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Sony Handycam DCR-SX40

By Derek Fung on 18 February 2009

Take the step down from the SX60 to the SX40 and you'll have to make do with only 4GB of internal flash memory. Other features, such as 60x optical zoom lens and YouTube uploading, remain though. You do gain a choice of colours (red, silver or blue) though.

User rating:5.1

Topics: sony, handycam, DCR-SX40 , flash, sd

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  CK gave 6/10 on 16/10/2009 12:18 Report abuse

  • Good: Relatively inexpensive, light and compact
  • Bad: Picture quality not the best

  I have had this camera for several months now and it is fine for casual use. While the quality of its images has received some criticism from reviewers here, it needs to be kept in mind that this is, afterall, an entry level camcorder. I find the picture quality acceptable, though I wouldn't rave about it.
  I haven't found the 4GB HDD a problem, but I download regularly. That is, by the way, a wise thing to do. Someone I know recently had their camcorder stolen with several hours of recording on it that they had not backed up. No doubt the first thing the thieves did was wipe the HDD.
  Which brings me to another advantage of this camcorder - its fairly cheap. Having one stolen is more an irritation than a cause for great lamentation.
  In short, fine for knocking about with, but don't expect to film a hollywood blockbuster on one.

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  Lee G gave a review on 09/06/2009 21:59 Report abuse

  • Good: small, colours
  • Bad: bad quality image, small memory

  I bought this camera as it looked good in the store, but when i tested the video quality on the computer i was very dissapointed, I have an old Mini DV camera by sony which is alot better! The picture was blury and there is probably better quality on some phones these days! if its a good picture you are looking for avoid this camera! i returned it to the store and lost 10%!

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  Georgie gave 2/10 on 12/05/2009 16:47 Report abuse

  For a HD camcorder I was disappointed. The tints were not accurate as my white shirt looked pink.

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  Con T gave 2/10 on 05/05/2009 12:57 Report abuse

  • Good: Lightweight and compact. Lots of zoom.
  • Bad: Average Picture quality

  I purchased one and was a little dissapointed in the picture quality. The image looked washed out and blurry and even worse when recording under low light or during dark scenes. The only things I liked were the compact size and iy has plenty of zoom. Still its not enough to be content. I will exchange for another model.

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  William F gave 2/10 on 04/05/2009 14:15 Report abuse

  • Good: Good zoom
  • Bad: Not enough capacity

  Only 4 GB capacity. Thats only one hour. Memory sticks are double the price of SD cards. Better off getting a SD card camcorder as they are more widely available and cheaper. I like the zoom but it compromises on picture quality too much.

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  Andy gave 6/10 on 21/04/2009 11:16 Report abuse

  Terrible picture quality. Why settle for average picture. The image was blurry. The internal memory what a joke, not enough capacity. With 4Gb its only 55 mins recording and then you have to buy expensive memory sticks that are twice the price of SD cards.

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  Peter C gave 10/10 on 17/04/2009 17:00 Report abuse

  • Good: Light weight and easy to use.

  I found the image was good enough. What I liked was the light weight feel to it

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  Nassar gave 6/10 on 17/04/2009 16:58 Report abuse

  You get what you pay for. I found that it was good enough not the best but good enough. I am waiting for it to go on special.

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  Ankar gave 8/10 on 17/04/2009 16:55 Report abuse

  It feels more like a toy than a camcorder.

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  Rory gave 4/10 on 16/04/2009 16:15 Report abuse

  • Good: 4GB Flash, lots of zoom
  • Bad: Below average image.

  I took the trip to a retail store and had a look at one. The picture quality was very average and washed out I found. I saw next to it a JVC GZ-MS120. It looked better in physical appearances and produced a better image. To my amazement it had 2 full size SD card slots. which means you can put two SD cards in there. Lets face it the SX40 internal 4 GB only gives you one hour of recording. Then you need to buy expensive memory sticks to top up. SD cards are cheaper and available everywhere. I found that the JVC GZ-MS120 was better value for money. As soon as the floor staff member told me it had AV input. I had to have it.