Sony Handycam Buyer's Guide (NTSC standard definition hard drive/flash memory models)

All model numbers begin with DCR- (Digital Camera Recorder); light text = Canada/Latin America model (not sold in U.S.)

SR = hard drive model

SX = flash memory model

PJ = flash memory model with built-in projector

DVD = DVD model (only 2008+ Hybrid models which can also record to Memory Stick and/or internal flash memory are listed)

Click on the model number to read the brochure for it.

User's manuals are available from Sony's web site.

LCD: diagonal size of LCD monitor in inches; W = Widescreen, T = Touch screen; VF = color Viewfinder

light: LED = LED video light; flash = strobe flash for taking still photos; SNS = Super NightShot; SNS+ = Super NightShot Plus

remote: RMT-### = model number of originally equipped infrared wireless remote control; wired = through A/V R port; no = not supported

acc. shoe: AIS = Active Interface Shoe for adding an external microphone, light, or other accessories

zoom opt./ext.: amount of optical zoom / Extended Zoom (2011+, if present)

auto cover: yes = automatic lens cover; no = manual lens cover; cap = uses a lens cap

lens thread: diameter of lens thread for adding extra lenses or filters (if present)

recording format: capacity of hard drive or internal flash memory; MS = Memory Stick Pro Duo; SDXC = SDHC or SDXC card

mic type: number of audio channels of internal microphone; Z = Zoom Mic; F = microphone on front; T = microphone on top

SteadyShot: type of image stabilization; Optical = uses optical image stabilization instead of electronic

35 mm focal length: 35 mm equivalent focal length when recording 16:9 video (unless otherwise indicated); the lower the number, the wider the field of view

image sensor type: size of CCD (or CMOS) image sensor in inches; total number of pixels / effective number of pixels when recording 16:9 (or 4:3) video

low light sens.: low-light sensitivity at 1/30 shutter speed (unless otherwise indicated); the lower the number, the better the low-light sensitivity

weight: weight of camcorder body (without battery and removable media)

MSRP: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price at time of introduction; actual retail prices were usually discounted

*** 2006 ***

Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens (except SR100), Advanced HAD CCD image sensor, 123k pixel LCD; A/V input recording (except SR40)

SR40, SR60, and SR80 require DCRA-C162 Handycam Station for USB output.

SR100: Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SR40

2.5T

SNS+

20x

cap

30 mm

30 GB

2 ch F

Super

44 mm (4:3)

1/6 680k/340k (4:3)

5 lux (1/60)

340 g

$599

SR60

2.7WT

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

12x

yes

30 mm

30 GB

2 ch F

Super

46 mm

1/5.5 1.07M/670k

7 lux (1/60)

350 g

$699

SR80

2.7WT

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

12x

yes

30 mm

60 GB

2 ch F

Super

46 mm

1/5.5 1.07M/670k

7 lux (1/60)

360 g

$799

SR100

2.7WT

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

10x

yes

30 mm

30 GB

5.1ch T

Super

42.8 mm

1/3 3.31M/2.06M

5 lux (1/60)

535 g

$1,099

flash

*** 2007 ***

Memory Stick Pro Duo slot added (for still photos only, not video). A/V input recording feature dropped.

All models require DCRA-C171 Handycam Station for USB output.

SR200(C) and SR300(C): Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, ClearVid CMOS image sensor, 211k pixel Clear Photo Plus LCD

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SR42

2.5T

SNS+

40x

30 mm

30 GB

2 ch F

Super

36 mm (4:3)

1/6 680k/340k (4:3)

3 lux

335 g

$599

SR42A

2.5T

SNS+

40x

30 mm

60 GB

2 ch F

Super

36 mm (4:3)

1/6 680k/340k (4:3)

3 lux

345 g

$699

SR62

2.7WT

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

25x

30 mm

30 GB

2 ch F

Super

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

4 lux

350 g

$649

SR82

2.7WT

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

25x

30 mm

60 GB

2 ch F

Super

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

4 lux

360 g

$749

SR82C

2.7WT

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

25x

30 mm

100 GB

2 ch F

Super

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

4 lux

360 g

$849

SR200

2.7WT

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

10x

yes

37 mm

40 GB

5.1 ch T

Super

41.3 mm

1/3 2.10M/1.43M

1.5 lux

455 g

$849

flash

CMOS

SR200C

2.7WT

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

10x

yes

37 mm

100 GB

5.1 ch T

Super

41.3 mm

1/3 2.10M/1.43M

1.5 lux

465 g

$1,049

flash

CMOS

SR300

2.7WT

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

10x

yes

37 mm

40 GB

5.1 ch T

Super

40 mm

1/2.9 3.20M/2.28M

1.5 lux

480 g

$999

flash

Optical

CMOS

SR300C

2.7WT

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

10x

yes

37 mm

100 GB

5.1 ch T

Super

40 mm

1/2.9 3.20M/2.28M

1.5 lux

490 g

$1,199

flash

Optical

CMOS

*** 2008 ***

All models can now record video to Memory Stick; Zoom Mic feature; A/V R jack with wired remote control capability added.

New Hybrid DVD models which can record video to Memory Stick (or internal flash memory on DVD810).

5.1 channel Surround Sound models are now switchable to record in 2-channel stereo mode.

SR45, SR46, and DVD610: New 1/8" widescreen Advanced HAD CCD image sensor

SR65, SR85, and SR220(D): Handycam Station (not required for USB output)

SR220(D) and DVD910: Vario-Sonnar T* lens, ClearVid CMOS sensor, 211k pixel Clear Photo LCD Plus, slow motion recording

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SR45

2.7WT

SNS+

wired

40x

30 mm

30 GB

2 ch Z T

Super

41 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

350 g

$499

SR46

2.7WT

SNS+

wired

40x

30 mm

40 GB

2 ch Z T

Super

41 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

350 g

SR65

2.7WT

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

25x

30 mm

40 GB

2 ch Z T

Super

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

8 lux

360 g

$599

SR85

2.7WT

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

25x

30 mm

60 GB

2 ch Z T

Super

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

8 lux

360 g

$699

SR220

2.7WT

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

15x

yes

30 mm

60 GB

2/5.1chZ T

Super

40 mm

1/5 2.36M/1.49M

5 lux

470 g

$849

flash

Optical

CMOS

SR220D

2.7WT

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

15x

yes

30 mm

120 GB

2/5.1chZ T

Super

40 mm

1/5 2.36M/1.49M

5 lux

480 g

$999

flash

Optical

CMOS

DVD610

2.7WT,

SNS+

wired

40x

30 mm

2 ch Z T

Super

41 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

390 g

$349

DVD710

2.7WT,

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

25x

30 mm

2/5.1chZ T

Super

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

8 lux

400 g

$399

DVD810

2.7WT,

SNS+

RMT-835

AIS

25x

30 mm

8 GB

2/5.1chZ T

Super

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

8 lux

400 g

$479

DVD910

2.7WT,

SNS,

RMT-835

AIS

15x

yes

30 mm

2/5.1chZ T

Super

40 mm

1/5 2.36M/1.49M

5 lux

460 g

$649

flash

Optical

CMOS

*** 2009 ***

New flash memory DCR-SX models; longer optical zoom.

No more NightShot, Active Interface Shoe, Super SteadyShot, or wireless remote control.

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SX40

2.7WT

wired

60x

4 GB

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

200 g

$299

SX41

2.7WT

wired

60x

8 GB

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

200 g

$329

SX60

2.7WT

wired

60x

16 GB

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

200 g

$399

SR47

2.7WT

wired

60x

30 mm

60 GB

2 ch Z T

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

300 g

$399

SR48

2.7WT

wired

60x

30 mm

70 GB

2 ch Z T

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

300 g

SR67

2.7WT

wired

60x

30 mm

80 GB

2/5.1chZ T

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

300 g

$449

SR87

2.7WT

wired

25x

30 mm

80 GB

2/5.1chZ T

yes

41 mm

1/6 1.07M/670k

8 lux

300 g

$499

DVD650

2.7WT,

wired

60x

30 mm

2 ch Z T

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

390 g

$299

DVD850

2.7WT,

wired

60x

30 mm

16 GB

2/5.1chZ T

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

6 lux

390 g

$429

*** 2010 ***

Adds LED video light (except SX83), SDXC card slot, and 230k pixel Clear Photo LCD.

New SX83 model: Back-Illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor, Active SteadyShot (actually an HDR-CX150 without HD mode).

All other new models: improved Advanced HAD CCD image sensor for better low-light sensitivity.

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SX43

2.7WT

LED

wired

60x

SDXC/MS

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

190 g

SX44

2.7WT

LED

wired

60x

4 GB

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

190 g

$269

SX63

2.7WT

LED

wired

60x

16 GB

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

190 g

$299

SX83

2.7WT

wired

25x

30 mm

16 GB

2 ch Z F

Active

37 mm

1/4 4.2M/1.35M

3 lux

210 g

$399

CMOS

11 lux (1/60)

SR68

2.7WT

LED

wired

60x

30 mm

80 GB

2 ch Z T

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

280 g

$349

SR88

2.7WT

LED

wired

60x

30 mm

120 GB

2 ch Z T

yes

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

280 g

$399

DVD650

carryover model

$299

*** 2011 ***

New features (except SX20 and SR20):

Active Steadyshot, Extended Zoom, Intelligent Auto, 3.0" 230k pixel Clear Photo LCD Plus, auto lens cover, built-in USB cable

SX20 and SR20: uses joystick control instead of touchscreen (Canada/Latin America only)

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SX20

2.7W

LED

50x

SDXC/MS

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 800k/490k

3 lux

190 g

SX45

3.0WT

LED

wired

60x/70x

yes

37 mm

SDXC/MS

2 ch Z F

Active

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

230 g

$229

6 lux (1/60)

SX65

3.0WT

LED

wired

60x/70x

yes

37 mm

4 GB

2 ch Z F

Active

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

230 g

$249

6 lux (1/60)

SX85

3.0WT

LED

wired

60x/70x

yes

37 mm

16 GB

2 ch Z F

Active

39 mm

1/8 680k/410k

3 lux

230 g

$279

6 lux (1/60)

SR20

2.7W

LED

50x

80 GB

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 800k/490k

3 lux

270 g

SR68

carryover model

$299

*** 2012 ***

New DCR-PJ model with projector; SX21/SR21 add Extended Zoom and Intelligent Auto (Canada/Latin America only)

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SX21

2.7W

LED

57x/67x

SDXC/MS

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 800k/490k

3 lux

195 g

CA$219

SX45

carryover model

$199

SX65

carryover model

SX85

carryover model

$249

SR21

2.7W

LED

57x/67x

80 GB

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 800k/490k

3 lux

270 g

SR68

carryover model

$329

PJ5

2.7W

LED

57x/67x

SDXC/MS

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 800k/490k

3 lux

230 g

*** 2013 *** (Canada/Latin America only)

Slight increase in zoom; hard drive model dropped.

model

LCD

light

remote

acc.

zoom

auto

lens

recording

mic type

Steady

35 mm focal

image sensor

low light

weight

MSRP

shoe

opt./ext.

cover

thread

format

Shot

length (16:9)

type (16:9)

sens. (1/30)

SX22

2.7W

LED

60x/70x

SDXC/MS

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 800k/490k

3 lux

195 g

PJ6

2.7W

LED

60x/70x

SDXC/MS

2 ch Z F

yes

39 mm

1/8 800k/490k

3 lux

230 g