Pros: Good picture quality, easy to use as a point-and-shoot, small size, comfortable
Cons: black/white viewfinder, minimal software, no on-the-fly controls besides zoom, memory stick duo expensive
The Bottom Line: The DCR-HC32 is a good choice for family outings and point-and-shoot occasions. It's easy to use and has good picture quality. Enthusiasts may want more on-the-fly controls however.
kyuushu's Full Review: Sony DCR-HC32 Mini DV, Flash Media Camcorder
As a camcorder with a small, single CCD, the DCR-HC32 is a good camcorder with good picture quality for its price. Sony has made it very easy to use and should appeal to the point-and-shoot crowd.
Picture quality is good, but not great compared to more expensive cameras. Like other cameras in its price range, the DCR-HC32 has a single but small CCD which it puts to good use. (Generally speaking, camcorders with multiple and larger CCDs have better picture quality but cost much more.) At 680k pixels this camcorder produces above average video quality with detail, vibrant color and only some grain in its picture.
Its low-light performance is decent for a camera with a single CCD. I had originally wanted to get a Canon ZR200 (priced similarly), but after I compared the two at a local electronics store, I liked the slightly better low light performance of the DCR-HC32. The Canon ZR200 had much better color but only when it had enough light. And since most real world situations would be in less-than-ideal light, I decided on the DCR-HC32.
Like other Sony camcorders, the DCR-HC32 has the "easy" mode where the camcorder is automatically set to function in a hassle-free manner. By using the camera in easy mode under optimal conditions (plenty of light), shooting video is extremely easy and painless. Everything is in focus, and is clear. You won't have to worry about shutter speed, f stop, or focusing with this camera's automated features.
Manual focusing however is not its strong point as you have to resort to its touch screen to do that. Still, its implemented in a unique way. You can manually focus on things by gently tapping its visual location on the LCD screen. While this is very cool, you have to have some steady hands to keep yourself from rocking the camera while you touch the screen. And unfortunately while the touch screen is "cool", everything but the most basic controls are accessed only through the touch screen - which means you cannot easily access them during shooting. Furthermore, offerings from other companies in this price range have manual focus and f stop as controls on-the-fly. But clearly, this camera is meant for the easy point-and-shoot situations and nothing more.
The LCD controls just about everything other than zoom. It functions well however, and the touch screen capability is very slick. I just wish I didn’t have to go into its bevy of menus to get the camera to transfer video to the PC. It would have been nice to have a single button for that.
The included dock is nice because you can use it transfer video, playback video, and recharge the battery. The downside is that you have to bring the dock with you if you travel, or have it near the device you want to playback or transfer to. So in my situation, I have to move it back and forth between my TV and the PC room whenever I want to playback or transfer video. The dock allows the camcorder to connect to PC via USB or Firewire. For TV playback, it includes connector to A/V plug. Playback to a TV is done by placing the DCR-HC32 in the dock, connecting the dock to the TV, then pressing a few buttons and it's ready to show.
Battery life is low as is expected with most camcorders in its price range. So if you expect to be using this camcorder for more than 1hr total time, definitely consider a 2nd battery. On average, I've gotten about 1hr and 20min out of a typical charge with the included battery using both LCD and the viewfinder. Sony claims this camcorder can run up to 8hrs on a single charge, but that is only possible by using a more expensive battery (which is sold seperately), and only using the viewfinder exclusively (LCD off).
The size of this camcorder is one of its strengths. It is smaller than most camcorders in its price range and can easily fit in your coat pocket. Though not as small as "matchbox" type camcorders, this one is still nicely sized for traveling. (I find that my winter coat has plenty of room to carry this camcorder plus a spare tape.)
Loading the DCR-HC32 is easy. Simply slide a lever and the bottom of the camera opens up. Once open, the sounds of little motors can be heard as the pins and insides move to open its "inner jaw." Once completely open, a standard mini-DV tape can be placed inside, and the assembly closes automatically.
The included software allows digital pictures and movies to be transferred to a PC/Mac. While there are some nice things that you can do with it (make your own automated music video), it feels clunky and not very user friendly. It took me about 30mins to figure out how to transfer the video on the mini-DV tape to the PC as an AVI. In my case, I went out and bought Adobe Premiere Elements ($99) and found that much better than the included software.
Still pictures on camcorders have always been typically low-quality. While the digital pictures that this camcorder takes are tolerable viewing on a screen, printing them out will show their low resolution. Furthermore, the fact that this camcorder uses memory stick duo media to store its digital stills means that you will be shelling out a lot more money than other types of media. This is largely because of the Sony mantra of "make them use our own type of media" instead of cheaper, more widely available media (SD cards, smartmedia, etc).
Audio is decent at best. There's no surround sound option here but unless you're looking to a make a short film, this should suffice for family outings. It picks up audio just fine, albeit without any extra features other than standard stereo.
The DCR-HC32 is very similar to the cheaper Sony DCR-HC21. The only difference between the two is that the DCR-HC21 lacks the still picture capability and the dock that the DCR-HC32 has. So if you don't care for either of those features, but like the rest of what this camcorder has to offer, it's probably a good idea to get the DCR-HC21 instead since it's around $100 cheaper.
Compared to last year's Sony camcorders in the same price range (the HC series), this one is very similar. The difference this year is a 20x optical zoom - double that of last year's DCR-HC30. Unfortunately the viewfinder on the DCR-HC32 is black and white, while last year's and competitors' models are in color. Of course, this may not be an issue if you use the LCD most of the time.
Nightshot Plus is Sony's infrared movie mode. You could take movies of pretty much anything while in the dark. The catch is that you have to be pretty near the subject in order to see it. The infrared beam is very weak and you would need to be within 8 feet of your subject for it to show up properly on video. Of course, you could always buy a seperate infrared lamp if you're serious about infrared movie making.
Other notable features include a 16x9 widescreen mode and a USB video streaming option to use as a web cam. I don't use either of these modes, but setting it up is done like everything else - via the touch screen LCD.
Compared to other camcorders, Sony has typically been pricier. But their experience in making their Handycam line has showed by producing a very easy-to-use camcorder such as the DCR-HC32. Still, other camcorders offer more features in terms of on-the-fly controls so if you want gain control or a better manual focus, look elsewhere. For the point-and-shoot crowd who want a camcorder that is free of any hassles, the DCR-HC32 will be a great choice.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 499 Recommended for: Home and Families - Keep Memories of Family Vacations
2.5-inch touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD; 20x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot picture-stabilization system Super NightShot Plus Infrared System captur...More at Amazon Marketplace
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