Product Description

CL) U) SONY HDR-HC3 HI-DEF CAMCORDER

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2371 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Sony
• Model: HDR-HC3
• Dimensions: 3.10" h x 3.20" w x 5.50" l, 1.20 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• Records and plays back both high-definition (1080i resolution) and standard-definition video on MiniDV
• 2.1-megapixel ClearVid CMOS image sensor; 1.43K effective
• Variable-speed Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 10x optical zoom lens; digital zoom to 80x
• 2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel LCD
• Super SteadyShot image stabilization

From the Manufacturer
The HDR-HC3 is everything you've come to expect from the industry's smallest and lightest camcorder as of February 1, 2006, plus a few extras. Instantly switch back and forth between HD and SD recording modes, capture 4.0-megapixel still images, and enjoy unprecedented detail and color reproduction with the ClearVid CMOS sensor.

The HC3's 1/3" ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity for both video and still images.

2.1-Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid CMOS Sensor
1/3" ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution in HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode) and still-image performance (4.0 megapixels). Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require less power, providing better battery performance.

HDV Recording Format
From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sony's HDR-HC3 camcorder is the industry's smallest and lightest HDV1080i consumer-level camcorder and player (as of February 1, 2006). Now you can conveniently record all your memories in true high-definition video.

Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording
The HDR-HC3 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette.

Real-Time HD Codec Engine
Sony developed a Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on the same MiniDV cassettes as are used for SD recording.

10x Optical/80x Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens reduces glare and flare and increases color saturation.

Professional-Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens
Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

A 2.7-inch vari-angle touch-panel LCD makes framing and filming a snap.

2.7-Inch Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD plus Display (211K Pixels)
The 2.7-inch wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with imporoved resolution. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media
Capture still images up to 2304 x 1728 resolution directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy trasfer to PCs for e-mailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Dual Record
While recording video in high definition, you have the ability to capture a 2.3-megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick Duo media.

Assignable Dial
Built into the lens body of the camera, the assignable dial can be used not only for focus or exposure, but may also be customized by the user to control Auto Exposure (AE) Shift, Exposure, Focus, and White Balance (WB) Shift. In playback mode it allows you to control the volume.

Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System
Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera "shake" without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.

Cinematic Mode
Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC3 Cinematic mode lends 24-frame film-like effect to your recordings.

i.LINK Interface (IEEE1394)
A high speed bi-directional digital video-audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs.

Tele Macro Function
Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocused so that the subject stands out.

Active Interface Shoe
Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.

Built-In Intelligent Flash
For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.

Customer Reviews

Good quality video - especially outdoors
I have had this camcorder for about 2 weeks now. Overall I'm pleased. Most of my video playback has been done via a Pioneer 50" plasma HDTV so I do have a very nice playback source to judge the recorded video quality.

Disclaimer - I am a novice photographer/videographer so people might correct my few gripes saying, "if you'd just set the flux capacitor settings to ...," but my review should be applicable to people that operate the camera in "easy" mode (all of my recordings have either been done in 'easy mode' or with the auto settings - not quite sure what the difference is other than 'easy mode' doesn't let you adjust anything).

Pros:
- Incredible detail & pretty good color reproduction when photographing outdoors. Seriously, it is almost (but not quite) as nice as watching cable/satellite HD when hooked up to an HDTV w/HDMI and/or component video connections - (I've tried both, not much noticable difference between the two, although HDMI is more convenient). I don't believe (and I've read the specs on the format, so I'm pretty certain), that HDV format will produce true HD quality video but in the right lighting conditions, what is reproduced is definitely better than watching an anamorphic widescreen DVD on a progressive scan player so I'd say it's somewhere between HD and SD in quality (when the lighting is ideal).
- Easy to operate. Great menuing system and the controls are easy to use.
- Very nice LCD display & view finder
- Compact, ergonomic design that fits well in your hand
- Very sturdy, robust feel to the camcorder

Cons:
- Picture quality degrades quickly in lower light conditions including normal indoor lighting almost to the point that I'm not sure if it's any better than standard DV quality (other than the nice widescreen format). I bought an external 3 watt Sony flash that helps at close range but even then, color reproduction is not as good as outdoors and I notice more artifacts (blurriness in certain images & patterns, pixelation, etc.). I'd probably venture to guess that if all of your videotaping is done indoors, you might be better served with a 3 CCD camcorder than this one - but outdoors, there's no comparison.
- Images with bright sources behind them get washed out. I videotaped a sunset and everything other than the sunset, itself, was completely washed out. I imagine this is one of the things that the white balance or exposure can correct but in Easy/Auto mode, no such luck (par for the course???).
- Camera often requires two hands to hold steady to avoid jittery video. Maybe it's just the fact that the quality with this Sony is so sharp, but even my POS JVC mini-DV camcorder from 6 years ago seemed to have a better anti-shake mechanism. Those w/steady hands, tripods, or willing to use two hands need not worry.
- Sony seems to be hiding driver/software support for the camcorder and the HDV format. There's little to no help in the manual about how to upload video to a PC in HD format unless "it's a Sony VAIO." I'm pretty turned off by it. Digging around, it seems that if you're a PC user, you need Windows XP SP2 or else you have to jump through hoops to get it to work. I hooked it up to my mother's Mac and had no problems capturing the HDV video using iMovie. I'd love to know what some of the other reviewers are using (hardware/software) to down convert the video for standard DVD (MPEG-2) format - others have said they've had great results. When I down convert, the results look choppy, grainy, and there are compression artifacts everywhere (this really isn't the camcorder's fault, though).
- Battery life - this might be par for the course with camcorders these days, but I just got back from the zoo where I did lots of record/pause/record/pause recording for a few seconds at a time and the freshly charged battery only had about 35 minutes of recording life. I'll probably buy a second battery.
- Some flimsy platic covers that cover the AV outputs and AC adaptor and seem destined to break off at some point in the future.

Unless you're a 'glass is half full' person, it's always easier to cite the cons of a product than its pros. Overall, I am very pleased and if it wasn't the few complaints that I've listed, I would've given this 5 stars. My only serious gripe is the video quality drop-off in lower light settings, but my old mini-DV JVC camcorder had the same problem (it was only $500, though). If they had a 3 CCD version of this for under 2K, it'd probably be perfect. Some form of HD MPEG-4 recording format would also be nice, but for now, I can't imagine a consumer HD camcorder in this price range being any better.

Bottomline, if you're eager to start videotaping in HD format and aren't a professional with at least 5K to drop, you should be pleased with this camcorder, but taylor your expectations for indoor/low-light recording and buy a nice a flash.

awesome!
After recording and playing video all weekend, my simple conclusion is this video camera is AWESOME. Yes it is expensive, but, WOW the pictures is fantastic when hooked up to my hi-def plasma or played back on my iMac. It is as small and light as any normal video camera. It takes regular DV tapes, and is easy to use and easy to play back on the TV with either HDMI or Component cables if you don't have HDMI.

If you are considering a new video camera, GET THIS CAMERA.
It is absolutely worth the money.

I went back an looked at my old video tapes, video I once though looked good now looks terrible compared to the images from this sony camera. I haven't been this thrilled with a purchase in a long time.

HC3 Perfect camcorder for Consumer HD recording
I have had this camcorder since Friday April 14th and have multiple opportunities to 'play' with it. Most of my videotaping has been in SD mode, not HD.

This camcorder is the perfect camcorder for users who want to position themselves for HD in the future. It is capable of HD recording and the recording quality is very good to excellent. The controls are plentiful for an average consumer. However, the prosumer or professional user may be disappointed that there is no mic or headphone jack as well as no separate controls for White Balance, Exposure, Focus or AE shift.

I would recommend that if you are doing any recording of music, that you purchase one of the microphones that are available for this camcorder. The built in mic is only adequate.

There is a technical review of this camcorder on camcaroderinfo.com that goes into a wealth of detail if you are interested.

So far, after 3 days and a church cantata, I am very pleased with the performance of this camcorder. Good job Sony!