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"Detailed Review of the Sony Handycam HC-32" on by GoatBeard
Pros: Easy to record straight from box, Easy to use and understand features, hotfoot, good price, I like the touch-screen...
Cons: Software is terrible, No memory stick supplied w/camera, still shots are awful -- must be edited down to about a 4x4 plus brightness/contrast editing to get anything decent (and they are still bad)
Summary: For the price, this is a great little camera. It is very easy to use straight out of the box. If you have a TV with the 3 jacks in front, the camera is VERY easy to hook to the TV. My wife had recorded stuff and hooked it to the TV to view before I got out of bed the day after we bought the camera and she hadn't looked at the Operating Guide at all.
After reading reviews, I wasn't sure about the touch-screen, but it isn't as bad as I thought. Actually, I kinda like it. The hotfoot is a great feature (many of 'extras' from Sony are made only for the HC-42). The black & white viewfinder is lacking. I only use the LCD screen. The zoom is great. I do wish the fader was easier to use; however, you will get used to it in no time.
I wouldn't even bother installing the software (I made the mistake of installing it). The memory stick is easily retrieved but it is nearly impossible to get the video to your computer. Editing is impossible (actually it is pointless with this software). Save yourself the frustration, Pinnacle has a bundle of awesome software with the firewire PCI port for $99 ($79 for software only; so, it's a good deal). You will need a DVD Burner, too
I didn't know what I needed when I first got this camera. Here's a list so you will have an idea. So total, you have a $499 camera, minimum of $50 for a new battery (up to $100 depending on size), $60 for a battery charger (so you will always have 2), $30 camera case, $17 for 3 Fuji tapes, $54 for a 256 meg memory stick (which is useless b/c the still pictures are worthless -- but you may find a use at some point), $99 for Pinnacle software with PCI firewire port (firewire included!), $100 for internal DVD Burner (add another $100 for an external DVD Burner)... So you are looking at around $900 before taxes to get everything you need to actually USE the camera you just bought. -
"an easy to use but very high quality camera!!!" on by anaddelman
Pros: ease of use, small size, picture quality, docking station, cool touch screen menu
Cons: short battery life (60-90 mins), not great for stills
Summary: I just bought this camera to replace my 3 1/2 year old panasonic mini-DV camera. I love it! It's incredibly easy to use, even for the newest camera user. It even has an "easy mode" to automate everything. It can fit in your jeans pocket; sony accomplishes this by having a docking station for charging the unit and using firewire or other connections. The menus are all accessed on the LCD screen, and are very easy to use. They can be a bit awkward at first, but once you get used to it, it's easy.
The picture quality is excellent. The sony lens and supershot (stability) and nightshot (darkness) produce an amazing picture, even when fully zoomed or in low-light.
The only downsides are the relatively short battery life (60-90 mins), and the requirement of a memory stick for taking photos.
For the price, it's difficult to find a better camera. I researched a lot of the competitors, and I think sony is at the top of this class of camcorders..... -
"Good picture, software lacks polish" on
Pros: Picture quality is pretty good considering its a single CCD and sells below $500. In low light, the picture is still better than most other cams. "Easy" mode makes for hassle free shooting. Its compact size is smaller than most in its price range; 20x opt
Cons: The software is limited and lacks depth - gimmicky with only a few decent tools; The viewfinder is black and white only, not color like last year's model. Like other camcorders below $500, the digital still pictures are tolerable but far from great. Acces
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"Good Choice for Price and Features" on by pilsbitte
Pros: Price, Zoom, Picture Stability, Dubbing Analog
Cons: Minimal, not perfect in low light but still good, few options to add accessories.
Summary: I spent the past four days reviewing everything I could find on camcorders on the internet. You may have found, as I did, that there is no shortage of conflicting views on the same camcorder. My sources were Cnet.com, Consumer Reports.com, and Camcorderinfo.com My goals were as follow: 1) Try to stay under $500 (but willing to go over if I found a great deal) 2) Buy a camcorder that allowed me to dub analog recodings from my old camcorder and VHS. 3) Buy a camcorder that would allow me to memorliaize my family in DVD format with good quality.
With that said, I belive I have hit all the above goals with the DCR-HC32. I have had the camcorder for 24hrs. now and have shot in normal room lighting at night, burned the movie to DVD and am now dubbing old analog camcorder images to digital and then to DVD.
First, this camcorder and the recoding and dubbing proces is very easy. I purchased the Roxio Easy Media Creator 8 and it walks me through the process of capturing then burning DVD's. The process of converitng analog to digital is straight forward and simlple. I will be making DVD of the kids for all the grandparents this Christmas.
The unit fits well in my hand, I am big man and have no difficulty handling the unit. The LCD menu is well thought out and I like the funtionality.
Zoom and picture stability are great! Followed my wife down the stairs while filiming last night and you'd be hard pressed to see and jiggle or wobble in the picture. Zoom is smooth and focus is quick. I did notice some color shift while zooming but not enough to distract my viewing.
Last tidbit, bought my DCR-HC32 at Costco for $399.99 and it comes with an extra battery, the NP-FP50 which is a higher capacity battery and a $60.00 value. Buy your firewire at Target for $15.99 (4 and 6 pin converters included). Roxio software is $59.99 at Costco and worth every penny. I did not load the Sony software based on the low scores it received from other reviewers.
Happy so far and $200 - $300 richer than if I had purchased the DCR-HC42 or DCR-HC90. -
"Good but.." on by alestgui
Pros: easy to use wonderful for family parties and so many other events
Cons: So poor trying to use as a camera shot resolution less than 3.0 pixeles so much noise in the pictures try to think in another camera shot
Summary: I bought this camera few months ago and it's really comfortable so easy to handle but the best thing is the amazing zoom that is not available in others camcorders in this category, also try to think in a good hardware to edit the videos an old processor and less than 512 mb it´s not enough, even this product comes with the picture package software it is not the best, that's why I decided to buy a Sony VAIO that is the best partner of this camcorder with the Click to DVD software the problems finished, In general is a good choice
Sony DCR-HC32 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder user reviews
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