Sony HandyCam DCR-SX40 macro with zoom test 1

[dishafreestyle]

sick

[Talal0khalid]

I purchased one and was a little disappointed in the picture quality. The image looked washed out and blurry and even worse when recording under low light or during dark scenes.

Even Cheaper Mini DV cameras by sony are alot better!

Cpacity 4GB its only 55 mins recording and then you have to buy expensive memory sticks that are double the price of SD cards.

[DyeSwatForeign]

awesome

[LTPDfilms]

hwo do u get to macro?

[capskie]

you can use in full auto or just choose macro mode on the menu. You can also use manual focus. Here's some feature info from SX40:

[capskie]

Focus Modes: The Sony Handycam DCR-SX40 features Manual, Auto Focus, Spot Focus, and Tele Macro modes.

Manual Focus: you can manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows you to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally.

[capskie]

Auto Focus: You can also select automatic focusing. When using autofocus, you can choose to focus on a subject in the center of the screen or with Spot Focus, focus on an off-centered object.

[capskie]

Spot Focus: You can select and adjust the focal point to aim it at a subject not located at the center of the screen.

Tele Macro: This feature is useful when shooting small subjects, such as flowers or insects. You can blur out backgrounds and the subject stands out clearer. You can recorded subjects as close as 19-3/4 inches in Tele-Macro mode.

[N0sPr4Yu]

@capskie how do you manual focus? the plus and minus thing shows up on the screen.. do i jus ttouch it until the image is clear? or do swipe? or .. idk man! help!

[capskie]

@N0sPr4Yu yes, touch it until the image went clear.

[N0sPr4Yu]

@capskie thanks! i finaly figured out how to do the manual focus, you have to go to the screen while recording. ive still got lots to learn about the camera.. iw ant to be able to get this effect except wiityhout being zoomed all teh way in :/

[rockman22]

What settings did you use for this video, 4:3 or 16:9 , and in High Quality or Regular?

[capskie]

High quality in 16:9

[AdamHockey73]

if i made a homemade fish eye or wide angle lens to just hold infront of this camera would i still work?

[capskie]

I never try that before, so I cannot answer your question. Sorry.. ;)

[TouchThatIpod]

Whenever I try to put the video on Windows Movie Maker it doesnt show any audio or any video why?

[capskie]

@TouchThatIpod

I never using WMM so I'm not sure why. But I think that is common issue with .mpg format. Try to convert the video file from .mpg to more friendly format like .mp4, .avi or .mov with MpegStreamclip software. Its a free software.

[AdamHockey73]

so would you recomened this camera for shoting dirt bike, mountian bike, snowboarding videos?

[capskie]

Nope. I don't think this cam suitable for that kind of activity. To shoot it its ok..., but not to put on it. :)

[crapmunky99]

This is amazing. Seriously.

Compared to a lot of other videos I've seen on YouTube shot with the same camera, yours seems to have the best image quality. Did you do anything to the movie file (like changing the format) and do you know if you can import the movie files directly into Windows Movie Maker (XP) without changing the format? I know it shoots in MPEG2 format, which I've heard Movie Maker doesn't accept. Any info/help would be very much appreciated! Thanks, and great video! ^_^

[capskie]

@crapmunky99

Thanks man. The file is totally original. No changing format or other editing cosmetics.

So sorry I don't know anything about window movie maker, because I'm using Mac.

Do you have issue if you have to change the format from .Mpeg? if not, you can change from .mpeg to more friendly format like AVI, MOV, MP4, DV by using MpegStreamclip. Its a free software. :)

[crapmunky99]

Well, that would explain why the video appears better; no tinkering with formats leaves it in it's best quality...

I have a Panasonic digital camera (not a camcorder) that shoots MOV format movies, which WMM can't use. I change those into MPEG 1 files which WMM can use. I've heard though that WMM can't read MPEG 2 for some reason, but I don't know for sure since I don't have this camcorder.

But anyway, I'll check out that software you mentioned; perhaps it'll help. Thanks again for your help!

[capskie]

You're welcome. One other thing that maybe could help you. There's a plug in called: MPEG-2 playback component that have to be installed to your computer if you want to play or edit MPEG2 file. My understanding, that MPEG-2 playback component belongs to quicktime, but some other editing applications also need that plug in to operate its maximum feature.

[crapmunky99]

OK, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again! :)

[MegamiTsubasa]

@capskie hi! i hope you could answer my question...please... I'm using mac too but the files are not compatible to imovie. do I really need to convert it to other format or there is a way that it can enter the imovie without changing the format?

[capskie]

@MegamiTsubasa hi Meg.. and yes Meg, if you want to edit with iMovie, you have to convert the file to .MOV or DV. There is no way you can edit mpeg file on iMovie. You can convert the file from .mpeg to more friendly format like AVI, MOV, MP4, DV by using MpegStreamclip. Its a free software.

Note: If you using MpegStreamcilp, if you find the picture a bit shadowed or not sharp after converting, try to click the deinterlance option before start converting. Hope this helps :P

[MegamiTsubasa]

@capskie thanks! I already downloaded the converter ^_^ thanks a lot ^_^

[thatBrownguyis]

how do u do that on the camera whats the set up ?

[capskie]

@thatBrownguyis:

There was no special set up required. I was using standard mode. Just hold very still (or use tripod), let the auto focus lock on the object, then start zooming slowly... and stop when it reach around 50% from the total optical zoom level. Beyond that it will out of focus.

[Mrxb0x]

O____________________O

I want this camera.

[jason3259]

can u please tell me how to use stabilization i just got the camcord recently thank you!

[capskie]

My understanding, stabilizer on SX40 called Steadyshot. You can follow this steps:

(HOME) - (SETTINGS) - [MOVIE SETTINGS] - [ STEADYSHOT] - on/off - OK.

[GOTPnews]

can anyone tell me how to change the video format on my handycamera from mpg to something else

[capskie]

you mean change the .mpg file from your camcorder in computer? try to use Mpeg Streamclip, its a free software.

[cherryangelgirl12345]

I have the same camera but if you look at my latest video "new webkinz" um there is some bars and the color looks sad can you tell be what settings to use?

[capskie]

hallo, I'm not an expert and I'm not really sure why there's some bars on it. But here's what you can try: I presume you've shot the video in wide mode (16:9), then export your .mpeg file using quicktime pro or MpegStreamclip to .mov file. Use the video setting:

SETTING: compression: H264, frame rate: current, data rate: restrict to 10000kbits/sec

SIZE: dimensions: custom 720 x 405

AUDIO: current

That was the setting I've use. I hope it helps.

Good luck.

[capskie]

sorry I forgot, correction: quicktime cannot do the job. Quicktime can only export the visual from .mpeg, but cannot export the sound. Use Mpeg Streamclip. It is a good, free software.

[cherryangelgirl12345]

This was sort of confusing for me... I'm 10 so i dont understand very well can you tell me where to go?

[capskie]

hehe, yes I've notice from your video clip. =P But for your age, I think you already make your self a good video.

tell you what, this is a very technical thing which kind of difficult to explain in here. But if you want, I can tell you step by step how to do it. Do you have yahoo messenger? If you do, my yahoo messenger ID is: capskie , buzz me, and I can teach you step by step how to do it via chat. Keep up the good work.

cheers

[cherryangelgirl12345]

ok i sent you a message of it....on youtube

[tfinder]

Nice demonstration.

I've noticed the videos seem hazy at 60x. What zoom level do you think objects looks their clarity?

What zoom level did you max at for this demo?

Thanks.

[capskie]

thanks.

This object was shot with the distance less than 2 cm from the lens. The macro lens still works even if I zoomed the object, but it only can reach 50% from total level of the optical zoom, so maybe arround 30x optical zoom. More than that it will go out of focus. The hazy image maybe because the macro lens are very sensitive, a couple millimeters from the focus spot will become out of focus. IMHO

[tfinder]

What I have found through trials; many lose focus much too soon when zooming. This one favors very well. I'm just trying to decide if I want to trade in a large zoom power for HD since they are limited to around 16x and more around 10x. The difference is some don't hunt on the focus. However, they don't have the magnification range either.

I have a Sanyo CG6 that does very well but is limited to 5x and hunts on the focus too often.

Anyway, thanks for the response.

[capskie]

No problem, glad can share.

I've read some review about camcorders that says some auto focus has difficulty to lock the focus on the object in low light conditions, but I forgot which type of the camcorder.

If you want an HD cam with 30x optical zoom, xacti WH1 worth to consider. Have you see my video demo on WH1?

[tfinder]

I've found many of them with good light have trouble locking auto focus on zooming.

Yes, very nice. I'll take a closer look at the WH1.

How does it compare with the SX40? Seems better they probably both have their pros and cons. Do you use the manual focus because of the hunting problem? How does it fare under low light?

THanks.

[capskie]

Thanks tfinder. I'm sure no one doubt about the quality when it comes from Sony, but to be honest, I like WH1 more than SX40. First of all, WH1 is an HD, and I found the color on the video is warmer and smoother. The file (h264/.MP4) is also more friendly for mac and easy to edit. I had issue earlier with Canon FS100 and SX40 with its .MOD and .MPG file. The video seems to be jagged, and when you deinterlaced it, it will reduce the sharpness. But I agree with you, both have their pros and cons.

[capskie]

The reason why I using manual focus on that 'sea snail' video was because I didn't use a tripod. It was hand held. I don't want the focus running away because of my 'un-steady' hand...=P. But the other video (the underwater shot with scorpion fish), it was in auto focus mode. The WH1 is good in good light, but poor in low light. While HD2000, good in daylight and low light.

[ApoorvaGharat]

I noticed the same thing too. I do a lot of shootings of the moon with my camera's. On the SX-40's 60x zoom, the image of the moon was very hazy, no matter what i tried. On the other hand, on my really really old DCR-TRV40E with 20x optical zoom, the images of the moon were crystal clear. So I really don't know what's the issue with this cam.

[capskie]

hi, have you try shooting the object using the zoom but not on its maximum capability? say, 95% of 60x zoom? My experience with high capability zoom such as this 60x zoom was that they can't get the focus right, specially in low light situations. So try aiming the object, zoom in to its full capability, then pull back juuust a little bit. I hope that can solve the problem. :P

[IAMTUBIN]

do u have this on a tripod?

[capskie]

No, it was shot hand held, but I put my arm lying on something.

[IAMTUBIN]

o k nice!

[XTheDesertSongX]

cool!

im getting this tomorrow, so i wanted to see some tests, and this one is great!

[capskie]

it is a good cam, but wait, maybe you should also see my other test on Sanyo Xacti VPC-WH1. So you can compare it.

[tfinder]

Xacti's are nice but I've only seen them with 5x optical zooms. My CG6 shows 2 or 3 burnt pixels in dark scenes as well. I've seen a number of complaints about this issue as well.

[capskie]

What I know that CG6 is not HD camcorder. Not even standard definition. It only can record video in 640x480pxl, and yes, optical zoom only 5x. I using xacti WH1 waterproof HD (1280x720) and xacti HD2000 full HD (1920x1080). So far I have no complain for those two.

If you want a middle price camcorder that has a good quality in low light situation, xacti HD2000 is the one.

but that's just my opinion... :P

[tfinder]

You are correct but if you look at my Bearded Dragon video you can see it is very good quality. The problem is I often find myself using manual focus because of the focus issues.

However, it is a model that is no longer sold so they may have worked out the issues. I do like the portability but the 5x zoom seems too limiting for what I wish to do. Macro is my favorite mode.

[capskie]

I've seen the video. It is very good quality, clear and sharp. Good job!

[leem1994]

I really don't care about the camcorder being HD. I have a computer that only has 512 mb of ram so, it won't be able to handle HD unless I upgrade. I will in the future, but for now I am satisfied with SD video. I just want it to look good on youtube, to be used to take decent pics, and to be great for filming and what ever else. I will buy HD stuff in the future when HD has gone down in price.

[IAMTUBIN]

i totally agree with you. My area of study deals with the media and entertainment stuff, so I had to buy a Camcorder and with a lot of reviewing and researching on this camcorder and others to get my self more familiarized with specs and what not, I bought the Sony DCR SX40 because it's all of what I need now. My level of expertise complements my use for this camcorder. So it is a great starter camcorder and that's all I need and can afford now. Good Vid!

[leem1994]

Very Nice. Keep up the good camera work!

[leem1994]

Very nice. You have lead me to buy this camcorder.

[capskie]

go ahead bro. Although its not an HD cam, but still its a good quality camcorder.