Product photos: Sony Handycam HDR-SR1

A manual flash control as well as a microphone input add to the HDR-SR1's flexibility.

The HDR-SR1 duplicates the recording controls on the bezel of the LCD, but I prefer the tried-and-true thumb trigger.

As with the HDR-UX1, I find the SR1's zoom switch and photo shutter button a bit too close to each other for my twitchy index finger to ignore.

Like most of Sony's prosumer camcorders, the SR1 supports Dolby Digital 5.1 surround recording. The built-in microphone's position on the front of the unit assures that you don't sacrifice frontal audibility for rear-channel sound.

Built-in covers for the A/V jacks and the USB connector add a touch of class to the HDR-SR1.

The manual camera control button enables the ring for whatever function you assign it. The options are buried fairly deeply within the menu system, though.