Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom by Sony
|
Our Price: $1,260.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $749.95 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
Digital camera Review: It's a good camera for me
Summary: 5 Stars
Reading through all of the techincal reviews of this camcorder didn't necessarily help me with my decision to purchase. I'm an average consumer that wanted to capture my new baby's first moves in high definition. Anything better than standard definition was a huge step up for me and everything looks pretty darn good to me.
I've been using this camcorder for 6 months now. I've taken 4000+ pictures and 8 full 63 minute video tapes. It's nice to be able to take stills while recording as well. We enjoy the flexibility of both video and still photo options as well as the decent, but not extreme optical zoom. (I mean, you need a tripod for full zoom anyway to prevent a ton of movement and we bought this for hand held use.)
Paired with Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, importing DV-AVI video was a snap. Even better, I've burned DVD's and HD-WMV files for display from an MS Xbox 360 as a media extender -- Until the higher definition DVD formats become less expensive to record and distribute, the home media server has been our best display of this camera's video and pictures.
The pictures from this camera are vibrant and often are better than the local "Target" photographer can produce.
We chose this storage format specifically because it used MiniDV tapes and not a Hard Drive or DVD for storage. It's much easier for us to record, record, record - swapping tapes as needed than worrying about downloading a hard disk and having enough drive space at home to maintain ALL of the video. We use Sony 63 Minute tapes as temporary archival (< 10 years) until a better non-compressed video storage option is developed. We use Windows Movie Maker to create video clips to email to grandparents and friends as well as to burn DVD's for non-technical relatives.
I do wish that the camera had a USB 2.0 connection for downloading pictures, but I have a media bay integrated in my home computer which is USB 2.0 -- so its a moot point for me.
Its a good camera and we expect to capture a lot of our child's first few years with it.
Digital camera Review: Excellent Allrounder
Summary: 5 Stars
We have been on a world tour for all of this year and this camera has performed flawlessly in all kinds of situations. It has been dropped a few times, had spills etc etc. Our kids have used it heaps and its stood up to that test, perhaps the toughest very well indeed. We've gone thru some 60 MiniDV's and taken over 7000 photos and its cranking.....Very happy...Digital camera Review: Sony HDR-HC7 a great HDV Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
After having shot an hour of tape during the past month, I am very pleased with the camera. The HDV looks great on my HD TV. In addition to good video, it also shoots fairly good stills. They are not as good as my DSLR camera, but they are probably as good as many small digital cameras. Plus, you get a 10X zoom.
I wanted to use more flexible software, other than that included, for capturing and viewing the video. I am using HDVSplit and VLC media player.
Digital camera Review: MAC OS Software
Summary: 5 Stars
One or two previous reviewers have faulted Sony and this wonderful HD camcorder for not coming with Mac OS video editing software, and as a reason for buying the Canon HC-20. Well, anyone who has a Mac knows it comes pre-loaded with IMovie 5, IMovie6 or iMovie 8 software, which is superior to most Windows programs and it's free, so what's the issue? Citing that a fault on the HC-7 is ridiculous. While both of those camcorders are roughly similar in video output quality, etc. the Sony feels much better in the hand and feels like quality (go try the Canon and tell me if it feels as good, in is bulky and plastic shell). Digital camera Review: Excellent camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent camcorder. I used in during my trip to Europe. Quality of the video is amazing. I was VERY surprised with the quality of image stabilization as well. Even picture is appearing shacked on the cam LCD, it is pretty much still on the playback. The quality of the stabilization is one of the most important features of the small hand held camcorder. Great item, highly recommended!