Reviews
Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red) Reviews
- 4GB Embedded Flash Memory
- 60x Optical, 2000x Digital zoom
- Professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
- 2.7″ Clear Photo LCD (230 K) display
- Direct Copy to external HDD w/o PC
The ultra-compact DCR-SX44 features 4GB of embedded flash memory, which can record up to 3 hours of video, a built-in LED video light, as well as a professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, which delivers sharp, high-resolution images and powerful 60x optical zoom that lets you capture extremely tight shots, even from far away.
List Price: $ 269.00
SALE Price: $ 249.00
Rating: 
(out of 14 reviews)
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about 1 year ago
Review by Ryan Brigante for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
Rating:
This camcorder does everything it should. For a palm-sized camera, 60x optical zoom is impressive. It comes with 4 GB of internal memory, and it takes Memory Sticks and SD Cards up to 32 GB. This makes its memory sources more versatile than any other palm-sized cam that I’ve seen.
This year’s model, the DCR-SX44, comes with an LED Light on the front of the camera for added lighting in low-light situations. One of the biggest complains about last year’s model, the DCR-SX40, was that it had nothing to assist with low lighting. Clearly, Sony addressed the customers’ concerns, and I like that.
Other nice features: a switch-on lens cover (button on the side), zoom-in microphone (audio zooms with video), and nice color selection (red, blue, and silver).
It comes with everything you need in the box: battery, power cable, A/V cable, USB cable, and some optional software (which I have not touched).
Uploading videos online straight off the camera is easy. If you want to edit with Windows Movie Maker, you will need to convert video files from MPG format to WMV format. Simple solution: download WinFF file converter for free, and it converts movie files in a matter of seconds. Then you’re good to go.
To those who criticized the video quality: Don’t buy a standard definition palm-sized camera and expect high definition video. If you did that, then it’s your own fault that you’re disappointed. For a SD camera, the picture quality is FINE.
about 1 year ago
Review by Ruben Rascon III for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
Rating:
Since its purchase on Monday, April 6, 2009 at my local Best Buy, I’ve been very satisfied with this wonderful, portable camcorder.
Before I purchased this camcorder, I used to produce videos with both my Hitachi VM-E635LA 8mm and RCA CC6262 VHS-C camcorders, and while videotaping was simple, capturing and editing on a computer became both troublesome and a hassle, but thanks to my Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41, computer-based video editing has never been any easier for me.
For those who are expecting High Definition video, this camcorder is NOT for you as it records in 720×480 Standard Definition on the highest recording setting [HQ].
Keep in mind, if you are looking into purchasing this camcorder, I highly recommend setting the recording setting to HQ for the best picture quality, as some who’ve reviewed this camcorder have mentioned poorness in picture quality.
Pros: At a first glance, the camcorder is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and is lightweight and portable enough to take anywhere. The battery life is excellent and gives you up to two hours [if your camcorder's recording mode is set to HQ] when fully charged and to make this camcorder an even sweeter deal, it comes with 8 Gigabytes of internal, solid-state flash memory, [much like USB flash drives] which means no internal moving mechanisms, adding longevity to the camcorder’s life. The Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 also has a Pro-Duo Memory Stick slot for memory expansion, adding extra hours to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments. This camcorder also has a responsive LCD touch screen for easy access to changing various camcorder settings, including recording modes, picture settings and white balance. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers excellent picture quality [again on the HQ setting] for such a tiny camcorder. Finally, this camcorder is quite durable for its size. I’ve dropped mine at least three times in a year’s time and it still works like the day I’ve unboxed it.
Cons: While this camcorder is great, there are some things that it lacks. Being since this is an entry-level camcorder for the consumer, it is not expandable for external audio, such as adding a shotgun, handheld or lavalier microphone. It also lacks a headphone jack for previewing audio, and while the Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 has a built-in speaker, it is not the best for previewing audio from your videos directly from the camcorder itself, and while the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers great picture quality [again on the HQ setting] auto focus can be troublesome at times during low-light conditions [especially when your camcorder's picture setting is set to auto (I highly recommend using the Twilight setting, which reduces focusing issues in lower-lit places)].
Despite the camcorder’s down-sides, the Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 is overall a very good camcorder for what it’s worth and is great for entry-level, amateur film-makers and freelance videographers.
about 1 year ago
Review by mmmmna for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
Rating:
I have owned this camera for but a few days, certainly haven’t become familiar with EVERY feature. I still own a Sony DCR-TRV840 (a digital 8mm tape based camera) and this DCR-SX44 will eventually replace the TRV840.
As a technical consumer, I always review any default settings for devices I purchase; I immediately set the recording mode to highest quality.
Pros: Small size (barely larger than 2 of the old TRV840s 8MM tapes in their storage cases), touch screen menuing system (minimal buttons on the camera), 60x zoom is optical (much more zoom is available if digital zoom is enabled – at the expense of image resolution), several optional battery capacities, a lot of features to suit novice videographers (spot metering options, face detection, slow shutter for low light recording, white balance, telephoto or Macro modes, guideframes (1/3rd rules), ‘Zoom microphone’ enable, 16:9 or 4:3 recording mode, self timer, media format, view/delete/protect images, more). One added feature: a Reset button, in case you go too far using those menus!
Cons: Cannot take a snapshot WHILE recording (my old TRV840 could do that), small still photo size (640×480, = VGA, VGA sized digital photos were a breakthrough back in the late 1990s), any USB connection requires LCD display to be opened (cannot use USB with the LCD closed), user option buttons are flush with surface of the case and are impossible to determine by feel (for turning on the recording light, playback, backlight, disc burn), small size camcorder forces a small sized LCD display, cannot add a carrying strap – no loops for straps, support for cards larger than 32 GB is not guaranteed (32 GB SDHC support is guaranteed (I’m quoting the manual – the Sony user manual uses the term GB, not GiB)), unusual connector on the camera for A/V outputs (lose the supplied A/V cable and you need to contact Sony for replacement – try doing that in 5 years), pricey batteries if going for larger capacity than stock battery.
All in all, for under $250, this is a good family camera, offering room for experimentation, with direct to flash recording capability.
about 1 year ago
Review by Lisa Lopez for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
Rating:
I’ve searched online for a new video camera for weeks. I’m so happy I chose this camera. I have 3 small children and wanted a simple, small camera that took great video and this is it. Camera is compact and very easy to use. I didn’t even need to read the manual to start shooting. Takes great video and easy to download onto a computer. This is the perfect camera for a family wanting to take video of the kids.
about 1 year ago
Review by Fochizel for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
Rating:
I wanted a simple little camcorder, so of course I first got a JVC HA camcorder. I tried it and found it difficult to deal with the big files, and if you are not a super model they leave you looking a little unflattering. Seriously, do I need anyone seeing that mole?
So.. When I looked for a standard def cam, I decided on this one after playing around with several other makes. I liked the simple controls and size. The batteries last a long long time, and with an 8gb SD card, I can take videos FOREVER it seems, even in HQ mode (Recommended). AND THANK YOU FOR SD SUPPORT SONY! Finally Sony is joining the rest of western civilization in this regard. I can not comment on Sony’s software because I use something else.
Optics: Best I have found in this size range.
Video quality: Exactly what you can expect for SD (which I perfer).
Battery live: Great.
Size/Weight: Great (not much bigger then a Flip)
Software: N/A
After Playing with several different makes/models (8 in all) I found the DCR-SX44 to be the best for my needs. This DOES come with a USB cable and everything else you need.
Hope this helps.
P.S. I am generally a Cannon guy, but they really do not do as well with their camcorders.