Sony HDR-CX405 Review
7/10 (Expert Score)
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Reviews (4)
4 reviews for Sony HDR-CX405 Review
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pauljo36 –
Very light to handle, easy to use, good quality.
clark01279 –
This camera is incredibly light and works well. The zoom is phenomenal, but it takes a light touch to do a very slow zoom, so little practice is needed before using it for an important event. Image stabilisation is excellent. Transfer to TV or computer is easy with free downloaded apps. which work well.
hyper –
Just to establish my credentials, I’ve been buying camcorders for twenty five years, mostly Canon or Sony top of the range consumer versions. I’ve also owned a low end professional Sony (tape) which gave me 10 years of good service. I mainly use them for holiday videos.When I was looking for a small, light camcorder last year I came across the Sony HDR-CX405. It had reasonable reviews. And it was cheap.When I saw the results I was very disappointed. Even my iPhone could shoot video of similar (if not better) quality. There was a ‘pixel shift’ that pretty much ruined the video.Expecting this to be a rogue machine, I returned the camcorder to Amazon and ordered another.It had the same problem. It was now out of the Amazon returns period so I contacted Sony customer service. They suggested a reboot. I did this and extensively tested it. The problem was still there.I then returned the cam to Sony who are, right now, trying to fix the issue. They have gone way over their 5 day ‘fix’ window.Personally, I’m not hopeful. I believe it’s a design fault, possibly an issue with the autofocus.I will update this review soon, but right now it’s buyer beware!24/9/18 NOTE: Sony failed to fix the cam, despite replacing key parts. I sent it back again as the issue had not been solved. They replaced the parts again and QC’s it before returning. Same problem. I returned it to Sony for the third and final time. A technician thoroughly checked it and declared that there was no problem and that the quality ‘was within the specifications of the unit’. They returned it, suggesting I get a refund from Amazon…which I did.I researched for an alternative and bought a CANON LEGRIA HF R806 (from Argos, as a package with SD card and case, for around £215). Immediately apparent was the build quality – it just feels more substantial (slightly heavier) and comes with an OPTICAL image stabiliser. Canon pioneered this type many years ago and they’re much better than the Digital ones you often find on other brands at this price point. Some test footage I shot proved the vastly superior video quality too.DON’T BUY THIS SONY when you have better alternatives.09.07.19 NOTE:I’ve used the Canon mentioned above extensively now. It’s a great little cam and the overall video quality if good at this price point. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Jim mclowski –
Good camcorder, but the built-in USB cable (that sticks out of the body) is a weak design.If you use it only occasionally (Birthdays and Christenings) then I doubt you’ll have a problem. If however you use it once or twice a week then watch out for the USB cable fraying (where it joins the body). I noticed it was fraying badly after 6 months. After 8 months it wouldn’t recharge and I couldn’t download to the computer.The cable was fixed under warranty but now I’ve got to make some kind of Heath Robinson cushioning near the body to try and stop the cable from flexing.