Sony Handycam Buyer's Guide (PAL standard definition hard drive/flash memory models)
All model numbers begin with DCR- (Digital Camera Recorder)
SR = hard drive model                        
SX = flash memory model                      
PJ = flash memory model with built-in projector                
DVD = DVD model (only 2008+ Hybrid models which can also record to Memory Stick and/or internal flash memory are listed)
User manuals are available from: Sony UK web site
Sony Australia web site
LCD: diagonal size of LCD monitor in inches; W = Widescreen, T = Touch screen; VF = color Viewfinder
light: LED = LED video light; flash = strobe flash for taking still photos; SNS = Super NightShot; SNS+ = Super NightShot Plus
remote: RMT-### = model number of originally equipped infrared wireless remote control; wired = through A/V R port; no = not supported
acc. shoe: AIS = Active Interface Shoe for adding an external microphone, light, or other accessories
zoom opt./ext.: amount of optical zoom / Extended Zoom (2011+, if present)
auto cover: yes = automatic lens cover; no = manual lens cover; cap = uses a lens cap
lens thread: diameter of lens thread for adding extra lenses or filters (if present)
recording format: capacity of hard drive or internal flash memory; MS = Memory Stick Pro Duo; SDXC = SDHC or SDXC card
mic type: number of audio channels of internal microphone; Z = Zoom Mic; F = microphone on front; T = microphone on top
SteadyShot: type of image stabilization; Optical = uses optical image stabilization instead of electronic
35 mm focal length: 35 mm equivalent focal length when recording 16:9 video (unless otherwise indicated); the lower the number, the wider the field of view
image sensor type: size of CCD (or CMOS) image sensor in inches; total number of pixels / effective number of pixels when recording 16:9 (or 4:3) video
low light sens.: low-light sensitivity at 1/25 shutter speed (unless otherwise indicated); the lower the number, the better the low-light sensitivity
weight: weight of camcorder body (without battery and removable media)
region: AEP=Asia/Europe/Pacific, AUS=Australia, CH=China, EE=Eastern Europe, HK=Hong Kong, NE=Northern Europe, TH=Thailand, UK=United Kingdom
Alternate color shading is used to group together models which are functionally identical but were sold in different regions.
*** 2006 *** 
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens (except SR90E and SR100E), Advanced HAD CCD image sensor, 123k pixel LCD
SR30E, SR40E, SR50E, SR60E, SR70E, and SR80E require DCRA-C162 Handycam Station for USB output.
SR60E, SR80E, and SR100E: A/V input recording
SR90E and SR100E: Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SR30E 2.5T SNS+ no no 20x cap 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 44 mm (4:3) 1/6 800k/400k (4:3) 5 lux (1/50) 340 g AEP, UK
                               
SR40E 2.5T SNS+ no no 20x cap 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 44 mm (4:3) 1/6 800k/400k (4:3) 5 lux (1/50) 340 g AEP, AUS,
                              HK, CH
SR50E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 12x yes 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 46 mm 1/5.5 1.07M/670k 7 lux (1/50) 350 g AEP, UK
                               
SR60E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 12x yes 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 46 mm 1/5.5 1.07M/670k 7 lux (1/50) 350 g AEP, AUS,
                              HK, CH
SR70E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 12x yes 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch F Super 46 mm 1/5.5 1.07M/670k 7 lux (1/50) 360 g AEP, UK
                               
SR80E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 12x yes 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch F Super 46 mm 1/5.5 1.07M/670k 7 lux (1/50) 360 g AEP, AUS,
                              HK, CH
SR90E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 10x yes 30 mm 30 GB 5.1ch T Super 42.8 mm 1/3 3.31M/2.06M 5 lux (1/50) 535 g AEP, UK
    flash                          
SR100E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 10x yes 30 mm 30 GB 5.1ch T Super 42.8 mm 1/3 3.31M/2.06M 5 lux (1/50) 535 g NE, AUS,
    flash                         HK, CH
*** 2007 *** 
Memory Stick Pro Duo slot added (for still photos only, not video). A/V input recording feature dropped.
All models require DCRA-C171 Handycam Station for USB output.
SR190E/200E and SR290E/300E: Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, ClearVid CMOS image sensor, 211k pixel Clear Photo Plus LCD
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SR32E 2.5T SNS+ no no 40x no 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 36 mm (4:3) 1/6 800k/400k (4:3) 3 lux 335 g AEP, UK
                               
SR42E 2.5T SNS+ no no 40x no 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 36 mm (4:3) 1/6 800k/400k (4:3) 3 lux 335 g AEP, CH,
                              AUS, HK
SR33E 2.5T SNS+ no no 40x no 30 mm 40 GB 2 ch F Super 36 mm (4:3) 1/6 800k/400k (4:3) 3 lux 335 g AEP, UK
                               
SR52E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 4 lux 350 g AEP, UK
                               
SR62E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch F Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 4 lux 350 g AEP, CH,
                              AUS, HK
SR72E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch F Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 4 lux 360 g AEP, UK
                               
SR82E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch F Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 4 lux 360 g AEP, CH,
                              AUS, HK
SR190E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 10x yes 37 mm 40 GB 5.1 ch T Super 41.3 mm 1/3 2.10M/1.43M 1.5 lux 455 g AEP, UK
    flash                   CMOS      
SR200E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 10x yes 37 mm 40 GB 5.1 ch T Super 41.3 mm 1/3 2.10M/1.43M 1.5 lux 455 g AEP, AUS,
    flash                   CMOS     CH, HK
SR290E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 10x yes 37 mm 40 GB 5.1 ch T Super 40 mm 1/2.9 3.20M/2.28M 1.5 lux 480 g AEP, UK
    flash               Optical   CMOS      
SR300E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 10x yes 37 mm 40 GB 5.1 ch T Super 40 mm 1/2.9 3.20M/2.28M 1.5 lux 480 g AEP, AUS,
    flash               Optical   CMOS     CH, HK
*** 2008 *** 
All models can now record video to Memory Stick; Zoom Mic feature; A/V R jack with wired remote control capability added.
New Hybrid DVD models which can record video to Memory Stick (or internal flash memory on DVD410E and DVD810E).
5.1 channel Surround Sound models are now switchable to record in 2-channel stereo mode.
SR35E, SR36E, SR45E, SR46E, DVD110E, DVD115E, and DVD610E: New 1/8" widescreen Advanced HAD CCD image sensor
SR55E, SR65E, SR75E, SR85E, SR210E, and SR220E: Handycam Station (not required for USB output)
SR210E/220E and DVD510E/910E: Vario-Sonnar T* lens, ClearVid CMOS sensor, 211k pixel Clear Photo LCD Plus, slow motion rec.
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SR35E 2.7WT SNS+ wired no 40x no 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 350 g AEP, UK,
                              NE
SR45E 2.7WT SNS+ wired no 40x no 30 mm 30 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 350 g NE, HK,
                              AUS,CH,TH
SR36E 2.7WT SNS+ wired no 40x no 30 mm 40 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 350 g AEP, UK,
                              NE
SR46E 2.7WT SNS+ wired no 40x no 30 mm 40 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 350 g NE, HK,
                              AUS,CH,TH
SR55E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 40 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 360 g AEP, UK,
                              NE
SR65E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 40 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 360 g NE, HK,
                              AUS,CH,TH
SR75E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 360 g AEP, UK,
                              NE
SR85E 2.7WT SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 360 g NE, HK,
                              AUS,CH,TH
SR210E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 15x yes 30 mm 60 GB 2/5.1chZ T Super 40 mm 1/5 2.36M/1.49M 5 lux 470 g AEP, UK
    flash               Optical   CMOS      
SR220E 2.7WT SNS, RMT-835 AIS 15x yes 30 mm 60 GB 2/5.1chZ T Super 40 mm 1/5 2.36M/1.49M 5 lux 470 g NE, CH,
    flash               Optical   CMOS     HK, AUS
DVD110E 2.7WT, SNS+ wired no 40x no 30 mm MS 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 390 g AEP, UK,
  VF                           EE, NE
DVD610E 2.7WT, SNS+ wired no 40x no 30 mm MS 2 ch Z T Super 41 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 390 g NE, AUS,
  VF                           HK, CH, TH
DVD115E 2.7WT, SNS+ wired no 40x no 30 mm MS 2/5.1chZ T Super 41 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 390 g AEP, UK,
  VF                           EE, NE
DVD310E 2.7WT, SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm MS 2/5.1chZ T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 400 g AEP, UK,
  VF                           EE, NE
DVD710E 2.7WT, SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm MS 2/5.1chZ T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 400 g NE, CH
  VF                            
DVD410E 2.7WT, SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 8 GB 2/5.1chZ T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 400 g AEP, UK,
  VF                           EE, NE
DVD810E 2.7WT, SNS+ RMT-835 AIS 25x no 30 mm 8 GB 2/5.1chZ T Super 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 400 g NE, AUS,
  VF                           HK, TH
DVD510E 2.7WT, SNS, RMT-835 AIS 15x yes 30 mm MS 2/5.1chZ T Super 40 mm 1/5 2.36M/1.49M 5 lux 460 g AEP, EE
  VF flash               Optical   CMOS      
DVD910E 2.7WT, SNS, RMT-835 AIS 15x yes 30 mm MS 2/5.1chZ T Super 40 mm 1/5 2.36M/1.49M 5 lux 460 g NE
  VF flash               Optical   CMOS      
*** 2009 *** 
New flash memory DCR-SX models; longer optical zoom.
No more NightShot, Active Interface Shoe, Super SteadyShot, or wireless remote control.
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SX30E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no no 4 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 200 g AEP, UK
                               
SX40E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no no 4 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 200 g NE, AUS,
                              CH
SX31E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no no 8 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 200 g AEP, UK
                               
SX41E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no no 8 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 200 g NE
                               
SX50E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no no 16 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 200 g AEP, UK
                               
SX60E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no no 16 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 200 g NE, AUS,
                              CH
SR37E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 300 g AEP, UK
                               
SR47E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no 30 mm 60 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 300 g NE, HK,
                              AUS, CH
SR38E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no 30 mm 70 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 300 g AEP, UK
                               
SR48E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no 30 mm 70 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 300 g NE
                               
SR57E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no 30 mm 80 GB 2/5.1chZ T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 300 g AEP, UK
                               
SR67E 2.7WT no wired no 60x no 30 mm 80 GB 2/5.1chZ T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 300 g NE, AUS
                               
SR77E 2.7WT no wired no 25x no 30 mm 80 GB 2/5.1chZ T yes 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 300 g AEP, UK
                               
SR87E 2.7WT no wired no 25x no 30 mm 80 GB 2/5.1chZ T yes 41 mm 1/6 1.07M/670k 8 lux 300 g NE, CH
                               
DVD150E 2.7WT, no wired no 60x no 30 mm MS 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 390 g AEP, UK
  VF                            
DVD650E 2.7WT, no wired no 60x no 30 mm MS 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 390 g NE, AUS
  VF                            
DVD450E 2.7WT, no wired no 60x no 30 mm 16 GB 2/5.1chZ T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 390 g AEP, UK
  VF                            
DVD850E 2.7WT, no wired no 60x no 30 mm 16 GB 2/5.1chZ T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 6 lux 390 g NE
  VF                            
*** 2010 *** 
Adds LED video light (except SX73E/SX83E), SDXC card slot, and 230k pixel Clear Photo LCD.
New SX73E/SX83E model: Back-Illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor, Active SteadyShot.
All other new models: improved Advanced HAD CCD image sensor for better low-light sensitivity.
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SX33E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g AEP, UK
                               
SX43E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g NE, CH,
                              AUS
SX34E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no no 4 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g AEP, UK
                               
SX44E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no no 4 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g NE, AUS
                               
SX53E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no no 16 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g AEP, UK
                               
SX63E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no no 16 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g NE, CH,
                              AUS
SX73E 2.7WT no wired no 25x no 30 mm 16 GB 2 ch Z F Active 37 mm 1/4 4.2M/1.35M 3 lux 210 g AEP
                        CMOS 11 lux (1/50)    
SX83E 2.7WT no wired no 25x no 30 mm 16 GB 2 ch Z F Active 37 mm 1/4 4.2M/1.35M 3 lux 210 g NE, CH
                        CMOS 11 lux (1/50)    
SR58E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no 30 mm 80 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 280 g AEP, UK
                               
SR68E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no 30 mm 80 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 280 g CH, HK,
                              AUS, NE
SR78E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no 30 mm 120 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 280 g AEP, UK
                               
SR88E 2.7WT LED wired no 60x no 30 mm 120 GB 2 ch Z T yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 280 g AEP
                               
DVD150E carryover model                        
                               
DVD650E carryover model                        
                               
*** 2011 *** 
New features on SX45E, SX65E, and SX85E:
Active Steadyshot, Extended Zoom, Intelligent Auto, 3.0" 230k pixel Clear Photo LCD Plus, auto lens cover, built-in USB cable
Other new models: Uses joystick control instead of touchscreen
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SX15E 2.7W LED no no 50x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g AEP, UK
                               
SX20E 2.7W LED no no 50x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g NE
                               
SX20EK 2.7W LED no no 50x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 190 g AUS, CH
                               
SX45E 3.0WT LED wired no 60x/70x yes 37 mm SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F Active 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 230 g AEP, UK,
                          6 lux (1/50)   NE
SX65E 3.0WT LED wired no 60x/70x yes 37 mm 4 GB 2 ch Z F Active 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 230 g AEP, UK,
                          6 lux (1/50)   NE, AUS
SX85E 3.0WT LED wired no 60x/70x yes 37 mm 16 GB 2 ch Z F Active 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 230 g AEP, UK,
                          6 lux (1/50)   NE, CH
SR15E 2.7W LED no no 50x no no 80 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 270 g AEP, UK
                               
SR20E 2.7W LED no no 50x no no 80 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 270 g CH
                               
SR58E carryover model                        
                               
SR68E carryover model                        
                               
*** 2012 ***
New DCR-PJ model with projector. SX21E/SR21E add Extended Zoom and Intelligent Auto.
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SX21E 2.7W LED no no 57x/67x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 195 g AEP, UK,
                              NE, CH
SX45E carryover model                        
                               
SX65E carryover model                        
                               
SX85E carryover model                        
                               
SR21E 2.7W LED no no 57x/67x no no 80 GB 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 270 g AEP, UK,
                              NE, AUS
SR58E carryover model                        
                               
SR68E carryover model                        
                               
PJ5E 2.7W LED no no 57x/67x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 230 g NE, AUS
                               
*** 2013 ***
Slight increase in zoom; hard drive model dropped.
model LCD light remote acc. zoom auto lens recording mic type Steady 35 mm focal image sensor low light weight region
shoe opt./ext. cover thread format Shot length (16:9) type (16:9) sens. (1/25)
SX22E 2.7W LED no no 60x/70x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 195 g AEP
                               
PJ6E 2.7W LED no no 60x/70x no no SDXC/MS 2 ch Z F yes 39 mm 1/8 800k/490k 3 lux 230 g