Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder

I got the Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder from a person on Craigslist under the Rhode Island section which is where I live. I found it by chance listed in the computer catagory. I was shocked to see it selling for only $200.00 brand new in the box. The family needed to get the car fixed so they sold the camera to me. I jumped on the deal because they go for hundreds more else where. And I am not the type of person who has that kind of cash to spend. I would have bought it sooner if I did. I like Sony brand digital cameras, so I was pretty sure that I was going to like the Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder just as much. I was certainly right!

Here is what it's got, details, functions and operations...:

 It has a 30gb hard disk drive (HDD) you can store up to 20 hours of video (LP) in scintillating resolution with a 1 megapixel CCD. The lens reduces glare and flaw while capturing incredible detail. You can very easily transfer and share your videos by just connecting the DCR-SR62 to the included Handycam station and burn a DVD with a just a click. Imagine how easy capturing special moments can be with this Cam.


With this Sony Handycam you have optical zoom which helps to bring all of the action close up, even from a sorted distance. In addition to that , the Digital Zoom interpolation allows extreme digital zooming to be much clearer. This means less distortion and better quality over all. It has 25x optical 2000x digital zoom. My old one can't even come close to comparing with this one. I can't imagine that too many of this kind can. But who knows rwally untilyou try it out.

Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating for increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. This is an amazing aspect of the camera. One of the better features really.
Simply placing the camcorder on the supplied Handycam Station cradle provides quick connections to a compatible TV for viewing or a PC for editing and sharing. This does this at the same time you are charging the camera as well. Multitasking camera! What is better then that? I am a fan of anything that can multitask. Even if I personally can't.


The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD screen gives very goodt viewing clarity. The high resolution 123K pixel LCD screen can rotate up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles that provide sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The wide screen format makes shooting much more simple. The screen is very clear. It is not as sensitive to the touch as some can be. It certainly does not scratch as easily as my old camera did. I have kids so it does tend to get handled the wrong way. But so far so good, it has remained in A+ shape.


This Sony Handycam HDD camcorder can capture still images up to 1152x864 in resolution and be put directly onto memory stick duo media for easy transfer to computers for emailing, printing or sharing your videos with other compatible memory stick media devices that are similar.


You can easily switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a button. It is that easy. Imagine the range of footage you can get with the Sony Handycam. Most cameras can't offer half of what this one does. The mechanical shutter system that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system makes your shots clearer and much more defined. It does not matter if you are filming for fun or professionally. This camera can do it all.


The USB 2.0 interface gives you an easy way to connect your Hard Disk Handycam hamcorder to the computer for fast transfer of video and still images to your computer for editing. The camcorder can also be used as an external storage device. this is great for carrying video or even still images if you so choose. There are many possibilities available to you with this camcorder. The DVDirect system allows for easy transfer to a stand-alone DVD Burner via USB 2.0. The VRD-VC30 allows for simple transfer of video for DVD Burning. Also the VRD-MC3 allows for a easy transfer of both video and still images for putting on to a DVD.


You can easily back up your footage to your PC using the supplied software. The footage will be stored on your PC's hard drive for archiving purposes and viewing at a later time. The footage is stored by date too which makes it easier to remember and keep track of in the long run. It is very easy to burn a DVD copy of your footage using the supplied software. Simply connect you DCR-SR62 to your PC via the Handycam Station and supplied USB cable and press the one touch button.


A shock absorber will be there to protect the Hard Disk Drive from any and all physical damage if the unit is dropped or knocked over. This again applies to me having children who do end up hadling the camcorder when I am not looking. When the 3G Sensor detects a drop or fall so to speak, the power to the Hard Disk Drive is turned off in order to prevent damage, during this time the DCR-SR62 remains powered on and recording video to the built-in buffer. Once the unit has recovered from the drop the buffer is then recorded to the Hard Disk Drive.


The active interface shoe is there to provide a location directly on the camcorder to which one may add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication with those accessories. With Sony's Super Night Shot infrared system you can capture natural looking videos, even  in low light situations. It can be done from as far as 20 feet away as well. If not more.The manual focus lets you manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing lets the operator of the camera control the focus in any situation where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorders auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or  fish tank and things of that nature.
For additional control of the camcorder, the DCR-SR62 features Zoom and Record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen.

This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots. Scene selections are nice. You can choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Snow, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, Sunrise and Sunset and Twilight. Scene selection modes make recording easy.


You have the options to change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish or Brazilian Portuguese. To be honest. I never looked in to doing this because all I speak is English, so it never really interested me. But I think it is a good feature for others to have available to them if they do speak these languages.

You can indefinitely enhance your  videos by adding professional looking fader effects. You can make them fade in and out, change shapes to fade in and out a certain way. You can choose from Black and white.

The best thing is that you can charge the battery at any time because unlike Nickel Cadmium batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to the rotten life shortening effect. You can see the battery life on the screen or the view finder. As well as how much time is left. At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. The display will show how much the battery is charged. This just helps you to have a better idea of how far charged the camera is or how much more filming you can do with it.

The Sony Handycam DCRSR62 camcorder has 1/6" Advanced HAD™ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 690K effective video pixels that provide amazing detail. It can have up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution. With a press of the Easy Handycam button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are sort of blocked out. Thus leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational. This is perfect for people like my mother who does not understand the more complex features.

What I have personally shot:

I often go to parties for or with my kids. I hate to miss those moments so the Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder comes with us when ever we go to a function like this. I also have used it at my mother's 63rd birthday, my own birthday, two weddings, and in many other places. Some times I take it with us when we go fishing.It is amazing the videos that you get when you film the moving waters with the Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder. I filmed my daughter's kindergarten graduation with it a couple of weeks ago as well.

What I think, recommendations and experience:

The Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder lives up to it's name through and through. It delivers all that it promises to. It does have a 2 year warranty card that comes with it. You fill it out and send it in. Or you can do it on line. I sent mine in by mail. This also registers it.

This camcorder has become a part of life with my family. I am able to capture moments, like seeing my son sing an entire song for the first time while watching television. Or sneaking around the corner to catch my daughter dancing to music in the family room. The Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder just can't be beat. The audio is so clear. There is no skipping or lagging. Both the video and sound are right on cue. I have pretty much nothing bad that I can say about the Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder.

This camcorder is very easy to use. It is light weight. I like the fact that it is shaped so oddly. It looks more like a tube shape then your standard oval or square shape. The color is more silvery then it is gray like my old one was. I just like every thing about it. I love the fact that it is small. It fits in to the diaper bag pouch nicely. And I have bought a standard carry bag for it. One size fits most from Walmart that it fits good in to as well. I use anti static wipes on the screen now and then just to keep it nice. These work fine and are not wet by any means. Never use cleaning solutions on the screen. It is no different from a big screen. You don't want water dripping in it.

I am very pleased with my purchase. I got a great deal on the Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder. I have to say it is one of the only and best purchases that I made for myself this year. I am very happy with it. The look of the video and still frames are just awesome. There have been no flaws or problems. The instructions were easy to follow and everything has gone very smoothly. Again, I just have no complaints. I highly recommend the Sony Handycam DCR-SR62 HDD camcorder.