I recently purchased Sony DVD405E and very much impressed with the performance of this camcorder. I had some video shots both indoors and outdoors; the video picture quality is incredibly amazing, better than its predecessor Sony DVD403E. Using day, evening and night shot options would give better result - please be concentrated while adjusting settings.Voice recording is excellent, except some instances in outdoors where there was a bit of windy noise, may be its my fault when handling the Handy cam. There is also an option to insert memory stick to store pictures. Battery life is very good. I would suggest buying some DVD discs, may be three or four DVD+RW discs and an extra Sony Battery NP-FP90 if planning for a long movie or over holidays. It's shame that Sony did not include a carry case considering such high price.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the purchase. I'm not a professional or expert on this, but this camcorder got a new style and so also its performance; I give 5* to this lovely; probably I need some video training course on how to use maximum of this camcorder. Being an average human being this quality itself is more than I could ask for and to share cherished memories.