Sony – HDRCX405 Review, Unboxing, User Manual
HIGHLIGHTS:
SONY HDRCX405 HD HANDYCAM - OVERVIEW
The HDRCX405 is one of the best digital video cameras from Sony. It also features a wide-angle Zeiss T lens with 30X optical zoom, 350X digital zoom, a 1/5.8” BSI Exmor R CMOS image sensor, the Bionz X image processor, the Optical Steady Shot image stabilization mechanism, and an intelligent autofocusing system. But, it does not have a wireless connectivity option that makes it a bit cheaper than other Sony HD camcorders.
If you are not after a 4K filming camcorder and can deal without WI-FI connectivity, the Sony HDRCX405 would be a great value option to take a closer look at our detailed Sony CX405 review.
SONY – HDRCX405 REVIEW
Design & Features
The Sony HDR CX405 is ideal for video blogging, BTS shooting, or making home videos. The camera weighs only 190 grams; that means, if you don’t mount it on a tripod, your hand still never gets fatigued, even after an extended shooting season. The camera has a handy design with comfortable grips and is genuinely advantageous for people; who have shaky hands but often have to take handheld shots. The activated steady shot recording mode helps to take stabilized footage on the go.
The CX405 handycam doesn’t feature many function buttons on the body to stop accidental press; but, it brings ample options of creative and camera settings together under your fingertip on the LCD screen. The menus are not touch-friendly, but you will get some associated buttons around the screen that allow you to select the menus.
The 2.7-inches display presents the preview of the scenes and plays backs recorded footage in a 16:9 aspect ratio; the 230,400 dots resolution LCD screen provides enough bright view that you can see clearly under the bright daylight. The Sony HDR CX405 display makes the low or high-angle shooting easy by enabling up to 270-degree angled rotation and 90-degree tilting movement.
The Zeiss lens of Sony is known for superior image quality, natural-looking imagery, impressive color contrast, and sharpness. The f/1.8 - f/4 camera lens lets you take eye-catching close-up shots with an expanded background as it offers 30X optical plus up to 350X digital magnification range with 26.8 to 804 mm wide-angle view.
The BIONZ X image processor is also a big plus in recreating lifelike vivid colored imagery alongside the Zeiss lens. It also reduces the amount of noise, improves and speeds up the image processing capacity.
The backside-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor mainly reduces noises, enhances clarity in low-lighting conditions, and provides a pleasing soft background defocusing effect. On the other hand, the advanced image sensor helps in achieving a shallower depth-of-field.
The automated focusing function automatically optimizes the focusing area and adjusts the exposure and color temper according to the scene. It optimizes the combination of settings by determining the face, scene type, and camera shakes; plus, it displays the setting options as icons on the LCD for easy reference. So, in my opinion, the camcorder is great for kids, teenagers, and those looking to shoot family videos.
You can personalize some of the setting options and prioritize someone from the scene; just by touching the menus and the face. The smile detection function of this Sony CX405 handycam automatically captures stills of smiling faces; while shooting videos.
Image and video quality
The Sony HDRCX405 HD offers 30 and 60 fps recording modes for 1080P resolution videos at 50 Mbps bit-rate; in widely supported XAVC format. For AVC HD videos, it offers three different recording modes with variable frames and bit rates. It also captures bright and sharp 9.2 MP still pictures in still image modes.
It uses the MPEG-4 / H.264 and XAVC S or AVCHD video recording formats, but you can record the full quality video in AVC HD format and another low-quality video in MP4 format; while recording two videos simultaneously.
STORAGE
The included Sony NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery has a 1240 mAh power capacity; that allows 80 minutes of continuous video recording.
The camcorder comes with two media slots that support micro memory cards only. The primary slot accepts SDHC and SDXC compatible micro SD cards, and another accepts micro memory stick cards.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The camcorder is compatible with Bravia Sync devices; so you can see the video output on Bravia Sync-compatible HD TV. It also provides output through a Type-D micro-HDMI, a 2.0 Type-A USB, and composite ports. Unfortunately, it does not take inputs from external microphones and has no wireless connection.
BEST FEATURES OF SONY HD VIDEO RECORDING HDRCX405 HANDYCAM CAMCORDER
Overall the Sony 405 camcorder performs pretty well according to its price range; you would like its expansive zooming capacity, low light performance, smooth and stable HD imagery, easy operability, and handy lightweight design. Now check out the Sony HDR-CX405 specs given below.
NOTE: The impressive low-light performance of this Sony CX405 video camera makes it a highly recommended camcorder for hunting purposes.
SPECIFICATIONS OF SONY – HDRCX405
LENS SPECIFICATION
Focal Length | 1.9 to 57 mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 26.8 to 804 mm) |
Zoom | Optical Zoom - 30X |
Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 to f/4 |
Minimum Focus Distance | 1 cm |
Filter Size |
|
Control Rings | Focus, Zoom |
Focus Control | Auto-focus | Manual Focus |
IMAGE SENSOR
Sensor Size | 1/5.8” |
Sensor Type | Backside Illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor |
Effective Resolution | 2.29 Megapixel |
CAMERA SPECIFICATION
Image Stabilization | Optical Image stabilization with Steady-Shot + Active mode |
Shutter Speed | 1/8 to 1/10,000 sec |
Minimum Illumination | 3 Lux at 1/25 Shutter Speed |
VIDEO RECORDING
Recording Formats | XAVC-S and AVCHD or MPEG4-AVC/H.264 |
Video Resolution | 4:2:0 XAVC: FHD (1920 x 1080) at 30/60 fps (50 Mb/s) 4:2:0 AVCHD:
|
DISPLAY SCREEN
Screen Size | 2.7" |
Resolution | 230,400 dots |
Display Type | Articulating LCD Touch Screen |
Connectivity
Wired Connection | Type D Micro-HDMI, 2.0 Type A USB, Composite and Bravia Sync |
Mounting Feature
Accessory Mount | 1/4"-20 Female Tripod Mounting Thread |
Power
Battery Model | Sony NP-BX1 Lithium-ion battery packs |
Battery Capacity | 1240 mAh |
sony cx405 camcorder TEST VIDEO
SONY – HDRCX405 UNBOXING
SONY HDR-CX405 USER MANUAL
You will be receiving a detailed user manual while purchasing a SONY – HDRCX405. But, you can also view the user manual from the Company's official website. The user manual will have a complete guide on the different camera settings, firmware, and safety precautions you will need to follow while using this camcorder.
If you wish to check the official user manual of this SONY – HDRCX405 camcorder, click here.
SONY HDR-CX405 ACCESSORIES
Tripod
While tracking the subject or not taking odd angled shots, you should use a 1/4 “- 20 female mounting screwed tripod to get better stable imagery.
Extra Batteries
The included 1240 mAh battery will not last for such a long time that one could expect; it’s better to keep extra pairs of batteries or use higher capacity batteries.
Conclusion
Of course, we should look at some more generic camcorder options available in the market as the industry has moved more towards 4K technology. But the HDRCX405 is a good entry point for HD camcorders in the consumer range, a perfect handy option for starting within a professional filming career. The camera sits between the less-professional consumer and the high-end professional video cameras; that offer versatile HD recording options with decent imaging quality.
