Sony HDRCX405 HD Camcorder Review: Image Stabilization/Dual Recording Modes at a Budget Price
Sony HDRCX405 HD Camcorder: Review of Image Stabilization/Dual recording Modes at a Low Price The Sony HDRCX405 Handycam comes with a great ZEISS lens. It was easy to use during testing. However, it lacks some important features.
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Good image stabilization
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Extremely lightweight
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Controls that are easy to use
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Face detection
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Lens coverage is not automatic
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Slow autofocus
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No external mic port
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Touchscreen controls not available
Sony HDRCX405, a compact starter camera with excellent image stabilization, is great for children.
The Sony HDRCX405 HD Camcorder was purchased by us so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.
Sony HDRCX405 Handycam, a reduced version of the CX330 Handycam by Sony, is available at a remarkable low price. The lightweight camcorder has a reversible LCD screen, optical zoom and image stabilization.
Recently, we opened one of these handycams and charged it. Then, we took it out in the open to check if its attractive price justifies the lackluster features.
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Design: Lightweight and compact
With a large lens and a circular body, the Sony HDRCX405 has the basic design elements of the Handycam series. It also features an LCD flip-out display, a hand strap, and flipped out LCD displays. It is slightly smaller than what the camera's design might suggest, so it's covered with a lens cover.
You will find a toggle that zooms in or out and also a button to take still photos. Both the zoom toggle as well as the photo button can be operated with your index finger. You can use your thumb to tap the record button on the rear of the unit.
You can also record a stream of still images when you are recording.
You can find a USB cable inside the hand strap that you can use for plugging your video camera into a PC. This cable can also be used to recharge the battery. The cable is very short and permanently connects to the camcorder.
From the right side, the display slides out. The HDRCX405 does not have a viewfinder so this is your only option to see what you are recording. You'll find behind the LCD a speaker and an HDMI port.
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Ready for action
The HDRCX405 has very basic setup. The HDRCX405 requires you to insert the battery, flip the display open and enter the date and time. After inserting the battery, you will need an SD card to store your footage. Then, you can begin filming immediately.
It arrived with a very low amount of battery charge.
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Bright enough to be used outdoors
HDRCX405 has a flip-out, 2.7-inch LCD display. It's visible in all lighting conditions but dims outside when it is full sun. Sony made some compromises in this area to cut costs. The LCD display does not have a touchscreen. You get instead a joystick nub located just to the left. You can navigate the menus by clicking on it, then click to select your options.
The display can be flipped 180° counterclockwise and 90° clockwise once it is flipped out. If you are looking for a quick selfie, the counterclockwise rotation will work well. The clockwise rotation can be used to see the contents of the film.
The screen will display a warning message if you open the lens cover. It's a great touch since the lens cover can be easily forgotten.
Quality: Bright colors and image stabilization
Although Sony made some compromises in the design of the HDRCX405, video quality was not compromised. The HDRCX405 can record full HD 50 Mbps 1080p video at 60p/50p progressive recording mode. It also supports MP4, AVCHD and XAVC S codescs. All this is possible thanks to the 26.8mm wide angle ZEISS lenses and the Exmor R CMOS sensors found in HDRCX405’s older, more costly predecessor.
These specifications are surprisingly impressive for an affordable video camera. Full-light 1080p video is sharp and clear with acceptable levels of detail. It also has vibrant colors. The HDRCX405 is a good camera for the price. However, quality can drop in certain lighting conditions and you may see more noise in low light.
Image stabilization is really useful since this camera can be used as a beginner's or child's camera.
Built-in image stability is another great feature of the HDRCX405 budget camera. Image stabilization is very useful since this camera was designed for children and beginners.
The settings that you select will affect the quality of your video. If you enable that feature, the camera will automatically set up the settings. However, the quality of the video can suffer if the file type and size are not right.
You can also record simultaneously in 2 different modes. You can record in HD and quickly create a smaller file you can upload online.
Quality Photo: Use dual record mode for photos and video
Although this is not a camera that can be used as a digital camera but it does double duty. The HDRCX405's Exmor R CMOS sensor and 26.8-inch wide angle ZEISS lenses, combined with the 9.2MP still image capture, allow it to produce some amazing photos for a device not intended for this purpose.
The camera has two modes that allow you to quickly switch between taking photos and recording video. The camera also features a useful mode which records still images in a continuous stream while you are recording.
When you record in interlaced mode the dual recording mode is used. This mode means that any still from your video won't look great so you can use it to get picture-perfect shots.
Zoom: Digital and optical
Because the 26.8mm angle lens can't be fixed, HDRCX405 has a decent 27x optical zoom. This is something that is rare in video cameras in this price bracket. It also has a 54x digital zoom.
The way digital zooms crop or enlarge videos results in blurred pictures. But the HDRCX405 has Sony's Clear Image Zoom. It can look at the patterns of neighboring pixels to make intelligent predictions about the shape and size of the next pixels, instead just cropping the video. Although it is not perfect, the system works well.
Software works with Sony PlayMemories
You can connect your Handycam via the USB cable to your computer and use Sony's PlayMemories home software to manage all your photos and videos. You can view, edit, share, print, and edit multiple clips of your video with this free software.
Features Key: Face Detection and Smile Shutter
Although the HDRCX405 may be a compromise, it is remarkably adept at face and smile detection.
Cameras can detect when a subject is smiling to capture photos at the perfect moment.
Face detection can be used to detect if people are in the shot. It does this by searching for faces. The camera optimizes focus, exposure and color settings for the best results.
Cameras can detect when a subject is smiling so that they capture the perfect moment. The camera can even engage while you are recording video. This allows you to take great pictures without having to switch modes.
Prices: is hard to beat
The Sony HDRCX405 Handycam has a MSRP price of $179.99. The HDRCX405 Handycam is a great little camera for the price. You will get higher video quality and Wi-Fi connectivity if you are willing to spend more.
Competiton: Higher video quality, features and at a lower price
Canon VIXIA R800: The VIXIA R800 is a significant upgrade to the Sony HDRCX405 and has a MSRP of $249.99. It has a larger touchscreen screen, a CMOS sensor that is slightly more powerful at 3.28 Megapixel and a better optical zoom.
Although the VIXIA does not have the HDRCX405 face detection and smile detection, it is still a better option for novices who want to really take advantage of the automatic optimization that occurs whenever a facial expression is detected.
Sony HDRCX440 Handycam This successor to CX330 is priced at $269.99, and shares many similarities with the less costly HDRCX405. Both have the identical ZEISS lenses, same sensors, and same non-touchscreen displays.
The connectivity is where the HDRCX405 excels and why you might want to have a closer look. You don't need to connect it to your computer to send files. It has both Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC connectivity. You can stream direct from your camera to the Internet via the livestream function.
Final Verdict
This lightweight camcorder is priced just right for beginners and kids.
Sony HDRCX405 Handycam, a small and affordable camcorder with a feather-light design, is very competitively priced. This is a good choice for kids and beginners. However, wireless connectivity should be considered.
Specifications
- HDRCX405 HD Handycam Camcorder
- Sony Product Brand
- Prices from $179.99
- Weight 6.7 oz.
- Product dimensions 2.3x2.4x5.1in
- 1-year warranty
- Sensor Exmor R CMOS Sensor
- Video resolution 1920×1080 Full HD
- Audio Format Dolby Digital stereo 2ch Stereo, Dolby Digital stereo Creator, MPEG-4 MPEG-4 AAC–LC 2ch, MPEG-4 linear PCM2ch (48kHz/16bit)
- Connectivity: USB, HDMI and Multi-Terminal
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