It seems sensible to think that as smartphones have become such advanced all-in-one content creators, the best camcorders would be redundant. And yet, the compact Sony HDR-CX405 continues to sell and review well. With an asking price of under $300/£300, the CX405 doesn't go toe-to-toe with the best 4K camera for filmmaking or dedicated cinema cameras like the Sony FX30. Instead, you get modest Full HD (1920x1080 resolution) video at 60p and 9.2MP stills, plus some limited options to change settings between automatic or manual exposure.
Its appeal lies in its simplicity and portability. You don't have to be a seasoned videographer to use the CX405. Sony has designed it for people who want to make home movies or capture their family on holiday. At its release, smartphone cameras were still in their infancy and nowhere near the quality of the latest flagships, making the CX405 a more straightforward choice.
