Sony DCR-SR45 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom

We did a lot of research before buying this camcorder. The reasons we purchased this particular camera were: (1) Sony name, (2) One button DVD burn directly from the camera, (3) hard drive. We have not been diappointed. The picture is good. It is not professional quality but you can't really expect that in this price range. We also purchased the Sony ACC-TCH5 battery/charger kit. Using both the battery that comes with the camera and the purchased battery - we were able to record video almost all day on our recent vacation. The small size takes some getting used to but is very convenient when travelling. Do not buy this to take digital still pictures. You will be disappointed. You will want to take your digital still camera for those pics. The zoom is GREAT but you will want (need) a tripod to take zoom shots. All in all this is a great little camcorder.

I've only been using my camcorder for a few weeks now, but I really love it. It is very light-weight and user friendly. One of the best features, and one of the most important to me, was the generous onboard memory. I can shoot hours and hours of video without messing with cards, tapes, or discs. This camera doesn't take as crisp still pictures as my Kodiak Easyshare, but the video looks great. I just pack both the camera and the camcorder when I am away on trips; both are very small and lightweight, so there is no problem there. I shopped endlessly for a lightweight digital camcorder with lots of onboard memory for less than $500, and this is the one. It has worked out great.

I was able to score this camera for the price of $340 brand new through my employee discount and was let down by the quality of the camera. This Sony model feels really COOL in your hands thanks to the cool design but when you get down to analyzing the camera, the QUALITY just SUCKS. It's so grainy under almost all conditions that it makes you WISH you bought a cheaper camera from which you expect the quality to be sub-par. Let me repeat that so you don't dismiss my review. You will REGRET getting such an expensive camera which such CRAP quality.
Most reviewers on this site do a good job of balancing their review with pros/cons sections and thoroughly repeating everything the sony website says, but don't WASTE your time. If the video quality does not meet up to its price tag, there's no debate here. What should you get instead? I would suggest the Canon F100 or something like that. The only reason I bought this one over the canon is due to the memory storage. The Sony has 30GB which is awesome, Considering you can take 5 hours of HQ video. Just be WARNED: ITS REALLY REALLY REALLY! GRAINY. And just in case you don't take my warning, buy the camera and review your footage on the LCD and go "that guy on Amazon was wrong. The video looks great," just wait until you get it onto a computer. I have a state of the art mac and all my footage was not what it should have been. Good luck with your purchase and I wish you get the most for your money.

After much research trying to decide between this one (the price/value performer) and spending about $350 more on the JVC Everio (HiDef), I chose this one for the price and for the user-friendly touch screen panel. I haven't purchased a video camera in over 6 yrs.

I've only had it for a couple days, but the picture quality is not as sharp as I expected indoors. I trust it looks fine outside. I shot videoclips of my 1-year old in the living room at 5 pm, and much to my dismay, it was a bit grainy and dim (not extremely, but more than I'd like). The optical zoom however is excellent.

I did some more research but after seeing the others in the price range, i know i got the most bang for my buck. I'm almost thinking about shelling out another $300 to get a Hi-Def to hopefully get better quality res. on my HD TV screen when I'm watching our clips. I guess you get spoiled if you're a flat screen HDTV watcher!

Overall good camera but couple of flaws:
1. Picture quality is nice for digital but don't expect miracles - if you want crisp quality go for HD
2. Goes out of focus when moving the camera around while recording.

Will probably get HD once prices are more reasonable.