As for the DVD405 in competition with the greater DVD market, the Panasonic VDR-D250 is hard to beat. We love the D300, and expect great things from its little sibling. Panasonic easily trumps Sony is handling, manual controls, and picture sharpness. Only in low light does the DVD405’s 1/3” imager take charge. For Sony fans, the DVD405 is the one to get. It’s a worthy follow-up to the DVD403, with improvements in still features, video quality, and a price drop.

If you were forced to choose between the DVD405 and DVD505, the 405 is probably the better choice. There were not enough differences between them to warrant the $200 increase. But the Panasonic VDR-D300 tops them both, with better performance and much better manual control. However, we recognize that ease of use is the top concern for many users, so we recommend checking both of them out before you make a decision.