Sony DCR-DVD505

155 reviews

Dec, 2024

Positive
usability (88)
image quality (40)
portability (33)
size (23)
design (16)

Negative
price (21)
zoom (10)
memory (6)
reliability (5)
connectivity (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 155 reviews of Sony DCR-DVD505. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. People are impressed by the design and size. The portability and image quality also get good feedback. Some have doubts about the connectivity and reliability, while the color and durability get mixed reviews.

usability, image quality, portability, size, design

price, zoom, memory, reliability, connectivity

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony DCR-DVD505 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 155 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(55% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (20% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (9% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (12% of reviews)
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Features

usability
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image quality
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portability
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price
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size
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More features

Showing 118 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 98 of 118 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (36)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony DCR-DVD505

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2 user reviews of Sony DCR-DVD505 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the price and color. The design and usability are also appreciated, whereas there are some negative opinions about the reliability and zoom. Opinions about the size and image quality are different.

portability, usability, design, color, price

durability, zoom, reliability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Dec, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony DCR-DVD505

alaTest has collected and analyzed 86 user reviews of Sony DCR-DVD505 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People really like the size and price. The portability and image quality are also mentioned favorably, but there are mixed views on the durability and zoom. Some have doubts about the color and reliability.

usability, image quality, portability, price, size

reliability, color

83% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Dec, 2024

Expert review by : Terry Sullivan (pcmag.com)

Sony DCR-DVD505

Excellent video quality and strong performance make the Sony DCR-DVD505 Handycam Camcorder a winner.

Great video quality. Very good sound. Excellent 3.5-inch-wide touch panel. Articulating LCD. Pivoting viewfinder.

Still capabilities could be better. Expensive. ; Watch the Sony DCR-DVD505 Video Review!

More digital video camcorder reviews: Ricoh Theta SC Vuze VR Camera Samsung Gear 360 (2017) Giroptic iO YI 4K+ more

Jun, 2006

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Expert review by : Terry Sullivan (pcmag.com)

Sony DCR-DVD505 Handycam Camcorder

Great video quality. Very good sound. Excellent 3.5-inch-wide touch panel. Articulating LCD. Pivoting viewfinder.

Although it's not perfect, the Sony DCR-DVD505 miniDVD camcorder's strengths make it a shoo-in for Editors' Choice.

Jun, 2006

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Denny Atkin (cnet.com)

Image quality

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505

Better-than-average video quality; excellent, large LCD; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround-sound recording; innovative wireless microphone accessory; decent still photos.

No video light; occasional compression artifacts still noticeable; poor battery life; slightly grainy low-light video.

Full-featured but somewhat bulky, the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505 DVD camcorder matches its MiniDV competitors in most areas, while offering the convenience of direct-to-disc recording.

Mar, 2006

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Expert review by : Easy Camcorder (easycamcorders.com)

Expert Review

The DVD505 ($1100 MSRP) is Sony's top of the line DVD camcorder this year. Leaving MiniDV behind, it has been the recipient of most of Sony's R&D in the consumer division. This goes above and beyond replacing last year's popular DVD403, and features a...

Easy Mode for beginning shooters, -Still image resolution sizes, -Improved overall color accuracy, -Immense 3.5 inch LCD makes touchscreen navigation actually feasible

High compression rates for DVD format mean worse video quality, -Loss of sharpness compared to its predecessor, -Minimal manual control options will limit advanced users, -Exporting and editing footage is a nightmare for the beginner

Apr, 2006

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Expert review by : David Kender (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony DCR-DVD505 Camcorder Review

The DVD camcorder has grown by bounds in the last few years, and few have been so highly anticipated as the DCR-DVD505 from Sony. This was their premiere camcorder at CES, and barring the upcoming HDR-HC3, it has more new technology and hype than any...

Mar, 2006

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Expert review by : Andrew Burke (videomaker.com)

Camcorder Review: Sony DCR-DVD505 DVD Camcorder

If you're a casual shooter looking to do minimal editing, the Sony DCR-DVD505 may end up in your travel bag. The DVD505 boasts widescreen DVD video recording with its CMOS sensor, while capturing Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound via the built-in mic....

Ease of use Generous wide LCD Visual 5.1 surround sound monitoring

No headphone jack Can't transfer clips directly from disc to edit

The Sony DCR-DVD505 provides the picture and sound worthy of a President Cleveland (or ten Benjamins.)

Aug, 2006

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Expert review by : David Kender (reviewed.com)

Sony DCR-DVD505

We tested the DCR-DVD505 for video performance by shooting a calibrated color chart at 3000 lux, then taking stills from that footage and comparing them to stills from other camcorders. Our procedures for this particular camcorder were a little...

Mar, 2006

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Expert review by : tech.co.uk staff (techradar.com)

Sony DCR-DVD505 review

A DVD-based camcorder that doesn't cut the video mustard

Burns straight to DVD ; Supports both and - formats ; 4MP still camera

Fast movement looks fizzy ; Lacklustre still images ; Average video quality ; Large and bulky

The footage is average and DVD's promise of convenience is a bit of an empty one

Feb, 2007

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Denny Atkin (cnet.co.uk)

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505 review

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505

Better-than-average video quality; excellent, large LCD; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround-sound recording; innovative wireless microphone accessory; decent still photos.

No video light; occasional compression artifacts still noticeable; poor battery life; slightly grainy low-light video.

Full-featured but somewhat bulky, the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505 DVD camcorder matches its MiniDV competitors in most areas, while offering the convenience of direct-to-disc recording.

Mar, 2006

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Expert review by : Which? (which.co.uk)