Sony Handycam DCR SR42E

14 reviews

May, 2024

Positive
price (1)
size (1)
design (1)
usability (1)
zoom (1)

Negative
portability (1)

General overview
Price comparison

We have collected and analyzed 3 expert reviews and 11 user reviews from international sources. Experts rate this product 67/100 and users rate it 78/100. The average review date is Sep 25, 2007. We have compared these reviews to 346408 reviews from other Camcorders. The alaScore™ for this product is 77/100 = Good. Last update: May 17, 2024.

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Review analysis

(Based on 14 reviews)

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Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 10 of 14 Show Reviews: in English

Expert review by : Tracey Capen (pcworld.com)

DCR-SR42 30GB Hard Drive Camcorder

This pricey hard-drive camcorder is easy to use, but it's a little short on advanced features and image quality.

Powerful zoom, Touch screen eases menu navigation

Lacks white balance calibration, Low-quality still images

Though the DCR-SR42 may seem pricey, its powerful telephoto lens and simple operation make it attractive for informal videography

May, 2007

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Expert review by : Chris Jager (goodgearguide.com.au)

Sony DCR-SR42E

The Sony DCR-SR42E is an affordably priced hard disk-based handycam, offering 30GB of video storage for under $1000. Although budget shoppers are sure...

Small and attractive design, 30GB hard drive, very user-friendly, 40x optical zoom

Only 0.68 megapixels, camera is too light, poor stills mode

If you are willing to forgive the sub par visuals, the DCR-SR42E is a pretty decent camera; especially for inexperienced users. However, there are plenty of similarly priced non-HDD cameras on the market that will give you a superior performance.

Jun, 2007

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Expert review by : Andrew Gould (techsmart.co.za)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR42E

The Sony Handycam DCR-SR42E records on hard disk, making live a lot easier than on tape or DVD.

2.5 inch touch screen, HD recording on Hard disk.

Video quality might disappoint

Apr, 2008

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

I think I'm the only one who really owns this...

People who do not own a particular model shouldn't comment on it. The file output is MPEG-2, so just about any editing software will work with these files. I purchased this camera from a big-box retailer for $100 more because I needed it immediately at...

Newegg Price; Easy to use, great beginner camera (even my tech-challenged wife could use it immediately); 30GB allows you to shoot way too much video and worry about editing it later; Simple and fast file transfer. I'd be hard-pressed to suggest a...

Seems nitpicky for the price, but the microphone could use a wind-sock, or at least add a jack to allow addition of an external mic. I had pretty low expectations for free editing software, and was not surprised when it didn't exceed them

Sep, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Ripped Off..But not from Newegg

Was on vacation in Orlando and went to a camera store there and got totally ripped off..I am sick about..in the process of disputing the credit card charge.Can't get it out of my head..If I didn't need it in a pinch..Newegg is the place..Always shop...

easy to use..nice menu and the quailty is good for the newegg price

no good editing software,could be a little smaller

Sep, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Good camcorder

I ordered this and got it a day before my family went on vacation. I was proficient within 30 minutes. Used it all week-end and am happy so far. Now I need to order an external hard drive cause my wife won't put it down.

Compact and light weight. User friendly for amateurs. Easy directions to operate. Less than 2 hours to completely charge. Very easy to transfer files

Short battery life

Aug, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Buy this camcorder.

BUY IT!!! Good quality for the price.

This camcorder is great. The price is also great. The zoom function (optical - 40x) is awesome. I just took it up to our friends cabin and had a good time recording with it. I don't know what the person before was saying about the editing, but I can...

I wish it would start up faster (takes about 6 seconds). I know that sounds short, but if something would need to be recorder immediately

Jul, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

I took it back

I understand canon and JVC have hard drive recording that isn't propietary and can be edited. If you do go with a Sony HD camcorder I'd go with one of the higher grade models, and wait till they provide better editing options.

Ease of use, fast transfer of files

I've had a number of camcorders over the years, my last was a Sony mini dv. I do a lot of filming with a bit of editing and post a lot to youtube. I was not able to edit the Sony video files as I've always done with little to no problem with standard...

Jun, 2007

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Consumer review (epinions.com)

Camera blurs focus all the time!

This is the first video camera I've ever owned, although I've used a few others. I bought this very expensive camera (about $615 at Best Buy) figuring that I would use it forever, so I got this one with the internal hard drive so I didn't have to mess ...

You can't record over anything. Videos are easy to find (organized by date).

The 1-2 second blurs that occur as frequently as every few seconds.

Oct, 2008

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Consumer review (epinions.com)

It Doesn't Take A Rocket Scientist to Operate

I bought my DCR-SR42 about a month ago. Although I have not yet tried all the features on it, I am completely satisfied so far. This is my first camcorder. After a lot of research, I decided a hard drive would suit me the best. The quality of the ...

Easy to use. Very compact.

Docking station could be improved.

Jan, 2008

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