Sony Handycam DCR-HC40 comparison

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Product name	Sony Handycam DCR-HC40	Canon Vixia HF200	Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)	Optura 40 Digital Video Camcorder	Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (silver)
Price	$394.95	$549.00 to $749.99	$368.00 to $599.00	Check Prices	$299.00 to $399.99
CNET editors' rating	3.0 stars Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	3.0 stars Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
Average user rating	3.0 stars	3.5 stars	2.5 stars	3.5 stars	3.0 stars
Release date	April 15, 2004	April 01, 2009	March 15, 2009	May 23, 2004	February 01, 2009
The Bottom Line	The DCR-HC40's touch screen can be inconvenient to use, but this affordable compact camcorder's footage in automatic mode isn't likely to need many adjustments.	While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking.	You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100.	If the Optura 30 is good, the Optura 40 is better, thanks to its video light. But if you don't find yourself shooting in a lot of low-light situations, it may not be worth the cash.	If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47.
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Wireless connectivity	No	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Lens aperture	F/1.8-2.3	F/1.8-3.2	F/1.8-2.2	F/1.8-3.0	F/1.8-6.0
Flash type	None	Built-in flash	Info unavailable	Built-in flash	Info unavailable
Media type	Mini DV	Flash card	Flash card	Mini DV	Flash card Hard disk drive
Optical zoom	10 x	15 x	10 x	14 x	60 x
Optical sensor type	CCD	CMOS	ClearVid CMOS	CCD	Advanced HAD CCD
Video input type	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder
Digital zoom	120 x	300 x	120 x	280 x	2000 x
Battery technology	Lithium ion	Lithium ion	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Battery included qty	1	1	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Min illumination	0 lux	0.4 lux	Info unavailable	1.1 lux	6 lux
Weight	0.9 lbs	12 oz	Info unavailable	1.3 lbs	10.6 oz
Image stabilizer	Electronic (Super Steady Shot)	Optical (SuperRange)	Optical (Steady Shot)	Electronic	Electronic (Steady Shot)
Optical sensor size	1/5"	1/4"	1/5"	1/3.4"	1/8"
Effective sensor resolution	1.0 megapixels	2.99 megapixels	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Service & support type	3 month parts and labor limited warranty	1 year warranty	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Manual focus	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic
Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications
Buying choices	Amazon.com Marketplace $394.95 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store	Newegg.com $549.99 In stock: Yes B&H Photo-Video $549.00 In stock: Yes TigerDirect.com $549.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 15 CNET Certified stores	Sony Electronics, Inc. $499.99 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $429.00 In stock: Yes B&H Photo-Video $599.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 10 authorized stores	E-mail me when this product is available	Sony Electronics, Inc. $349.99 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $329.00 In stock: Yes B&H Photo-Video $299.95 In stock: Yes Prices from 8 authorized stores
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