again on the HQ setting] auto focus can be troublesome at times during low-light conditions [especially when your camcorder's picture setting is set to auto (I highly recommend using the Twilight setting, which reduces focusing issues in lower-lit places)].

Despite the camcorder's down-sides, the Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 is overall a very good camcorder for what it's worth and is great for entry-level, amateur film-makers and freelance videographers.

I wanted a simple little camcorder, so of course I first got a JVC HA camcorder. I tried it and found it difficult to deal with the big files, and if you are not a super model they leave you looking a little unflattering. Seriously, do I need anyone seeing that mole?

So.. When I looked for a standard def cam, I decided on this one after playing around with several other makes. I liked the simple controls and size. The batteries last a long long time, and with an 8gb SD card, I can take videos FOREVER it seems, even in HQ mode (Recommended). AND THANK YOU FOR SD SUPPORT SONY! Finally Sony is joining the rest of western civilization in this regard. I can not comment on Sony's software because I use something else.

Optics: Best I have found in this size range.
Video quality: Exactly what you can expect for SD (which I perfer).
Battery live: Great.
Size/Weight: Great (not much bigger then a Flip)
Software: N/A

After Playing with several different makes/models (8 in all) I found the DCR-SX44 to be the best for my needs. This DOES come with a USB cable and everything else you need.

Hope this helps.

P.S. I am generally a Cannon guy, but they really do not do as well with their camcorders.

I've searched online for a new video camera for weeks. I'm so happy I chose this camera. I have 3 small children and wanted a simple, small camera that took great video and this is it. Camera is compact and very easy to use. I didn't even need to read the manual to start shooting. Takes great video and easy to download onto a computer. This is the perfect camera for a family wanting to take video of the kids.

I've used Sony products for years and this is the first time I had to return one. This camera was very disappointing. I shot video at the highest quality level and it was still fuzzy and the audio was out of synch when I downloaded it into my computer. I wanted to replace my Sony Mini-DV camera with this one, but the mini-dv is 10 times better than this one. I didn't expect high definition, but this was very bad.
Also the software included was very difficult to use, but probably would have been better if I had used it for a while.

I checked all the reviews and chose this Sony camcorder. Amazon had by far the best deal for the camera compared to all the retail stores in my area, including Best Buy and Target. This camera is great for the price.

The camera has a terrific zoom, and all the features are easy to use. I have used the camera on our family trips and am very impressed with the quality of the video I have gotten. Highly consider this camera for your next purchase.

I should preface this by stating that this is my first camcorder purchase. All I was looking for was a social media / Youtube capable camera with a good quality zoom and good quality components. After some review and several trips to a big-box retailer I settled on this camera because the LCD image quality was better than Canon competition, and the size and price were more reasonable than HD options, and Sony lets us use inexpensive high quality Secure Digital cards now in their cameras. I jumped on a sub two hundred dollar open box "like new" Amazon offering for the camera. What I found in this camera was a whole lot of awesome.

After taking about a week of videos of my dog, today I tossed in a 16gb SD card and took this to an event as a backup to a 120gb HD Canon camcorder from my office. Even with fully charged battery on the Canon, it died 75% of the way into the event. After a fair amount of use this Sony camera still shows an hour 15 mins of battery life, and 200 minutes of "high quality" video left on the beefy SD card. The day was super-windy, and the mic and amp at the event had a ton of wind noise, but somehow the audio on the sony made up for it, giving me crisp surprisingly audio. The anti-shake / face tracking stuff worked to make clean video even though this camera was in hand and off the tripod the whole day.

Pros - Great camera - exporting video direct to usb hard drive should be pretty cool, Small enough to fit in the drink pocket of a backpack or a beer coozy for safe keeping, great infolithium basic battery, high quality LCD, audio is amazing. 4gb plenty of space for SD video. 60x zoom also zooms audio -directing the mics at your target! SD / SDHC card option is better than limiting just to Sony's terrible Memory Stick nonsense. LED light for night shots is better than nothing. Lens cap slider is awesome. Automatic on when you open the LCD is cool. External battery is easy to disconnect if going a week or so between use.


Cons - Sony sells a $20 USB adapter cable for exporting video/photos to any USb hard drive and that adapter should be $1 or come with the camera, or be easy to DIY. Camera initially rejected the SD card, but after a minute it worked. Photo option is lame and worse than modern camera phone, LED light does not come on for photos to improve low light photos. No audio or mic input, and you have to rely on excellent built-in microphone. Proprietary(?) AV out cable rather than 1/8th inch jack. Proprietary power cable looks like 1980's throwback and could be hard to replace.

Verdict - Buy this camera and eventually pick up a cheap 4, 8 or 16 SD, and you will be satisfied if you are looking for an inexpensive high quality standard definition camera.

I bought this camcorder with one thing in mind which I'll get to in a moment. This camcorder has a 60X Zoom feature which will capture a person's license plate from a block away: Very amazing!! The only issue is my own, when viewing or recording at a distance, one needs a pretty steady hand. I guess I'll need a tripod for this. On YouTube there's a lot of demonstrations of other camcorders in this class of Sony camcorders. I bought this camcorder primarily because of its "power" and secondly because of the price. I'm an ongoing victim of gang stalking and recommend this camcorder for anyone in the same situation as me and wants to document and provide evidence of the harassment associated with this issue!! I carry this camcorder wherever I go, and it's the size of a can of coca-cola!!