Sony Handycam DCR SR85

127 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (95)
portability (48)
price (31)
size (22)
image quality (22)

Negative
viewfinder (5)
control panel (2)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 127 reviews of Sony Handycam DCR SR85. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Views about the size and image quality are overall positive. The price and portability also get good feedback, but many are negative about the control panel and viewfinder.

usability, portability, price, image quality, size

viewfinder, control panel

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony Handycam DCR SR85 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 84/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 127 reviews)

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Showing 1 - 108 of 119 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (7)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony Handycam DCR SR85

alaTest has collected and analyzed 98 user reviews of Sony Handycam DCR SR85 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the size and image quality. The price and portability are also mentioned favorably. The control panel and viewfinder get critical reviews.

usability, portability, price, image quality, size

viewfinder, control panel

86% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.co.uk)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive review

The Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 offers almost everything the company claims. It's very easy to use, goes from off to recording in seconds, is small enough to throw in a bag, and its 60GB hard drive delivers anywhere from 14 to 41 hours of recording time...

Lightweight, compact design; 60GB of storage and recording ability to Memory Stick cards; responsive touch screen; simple operation.

Overpriced for what it delivers; no optical image stabilization.

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Sep, 2008

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Expert review by : Good Gear Guide.au (goodgearguide.com.au)

Expert Review

The Sony DCR-SR85 is a good quality mid-range camcorder that easily matches any standard-def model in its price range. If you're determined to ignore the HD boom, you could certainly do a lot worse than this.

60GB hard drive, decent specs for the asking price, memory stick slot, beginner-friendly touch screen interface

Poor stills mode, struggles under low lighting

Feb, 2008

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Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive review: Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Lightweight, compact design; 60GB of storage and recording ability to Memory Stick cards; responsive touch screen; simple operation.

Overpriced for what it delivers; no optical image stabilization.

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Sep, 2008

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Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Lightweight, compact design ; 60GB of storage ; Also records video to Memory Stick cards ; Responsive touchscreen ; Simple operation

Overpriced for what it delivers ; No optical image stabilisation

Conclusion Overall, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 is a good camcorder. Its 60GB of storage means you can more than likely take it on a vacation without worrying about running out of space. Plus you can save video and stills to Memory Stick Pro Duo cards...

Oct, 2008

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Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive review: Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - camcorder - hard disk drive

Lightweight, compact design; 60GB of storage and recording ability to Memory Stick cards; responsive touch screen; simple operation.

Overpriced for what it delivers; no optical image stabilization.

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

Sep, 2008

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 Camcorder Review

With a 60GB internal hard drive, the DCR-SR85 (MSRP $549.99) has the largest storage capacity of Sony's entry level standard definition camcorders. Replacing last year's DCR-SR42, Sony added a larger hard drive, a slightly revamped design, and a 100%...

Nov, 2008

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (reviewed.com)

Sony DCR-SR85

With a 60GB internal hard drive, the DCR-SR85 (MSRP $549.99) has the largest storage capacity of Sony\'s entry level standard definition camcorders. Replacing last year\'s DCR-SR42, Sony added a larger hard drive, a slightly revamped design, and a 100%...

Nov, 2008

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Consumer review (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

I saw one on special in a store and found that the picture wasn't very sharp on it's display stand.

Reasonable storage

Picture not very sharp

Apr, 2009

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Consumer review (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

A very good camcorder. I bought this in Sydney (after looking for the right one). It has very good quality, enough hard drive space and night shot.

It has high quality video (even on a HD TV), 60GB of hard drive space (about 14 hours on high quality) and night shot (for taking videos during night). Nice "Let's Enjoy Video" DVD

The software that comes with it could be better

Mar, 2009

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Consumer review (viewpoints.com)

A good camera with good images for the money ”

We were given this camera as a gift and it is definitely of good quality. It has a 2000X digital zoom. If you are looking for something to record from afar (like on the field for a game of one of your kids) I would suggest another camera but it does a...

Mar, 2011

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