0ur opinion:

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The ultra-compact HDR-HC1 Handycam camcorder fits comfortably in your hand, while delivering high-definition picture quality and lighting detail on both video and digital still images.

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Sony introduces the Sony Handycam HDR-HC1, the world's smallest and lightest high-definition consumer camcorder with full HD resolution based on HDV 1080i. The ultracompact HDR-HC1 Handycam camcorder fits comfortably in your hand, while delivering high-definition picture quality and lighting detail on both video and digital still images.

the HDR-HC1 in action

The HDR-HC1 features Sony's CM0S imaging sensor technology, designed to deliver faster image processing speeds for richer colors, more vivid detail, and significantly less glare from reflected light. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens further enhances image clarity and richness, even when shooting in low light.

The HDR-HC1 weighs in at less than two pounds and fits comfortably in your hand.

The HDR-HC1 also features a 2.7-inch wide hybrid, touch-panel LCD screen to access menu options. You can switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios (in DV mode) to see exactly how your content will be viewed on television. 0ther convenient features include fully automatic controls, a built-in microphone for audio quality, an intelligent pop-up flash, and Super SteadyShot image stabilization. You can even record your own high-defnition video in complete darkness with Sony's Super NightShot lnfrared System, which adds the greatest amount of range and detail to your images in low- to no-light conditions.

CM0S Sensor; 3 Megapixels (Gross)
The 1/3-inch CM0S sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode) and still image performance. Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CM0S sensors require less power, providing better battery performance. The HDR-HC1 also features the Enhanced lmaging Processor for improved video performance.

Switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios on the generous 2.7-inch LCD screen.

HDV Recording Format
From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sony’s HDR-HC1 camcorder is the industry's smallest and lightest HDV1080i consu-er level camcorder and player. Now you can record all your memories in true high-definition video.

Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording
The HDR-HC1 is capable of recording and playing back both high definition and standard definition video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette.

Real-Time HD Codec Engine
A Sony developed Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This system 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 cassettes as are used for MiniDV recording.

10x 0ptical/120x Digital Zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens
From the authority in lens technology, the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens provides a high-quality 10x optical zoom which maintains image clarity and color while reducing glare and flare.

Zoom in and play back with the easy-to-use touch-screen display that features hybrid LCD technology for accurate viewing in bright light.

2.7-lnch (16:9) Hybrid Touch-Panel SwivelScreen LCD Display
Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 123K-pixel LCD display makes images sharp and detailed during playback or when monitoring recording. The hybrid LCD screen provides accurate viewing in sunlight or bright light, virtually eliminating the 'washout' common with traditional LCD screens.

Super SteadyShot lmage-Stabilization System
Picture-stabilization system uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera shake without compromising picture quality, as some other digital stabilization systems do.

Manual Zoom and Manual Focus Ring
Selectable zoom and focus ring provides precise and detailed control over the amount of zoom and the overall focus of the image with just a turn of the rings. Fast, intuitive framing when zooming and finely detailed focusing are easy with the natural feel of the rings.

Continuous recording and playback time for the HDR-HC1, as well as picture quality in still image mode.

Expanded Focus lndicator
The camera's LCD image is magnified, temporarily, up to four times its original size without any loss of distortion. This allows the user more finite control while focusing the camera for greater detail and clarity.

Cinematic Mode
Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC1 Cinematic mode lends film-like (24 frames) effect to your recordings.

i.LlNK2 DV lnterface (lEEE1394)
A high speed bidirectional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an lEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs.



Shot Transition
Allows for a smooth automatic scene transition. Settings for focus, zoom, iris, gain, shutter, and white balance can be set to the A/B button, and a smooth transition will take place according to the set time. This function enables the focus to gradually shift from the front of the screen to a deeper part of the screen. Thus the iris enables a smooth change of depth of field.

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

Active lnterface 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 Pop-up lntelligent Flash
For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reducts shadows.

What's in the Box
HDR-HC1 HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder, power adapter/in-camera charger (AC-L15), lnfoLithium rechargeable battery (NP-FM50), wireless remote commander remote control (RMT-831), lens hood, lens cap, AV cable, component video cable, USB cable, shoulder strap, 16MB Memory Stick Duo Media.


Some more accessories for this product for you:
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Some more accessories for this product for you:

• Corel VideoStudio Pro X2
• Adobe Premiere Elements 7
• Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack
• Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9
• Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12

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Buyer's feedback: - * Marvelous camera ...
This model has been succeeded by newer ones; however, I found the quality of both movies and still photos to be superb. Transferring the video into the high definition software on my Mac was easy (the camera is one of relatively few with Firewire, IEEE 1394, or iLink - all the same - output that the high definition software requires), and the results are superb. Although I don't have a high definition DVD recorder, the quality of the standard DVDs I burned from the HD source were absolutely great.

Even the built in microphones were good. I recorded a brief concert by my brother, a Cathedral organist, using only the camera - the sound was marvelous. Yes, a studio could have done it better - but I had all I needed in the palm of my hand.

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Buyer's feedback: - NOT a pro camcorder
First let me just say, this is NOT a pro camcorder!!!

WIth that said, this is one of the best investments I made for making memories. I had HDR-HC1 for about a year and used it moderately, and have been very happy with the results.

Pros: 1. Great picture.
2. Very light. Your arm will not get tired.
3. Easy to use. Just put tape in and you are ready.
4. Easy to connect to MacBook. Plug and play.

Cons. 1. Needs more zoom.
2. Build in mic not too great.
3. Short battery life.
4. Small view angle.

There are some drop outs on the video, but i think that is because I use "the" cheapest tapes I can find. Even so, I only noticed one drop in 12-14 tapes.
Good luck.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Almost perfect camera. ...
After reading that this was the "best of it's class" camcorder at camcorderinfo.com, as well as reading all the reviews I could find, I bought it. Now that I've had it for many months, some comments: It's a great camera, HD is awesome, and it has alot of features. Nothing to complain about other than 1) auto focus is problematic, especially in low-light, and 2) low-light quality isn't even as good as my 1999 Digital8 Sony was. Taping in Night Vision is almost useless as it goes out of focus so easily.

I'm still blown away by how great the day video looks when imported into my iMac. HDV is a pain on older computers (my 1.8 Ghz iMac G5 took 2-4x to import, but my Core 2 Duo imports realtime). Note, importing in iMovie involves reading in the HDV and converting it to an intermediate format -- higher end apps can import real-time and edit that (converting on the fly).

I do like the camera -- few complaints -- but I'm still irked that Sony uses a non-standard hotshoe. All my old Sony add-ons (IR lights, etc.) could not be used on this. But, the active hot show has great benefits (like the bluetooth mic that plugs up and gets power and audio from the hotshoe -- nice).

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Buyer's feedback: - Anyone want a used Sony HD video camera?
Save your money. I've owned this camera for a little over a year and, quite frankly, I can't wait to put it on ebay and try something else.

The biggest challenge with the camera are it's little quirks that, over time, get in the way of filming. For example, Sony for some reason has chosen to put the button that switches between video, still photos (which are awful) and video playback right next the the record on/off switch. It is *so* easy to toggle it when preparing to shoot. And the next thing you know you're scrambling to get it back into video mode. And you've lost your shot.

The video camera has a an exceeedingly long start up time and a seemingly random length transition from standby to record. It could take a second or it could take ten seconds. And since this thing chews through battery life, I've always been reluctant to leave it on, for fear I'll end up with the dreaded "blinking battery" and no spares. So I struggle to capture the events (mostly high school games) that I bought it for. It pains me to think of how many times I've pressed record and then missed the great catch or kick- watching the word "Standby" flash in the viewfinder as the camera struggles to enter record mode.

Finally, the colors, even in bright light, look washed out to my eye. My old 3 CCD panasonic G4 looked *so much* better. I've tried adjusting the white balance, color balance... you name it, with limited success. But why does it have to be so hard just to get decent color? And the low light performance is even worse.

I could go on... I was sucked in by the idea of cheap HD and a leading edge product. Yes, the picture detail is better than standard DV, but that only matters if you can actually get the shot.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Great camera for the price ...
First of all, let me say that I am a 16 year old aspiring filmmaker. I used to use a little cheapo 1CCD camcorder that I got way back in 2002. The picture quality sucked, and last July it finally went caput and died on me. So, I went camera shopping for about 3 or 4 months.

Finally, late last November, I settled on the HDR-HC1. Considering my price range, and the fact that it shot in HD (and TRUE widescreen, for that matter), it seemed like the perfect camera for me at this stage in my career. So far, it has delivered for me even better than I expected.

Pros:
1. Finally! A camera with true widescreen!

2. Excellent picture quality. Sometimes I have to convert the HD video so it will fit on a DVD, but even then it looks absolutely stunning. It almost looks like film. I was extremely impressed.

3. It's small and lightweight. Easy transportation.

4. Manual focus ring works great. This is another thing that I was somewhat peeved on with my old camera. I like to make a lot of short films. Because of the zoom ring, I am able to put focus on certain aspects of the frame (an old movie technique that still works great). The only way that the ring could be better is if they labeled it with some markings.

Cons:

1. The battery life is pretty bad. 40 minutes doesn't do justice for a camera like this. For compensation, I bought the Sony NP-QM91D. It delivers me about 4 hours of battery life. Granted, it takes a while to charge, but it's worth 4 hours. The only drawback is that this battery will cost you an extra $100 dollars.

2. Yes, the camera is a little front heavy, but the extra extended battery will fix this.

3. The viewfinder. This is something that really ticks me off about this camera. I was really disappointed with Sony over this. With the big battery that you will need to purchase, your viewfinder will basically be rendered useless. The battery sticks out so much that, if you want to use the viewfinder, your nose and the battery will be spending a lot of time together. The least Sony could have done would have been to allow the viewfinder to extend out, but, sadly, this is not the case.

4. This camera doesn't perform the best in low light conditions. When you shoot in low light, the image becomes very grainy. This kind of disappoints me as I shoot a lot in very unpredictable lighting conditions.

5. The tape deck is located at the bottom of the camera which means that you have to turn the camera upside down to load and unload the tapes. In other words, you can't change tapes if the camera is on a tripod or connected to anything else while filming. This normally isn't a problem, but if you're shooting live on a tripod and your tape starts to run out, the only way to change it is to disconnect the camera from the tripod, change the tapes, and then reconnect it. This is a fairly time consuming process that will make you lose a substantial amount of footage, so be careful on how much tape your camera has left while filming.

Overall, I would definitely give this camera some consideration. For the price range, it works great.