Customer reviews from sony.com
Sony - HDR-PJ540 32GB Flash Memory Camcorder - Black
Average customer rating
3.8
(9 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 9 reviews
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Star
1
75%of customers recommend this product.
(
6 out of
8)
Customer Reviews for Sony - HDR-PJ540 32GB Flash Memory Camcorder - Black
Customer Rating
4
Excellent for Poor Vision
on September 26, 2014
Posted by: oldbirdwatcher
The 30x optical zoom means I can still watch birds despite declining eyesight. If I record, then later I can copy to a computer to view birds in magnificent detail. Highly recommend for people in my predicament. Only drawback for bird watching is the slow start up time. Birds move so fast that if the camcorder has turned off, I miss the next bird that flies in. I'd buy this camcorder again, regardless. USB charging is very handy. Camcorder is lightweight and easy to handle.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: HorseMoney
Verified Purchase:Yes
If they could just put a viewfinder on this 30x zoom camera, they would have the perfect camcorder.....
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Mitch, Sony Support, January 7, 2015
Hi HorseMoney,
Thanks for the insight about the camcorder, we'll pass it along to the right people.
Thanks for the insight about the camcorder, we'll pass it along to the right people.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: Higrader
Verified Purchase:Yes
I am really bad at reviewing products but will give it a shot. This is our 6th Sony Camera. We take a yearly vacation, and weekend trips in the summer in Colorado, and I use Youtube. The Sony quality and performance, is the best we have found. Usable features are at a premium in this camera, and the Balanced Optical Steady Shot is why I purchased! The Steady Shot, is great but BOSS takes it too the next level. WiFI not needed, but we do use it! Memories Home Mobile actually is a useable app for our cell phone. We had a Sony HDR-PJ260V for 3 years, and I enjoyed it, but this Camcorder is worth the change. I am amazed how many people trust there Vacations to there cell phones, a cell can not shoot video, like this! Check out the videos we have shot at Garry Martin on youtube! ENJOY! USE your Camcorders!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Ella, SonySupport, February 23, 2015
Hi Higrader, I'm glad that you loved the purchase! Thank you for choosing Sony! Enjoy!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
3
Good, but.....
on May 8, 2014
Posted by: Channel70Productions
We are huge Sony fans, but this camcorder tests our loyalty. We use several Handicams to shoot b-roll footage and to keep at hand for when something interesting occurs during our travels. We make frequent use of Sony's pistol grip/triods with controls and well as Sony pan arms adapted to our Sachtler and Miller tripods for our Z5U cameras. Since these camcorders get hard use in the field, they occasionally get destroyed, hence the purchase of the PJ540. We primarily bought the PJ540 is because it was the lowest price Sony with specs we needed and had threads for mounting filters (now 46mm rather than 37mm) and shades and covers. The picture quality is excellent for such a small sensor. The zoom control has a great, smooth feel and the variable zoom linear speed is pro quality.
One thing that is fun is to point the camera at your face and watch the lens track you as you move the camera body side to side and up and down. (Shades of HAL 9000) Optical stabilization hard at work. The stabilization system can be tricked by moving water (river, inlet,etc) and the lens will begin to drift, so beware and watch what's happening on the display.
The images look great and the projector feature is a nice novelty. This model has a lighter, cheaper, plastic feel to it more so than our other Sony handicams. Also, note the manual is woefully inadequate. Perhaps Sony will publish a real manual in the near future.
One thing that is fun is to point the camera at your face and watch the lens track you as you move the camera body side to side and up and down. (Shades of HAL 9000) Optical stabilization hard at work. The stabilization system can be tricked by moving water (river, inlet,etc) and the lens will begin to drift, so beware and watch what's happening on the display.
The images look great and the projector feature is a nice novelty. This model has a lighter, cheaper, plastic feel to it more so than our other Sony handicams. Also, note the manual is woefully inadequate. Perhaps Sony will publish a real manual in the near future.
-We usually use audio captured by handheld or lavalier mics, but one of our editors happened to listen to the audio from a person about three feet distant into the PJ540's mic and was impressed. Not nearly as bad as other camcorders we've owned.
-The stabilization is strong. Once locked onto a particular target, it stays locked. We use a matte box on the the PJ540, but when the lens swivels to its left or right limits, we get slight vignetting at 11, 2, 5 and 7 o'clock positions.
-The 1/4"-20 mounting hole isn't deep enough for the 1/4"-20 bolts on any of our tripod mounting plates.
-Sony now has chat support for this product on their overall support page, but can't help with down in the weeds tech problems.
-The stabilization is strong. Once locked onto a particular target, it stays locked. We use a matte box on the the PJ540, but when the lens swivels to its left or right limits, we get slight vignetting at 11, 2, 5 and 7 o'clock positions.
-The 1/4"-20 mounting hole isn't deep enough for the 1/4"-20 bolts on any of our tripod mounting plates.
-Sony now has chat support for this product on their overall support page, but can't help with down in the weeds tech problems.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Exactly what we needed!
on September 26, 2014
Posted by: guest82
We work in Law Enforcement and needed a camcorder to record scenes without sound. This is so easy to mute for those times. We also record training programs, and this camcorder makes it easy to make copies for our members. If it works this well for such high profile reasons, I would get one for personal use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
love it
on September 26, 2014
Posted by: GOBLUE
great video easy to use definitely recommend it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: bench
Verified Purchase:Yes
software sucks
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from sony.comBy Mitch, Sony Support, March 30, 2015
Hi bench,
We're sorry to hear about this. Thanks for the feedback, we'll let the right department know.
We're sorry to hear about this. Thanks for the feedback, we'll let the right department know.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
1
Stopped working after ~10 hours of use; poor warty
on March 9, 2015
Posted by: sonywitz
I bought this in September 2014 to capture videos of family events. I've only used it for about 10 hours of filming. It stopped working with an error that seems to be common according to message board posts; it can no longer correctly focus. I've contacted Sony's warranty servicer four times and they haven't responded. Bad product, bad service.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from sony.comBy Mitch, Sony Support, March 10, 2015
Hi sonywitz,
We're sorry to hear about this. Please send us a message at socialsupport@am.sony.com with your product details for further assistance.
We're sorry to hear about this. Please send us a message at socialsupport@am.sony.com with your product details for further assistance.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com