Sony DCR-SR40 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Dec 11, 2006 11:00 AM 
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Comparisons
Sony DCR-SR60
The 30GB Sony DCR-SR60 ($699 MSRP) is the step-up model, and it includes several notable upgrades over the $599 SR40 (Review, Specs, $469.79). The most important is a larger 1/5.5” sensor with nearly double the effective pixel count of the 1/6” sensor found on the SR40. We did not test the SR60, but it’s specs are identical to the 60GB SonyDCR-SR80 – which we did test – and it can be expected to offer identical performance. The SR60 also features an Active Interface Shoe compatible with Sony accessories like microphones and video lights, a larger 2.7” wide screen LCD, and improved 1MP still resolution. So is the DCR-SR80 worth the extra $100 over the DCR-SR40 (Review, Specs, $469.79)? On the basis of video performance alone, we think so – and the other feature enhancements seal the deal.
The top of the mid-grade models, this HDD camcorder ($799 MSRP) is the SR60 with a 60GB capacity, twice that of the SR40 and SR60. We recommend this over the other two models if you ever plan on spending a whole day and night shooting away from your computer. 30GB fills up faster than you might think, and the extra space can be a life-saver. 
This entry-level DVD camcorder has been a big success for Sony, though it’s likely due to brand recognition more than features or performance. Its picture quality looked virtually identical to the DCR-SR40 in our tests, which comes as no surprise given the fact that they share the same imaging specs. The difference is the recording medium, DVD vs. HDD. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. HDD offers portability and larger storage. DVD offers better archiving and safer storage (all your eggs are not in one basket). Your choice. We have no strong opinion on this topic, except to say that each of these camcorders are among the poorest performers in their given medium. 
Not quite the entry level model, this HDD Everio camcorder ($800 MSRP) nevertheless matched the DCR-SR40 in poor performance. JVC got the head start on the HDD market, but Sony’s behemoth camcorder division swooped in this year and deployed five models, including a high definition model (the HDR-SR1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99)) that trounced every other HDD camcorder in the market. The GZ-MG37 does offer a better manual control array than the DCR-SR40, but that’s about it. The Sony remains easier to use. One final note that might help your decision: retailers are telling us that JVCs have a higher return rate for defects. We have no hard data on this, but word on the street gets around. 
The Panasonic SDR-S150 ($999 MSRP) is in a different class from any of the camcorders here, but its Panasonic’s lowest-end SD card camcorder, which is similar to HDD – both record in the MPEG-2 format and use durable media that are not prone to scratches or minor drops. The 3-CCD array on the SDR-S150 completely blew away the performance of the DCR-SR40 in bright light and still tests. Low light results didn’t have quite the margin of victory but were still better. Like all Panasonics, the SDR-S150 offers an impressive manual control suite, including independent shutter and aperture, gain, and focus. The downside is that the SDR-S150 only ships with 2GB of memory, a fraction of that found on the DCR-SR40. You can upgrade to larger SDHC cards, but it will cost you, and the maximum capacity is currently only at 4GB. The question you have to ask yourself is this: Would you rather shoot smaller amounts of great looking video or large amounts of poor looking video? We choose the former, and we’ll pack a laptop to transfer the data when the card is full. Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (6.5)
This is definitely a camcorder designed for the point-and-shoot crowd. Sony's ease of use and the simplicity of HDD technology in a camcorder with almost no features. How can anyone mess that up?
Budget Consumers (2.5)
HDD is a still a little expensive to make it the smartest choice for the budget-minded. DVD prices have been dropping but tape-based camcorders are the cheapest buy of all, and generally offer better video quality.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (3.0)
The DCR-SR40 was not designed to take good still pictures. 640 x 480 stills with virtually no extra features makes this a poor choice for the hybrid crowd.
Gadget Freaks (6.0)
Gadget freaks may have an interest in HDD camcorders on the whole, but this low-end model has so little to offer in terms of “cool features” that they’ll likely want to pass.
Manual Control Freaks (4.0)
Absolutely not.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
Again, no.
Conclusion
The Sony DCR-SR40 is a camcorder that offers mediocre video performance, only basic features, and no way of adding accessories. The SR40 is the epitome of a bare-bones camcorder. As per the company's hallmark, all Sonys are easy to use, but this entry-level offering one-ups even its Handycam relatives. The recording media is integrated into the body, and there are only a few external buttons and controls making this perhaps the most idiot-proof camcorder ever. Ease-of-use trumps other concerns for a great many users who just want to make sure nothing goes wrong when they capture their daughter’s birthday party, and we expect the SR40 to do well among point-and-shooters.
Yet the drawbacks associated with the DCR-SR40 should be strongly considered before you drop your $500 at the local camera shop. The camcorder's video performance is poor relative to the majority of other camcorders on the market, and the manual controls leave a lot to be desired. Even the the simple touch screen interface is hampered by the too-small LCD. The SR40 will get the job done, but you may find yourself wishing you'd spent a few extra bucks on a more capable device when the meaning of "bare-bones" sinks in.
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Yet the drawbacks associated with the DCR-SR40 should be strongly considered before you drop your $500 at the local camera shop. The camcorder's video performance is poor relative to the majority of other camcorders on the market, and the manual controls leave a lot to be desired. Even the the simple touch screen interface is hampered by the too-small LCD. The SR40 will get the job done, but you may find yourself wishing you'd spent a few extra bucks on a more capable device when the meaning of "bare-bones" sinks in.