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Sony DCR TRV 740

alaTest has collected and analyzed 404 reviews of Sony DCR TRV 740. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. People are impressed by the price and zoom. The image quality and portability also get good reviews, whereas some have doubts about the finish and connectivity.

usability, portability, image quality, zoom, price

viewfinder, color, connectivity, finish

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony DCR TRV 740 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 87/100 = Very good quality.

See all Sony Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 404 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (52% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (33% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (59%)Show negative (41%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (68%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (73%)Show negative (27%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (95%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (44%)Show negative (56%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (20%)Show negative (80%)(Show all)
control panel
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
connectivity
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
finish
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
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Showing 354 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 215 of 354 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (21)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony DCR TRV 740

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 110 user reviews of Sony DCR TRV 740 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. People really like the zoom and size. The price and portability are also appreciated.

usability, portability, price, size, zoom

99% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2019

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony DCR TRV 740

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 95 user reviews of Sony DCR TRV 740 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People really like the battery and price. The image quality and portability are also appreciated. Many are negative about the connectivity and viewfinder, while there are some mixed comments about the durability.

usability, portability, image quality, price, battery

zoom, size, viewfinder, connectivity

87% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2019

Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.co.uk)

Sony Handycam XR500V review

 

In what's probably the most interesting development in consumer camcorders thus far in 2009, Sony serves up the Handycam HDR-XR500 series, a pair of hard-disk-based AVCHD camcorders that integrate the dual firsts of built-in GPS and a new Exmor-R...

First-rate video quality and performance; geotagging videos is fun, if limited.

Annoying menu system; no wind filter; no manual shutter-speed, iris, or audio controls; relatively big and heavy; expensive.

Though their geotagging capabilities are mostly novelty and their interfaces could use a complete overhaul, the top-notch video quality, performance, and consumer-friendly feature sets of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR520V make them worthy...

Jul, 2009
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Sony overhauls its prosumer 4K camcorder

 

With a new sensor, lens and an updated microphone, it should be a different beast.

Jan, 2016
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Sony Handycam XR500V review: Sony Handycam XR500V

 

Sony Handycam XR500V

First-rate video quality and performance; geotagging videos is fun, if limited.

Annoying menu system; no wind filter; no manual shutter-speed, iris, or audio controls; relatively big and heavy; expensive.

Though their geotagging capabilities are mostly novelty and their interfaces could use a complete overhaul, the top-notch video quality, performance, and consumer-friendly feature sets of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR520V make them worthy...

Jul, 2009
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Expert review by : Derek Fung (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V

 

With its new back-illuminated CMOS sensor, GPS receiver and active image stabilisation, this new Handycam looks set to usurp the camcorder throne. We can't wait until we're able to do a full review.

Oct, 2010
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Expert review by : Robin Liss (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony DCR-TRV740 Camcorder Review - Sony Digital8 Camcorders

 

The Sony DCR-TRV740 is Sony's top Digital8 camcorder, second only to the DCR-TRV840. The camcorder has a street price around $800. The DCR-TRV740 provides many great features and superior picture quality. The DCR-TRV740 also offers excellent quality...

Mar, 2002
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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (reviewed.com)

Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V

 

The Sony HDR-PJ710V delivers both focus and image quality.

This not-quite flagship Handycam is just as good than Sony's top models—and cheaper, too.

Sep, 2012
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Consumer review (very.co.uk)

Detailed, dynamic colours, limited manual control

 

Only used a couple of times, solid unit, lot's of YouTube views to get a shortcut to advised settings... Surprised Lens Hood not included (for sunlight), but I like the features and sockets

Mar, 2019
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Consumer review (very.co.uk)

Great Disappointment

 

This camera makes great videos, and the sound is fairly good. But it has a fatal flaw - it is tied to a particular region. If you buy it in a PAL region, such as Europe, it records only at 50/25 FPS (plus 24 FPS). There is no way to set it to 30/60...

Feb, 2019
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Consumer review (very.co.uk)

Could do (even) better

 

I have only had this camera a few weeks and Sony are already asking for a review, which I feel is premature. I bought it mainly because I wanted to move up at least to HD, with some headroom for 4K in the future. I wanted a dedicated video camera with...

Feb, 2019
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Consumer review (very.co.uk)

Great features

 

Has all the features that I want. Great picture quality at a good price.

Feb, 2019
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Product Specifications

The DCR-TRV740 brings you optimal performance with the introduction of Megapixel quality to Digital8 recording. Realize superb image quality with your videos plus enjoy your ready-to-print digital still images with Megapixel quality. Don't be limited to 60 seconds of MPEG movie recording anymore thanks to MPEG Movie EX, which allows you extended recording time limited only by the capacity of your Memory Stick media.

Audio

Audio system:Dolby Digital 2.0 / Dolby Digital 5.1
Built-In Microphone: Yes
Built-in speaker(s): Yes
Wind filter: Yes

Audio Input

Microphone Operation Mode:Stereo
Microphone Technology:Electret condenser
Type:Microphone

Battery

Battery Capacity:1030
Battery capacity (Watt hours):7
Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Battery life (max):40
Battery technology:Lithium
Battery Type:NP-FM50 / NP-FV50
Battery voltage:6.8
Continuous video playback time:1

Camcorder Features

Low Lux / Night Mode: Yes

Camera

3D: No
Back light compensation: Yes
Back Light Compensation (BLC):Y
Camcorder type:Handheld camcorder
Camera playback:Highlights, Slide show / movie, slide show
Geotagging: Yes
Image processor:BIONZ
Image quality adjustment:Brightness
Minimum illumination:3 / 6 / 7
On Screen Display (OSD) languages:ENG, ESP, FRE, POR
Self-timer:10
Self-timer delay:10
Supported aspect ratios:16:9 / 4:3, 16:9

Camera Flash

Type: None

Design

Colour of product:Black

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:20.7cm
Height:10.1cm
Weight:0.9kg
Width:8.5cm

Display

Built-in Display: Yes
Display:LCD
Display diagonal:6.35 / 7.62
Display Resolution:123200
Display resolution (numeric):230000
Touchscreen: Yes

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:2.5in
Diagonal Size (metric):6.4cm
Display Form Factor:Rotating
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Beach & Ski / Landscape / Portrait mode / Sports mode / Spotlight / Sunset & Moon

Flash

Built-in Flash:No / Yes
Built-in light: No

Flash Memory

Form Factor:Memory Stick
Storage Capacity:8MB

Focusing

Closest focusing distance:0.0100
Face detection: Yes
Focus adjustment:Auto/Manual

Header

Country Kits:Europe
Localization:English
Manufacturer:Sony
Model:TRV740E
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Sony Handycam DCR

Image sensor

Effective megapixels (image):8.9
Effective megapixels (movie):8.9
Maximum resolution per CCD:2230000
Optical sensor size:25.4 / 2.88 / 25.4 / 3.91 / 25.4 / 4.7
Sensor Type:CMOS
Total MegaPixels:1.07 / 24.1 / 8.9

Lens System

Digital Zoom:120 / 350 / 420
Filter Size:3.7 / 5.2
Focal length (35mm film equivalent):26 - 260 / 29.8 - 1095 / 29.8 - 894
Focal length range (f-f):2.1 - 63 / 3.6 - 54
Image stabilizer: Yes
Image stabilizer type:Optical
Interchangeable lens: No
Lens Aperture:F/1.6-2.4
Max Focal Length:54mm
Maximum aperture number:3.4
Maximum focal length (35mm film equiv):109.5 / 31.8
Min Focal Length:3.6mm
Minimum aperture number:1.8
Minimum focal length (35mm film equiv):2.6 / 2.98
Optical Zoom:15
Optical Zoom:10 / 15 / 30
Type:Zoom lens

Light exposure

Light exposure modes:Auto
Scene modes:Beach, Children, Fireworks, Landscape, Night, Portrait, Snow, Spotlight, Sunrise, Sunset / Beach, Fireworks, Landscape, Night, Portrait, Snow, Spotlight, Sunrise, Sunset

Miscellaneous

Colour:Black / Silver

Optical Sensor

Camcorder Effective Video Resolution:690Kpix
Camcorder Sensor Resolution:1Mpix
Optical Sensor Size:1/4.7"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):5.4 mm ( 1/4.7" ) / 5.4 mm ( 1/4.7 )
Optical Sensor Type:CCD
Sensor Qty:1CCD

Optical System

Image Stabiliser:Electronic (Super Steady Shot)

Other features

Aperture range (F-F):1.8 - 3.4
Compatible operating systems:Windows XP SP3\nWindows Vista SP2\nWindows7
Fader:Black, Mosaic, Overlap, Wipe, Monotone Bounce, Random Dot
Horizontal resolution:520
I/O ports:Audio In/Out, i.LINK (DV) In/Out, S-Video In/Out, USB, Video In/Out
Lens system:Sony
Light exposure control:Portrait / Beach & Ski / Sports Lesson / Landscape / Spotlight / Sunset & Moon
Noise Reduction: Yes
Photo mode: Yes
Power Consumption (Standby):2.4 / 3
Power consumption (typical):2.6 / 3.2
Projection time:100

Packaging Content

AC adapter included: Yes
Cables included:AC, AV, HDMI, USB / AV, Component, HDMI, S-Video, USB
Lens hood: Yes
Quick start guide: Yes

Ports & interfaces

Component video (YPbPr/YCbCr) out:1
Composite Video Out:1
DC-in jack: Yes
HDMI: Yes
Headphone outputs:1
Microphone in: Yes
Mini HDMI ports quantity:1
PictBridge: No
S-Video Out:No / Yes
USB 2.0 ports quantity:1

Projector

Built-in projector: Yes
Minimum Projection Distance:5
Native Resolution:640 x 360

Service & Support

Type:1 year warranty

Shutter

Camera shutter speed:1/3-1/4000 / 1/8 - 1/10000
Shutter speed (photo):1/8 - 1/10000
Shutter speed (video):1/250 - 1/10000

Still image

Image formats supported:JPG
Maximum image resolution:3984 x 2240 / 6544 x 3680
Still image resolution(s):2992 x 2240,3984 x 2240 / 3984 x 2240

Storage

Camcorder media type:HDD / Memory Card
Camera file system:DCF 2.0, Exif 2.3, MPF
Compatible memory cards:MS PRO Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC / MS PRO, MS PRO Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC
Flash memory:160 / 96
Internal storage capacity:16
Memory slots:1

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video

Analog signal format system:NTSC
Bitrate at maximum video resolution:28
Capture modes:FH, LP
Dual shot (video & photo): Yes
HD type:Full HD
Maximum frame rate:60
Maximum Video Resolution:1920 x 1080
Supported video modes:1080i, 1080p, 480i, 480p
Video formats supported:AVCHD, H.264, MPEG4 / AVCHD, MPEG2, MPEG4 / H.264, MPEG4
Video Resolutions:720 x 480,1440 x 1080,1920 x 1080

Video Input

Analogue Video Format:PAL
Digital Video Format:MPEG EX
Digital Zoom:420
Faders:Black fader / Bounce fader / Monotone fader / Mosaic fader / Overlap fader / Random
Media Type:Digital8
Shooting Modes:Digital photo mode / PC camera mode
Special Effects:Flash Motion / Low Shutter Speed (LSS) / Luminance Key / Monotone / Mosaic / Old Movie / Slim / Solarisation / Still / Stretch / Trail / Wipe
Still Image Format:JPEG
Type:Camcorder

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Colour Support:Black & white
Viewfinder screen size:0.2
Viewfinder Type: No

Weight & Dimensions

Depth:12.2 / 12.8 / 16.6 / 8.5
Height :10.1 / 5.5 / 6.6 / 8.75
Weight:205 / 404.8 / 580 / 900
Width:10.8 / 20.7 / 5.25 / 5.95

White balance

Indoor white balance: Yes
Onepush white balance: Yes
Outdoor white balance: Yes
White Balance:Auto