Sony HDR CX440 Handycam Review 

Yes it was and thank you for connecting. I really do love this camera and recommend it to everyone looking for an affordable, but great video camera.

That's a great idea and ice never tried it. I'll have to check into that too. I usually don't record for longer than about an hour so I've never had a need for that though. But thank you so much for sharing that important information. It's going to help a lot of people.

thank you for this reply i just picked one up for making videos outdoors (camping) so this will be a thing i test

RU-vid really craps on your uploads. Even though you upload in 1080p or even 4k, RU-vid compresses the video and changes it to a smaller file. So you will lose video quality once you upload it. Look at how big the video is before you upload it and then download that video from RU-vid and see the difference in video size. You will be amazed.

Yes it can really zoom far in digital. The Zoom switches to digital after about %50 zoom.

Not sure what you are asking. I purchased 4 extra batteries for mine and switch between them. I've never had to replace any of them yet. I get about 40 minutes to an hour of continuous recording from one battery too.

The reason I don't go into detail about the WiFi it's that I don't use it. I never use Wi-fi on any of my cameras. I know that some people do and therefore needs that feature but since I don't use it I wouldn't be a good person to demo it or give an opinion. Sorry about that.

Thank you for watching and for commenting. I do appreciate it.

@@matthewlivingston6635 Awesome. Let me know how it turns out for you.

The microphone is my Sony lapel mic @ $20.00 and it's recording too my Zoom H1N audio recorder. The tripod I don't remember. I have so many that I use I forget what I used in this video.

GoPro makes a great camera for an action camera and I'm one of their biggest fans. But you can't zoom in with them and they just don't have that cinematic look either. I use both the Sony and my GoPro cameras in almost every video I make. Thank you for watching and commenting.

Yes it can but I don't stream yet and would know how to explain how to do it. I know you need to use the HDMI cable for this but again, I've never done it. I am planning on live streaming my 5000 sub giveaway, when it happens, so I'll have to learn . And when I do, I will make a video on it.

I'm not an expert or even that knowledgeable about streaming. I'm going to learn more about it for my own reasons but as of right now streaming is very new to me and I'm not the one that should be answering this for you. I do know that you can use this camera for live streaming. It does have an HDMI out Jack and even comes with a cable for that (I'm not 100% sure about the cable coming with it). I wish i could help you more but all I know about your question is that it does have an HDMI out port. I'm not sure if it's a clean connection though since I haven't tested.

Hi. I have the CX-405 and it outputs a clean hdmi, so I would think this one does as well. It’s basically the same camera, but just without the wireless capability

@@streetbumm4576 I cant say for sure but if an older model does, than this one should too. Like I stated before, I have zero experience with live streaming ..lol.. I am hoping to jump that hurtle soon.

I never looked into that. If it's not a Jack that's easy to find and use I skip it and use my Zoom h1n

@@HayesTech thank you for the reply!

@@HayesTech after receiving the cable, I connected an external microphone to it and it did not seem to have any effect on the audio.

@@chapbix12158 I didn't think it would but I never tried myself. I just use my Zoom H1n and that seems to work fine for me.

Thats a question that I don't have an answer for, unfortunately. I'm sure that you can, with the correct cable. I will look into that and try to get back to you.

Never really tested that. I have other cameras that I use for my slow motion shots. I try to record in at least 120fps for slow motion. This camera can record up to 60fps so you can only slow it by %50, which doesn't give much slow motion effects. The video quality is outstanding though, slowing by 1/2 (in 60fps), you should be happy with the quality. I may just make a short video showing it's slow motion quality, so be looking for that soon.

Thanks for ur reply.

As long as the lighting is good in the gym, it should be fine.

I didn't connect an external mic to the Sony camera. I mentioned that a couple time in the video and even said that's the one thing I would change, if I could change anything. I used my Zoom H1n and my Sony lapel mic for t the audio.

@@HayesTech Ok thanks!

Are you talking about what you record to the cameras internal storage or to the external SD card? I do not use the internal storage. I record everything to the SD card and have no issues editing them in my video editor. Try that. Also, get the best SD card you can afford to get the best out of your videos.

@@HayesTech Thanks for replying I found out what I was dong wrong I tried to copy and paste , I did not know about copy and share and that worked so I started a folder for all of the videos I want to keep that I recorded with this camera. My camera does not have memory I use SanDisk ULTRA PLUS microSDHC UHS-1 Card 32GB. My friend Ken Chovan has the Sony 440 with the hard drive storage and he or anyone he knows can not figure now to his videos in his PC, he can do it with the SD card. I will mostly be using my camera to record my 45's and LP's.. What I like most about Windows 10 video editor is for custom audio you can use the audio from a MP4 video. I need to buy a new AV cable to record to a DVD or VCR i have many of them but they do not fit this camera. Thank you so much for relying. As for the buttons I really do not need to use them that much. Everything is set a auto. If you are ever bored please visit my channel I may put a smile on you face. YOU MADE MY DAY!!

@@gregoryeditor6500 Well I'm happy to hear you figured out out. I love this camera and use it on almost every video I make now. Oh, and I did check out your channel too. Your doing a great job and keep it up. I have subscribed. Things will slow a bit until I get more items for reviewing but they are coming. So be looking for those videos soon. I want to thank you again for watching and for commenting, I really do appreciate it. And good luck to you and your channel.

@@HayesTech Thanks for checking my channel out. I have to be very carful because I use copyright music and clips from TV shows and movies. I hand another channel the VCREDITOR and lost it because of 3 copyright strikes. If I ever lose this one I will never start another.

@@gregoryeditor6500 The, RU-vid can be crazy with their copyright infractions police... With all the new rules now you have to be very careful what you do. RU-vid is all about their big, supported channels, and don't care much about the smaller channels. Anyways, good luck to you and let me know if you have any tech questions. I'll help where I can. And don't forget about my big giveaway as soon as I hit 5000 subs. I'll be giving away my Canon T6i.

I don't use the digital zoom either. It gets too grainy looking.

@@calabamian Wow, never heard that issue with these cameras before. I'm not %100 sure about the answer to that one. Did you just purchase it? From where? Most places have a warranty, I'm not sure about Sony's "in house" warranty though. I would remove the battery and get some compressed CO2 in a can and spray it out. Maybe the button has dust or dirt behind it. You could also try Deoxit brand cleaner and give it a small flush spray in the record button area too. I would use anything on it until after researching your warranty though. Let me know how it works out for you. This sucks, that it had to happen to you too. I've had nothing but good to say about mine. I still use it in a lot of videos that I make.

@@HayesTech I bought this thing in 2020 so warranties have long expired. I use it for my YT channel to shoot weather and it got a little wet last night (it happens sometimes) but this is the first time the button stopped working. Gah! Looks like there’s a tiny screw near it but I’d rather not monkey with it so I’ll just pray it dries out.

@@calabamian Just pulled mine out to see if there was a better way to fix the issue. Yeah, compressed air (CO2 in a can) and Deoxit would be what I would try first. That is if there is no warranty on the camera left.

@@calabamian then definitely try Deoxit and compressed CO2 in a can. You could also put it in a bag of rice for a couple days. The rice pulls out any moisture. The only problem is, it also may introduce dust to the interior of the camera. I really wish I could help you more.

@@calabamian Deoxit is made specifically for electrical boards, circuit boards and anything electrical. It will not short out because it is not conductive. But use it sparingly. Do not drench what you're trying to clean with it. That's why I would use compressed air first, then the Deoxit. Hopefully that helps. Let me know. And good luck.

I would be using my Zoom H1n with a quality mic like the Rode Video mic or any other 3.5mil mic. If you have a XLR recorder then any good XLR mic set between you and the person you are interviewing or you can use up to 2 mics, if you want separate mics, using an XLR interface like I have. You can also purchased a splitter ( costs about $10.00) and run 2 lapel mics with the audio recorder like your cell phone or in my case, I would be using my Zoom H1n. So for that instance I would use my Zoom H1n with the splitter connected to it, and then 2 Sony lapel mics. The Zoom H1N runs about $80.00 and each Sony lapel mic runs $19.00 plus the cost of the splitter your looking at about $130.00. You could use your cell phone to record audio too. The problem with the Sony camera is you can't record quality audio with it. The audio is usable but not what I would call quality in the least. So I always resort to my 2 different audio recorders my Zoom H1n or my XML recorder which requires a laptop or PC to record to. I wish I could help you more but this is how I do it.

@@HayesTech thanks, so I just ordered the recommended items. could you show a video on how to use these items while recording with this camcorder ; as well as the process of correctly syncing the audio with the camcorder visuals. i want to create and upload videos on yt.

@@realbstackz215 Well I think I've done several videos on using external audio but the simple way to explain sinking your audio, is this. . 1. Start recording on the camera of choice, Then start recording with your audio recorder of choice (what ever you use for audio like the Zoom H1n and the Sony mic, or even your cell phone and external mic) 3. Now sync the camera audio and your external audio by clapping three times. I always say out loud, while recording with both the camera and the audio recorder... "Audio sync in 3, 2, 1.. And loudly clap 3 times" 4. Then in your editing software, pull in your video and your audio. Then look for those three lines indicating where you clapped. You want to align those three lines from the audio of the camera and the audio from the recorder. 4. Your audio is now synced. One thing I will say is to make the view as big as you can on your editing software so you can get a perfect alignment. This is what you see in the movies, the guy using that hinged clap board with writing in it, called a clap board,.. You hear him say something like "opener to main video, take 1" and then he it she opens and slams shut the clap board in front of the camera Later, when they are editing, they are lining up the audio and video using that single clap board sound that gets recorded on both the external audio source and the camera. It's really that simple. Only I'm exchanging the clap board with me clapping my hands. And I clap 3 times to give me a very good reference point to look for in editing. I hope this helps.

I agree that the audio sucks. And unlike Canon video cameras, the Sony doesn't give you a mic jack. So I always record my audio separately with a Zoom h1n and a lapel microphone. That's the only complaint I had with this video camera. The more expensive versions of the Sony video camera does have a mic jack but the cheaper one, like this one, does not.

Oh, and I subbed to your channel too.

@@HayesTech first of all thank you for responding and so quickly on an older video! Kudos! And in regards to the sound, I'm thinking oh no! I thought this one had a jack for a mic. I am not a tech person at all and I just want to shoot my tutorials, do a little editing and upload, your sound solution does not sound like that (and maybe more $ than I can afford) so I'm thinking that I may have to return this and continue my hunt for a camcorder. :( But I will look at your suggestion to see how involved it is. I use my phone right now and I'm not really happy with it for videos. Thank you SO much for subbing to my itty bitty channel. And again, your help was much appreciated! ♥

@@ShabbyCottageStudio Recording audio with your phone and a good lav mic is 100 times better than the recording you will get straight out of the phone. And the only cost will be a $20 to $30 mic. I've put out several tutorials on video editing too and one of the videos is mostly about audio. You may want to check those videos out too. Other than that, I would get a Canon Vixia video camera. They have touch screens and 3.5mm mic jack.

@@ShabbyCottageStudio Canon VIXIA HF R800 Full HD Camcorder with 57x Advanced Zoom, 1080P Video and 3" Touchscreen - Black (US Model) www.amazon.com/dp/B078CQ194D/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_YN40Q1XR7KBRWBS4S2W8

Absolutely. As long as there is fairly good lighting it will take very nice videos.

I think you will like it. Like I said in the video, the only thing it lacks is the touch screen and I can get around not having a mic Jack. But the video quality coming from this camera, (even in automatic settings ) is phenomenal. I don't go manual, ever. Thank you for watching and for commenting, it really does mean a lot to me.

I use my Sony lapel microphone and my Zoom H1n audio recorder. But lately, I have been using the audio straight out of the camera. It's not that bad.

I'm not sure what you mean by clear. I have never used the HDMU output in this or any of my cameras so I really can't answer that. I plan on trying to do live videos soon so I'll have to look into that.

I completely agree. But for what this camera offers it's still one of the better 1080p 60fps video cameras out. I've got rid of all my Canon video camcorders and use my Sony in almost every video I make. Good luck to you and thank you for watching and for posting. Be sure to get in on my big giveaway too, there still a couple weeks till I draw 2 winners.

I wish I could help you more but I haven't even started live streaming yet and wouldn't even know where to start. I'm planning on getting started live streaming soon though. As soon as I hit 5000 subs In going to give away my Canon T6i and want to live stream it. So I will be learning it.

Not sure what is blurred. I use a variety of cameras now, including this Sony. I have a Canon 90D, Canon M50 and Canon T6i. I also now have a Panasonic 4k video camera, that I am making videos on right now. I put this Sony up against 2 different 1080p Canon video cameras and the video quality was superior coming from the Sony. Sorry it if it wasn't to your liking though. And thank you foe commenting. Don't forget that I will be giving away my Canon T6i soon too, so be looking for that.

I know it was not the sony cx 405. I really liked that one. I ended up with the Sony HDR-FX1 Will you give a tutorial on how to use it and demonstrate its use.

@@brendawilliams3802 Well, I can't review your camera because I don't have one to review. Believe me, I would love to review that camera. I was looking hard at Sony, when I purchased my Panasonic, last week. The camera that was going in and out of focus was my Canon T6i. The lense that was on it was not the best lense...lol.. but the lens I'm giving away with it came right off my 90D.

Lol... Yes, my wife gave it to me but the reason she did was because she knew I wanted a Sony camera. Is it my favorite? No. My Panasonic 4k video camera and my Canon 90D are my favorite video cameras now. But it's still a very nice camera. But your right, I'd better say that or she will kick my ass... Lol

Yes it is. I meant to say SLR, not DSLR... That's my stroke brain messing with me...lol... Anyways, sorry for the confusion.

No, you can't plug in a microphone to this video recorder. That is the one thing I did not like about this camera

I was told you can use the mini USB port with a adapter cable. The same at I have to do on the go pro .

@@metalworksmachineshop That may be but I haven't tried it. Hopefully it works for you.

👍👌🤗🙏

No it doesn't. None of the cameras I've reviewed came with a case. But getting one shouldn't cost too much. Hope that helped and thanks for watching and commenting.

You will love this camera. I've always wanted s Sony DSLR too, but the only reason I never picked one up was because of the lack of touch screen features for Sony cameras. Other than that, I love Sony cameras. Good luck to you and thank you for watching and for posting.

I agree. But as far as a microphone for mine, I use my Zoom H1n audio recorder and my Sony lapel mic and it works great for getting awesome audio.

Yes, I too use my Zoom H1n.

No, to get a 4k camera you will have to spend about $550.00 and at that price you can find a couple.

Yes you can

No, you can't completely turn off the mic. It will let you choose "Low or High" for volume settings. Why don't you want audio? Just trying to figure out your situation.

I also have the HG20. That's the one I mentioned in this video that I couldn't sell on eBay. I may do a video showing the different video quality between the Sony and the Canon HG20. I think the Sony edges it out a bit but that could just be my Canon being a bit tired. That camera has a lot of custom settings you can add and mine even has a 60Gb internal storage, that I couldn't use. I don't have the software for that camera so I can't pull the videos off of it to edit and use. I use an SD card with it now.

I had this camera not long ago. so I haven't really tested all of these video modes yet. but using its manual I found that the cinema mode combined with the 25pf sequence and the best setting, especially in low brightness it avoids the seed noise and I use the easy mode in the day in my opinion, it gave me a satisfactory result because it film in 50i standard and I choose the mxp 24mb quality.

Their more expensive one. They have one but it costs way more, starting in the $550.00 and up price.

Never tried the other one you talk about so I can't help you, sorry.

Tri be honest, I'm not sure. I've never used the HDMI out in any of my cameras yet. I am planning on love streaming soon so I'll have to soon get used to that.

Yes, but only if you have good lighting. All the cheaper (and buy cheaper I mean in the non pro cameras) they lack low light indoors. But out of all the video cameras in this price point the Sony is the best for low light. Pick yourself up a ring light at Amazon and you will be set. But remember, audio is king. I would also get an audio recorder like my Zoom H1n. You could even use the audio recorder in your phone, if it supports external microphones. But above all remember to ave fun with it. If you don't like the video and aren't having fun, the other viewers won't enjoy it. Good luck to you.

You are very welcome. Are you looking to pick one of these up? I use this camera in each video I've made since purchasing it. It's a great video camera.

I've never had an issue but I don't use Mac either. I use nothing but Windows.

@@HayesTech i found the solution. For some reason the camara has 2 different files when i connect it to the laptop. One file has it in low resolution and the other one in 1080p.

@@eduardomendoza4771 I forgot about that too. Yes it recorded in 2 different places, depending on what size internal storage you get. I've never used the internal storage though and rely solely on my micro SD card. I make sure to use the fastest cards I can afford though. Good to hear you figured it out though.

Yes. But the way I do it is to record in 60fps. That way I can show the video down by 50% in post and it looks good.

I wish I could answer that one for you. But that is the one thing that I hate about Sony, they are so far behind in the touch screen technically. Canon and Panasonic, in my opinion, has the best touch screens out. Almost everything can be controlled via the touch screen. If they would fix that one thing they would really sell more cameras. In my opinion...lol

You can't. There is no power button on this camera and the opening and closing if the screen is the power on and off switch. I've more thing I don't care for. I too would like a switch for powering in and off.

Yes you can use it while plugged into an electrical receptacle

@@HayesTech thanks for the reply

Oh hey find my answer

No. It has no Jack for hooking a microphone into. You will have to use an external recorder, like your phone or the Zoom H1n.

Not sure what your asking me. I don't use Shotcut as my main editor app and more. I only use it when I have to do certain things to my videos that my normal editing software doesn't have.

@@HayesTech you mentioned in your shotcut tutorial that you would be doing one on transitions i found how to do it though now

@@mirandasworld That's great news. They do have a lot of transitions to choice from. About as many as VideoPad Video Editor, which is what I use now for most of my editing. But I've changed my style a bit and don't use a lot of transitions and more, other than the standard "fade"transitions...

@@HayesTech thanks david im using a logitech 922 at the moment would you advise that a proper dslr would be better? are there more controls to make people look better rather than on a webcam?

@@mirandasworld Well there is nothing wrong with a good camcorder as long as it's recording in at least 1080p. I just got a Sony Handycam for Christmas (reviewed it a week ago) from my wife and I love the video quality and image stabilization it has. But to be honest, you can't beat a good DSLR or even an SLR because of the ability to change lenses. Being able to change lenses opens up so many doors for your video. Wide angle lenses, zoom lenses, prime lenses.... The list for on and on. You can pick up a used Canon 6ti with a lense for about $500.00. Hell, I may even sell mine and I'll sell mine with an 18 to 55mm lenses for about $400.00. (maybe... I love that camera still).... But bottom line is, a decent camcorder will do the job, it's all about content. But for a music video, you do want as good an image as you can get..

In this day and age a touch screen is a must.

@@HayesTech For the CX-405 and 440, it's a cheap very good 1080 p camcorder with great Zeiss optic and amazing X30 Zoom. I prefer to have a stick for control than a cheap touch screen, because stick are more durable than a low quality touch screen. And if you know how to setup the manual setting for your footage, you could have very good quality for the price of this camcorder. Also the no audio input on the camcorder, it's not really a big probleme because you will not have a descent audio on any camcorder even on high end camcorder than an external audio recorder, amplification are not really good on any camcorder you must use for good sound record an external recorder like a Tascam DR-05X.

@@genesteal I definitely agree with you. I am so used to having a tough screen, like I have on all my Canon cameras that I get spoiled with it. That does not take away from the fact that this thing is awesome in the midst critical area and that is in video quality... I love it. Thank you again for watching and for commenting. I really do appreciate it.

Thank you for watching and for commenting. I really do appreciate it.

Thank you. I do appreciate the positive comment. And the truth is, I use my Sony Handycam for almost every video to this day.

I'm sorry, I know a few Spanish words but there is no way I can read this. I'll try and get it translated but I'm really busy for that right now. Hopefully in the next few days.

At that price I would get a couple. Thank you for watching and for commenting

They go for about $250 -$300 around here. Same as what mine cost over a year ago.

I seriously use this camera as my main camera for a lot of the videos I do. I love my 90D but this Sony is so easy to use and has great video quality. The only thing I don't like is there is no Jack to plug in an external microphone. I also wish it had a touch screen for at least focusing on things but it does not come with that feature. Regardless, it is usually in focus, in what I need it to focus on and I love the image quality. Thank you for commenting and for watching. Don't forget to get in on my huge giveaway too. There is plenty of time and you need to jump through zero hoops to enter. Just watch the video, subscribe and post. Thank you again.

@@HayesTech thank you.

David Hayes how you doing sir awesome video i have a question though how did you make you audio so clean? could you explain sir. Thank you

Yes it does but it's my fault. I need to pay more attention to the color settings in all the cameras before hitting the record button. I've been more critical lately in that endeavor. Thank you for the awesome comment.

I live in Central Pa. A town called Lock Haven

, I thought you was in Pa It looked so familiar when I was watching your outside videos. Im in Johnstown, Pa.

Lol I used to date the Deputy Sheriff Of Lockhaven Missy haha thats funny I lived in Millhall at the time and worked for tri-can there.

@@coryjeffreys5146 what a small world. Where do you live now? I'm originally from Ga and have lived all over the states. But call this home for now.

@@coryjeffreys5146 Johnstown is a nice part of Pa. I'm not a big fan of big cities and prefers smaller, home towns, like the city I live in. And I love the mountains. Going to miss them when I move. Some day I hope to move back down to Ga or even out west somewhere, maybe Oklahoma or Texas... We will see.

That I'm not sure of any will have to look into. Thank you for bringing it up and I will look into it.

I agree. 1080p is really all you need for most videos. Most people watching videos on their phones are watching in either 1080p it 720p (and even lower in some instances). So 4k isn't really needed. But there are those, like myself, that watch on my big screen TV and then I want 4k. I don't notice a huge difference most of the time.

I was advised that even though 4k is great, my computer might not be able to process the files.

@@oscaraceves3649 Than I can understand why you can't use 4k and I would suck to 1080p too. This camera shots great video in 1080p and will shoot in 60fps, so you can even get some slow-motion footage. I would love y to get one of Sony's 4k video cameras though. Just to see if it's much better than my Panasonic 4k video camera. That's another great camera that I did a video on.

That's because after zooming %30 it goes to digital and digital is not what you want. But if you stay within the %30: zoom it looks good. I mentioned that in the video. Sorry you didn't like the video or the camera but you are entitled to your opinion. So thank you for your comment.

@@HayesTech Hi Dave. Thank you for your reply. I did not have a problem with your video. Actually my brother just told me that he has that Sony camcorder and he wants to give it to me and that's why I was watching your video to see how it's image stability is if it's good for vlogging. I also saw reviews on Amazon of people writing bad reviews about it's stabilisation especially when walking with it and watching your video actually made me understand that it's quite shakey. Can you confirm that? Also, please let me know whether the screen could be flipped to a 360 angle. Thank you.

@@realchosen11 The image stabilization isn't the best on the market. I've seen better. It is better than a DSLR though. But I'm not overly impressed with the stabilization. It works for me...lol... I mean it's good enough for what I need. As for the screen rotating, yes, it will rotate all the way around to a forward position for vlogging. I would look into the Akaso Brave 7 LE for vlogging. It shoots in up to 4k 30fps, with image stabilization and has a front facing screen. I did a review on that camera. Good luck to you and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

@@HayesTech thank you Dave. But you didn't answer me my question about the screen plate. Does it flip so that you can vlog yourself while watching yourself on the screen?

@@realchosen11 yes, it flips all the way forward so you can see yourself while you record yourself.