As a digital camera, the DCR-HC90 boasts a surprisingly robust feature set, including a burst mode--complete with exposure bracketing, red-eye reduction, and half a dozen scene modes. Indeed, most of the DCR-HC90's available video options can be applied in Picture mode--good news for snapshooters who like fine control over image settings. But Sony bundles only a 16MB Memory Stick Duo Pro card, a slap in the face given the camcorder's steep price. At least you get an adapter for plugging the Duo card into standard Memory Stick slots, plus PictBridge support for connecting directly to compatible printers.
Speaking of connections, the DCR-HC90 shares the DCR-HC85's ability to convert analog material--such as from a VCR or older camcorder--to digital format. You can record directly to a MiniDV tape or pass the video straight to your PC via the FireWire port.
The DCR-HC90 comes with USB and A/V cables, a wireless remote, and a thorough printed manual. Sony also supplies Picture Package, a rather anemic software suite for creating slide shows, music videos, and the like. It doesn't support DVD burning, and it lacks any real video-editing capabilities. A camcorder in this price range should include some decent editing software--perhaps Sony's Vegas Movie Studio. Likewise, it should include a battery charger instead of requiring you to plug the AC adapter into the camera.
In most respects, the Sony DCR-HC90 is a speedy, solid performer. For instance, we found that the electronic image stabilizer delivered pleasing results even at maximum zoom, though it's worth noting that because the zoom tops out at 10X, the EIS doesn't have to work all that hard. Even so, it's nice to know you can achieve tripod-caliber results just by holding your hands steady.
One area that really needs work is the autofocus, which was often slow to adjust, especially when we were panning, shooting in low-light environments, or using the zoom. The zoom itself proved admirably responsive, but the inconsistent autofocus can create trouble when you're trying to capture a distant subject--say, your team scoring a touchdown at the far end of the field--in a hurry. Audio quality was also extremely clear, although the HC90 could use a windscreen filter for the mic.
At least you won't have to squint at the LCD, which stays bright and readable even on sunny days. And speaking of bright lights, the DCR-HC90 delivers lightning-fast white balance when moving from indoor to outdoor environments--a test that trips up many camcorders. We also enjoyed great results from the backlight function, which makes backlit subjects appear brighter in the frame (invaluable when you're shooting, for example, someone standing in front of a window). However, the bright areas blow out completely when using it.
According to Sony, the included NP-FP50 battery should let you shoot more than a tape's worth of video. But while you can expect upward of 80 minutes of continuous recording time, real-world usage--meaning a combination of shooting, playback, photos, and so on--gives you closer to an hour. That's acceptable for a camera of this size. And we absolutely love the camcorder's onscreen battery meter, which counts down the minutes remaining until you have to recharge. (Most camcorders rely on those cryptic gauges.)
The Sony DCR-HC90 ranks among the best low- and no-light camcorders we've used. Unlike many other models, it keeps image noise to a minimum in low light and doesn't blur or jerk when you pan around. And as always, Sony's infrared NightShot mode produces exceptional results--great for filmmakers looking to create the next Blair Witch Project.
Like the DCR-HC85, the DCR-HC90 produces rich, vibrant color both indoors and out. We did notice some subtle edge crawl along high-contrast boundaries, but it had far less video noise in shadows and dimly lit areas than the HC85.
As a still camera, the DCR-HC90 fared better than we expected, though not as well as we'd hoped. Its 3-megapixel photos looked crisp and detailed, with reasonably warm color throughout. As with video, shadowy areas were admirably light on noise. However, photos were too soft or had details obscured by smeary processing artifacts. Another problem: if your subject is moving, pictures tend to come out blurry. (Inexplicably, the Sports mode for shooting video is missing from the camera's Program AE options.) We tried many times to capture a busy toddler, and the results were largely disappointing. You can rely on the DCR-HC90 for vacation snapshots, but it wouldn't be our first choice for shooting a child's soccer game.
What You'll Pay
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