Sony DCR-SX85 Handycam Camcorder (Silver)

After using both HD camcorders and devices like the FlipCam, I was looking for something that fit somewhere in the middle given that few of the computers around the office are equipped to store and edit HD video files. Ironically, the older standard definition camcorders (D8 and miniDV) laying around would have fit the bill, if not for the fact offloading and sharing footage on them is cumbersome compared to the drag-and-drop file transfer you get with a flash media recorder.

So ultimately I was looking for something with all the convenience of a FlipCam, but with a few more features like zoom and SD card recording. I didn't really think I'd find something (at least from a major manufacturer) that fit those requirements and that wasn't HD, but with a few clicks of a product wizard, I found Sony's SX85.

The camera lacks two features I usually look for headphone and external microphone jacks but since I'm not the one who will be using the camcorder most of the time, those features were easy to forego. The video quality is decent not great but given the rather unremarkable needs (recording meetings, quickly documenting something to share with colleagues), it's sufficient. The lack of a viewfinder can be a little problematic in full sunlight and having a lot of the functions and settings buried in the menu doesn't make the camera a standout for usability, but for dead simple recording and easy access to the video files, it does what is needed.

I can confirm the camcorder is compatible with Mac computers recognized both by iMovie '11 (which converts the native MPEG2 video files to MOV on importing) and the Mac OS (Snow Leopard) itself. For those looking to just pull the recorded files off the internal storage or SD card, the volumes will mount without problems (just be sure to acknowledge the USB connection on the camcorder menu screen). After that all it takes is hunting a bit through the folders to find the recordings. Be aware that without the MPEG2 codec for Quicktime, the files won't play in that application (you'll need to buy Quicktime Pro), but VLC has no problem handling them and is in most cases a better option over Quicktime anyway.

I paid more that I had planned for a small still & video camera because I've had such good luck with Sony digital cameras in the past. But I'm very disappointed in this one. On a sunny day, outdoor pictures, whether still or video, come out great if you are lucky enough to have pointed it at the subject you wanted to take. The viewer has so much glare that it acts like a mirror, and about all you can see is your face in it, no matter how much you try to adjust the angle or shade the viewer. Indoor pictures have all come out extremely dim and grainy while my friends with their cheap little cameras are getting great shots. I'm really sorry I bought this one.

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Just purchased this Camera this week and it is great, I am also a mac user and did not have any trouble

getting it to work with my macbook pro. I had already upgraded my ilife to 11. But imovie was able

to download the movies with our any issues.

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Research is the first thing I do, when I buy items like these, I read all the comments and evaluate what I think is a reasonable assessment of the comments given and then I go and take a chance.

Did that with the SX85, and I found that it performs adequate for what I'm looking for, that being a basic video recorder for on the road and sometimes mounted on the dash of my big truck for some interesting video in traffic when it gets difficult, as long as it is not in serious zoom.

It records a good video image and shoots a good single picture also.

If you are looking for a vidcam to make quick shots with, you're likely to be frustrated, as the startup and selection of your particular mode will take a minute, but if you just want a cam to take scene videos or take a picture or two, or generally have it running on like I do sometimes, I would say that this camera is pretty decent for the money.

I bought it with the secondary thought to have the 2000x magnification when zoomed in, so I could watch birds and objects from a distance (have that tripod handy!)

We all know that zoom like that brings the shakes with it when you hand hold a cam, so I use a variety of tripods, and that works very well with this camera. I have other cameras that do jobs of a more delicate nature when situations need for them.

In general with the reproduction of the image when you take the video or shot, they are never what you saw when you took the shots in the first place unless you bought something a bit more expensive.

I thought that the reproduced pics or videos from this camera were just fine.

Gritty video or grainy shots happen sometimes, it depends on lighting at the moment of capture, but I found the camera to be all it said it would be after playing with it for a bit so am happy with it.

Dislikes;

-I do not like the USB lead in the strap, although I like the idea of it being right on the camera as a handy thing.

-I do not like the start button where it is, because when you have your hand in the strap, it is hard to get at without using the other hand, and that produces another form of the shakes, or aimless wandering of the scene you are trying to stay focused on.

-I do not like the strap comfort when you take a video while moving, not somuch for the hand comfort as the arm that has to hold it all up.(Working on that with a custom made hard grip with a trigger.)

I agree with another commenter here, on the preview screen's vulnerability to glare in almost all positions, but I have a sticky film that eliminates that problem by diffusing the light that causes the glare, similar to some coatings on glasses or lenses.

You may want to experiment with some satin finished Scotch tape of the right width, the stuff I have came frome somewhere I can't remember and is slightly tinted but works fantastic.

All in all, I think it's a handy little cam.(No pun.)

I would suggest some dilligence and careful checking out of products on YOUR part, when you go out to spend your hard earned cash on something BEFORE you buy it. That may give you a better situation all around and you most likely will enjoy things a lot more once you have them.

I'd buy one again if this one was lost, Thx, John.

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Well I have read all the reviews here and elsewhere about this Video Camera... truthfully Im glad I took the chance on it. I bought it from somewhere else and paid.. 199 for it. AT THIS PRICE or even the Price that Amazon is asking for this fine Camera its a steal..

The people who saw grainy pictures with this Camera must have gotten defective cameras, because mine has a beautiful picture both on close up and zoom. I dont see any grainyness. For those who complained you couldnt see the screen in the daylight may I suggest antiglare screen protectors and adjust the screens brightness. This is a touch screen camera and a screen protecter is a must so to not damage the screen with your oily fingers...

For those really wanting to see what the zoom of this camera (70x and 2,000x) will do go to YOUTUBE and search for sony handycams 70x ... you can even take a very good close up of the moon... this camera is great. No its not HD but you can set the picture qaulity to HD which is very very good. I dont get the name of MOONJOGGER for no reason at all... I like taking Videos and Pictures of unexplained things in the night sky. If this is you also, you will not be disappointed.... lol... set the sceene setting on Spotlight and go to Manuel Focus, put your camera on a trypod and your set to film planes that fly over... giggle...

For those who complained the supplyed sony picture software would not load on their computer... the camcorder has this application already loaded on it, so you can hook it to any computer and download the Camera content... its a portable version that you can get under the HELP column... It takes a lot of time to learn all the settings. If a filming looks to bright go to the sceene selection and try a different setting.

All and all... I just got done filming deer in my back yard... where is the grainyness.. I dont see a bit use the HQ settings instead of LP. This is a great deal because they are no longer making VIDEO CAMERAS with Monster Super Zooms like this... but if you use it make sure you put it on a trypod and use your manual focus because AUTOFOCUS has a limited distance...