Sony Handycam HDR-HC3

Strengths: Hi-def video, portability, and inexpensive, once you consider what you're getting. HDMI output!

Weaknesses: Low capacity Memory Stick Duo card provided, almost useless viewfinder, proprietary hot shoe

What I liked:
In my opinion, the Sony HC3 is a very nice camcorder. The video I've shot are sharp with accurate color. I've also been pleased with the video quality I've captured indoors so this camcorder performs well with less than full sunlight. While expensive in absolute terms, I would consider it a great value because of what you get. There's definitely plenty to like in the Sony HC3:
- The reason for being for the HC3 is that its capability to record and playback high-definition (1080i resolution) video using standard miniDV tapes.
- The HC3 will also record and play standard-def video. It will also down-res HD video to standard-def video if you need that capability.
- Solid feel - should hold up well to everyday wear and tear.
- Built-in lens cap: no more lost lens caps.
- 2.1-megapixel ClearVid CMOS image sensor (1.43K effective)
- variable-speed 10X Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 80X)
- 2.7" widescreen touch screen LCD with 211K pixels
- Color viewfinder with 123K pixels
- digital photo mode with top JPEG resolution for still images: 2304 x 1728 (4:3), 2304 x 1296 (16:9 wide mode)
- Allows capturing 2.3MP still photographs while shooting hi-def video
- Smooth Slow Record mode: this is an option where the camcorder will record 3 seconds of video (with increased frame rate) and stretch the captured video to 12 seconds. I've already used this for recording my golf swing. This is a neat feature, but no help whatsoever for my golf swing :)
- Has an "Easy" that sets everything on auto - great for most users who just want to point and shoot (nothing wrong with that).
- Zebra Striping: warns users when the brightness levels of the footage will result in too-bright whites. Nice feature.
- Top-loading tape mechanism means you can replace tapes while mounted on a tripod.
- Super SteadyShot image stabilization
- Super NightShot
- Built-in photo flash (downside is this is not usable when using an add-on lens)
- Great connectivity: The HDMI support is key as this allows a direct digital connection to HDMI equipped HDTVs. And you can also use component, S-video (using an optional VMC-30FS adapter), or composite video connections if you don't have HDMI. The HC3 has all the bases covered.
- Has an interface shoe that can be used to power accessories
- Very portable: 3.25W x 3.125H x 5.5D, weighing 1 lb, 1 oz without battery or tape

Things that could be improved upon:
- A bigger Memory Stick Duo card. The included 16MB will only hold less than 10 pics at the highest resolution. Make sure to set some money aside for an extra card if you plan on using the still photo capabilities of this camcorder.
- No HDMI cable is supplied.
- The proprietary accessory hot shoe is designed to force consumers to purchase Sony accessories since third party lights, mics, etc., won't work with this shoe.
- For such a nicely built camcorder, most of the port covers are poorly designed and appear to be one wrong pull away from permanent separation.
- The non-extending, non-pivoting viewfinder is so uncomfortable that hardly anyone will use it. I normally use the LCD screen when I record anyway but I do use the viewfinder when battery power is running low.

I purchased my third Sony HDR-HC3 High-Definition Camcorder on eBay. This camera has everything for the semi-pro film maker. I film weddings and other events and one of my selling points is this camera. I often bring the camera to meetings with clients to show them off. Clients like most of all that the camera itself is small and unobtrusive. My only beef with this particular camera is the lack of an external microphone jack. You can purchase sony's blue tooth hot-shoe wireless mic, but the microphone itself is about the size and weight of a nine volt battery.

This is a great little camcorder. The 1080i resolution is outstanding when played back on my HD Projector. The color & detail in low light environments is remarkable & has to be seen to be believed. This camcorder also shoots in DV format, but I recomend against it. Not because it doesn't perform well in that format, it in fact does as good a job as my 3 chip broadcast quality sony cameras, but because you can shoot all of your footage in HD, and export it AS dv format if you choose. This means when hd or blueray burners become economical, you will have true hd video ready to burn.I shoot everything in HD,
import it into premiere pro ( which is HD capable). I save it as an HD project, & can still export it as a conventional DV format to dvd.I highly recomend this and other 1080i cameras for footage you want to endure over the years. And yes, this specific camcorder is easy to use, amazingly small, and produces outstanding video!

For the price, this little unit does great. It records in widescreen and even takes pictures in widescreen if you want. You can also change the format to suit your needs.

This camcorder has taken the place of my $1000+ digital camera because the pictures seem to turn out better on this. On my expensive camera, the pictures always seemed to get messed up...maybe because there were so many buttons to accidentally press. The Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 is extremely user-friendly and there is really no need to fumble with adjustments.

The only downfall is that you are limited to only 3 still pictures while you are recording video. If you want to take more pictures, you must pause, then wait for the pictures to save to memory card, and then start recording again...only to be able to take 3 more still pictures during recording.

Ordered, never came. Was told there was a problem with the 'batch' from Sony. All HC3's in THAT shipment were faulty, would send one as soon as new shipment arrived. One month later, cancelled order and, on advice from SONY,bought a different handycam [CHEAPER!!!]. Haven't got it yet.

This is a great camera, however understand that the only way to really take advantage of the amazing 1080 resolution is to have a TV that can display it. If you have a 1080p TV you are going to love this camera. It's like you are there and the detail is incredible.

This camcorder is excellent. The quality of the video is great. Low light performance is great. Size is good. I can't really think of something I don't like... maybe the sound. I noticed that the reviews said it didn't record the best sound, and my son's Christmas concert proves it (not terrible, just not great). If you want good sound, do like all the reviews say, get the external mic (which is of course only allowed to be the Sony one!).

Automatic settings are doing just about all I need (admittedly an amateur user). We haven't really investigated any of the manual controls or other options.

The zoom control is great. it's a little touchy, and can zoom really fast if you're not careful. The image stabilization looks pretty good as well as I would guess that I'm bouncing all around when I'm shooting, but the vids look ok!

We bought the extended battery... If you can fill a tape (or two) without recharging, that's great.

PC Transfer Issues (this really has nothing to do with the HC3, but it's important nonetheless). I have an old AMD Athlon 1GHZ, unfortunately, all the reviews I could find said that it wouldn't be good enough to do editing. However, what no video editing software that I could find would tell you is that a faster processor is also required to CAPTURE from the camcorder to the PC. This has caused a problem so I can not capture HD (I have to downgrade to DV... which is REALLY easy to do with the HC3). I'm saving my tapes and will re-convert when I get a firewire pcmcia card for my laptop, which has a fast enough processor to do both capture and edit).

Can't say enough good things about this camcorder. It's our first camcorder, and we decided to to top quality, and hope that it lasts us a long time. The price was "higher" than others out there, but on (camcorderinfo.com), it still remains at or near the top of the list for overall review score.

D.H.

I love everything about this camera. The only thing I don't like is that I still have to transfer the tape info to the dVD's. But that's not out on the market yet. The 3 D effect is awesome. It is the top of the line that's for sure. It has everything you would want in a movie camera, which is reflected in the price!

I bought this camera because it is the best HD camera on the market per the www.camcorderinfo.com ratings. I opened the package, charged the battery, and recorded five minutes with my 21 week old little girl....then THE problem started. The auto lens cover would not close on playback. An error popped up and said "len cover open, turn off then back on". Then I turned the unit back on the lens shut. An error appeared on the screen which said "lens cover closed, turn off then back on". I could not believe it! I tried everything to correct the issue with no remedy. Over and over! I turn the unit on and the lens cover closes. I turn the unit off and the lens opens. This is exactly backwards with what is supposed to be happening. This renders the camera useless. It scares me so badly that I will return for a refund and not consider another unit. Just think...if this happens after the 3 month Sony P&L warranty then YOU have to pay for very expensive labor through Sony. I have five minutes of beautiful video for my $1,047 + $14.95 shipping. After reading the reviews on other Sony camcorders this seems like a recurring problem. I will look into the Panasonic camcorders to see if they have an auto lens mechanism. If they do...then I guess I will buy the least expensive regular DV unit with the least possibility of this problem. I'm not saying that you will have the same problem...but boy is it a risk at this price point. Be carefull out there! Best Regards

Wow, this has got to be the best camcorder that I've every purchased. When hooked up to the HDMI output, the picture is totally awesome. I'ts like watching the discovery channal in HD, except you are recording it. It's packed with alot of features. At first I was a little hesistant to get it, but once I got it, there are absolutely no regrets. I'ts very small and portable. The battery life is excellen. Overall I give this a 5 out of 5. Best camcorder in the market!!!