Sony Handycam DCR SR85

127 reviews

May, 2024

Positive
usability (95)
portability (48)
price (31)
size (22)
image quality (22)

Negative
viewfinder (5)
control panel (2)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 127 reviews of Sony Handycam DCR SR85. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Comments about the size and image quality are overall positive. The price and portability also get good feedback, whereas many are critical about the control panel and viewfinder.

usability, portability, price, image quality, size

viewfinder, control panel

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony Handycam DCR SR85 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 84/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 127 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

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Features

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Showing 1 - 108 of 119 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (7)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony Handycam DCR SR85

alaTest has collected and analyzed 98 user reviews of Sony Handycam DCR SR85 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. Reviewers are impressed by the size and image quality. The price and portability are also appreciated, but there are some critical opinions about the control panel and viewfinder.

usability, portability, price, image quality, size

viewfinder, control panel

86% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive review: Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Lightweight, compact design; 60GB of storage and recording ability to Memory Stick cards; responsive touch screen; simple operation.

Overpriced for what it delivers; no optical image stabilization.

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Sep, 2008

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 Camcorder Review

With a 60GB internal hard drive, the DCR-SR85 (MSRP $549.99) has the largest storage capacity of Sony's entry level standard definition camcorders. Replacing last year's DCR-SR42, Sony added a larger hard drive, a slightly revamped design, and a 100%...

Nov, 2008

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (reviewed.com)

Sony DCR-SR85

With a 60GB internal hard drive, the DCR-SR85 (MSRP $549.99) has the largest storage capacity of Sony\'s entry level standard definition camcorders. Replacing last year\'s DCR-SR42, Sony added a larger hard drive, a slightly revamped design, and a 100%...

Nov, 2008

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Expert review by : Good Gear Guide.au (goodgearguide.com.au)

Expert Review

The Sony DCR-SR85 is a good quality mid-range camcorder that easily matches any standard-def model in its price range. If you're determined to ignore the HD boom, you could certainly do a lot worse than this.

60GB hard drive, decent specs for the asking price, memory stick slot, beginner-friendly touch screen interface

Poor stills mode, struggles under low lighting

Feb, 2008

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Lightweight, compact design ; 60GB of storage ; Also records video to Memory Stick cards ; Responsive touchscreen ; Simple operation

Overpriced for what it delivers ; No optical image stabilisation

Conclusion Overall, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 is a good camcorder. Its 60GB of storage means you can more than likely take it on a vacation without worrying about running out of space. Plus you can save video and stills to Memory Stick Pro Duo cards...

Oct, 2008

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive review: Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Lightweight, compact design; 60GB of storage and recording ability to Memory Stick cards; responsive touch screen; simple operation.

Overpriced for what it delivers; no optical image stabilization.

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Sep, 2008

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.co.uk)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive review

The Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 offers almost everything the company claims. It's very easy to use, goes from off to recording in seconds, is small enough to throw in a bag, and its 60GB hard drive delivers anywhere from 14 to 41 hours of recording time...

Lightweight, compact design; 60GB of storage and recording ability to Memory Stick cards; responsive touch screen; simple operation.

Overpriced for what it delivers; no optical image stabilization.

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Sep, 2008

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Consumer review (viewpoints.com)

A good camera with good images for the money ”

We were given this camera as a gift and it is definitely of good quality. It has a 2000X digital zoom. If you are looking for something to record from afar (like on the field for a game of one of your kids) I would suggest another camera but it does a...

Mar, 2011

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Consumer review (ciao.com)

The DCR-SR85 Handycam Camcorder has all your memories

Or playback movies on your Sony Picture effect mode. Effects in the camera mode: monotone, sepia and pastel. Effect in the playback mode: monotone, sepia and pastel. By pressing a button, the battery on the LCD screen when charging and when the...

NTSC color and EIA standards

None

Apr, 2009

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Consumer review (ciao.com)

Sony Handycam DCR SR85

The Sony Handycam DCR - SR85 is completely dependent on its internal hard drive to hold all of its memory. That is why this small camcorder has sixty gigs of memory to store a bundle of information. Lightweight, compact design and recording ability to...

60GB Storage, Responsive touchscreen, Easy operation

But this camera easy to operate then that's enough

Apr, 2009

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