Reviews
Sony DCR-SX41 Flash Camcorder w/60x Optical Zoom
- holds at least 2 hours of video at maximum quality
- holds up to 6 hours of standard quality video
- records video to 8GB flash memory or optional Memory Stick® PRO Duo cards
- 680,000-pixel CCD image sensor (410k effective pixels in 16:9 mode; 340k effective pixels in 4:3 mode)
- 60X Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar® optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 2000X)
Product DescriptionThe compact Sony DCR-SX41 Handycam camcorder can record video to 8GB of embedded memory or removable Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick Pro Duo media. A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers sharp, high resolution images and its 60x optical zoom helps you capture extreme close-ups from far away. 8 GB of built-in memory can record and store up to almost 6 hours of video footage (SD LP mode). Ideal for sporting events, wildlife, or distance shooting. . . More >>
Sony DCR-SX41 Flash Camcorder w/60x Optical Zoom
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about 2 years ago
This may be a wonderful camera for PC users; however if you use a Mac to edit your video, you should find another camcorder that is compatible. Unfortunately, Sony does not make it very clear that this model cannot be used with Macs, and since their previous models had been Mac friendly, I bought this one without checking.
Rating: 1 / 5
about 2 years ago
This product is packaged as a Windows only product. Videos are in MPEG-2 format. To get the videos to play on the MAC requires jumping through several hoops and buying additional software. I cannot understand what Sony was thinking when they designed this product. It takes alot of time to convert MPEG2 formats. I had to buy a $20 MPEG2 converter from APPLE, and use public domain software (MPEG Streamclip – works great by the way). The camera itself is easy to use and takes reasonably good video in low light conditions and the audio is quite good. However, the prospect of having to convert videos to dv format for the foreseeble future just irritates me! Sony needs to package CONVENIENCE with their products as well.
Rating: 3 / 5
about 2 years ago
This camcorder is state of the art technology which has about 12 hours of battery life, has x60 optical zoom, solid state memory of 8 gigabytes (No moving parts), does photos, has manual settings available to the lens with exposure with white balance and more, LCD touch screen with easy to navigate menus, and weighs about as much as a soda can. It’s USB 2. 0 which everyone is moving towards (Although some of us video folks like our Firewire 800) so it’s not that big of a deal- technology is shifting to simplicity. I’m a Mac user myself and I’ve done many file conversions before. I don’t think this will be an issue for people who are editors in video and if you are you’re a beginner since I’m a cinema student at SF State and have no problems with conversions (Stop whining and learn the technology you should be familiar with already). I’ll be updating the review for Mac users to convert files with free software. So if you have a Mac and aren’t familiar with basic file conversions then you may want to look into another camcorder. Windows users shouldn’t have any problems which is the majority of the market. Although this is made for family videos it’s still definitely a super awesome camcorder worth looking into for beginners and amateurs of film making.
Rating: 5 / 5
about 2 years ago
Not sure if I’m getting this submitted correctly since the “how do you rate it” link dids’t seem to allow for input. . . . . But I’m giving the Sony DCR-SX40 the FIVE STARS it deserves – not just the Four Stars that ended in the preview of my review (can’t seem to change the darn thing). I’ve read a number of negative comments on other sites about picture quality being so-so, with visible purple fringing around images, blurring on zoom, and other comments referring to the camera as having “not very good quality”. Also have heard negative comments about the Sony software requiring XP users to have Service Pack 3 installed. In my brief experience thus far with this camera, none of the above are true. We just got the camera last night and used it for the first time this morning. We immediately burned what we filmed onto DVD and played it back on our TV through the DVD player. The picture was absolutely wonderful. . . . and just in ordinary indoor lighting. The images were crisp with none of the dreaded ‘purple fringing’ in evidence. In fairness though. . . . we did not attempt to view directly from the camera to the TV, so maybe that’s where some of the problems arise for some people. The zoom was smooth as could be, with no loss of focus. The sound recording was excellent and true-to-life. One thing I would most definitely recommend is a fluid head tripod so that panning is smooth. Our tripod panhead was a tad jerky, and it showed on the video. Haven’t tried just walking around with it to test for smoothness of filming. . . . but then I don’t know of any camera (within this price range anyway) that won’t echo your body movements when you walk with it. As for XP Service Pack 3 being required. . . . . well that IS what the manual seems to be saying, and even subsequent online live chat with Sony customer support was a bit confusing on that issue. But I finally called and talked to a live person who informed me that Service Pack 3 is NOT required. He was obviously correct, because I installed the PMB software that comes with the camera, and had no problems at all with the installation. Burned our first practive filming session using the ‘One Touch Disc Burn’. Could not possibly have been simpler, and it looked fantastic on our TV, which is a Samsung 56″ DLP. The footage we were filming was my magician husband performing with his flea circus (you read that correctly). So there was lots of backing away and zooming in very close to capture images of the fleas themselves. The picture was well lit, sharp, with no visible pixilation that I’ve heard people complain about. The zooming was smooth and crisp and the focus was fantastic. . . . we’re talking filming fleas here! I did film in HQ, but will try out the other modes as well. Since we’ve had this little beauty less than 24 hours, we still have lots to experiment with, but from what we’ve seen so far, it is as much camera as we’re ever likely to need. Just one more comment before I go play with our new toy some more. . . . . . one reviewer complained about the lack of a seperate manual lens cover. Having had that style on a previous camera, I can’t imagine why such a thing would be desireable. . . . . you either end up losing it, or (if tethered to the camera) having it flip up in front of the view finder if a breeze happens by. The lens cover on the DCR-SX41 is built into the camera, is opened and shut with a simple flick of the finger, and the camera TELLS you whether the lens is covered or not. How much more convenient can it get?
Rating: 4 / 5
about 2 years ago
I bought this unit from Best Buy for $299 on June 6, 2009. I have never owned a camcorder, so, I did a lot of research before buying and decided to rely on the Sony brand name. I’ve never had any issues with Sony, and, of course, Sony always works with my Macintosh computer. I’ve used it twice during the past weekend. The picture quality is very good, not great, but very good. I would assume that if you want an absolutely flawless picture that you would have to pay the extra two, three, or four hundred dollars and get an HD camcorder. I was not willing to do so given that I have never owned a camcorder before and really don’t know how much I will use it, how easy they can be to use, and how the iMovie ’09 software functions. Right now, I’d say that this unit is a great investment. It is very easy to use and works well with iMovie. I’m very pleased. Perhaps in a year or two I will upgrade to an HD unit if warranted.
Rating: 4 / 5