The 26.8mm wide angle lens isn’t fixed, so the HDRCX405 is able to achieve a respectable 27x optical zoom that’s nice to see in a video camera in this price range. And if that isn’t quite enough, it also features a 54x digital zoom. The HDRCX405 also includes built-in image stabilization, which is a really nice touch for a budget video camera. Since this device is positioned as a camera for beginners and kids, image stabilization can really come in handy. The high-bitrate XAVC S format is for videographers ready to take their work to the next level. Delivering incredible quality, XAVC S is built from the XAVC format used by professional filmmakers and broadcasters, while employing intelligent data compression to export consumer-friendly file sizes.

Of note is that the video quality will vary widely based on the settings you choose. The camera is pretty good at setting things automatically if you turn that option on, but the video quality suffers if you choose the wrong file size and type. The face detection feature is able to determine when people are present in a shot by looking for faces. It then optimizes the focus, exposure, and color settings to give you the best possible results. This is a video camera, not a digital camera, but it can actually pull double duty in a pinch. That same great Exmor R CMOS sensor, and the 26.8 wide angle ZEISS lens, and the ability to capture 9.2 MP still images all combine to allow the HDRCX405 to take some surprisingly decent photos for a device that isn’t meant specifically for that purpose.Sometimes you don’t need — or want — video. Put your video camera in still image mode and capture amazing high-quality 9.2-megapixel single images as easily as you do with a still image camera. Digital zooms always results in pictures that are less clear due to the way that they crop and enlarge video, but the HDRCX405 features Sony’s Clear Image Zoom. Instead of simply cropping and enlarging the video, it’s able to look at patterns in neighboring pixels and make intelligent guesses about what the new pixels should look like. It isn’t perfect, but it works surprisingly well.

Sharing a commitment to outstanding performance and design, Sony and Carl Zeiss co-develop lenses that combine the best possible optics with premium-quality electronics and sensor technology for Sony’s Handycam® models. The smile detection allows the camera to determine when the subject of a photo is smiling, so it can capture snapshots at just the right moment. It’s even able to engage when you’re recording video, allowing you to snap great photos without switching modes.This camera actually has two modes, allowing you to switch on the fly between recording video and snapping photos. It also has a handy mode that records a steady stream of still images whenever you’re recording. Dual Record mode enables you to shoot HD video and high-resolution still images simultaneously to capture the best shot in both ways. Record two movies at the same time — one in the maximum-quality XAVC S or AVCHD format and another in MP4 format. That way you’ve got a small file ready for instant sharing, plus a professional-grade file for further editing. Since this device is positioned as a camera for beginners and kids, image stabilization can really come in handy. Advanced image stabilisation keeps footage blur-free, even when the recording circumstances or the user's hands are shaky.

The smile detection allows the camera to determine when the subject of a photo is smiling, so it can capture snapshots at just the right moment.The Sony HDR-CX405 Handycam captures Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60p and 9.2 megapixel still images. It includes an Exmor R CMOS sensor, which is great in low light, and a wide-angle Carl Zeiss lens with 30x optical zoom. The Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps to keep your videos blur free.