Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom by Sony
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Digital camera reviews of Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
Digital camera Review: MAC Friendly
Summary: 5 Stars
Great HD camera. My personal issue was that I needed a camera with a firewire output so it was compatible with my iMac. Macs don't like USB for camera downloads - I had to go through several steps to get the old videos (not firewire-downloaded) onto the mac. This camera works perfectly.
Also, Best Buy is selling the lesser camera, the HDR-HC5 for the same price. Don't get fooled. This is the better camera and was the same price on Amazon.
Love this camera!
Digital camera Review: Lot of things could be improved, but overall good
Summary: 4 Stars
Things I like:
Takes excellent pictures outdoors
It has USB, HDMI, Composite, RCA, I-Link right on the camera (unlike other HD camera's from Sony, where they are available on docking station). All cables are supplied with the camera.
Handy access to backlight compensation button and auto focus button
Pictures look good even when recorded in SD mode (well not at high resolution)
When you burn normal, regular DVDs (MPEG2) (supplied Sony software does it), pictures look good. So, if you don't have the blue-ray or HD-DVD player right now, you still can use this camera. When you get your HD player, you can convert your tapes (hope you saved it) to which ever format you need.
HD-DV format is supported by most of the available video editing softwares available right now.
Things I didn't like:
Indoor performance is not great. Even with two 100-watts lighting up average size living room, I see lot of grains in the picture. (I guess this is true with all the Sony consumer cameras)
Though slow motion capture is nice handy feature (especially when you captures kids in action), this camera captures with very low resolution (I think its even less than that of normal TV resolution). Makes sense, given the fact that camera has to write lot of information into the tape in a very short time.
The DV format records only 1440 pixels of horizontal resolution (not the true 1920px). Though the camera has resolution of 1920px, it down converts to 1440px (max allowed in mini DV tape) to record into the tape. This is common to any HD camera recording on mini-DV tapes. (I am not sure if you live capture through HDMI port gives you a full resolution).
Operating touch screen menus while recording is ON, will get you unnecessary camera shakes (and finger prints all over the LCD). I like the touch screen in general, additional button based access should be for basic adjustments.
The software that's supplied is really bad and provides only basic features. Given the fact that the HD cameras are being so expensive, Sony could have bundled better software. You have to spend additional money to get you decent software.
The bundled software saves the movies as .m2t file (Sony's propriety format)
Things that Sony has to improve:
Provide easy access to slow motion record. It's buried under hierarchy of menus. Hard to reach, when you need it the most. The resolution of the slow motion recording has to be improved.
Provide button based (or click wheel based) access to simple functions such as exposure adjustment, picture effects etc. over. Using touch screen while the recording is on results win camera shakes.
Provide better editing software. It's worthless for the money we pay to get the camera.
I didn't really use the still image camera and hence no comments on it.
Overall, this camera is good for basic, general purpose shooting. I had the camera for last 20 days before returning to Amazon (thanks to Amazon for the easy return policy)
Digital camera Review: My First Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a lot more than I was planning on spending but it was well worth it. I was able to start using it after a brief glance thru the guide. Both video & photo quality are great. I like the compact size and the touchscreen guide. Digital camera Review: A solid camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a somewhat specific review, but as a research
biologist I'm hoping it will be helpful for someone looking
to use this camera in a similar way.
I've owned the camera now for about one week and have been
using it daily to film animal behavior. My previous
research cameras have either been low end miniDV for basic
video capture or the Canon XL1 and its previous Hi8
incarnation.
Despite previous negative reviews, I decided to purchase
this model because of its ability to film in infrared light
and its ability to capture 3 sec of high speed video (250
frames/sec). I've been pleasantly surprised by the image
quality and functionality. Several reviewers have commented
negatively on the touch screen, but I find it quite a relief
from small buttons and joysticks. The big buttons are easy
to access and the customization ability is one of the first
things that I used, setting up my own custom menu. I have
had no fingerprint problems with this screen and, overall,
like how the controls can be accessed.
The ability to take up to 3 photos (at the 4.1 Megapixel
resolution) while filming is great for capturing images that
can appear as journal-quality figures. I have not yet
seriously used the high speed function, but it works well.
Several reviewers have criticized reduced resolution and need
for more light when using this function. However, I think
this is a bit unfair. High speed filming requires more
light and the reduced resolution produces an image that is
still much better than dedicated high speed video cameras
costing several thousand dollars more.
Finally, the ability to manually control audio recording
level is a very welcome feature on a camera of this price.
I'm quite satisfied the sound recording quality and would
definitely recommend this camera to anyone who needs to
record biological sounds.
In terms of what could be improved, I would prefer to adjust
my exposure levels using the more traditional f-stops rather
than how the camera does it, showing a graphical bar that
can be adjusted in small + or - levels. Also, I have not
found a way for the camera to display the date and time on
its screen while it is recording.
Overall, I think this is a good basic research camera. It
can be purchased for under $1000 with free shipping and no
tax. It is compact and has good image quality and excellent
control features. I have not compared it with other cameras
in terms of performance under lower light conditions and
understand it does more poorly. However, I believe that its
infrared and high speed capability compensate for this.
Digital camera Review: Beautiful clear and accurate color movies
Summary: 5 Stars
Know that you will NOT see HD pictures UNLESS you use the camera's COMPONENT or HDMI outputs to connect to your 16:9 HDTV.
The analog output delivers only normal SD quality pictures but in widescreen - NOT High-Definition widescreen.
Analog output can play HD recordings letterboxed on conventional 4:3 TVs.
Because the SONY HC7 does so much (HD or SD video as well as stills), there is plenty to learn on this camera. Practice before you take a trip or attempt to capture precious moments.
As a still camera, it's convenient but the stills are not exceptional.
NEGATIVES:
The touch screen interface is annoying and slow.
Camera should have a focus ring around the lens barrel.
Built-in mic is fine indoors. Not good outside if there is any wind.
ESSENTIAL SUGGESTION:
Be sure to buy an extra, higher capacity battery than the one supplied.
You will definitely need it.
SUMMARY:
To me, tape is still the best medium to record and preserve home movies.
There are no noticeable video compression artifacts.
The camera has quirks but it seems to be the best available HD camcorder out there in this price range at this time.
The moving pictures are absolutely spectacular!!!