Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 Camcorder Review

by Jeremy Stamas
Published on Nov 12, 2008 4:30 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format
 Auto / Manual Controls
Still Features Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity Other Features
Conclusion & Comparisons Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings


Compression (4.00)
The Sony DCR-SR85 records video in the MPEG-2 compression, the standard for most standard definition DVD, hard drive, and flash memory camcorders. For better or for worse (most might argue the former), MPEG-2 is in the winter of its life, as the new generation of standard definition and HD use MPEG-4 variants.

There are three quality settings on the DCR-SR85. HQ records at 9Mbps, SP at 6Mbps, and LP at 3Mbps. Sony has made working with its video files much easier than Canon, Panasonic, or JVC. Rather than splitting the files into multiple parts, each clip is a unified file with a .MPG extension. In most cases, these files can be imported into editing software and media players without a hitch.

Media (7.00)
The Sony DCR-SR85 records video and stills to a 60GB internal, non-removable hard disk drive. If you like, video and stills can also be recorded to MemoryStick Duo cards, which load into a slot on top. It's never a bad idea to bring a backup MemoryStick, but 60GB is a fair bit of space for standard definition video. The chart below gives you approximate record times.

  HQ (9Mbps) SP (6Mbps) LP (3Mbps)
60GB Hard Drive 14 hours 21 hours 41 hours
2GB MemoryStick 28 min 42 min 80 min
4GB MemoryStick 57 min 85 min 162 min
8GB MemoryStick 115 min 170 min 325 min

The step-down model from the SR85, the DCR-SR65, has a smaller 40GB hard drive, which saves you $100 off the MSRP.


A sliding door covers the MemoryStick slot.

Editing (6.00)
The Sony DCR-SR85 ships with Picture Motion Browser 3.0, a low rent editing bundle that allows you to perform the very basic types of edits – import clips, trim them for length, order them in a sequence, and output them into a final movie. The camcorder also has a "disc burn" button, located inside the LCD cavity. This feature will use Sony's provided software to burn video and images onto a disc when the camcorder is connected to a computer. Unfortunately, the automatic "disc burn" button only works with a Windows PC.

If you have another editing program that you prefer, the .MPG files should not prove to be any problem. As we mentioned in our last review of the Canon FS100, some manufacturers break MPEG-2 videos into multiple files, which makes for a messy import process. Sony conveniently outputs single, unified files.



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