Sony DCR-SX40

Sony DCR-SX40

Price: $529

Features: Optical zoom: 60x Video resolutions: 720×576 Video speed: 25 fps Screen size: 2.7″ Warranty: 12 Months Storage capacity: 4 GB Memory media: Memory Stick PRO, Duo, PRO Duo Wired terminals: AV Output, DC In, USB 2.0

Pros: Good build quality, 60x optical zoom, affordable price

Cons: Video quality could be better, poor stills mode

The final word: The Sony DCR-SX40 camcorder offers a solid performance for the asking price. Its primary strength lies in its user-friendly interface, followed by its sleek good looks and 60x optical zoom lens.

THE Sony DCR-SX40 is an entry-level flash memory camcorder that records standard-definition video to Memory Sticks. It also has 4 gigabytes (GB) of extra embedded memory and an impressive 60x optical zoom.

Compact, stylish and easy to use, it will primarily suit casual users in need of an affordable standard-definition camcorder. The only caveats are its low pixel count and a dearth of manual controls, but these are to be expected for the $529 asking price.

The Sony DCR-SX40 camcorder can be viewed as the main competitor of the Panasonic SDR-S26-K, which we reviewed earlier in the month. Both models record video to removable flash memory and come with similar specifications.

The Panasonic SDR-S26-K’s main claims to fame are its optical image stabiliser and 70x optical zoom, while the Sony DCR-SX40 offers superior build quality and a more intuitive user interface. Both camcorders performed similarly in the imaging stakes, so the model you choose will ultimately come down to your personal brand preference.

Unlike some standard-definition camcorders we could mention, the Sony DCR-SX40 doesn’t skimp on the camera lens. The 39-2340mm (35mm equivalent) Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens is a cut above most entry-level models, which typically sport cheap, low-grade optics. Indeed, the same lens (albeit with a smaller zoom) can be found in several Sony Cyber-shot digital still cameras, which is a testament to its quality.