Tag : sony dcrhc30, minidv digital, optical zoom, handycam camcorder, w 10x

Company : Sony List Price : $599.99 Amazon Price : $449.99 Used Price : $269.99 Average customer review :

Features

• Sleek, compact MiniDV camcorder and digital still camera with 680,000-pixel CCD
• 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, Memory Stick Duo slot, and accessory shoe
• NP-FM50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery

Product Description

The Sony DCR-HC30 is the MiniDV Handycam Camcorder that doubles as a digital camera. It features a compact Memory Stick DUO slot which allows 640 x 480 resolution digital still image capture, which is perfect for e-mail or printing. It also includes a big 2.5″ hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD display, Super NightShot Plus infrared recording, USB streaming, and a professional Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. It even includes a 3D menu system that makes adjusting the camcorder settings easier than even. Best of all, these big features come in a package that’s 25% smaller than the previous year’s camcorders.

Customer reviews

Great camcorder, TERRIBLE software
Do not buy this camcorder for the software! The camera works great but buyer beware - the software is useless. Sony could have done a much better job than the Picture Package software that is included. Help from the Picture Package website is virtually non-existant. If you want to edit video you need a firewire (not included) - but DO NOT buy it from sony. They are much cheaper on Amazon or elsewhere. A USB cable is included but is also useles unless you can tolerate the Picture Package software. An extra battery is a nice addition as well. And of course some sort of software to replace the Picture Package junk.

Good camera but doesn’t last long
I was very pleased with the ease of use of this camera. It took great video and picked up sound through the built in microphone very nicely. It fits great in the hand and very lightweight. The only downside is the touch screen menu. At first, I thought it was a nice feature to have but it is very sensitive and doesn’t last long. I’ve had my camcorder for 3 years and it still records (since that button is on the camera itself) but it will not rewind, play or any other function that you want that requires the touch screen menu. Of course, the camera has a limited warrantee and to have it repaired is a minimum of $200. My next choice of camera will be with the traditional controls on the camera itself.

Great Camera
I’ve had this camera for 2 or 3 years and it still hasn’t let me down. I record concerts with it so it takes its fair share of abuse and its still in perfect working conditions. If you’re looking for a good camera and not looking to spend a whole lot of money you should really think about going with this camera.

Not even worth the 1 star.
Other than simply recording on this camcorder you have to be a professional videographer to use the other features. Most importantly, unless you have a Sony VAIO computer DO NOT BUY THIS CAMCORDER!!! You cannot transfer video to a DVD unless you have that computer. It’s ridiculous! What are you supposed to do transfer to a VHS that’s being totally phased out?! Hopefully this review will save someone some money since I wasted mine!!

Cassette won’t eject
I used this item only 6 or 7 times and the cassette will not eject. Sony will only fix this poor-quality product if I pay them $211. Awful quality, crappy service.