Product Description

Enjoy exceptional video performance and versatile features with the DCR-HC62. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens and Super SteadyShot image stabilization capture sharp, clear, detailed video so you can see every detail of every frame. Shooting, composing, and reviewing video or still images is made easy with the clarity of the 2.7" wide LCD screen. Super NightShot Plus technology lets you shoot color video in total darkness. Plus, the built-in Memory Stick PRO Duo media slot makes it quick and simple to share your images.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #687 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DCR-HC62
• Released on: 2008-02-06
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 2.90 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• 1.0 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD CCD Imager
• 25X Optical / 2000X Digital Zoom
• Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens
• 2.7" Touch Panel SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels)
• Super SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System

Manufacturer Description

Enjoy exceptional video performance and versatile features with the DCR-HC62. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens and Super SteadyShot image stabilization capture sharp, clear, detailed video so you can see every detail of every frame. Shooting, composing, and reviewing video or still images is made easy with the clarity of the 2.7-inch wide LCD screen. Super NightShot Plus technology lets you shoot color video in total darkness. Plus, the built-in Memory Stick Pro Duo media slot makes it quick and simple to share your images.

DCR-HC62 Highlights

1-megapixel (gross) Advanced HAD CCD imager 1/6-inch Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 690K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance.

MiniDV recording Offers up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution, 3x the color bandwidth and a significantly higher signal/noise ratio, to provide spectacular video performance.

25x optical/2000x digital zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses are designed specifically for compact camcorders, and utilize precision ground optics to maintain the sharpness and contrast found with larger lenses.

2.7-inch touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD The 2.7-inch LCD screen provides exceptional viewing clarity with 123K-pixel resolution. The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.

Super SteadyShot picture 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.

InfoLithium battery with AccuPower meter system Unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "memory effect," so you’re free to charge the battery at any time. Additionally, Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

Stamina Battery Power Management System When using the Sony InfoLithium Battery, the Stamina Battery Power Management System helps the camcorder prolong battery life for extra long continuous recording times from a single charge.

Tele Macro function Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode help your subject stand out by properly focusing the subject while leaving the background unfocussed. The Tele Macro Mode is useful for shooting close-up shots, especially when you need to prevent the camcorder from casting a shadow on the subject.

Manual focus Manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.

Super NightShot Plus Infrared System The Super NightShot Plus Infrared System uses a slow shutter mode to let you shoot video with improved color and contrast, even in total darkness (0 lux).

Scene Selection Modes Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset.

Picture Effects Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia. Effects available in Playback mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia.

Fader effects Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black and White.

On-screen Zoom and Record buttons For additional control of the camcorder, Zoom and Record buttons are features on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows for more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low-angle shots.

USB streaming Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder's tape. It's like having your own video conferencing system.

Easy Handycam button Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people. With a press of the Easy Handycam button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out," letting you focus only the buttons essential for recording.

Customer Reviews

Great camera, excellent time lapse feature
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3PRFAYV4K81ZL A big part of the reason I bought this camera was for its smooth interval recording (time-lapse) feature. Strangely, Sony's higher end high definition camera HDR-SR5 does not have this feature. I have been quite satisfied with this feature's flexibility and user-friendliness. For some reason, the smooth interval recording has a 12 hour time limit, so if you want to do time lapses longer than 12 hours you have to stop the recording a couple times a day and re-start it and it will go for another 12 hours.

For regular video usage it's a good camera. The 2000x digital zoom, if you haven't guessed, is comically useless (not that I expected anything more). The tele-macro capabilities are pretty impressive.

As others have mentioned, it does not come with a firewire (IEEE 1394) cable that is required if you want to download video to your computer. I knew that before buying it and picked up a standard 4-Pin/6-Pin FireWire cable from Amazon through a third party seller (Phoenixgold) for under $[...] plus shipping, so not a big deal. I could see how that would have been annoying had I been unaware that this cable was not included.

P.S.
The "audio sample in an outdoor environment" clip was shot with an Opteka .43x fisheye converter not included with the camera. Also, the audio was significanly compressed after I uploaded the video so it's not quite what you would hear straight out of the camera.

Edit:
I added a low-light performance test video to youtube (search for "Sony DCR-HC62 low light test"). There is also a higher quality version of that video at http:// albums.phanfare.com/4434655/2011492#imageID=43138119.

Great camcorder!
Although this is my first camcorder, i am very impressed with this model. For $300, you get a lot, night shot plus, image stabilize, 25x zoom, many available accessories that will make your productions profession looking. The video quality is really good, along with audio, the colors are true and the camcorder focuses well. The battery they give you lasts a while, but i would recommend the FH70, it lasts a lot longer. Overall i am pleased with my purchase, it got here on standard shipping in 2 days, thanks amazon!

Great Camera
The video quality is great as is the audio. I use this camcorder for blogging and drum videos and it has not disappointed. Importing footage via firewire (sold separately for 10 bucks on Amazon) is seamless via Windows Vista.

Other than a minimal battery life that comes with the camcorder, it's great.

Cheers