Given that it uses the same Zeiss T* 10X zoom lens and 3-megapixel CCD as last year's DVD403, the DVD405's performance and video quality come out pretty similar as well. The zoom is smooth and responsive, autoexposure and autofocus adjust fairly quickly to changes in subject and environment, and though the LCD is small, it's quite usable in most lighting. The image stabilization works well, too.
Video quality can be very good, although there are occasional glitches. Exposure is correctly set, but like its siblings, the DCR-DVD405 tends to blow out bright highlights. Its colors and white balance are sufficiently accurate--certainly pleasing. However, I also saw stuttering in the video playback--not too serious but noticeable. Furthermore, though the surround-sound mics are sensitive and do a good job, the lack of a wind filter results in extremely noisy outdoor shooting. Finally, the DVD405's still photos don't quite match up to those of the DVD505; they exhibit less noise and less blooming, but the colors are less saturated and images look oversharpened. Still, they get the job done.
Though it's not a stellar example of DVD camcorder technology, the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405 delivers above-average video and stills, in a compact, comfortable package. Before you commit, though, give the touch screen an in-store tryout; it can make or break your experience with this product.
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