The Sony DCR-SR65 came out in 2008 with Sony’s bid to produce camcorders that are more compact.  The DCR-SR65 launched together with the other Sony hard disk based camcorders, the DCR-SR45, DCR-SR85 and the DCR-SR220.  The DCR-SR65 measures 3in X 4.4in X 3in (HxDxW) and weighs about 14.1 oz.

The DCR-SR65 is a step-up model of the DCR-SR45.  This camcorder has a 40 GB Hard Disk Drive and runs on a 1/6-inch Advanced HAD CCD, 1.07 megapixel imaging device.  In comparison, the DCR-SR45 has the same 1/6 imaging sensor but a lower 0.68 megapixel rating.  Both camcorders record in MPEG-2 digital video format.

The DCR-SR65 has three video recording quality settings.  It can recording in High Quality (9MBPS), Medium Quality (6MBPS) and Low Quality (3MBPS).  Use the highest quality setting when recording using this camcorder, as the other two settings perform poorly and produces lots of grain and noise in the videos.  The camcorder can approximately record 9 hours of video in High Quality setting and 14.5 hours and 27 hours in Medium Quality and Low Quality modes respectively.

The DCR-SR65 belongs to the standard definition category of camcorders, and at a price range of about $450-$550, it is affordable, but not cheap.  This is a perfect camcorder for users who are not ready to invest in a high definition camcorder and those users looking for an affordable camcorder with satisfactory video quality performance.

It also has a built-in zoom microphone with two-channel recording.  The top-mounted stereo microphone works together with the optical zoom, allowing the camcorder to zoom in to focus its audio on distant subjects as you zoom in optically.  It is also equipped with two speakers.

Its main media storage device is the huge 40GB capacity Hard Disk Drive.  There is also a built-in memory slot to accommodate Memory Stick Duo PRO for additional storage option or for storing still images – although the 40GB hard disk might prove to be more than enough to record what you need for a whole day.  The main advantage of having a HDD camcorder over a MiniDV or SD recording camcorders is portability and less clutter.  With this camcorder, you will not have problems carrying cards around when on a long vacation or keeping and storing MiniDV tapes in your home.  You’ll never miss an important event switching tapes or disks with this camcorder.

The camcorder is also equipped with a 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen with Sony’s trademark intuitive touch screen controls.  It is the same as that of the DCR-SR45 and works perfectly, as well.  The structure works well and is very user friendly coupled with Sony’s easy to navigate menu.

Like its little sister, the DCR-SR45, the DCR-SR65 doesn’t have a viewfinder as an alternative viewing other than the LCD.  This can prove to be a disadvantage when filming in bright light conditions or under direct sunlight.  Glaring and ghosting can be a hassle when recording videos under bright light conditions.

Its single 1/6-inch CCD recording sensor is limited to capturing vivid videos in bright light conditions.  As expected with a single, small imaging sensor, low light video qualities are poor with lots of noise and grain.  Although the video quality is below satisfactory, the DCR-SR65 performs well in Night Mode shots producing satisfactory videos even in almost complete darkness.

The DCR-SR65 also boasts of a world class Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 25X optical zoom capability and an amazing maximum 2000X digital zoom.  The optical zoom capability of this camcorder is amazing, capable of focusing objects at extreme close-ups without any image distortion.  However, the camcorder’s image stabilization (Sony’s Electronic Super Steady Shot) is not excellent enough to eliminate camera shake and blurriness at its extreme close-up settings.

Aperture range for this camcorder is at f/1.8 – f/3.2 and focal length range of 2.5mm-62.5mm.  Like most camcorders in its category, the DCR-SR65 has digital photo mode to capture still images.  Although its still image performance is not that impressive at 1 megapixel JPEG format – although this is a better performance compared to the other Sony camcorder, the DCR-SR45, at only 0.3 megapixels.  The exposure parameters for this camcorder include Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait mode, Snow, Sports mode, Spotlight, Sunrise and Twilight.  Connections to other devices are available thru the camcorder’s USB 2.0, AV Output and DC In ports.

If you need a much larger storage space, with the same video recording quality and functions, you can choose the DCR-SR85, which has 20GB more storage space than the DCR-SR65 with its built-in 80 GB Hard Disk Drive.  However, if you own a couple of Memory Stick Duos, then the extra $100 in cost would be senseless for the extra 20GB of storage space.  An 8GB Memory Stick can conveniently store an additional 5 hours of recording data making the 20GB addition irrelevant.

In terms of design, the DCR-SR65 doesn’t excel with its black and silver design – a Sony mainstay and the same design as that of the DCR-SR45.  If you prefer a sleeker design, you can check on JVC’s Everio camcorder range.

If you are after great video quality and overall performance, and willing to jump ahead to the High Definition category, then check out the Canon HF S100 – a very good entry-level camcorder in the High Definition category.  You can get vivid colors, great low light sensitivity and video sharpness with its gigantic 8.59-megapixel imaging sensor for about $200.00 more.  It doesn’t have the huge storage space, though, like the DCR-SR65, as the HF S100 records exclusively in SD/SDHC memory cards.

The Sony DCR-SR65 is ideal for those users who are looking for value in a camcorder below the $1000 price range.  With satisfactory video performance and light weight, this camcorder is best for quick uses like in travel and backyard recording of family events.  With ease in use, this camcorder is perfect for those users who are not yet ready to jump in the High Definition bandwagon.

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Technical Specifications

Hardware

• Assignable Dial : N/A
• Light/Flash : N/A
• Manual / Auto Lens Cover : Manual
• Media Card slot : Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media
• S/S & Zoom button on LCD : Yes