Sony Handycam® DCR-HC90 Mini DV Camcorder

Pros: true 16:9, quality of moving parts, build quality, video quality, still image quality, size, speed
Cons: Memory Stick Pro

I did quite a bit of homework before purchasing the HC-90. I wanted High quality DV in a 16:9 format. I own a 42" Sony LCD HDTV and I wanted sharp, high quality performance. Other factors for me: Solid build (exterior), and good quality parts ...

Pros: EASE OF USE, colors true to life, great microphone, great adaptability
Cons: none that I have encountered yet.

I picked this little gem up at the Sony store less than a month ago. They had all their camcorder models lined up on the shelf and the HC90 stood out like a Beauty Queen on a Catwalk. The overall design is an aesthetic masterpiece and fits ever-so ...

Pros: Excellent low Light camera, full featured, burn directly to DVD from camera.
Cons: Very sensitive zoom in/out, touch screen might be tough to use for some people.

Previously, I ran out and bought the Canon ZR 65MC camcorder to capture my 1 year old daughter's first Christmas. The result with that camera was awful indoor and lowlight films that were grainy and unwatchable. My mission this time around was to find ...

Pros: Excellent video quality, good audio, very light
Cons: None

I purchased Sony Handycam DCR-HC90 Mini DV Digital Camcorder to replace my aging 8 year old Hi8 camcorder, also from Sony. The old Hi8 camcorder still works quite fine, it’s just too heavy and bulky to carry around (which is somewhat funny: 8 years ...

Pros: COMPACT size, excellent movie quality, clear sound, touch screen LCD, quick zoom and auto focus.
Cons: Awkward ergonomics, battery life, slow to focus when using nightshot.

I received this camcorder today and was amazed myself at how small and compact it was. BATTERY- I charged up the supplied battery and was a bit disapointed in discovering the battery indicator said I had only 80 minutes of power should I use the LCD ...

Pros: Good sound, nice picture, easy to use
Cons: Touch screen stopped working. It's the only way to rewind, fast forward or play tape.

I shouldn't say mine died exactly, but it's practically of no use. When I bought this camcorder about a year and a half ago, I loved it. I even liked the touch screen, thinking it was so "new". Well, I regret that now. About 13 months after the ...

Pros: Very small and lightweight. Has Firewire (iLink)
Cons: No standard 1/8 inch microphone input

I bought the Sony HC90 based upon information that an external microphone could be hooked up (I also bought the Sony WCS-999 wireless microphone to work with it). Turns out the only microphone that can be hooked up is a proprietary clip on top of the camcorder microphone. Even Sony's wireless microphone that I bought will not work with this camcorder because the WCS-999 using the normal 1/8 inch microphone input as does just about every other microphone out there. I called technical support and they said that they could not provide me with a solution other than to buy a different camcorder.

I am writing this review to warn others before buying if they are going to be wanting to hook up an external microphone for interviews or for hearing a person more clearly with something like a wireless microphone.

Pros: Small, excellent quality, side loading, 3 megs still, flash, ease of use and more.
Cons: awkward place to put zoom control.

I bought the camera as an upgrade to my last Sony that went out of commission after about four years of service, the Sony dcr pc9. I needed something small and wanted something Sony. Tried the Panasonic 3ccd camera. It was terrible in low light, which is important to me. Even though I can get a light, which I will, with this camera I am used to shooting video in all types of situations and I create a lot of videos so I wanted good quality footage at least something better than what I used to have. In short, I first tried the 3 cmos chip Sony pc 1000. The hc 90 matches the quality of the 1000 in good lighting, in low light the 1000 was UNACCEPTABLE, like watching the first video footage from the Iraq war. I almost couldn’t believe it. This camera was much better, and three hundred bucks cheaper. In good light the 3cmos camera and this camera matches the hc1000.

Pros: Good Picture. Small and Light. Nice feel. MiniDV
Cons: Hard-to-find adapter for external audio. Severely limited battery life. Died 1 year after purchase.

[update: camcorder DIED. Tape does not eject. No solution except a flat fixit fee for more than the camcorder is worth. It may be a resold lemon; be careful buying camcorders on Ebay! Replaced with a Canon Powershot SX100.]

I've owned this camera for 9 months now, second-hand from E-Bay. Very satisfied with this camera, it's great for what it is--a nice consumer camera.

Very small, but I don't like that it takes the slim battery in an internal compartment. You're limited to a short battery life, with no options for hanging a big battery on the back, as you could with the "hang off the back" battery style.

Another drawback: lack of external mic input. Good audio is often neglected when shooting video, and the cure for this is almost always an external mic. I worked around this by buying an adapter which allows for a 1/8" mic plug to be used via the Sony hotshoe. Seems Sony doesn't want to publicize the availability of this solution, I had to search the discussion groups to find out about it. Bought it from B&H for about $20 I think.

Just wish it has a better battery and audio solution.

Pros: Wide screen feature, high pixels, picture quality, small, looks handsome.
Cons: Still picture quality in low light. Or, maybe it's me. Touch screen.

I ordered this camcorder on line. I was very surprise how nice this little thing looked when I opened the package. I'm very happy with it so far. Highly recommended!!!!
I just wish I didn't have to leave finger prints on the LCD screen.

Pros: Small, powerful, easy to use, good video
Cons: Short battery life, flimsy access panels

For the last 24 hours I've been performing my own live test between the Sony HC90 and the Panasonic GS250. In good lighting conditions, the GS250 has somewhat better recordings -- clearer and better colors. However, that is only in the best of recording conditions; in real-life situations (particularly low-light), the Sony is superior and for that reason has my vote and my business.

A couple of pet peeves about the Panasonic: Don't know why, but the folks at Panasonic decided to keep a regular ol' lens cap for the camera instead of an automatic closing lens. How annoying is that? The LCD is just OK, whereas the Sony is great. For Sony, the little plastic doors that open and close for plugging in devices seem flimsy and prone to breaking. The battery doesn't last all that long, either. But Sony has a better, more practical package.

Cool factor for the Sony -- a dinky, powerful little camera. I recommend it.

Pros: Excellent picture quality, 16x9 feature. Compact.
Cons: $216 repair bill, only 3 month labor Warranty, Sony doesn't stand behind it's products.

I did quite a bit of research before selecting the HC90. It was hard to get because every outlet was sold out. The product itself is great. I have two LCD TV's, a 32 inch and a 50 inch. The 16x9 feature is awesome, after importing into the computer and burning a DVD @ 16x9. The problem is the camera is not even six months old and it stopped working. I couldn't see anything when I played back the video. Because it only have a 3 month labor warranty I had to pay $216 to replace a part. Luckily it has a full year on parts. I take excellent care of my equipment, and only used the camera about 10 - 15 times. There is no reason for this device to malfunction so quick. Sony's customer support is terrible. I just recently had a Sony DVD player repaired, again not even six months old.

Pros: excellent video; strong low-light capabilities; wide-screen capable
Cons: accessories a little pricey

I believe Sony has a hit with the new DCR-HC90 camcorder. It is quite powerful and does a lot of good things despite coming in a very small package. I've devoted some time to its features on my web page at http://www.disneyfunsite.com/hc90.htm

Please check it out!

Pros: Size,
Cons: Shooting at night...pathetic...

Well,well,well,I also got one..I must say,for me the size matter,so,the size is very good,my only problem with this camera is to shoot at night..very poor quality..eg,man,I'm telling you..don't even try,you will be very disappointed and you probably will think twice in the future before buying Sony cancorder,this is my 3erd Sony camera and I was really expecting somehing more...