Sony Handycam DCR-HC30 series

Sony Handycam DCR-HC30 Reviewed on 10/20/2004

The Bottom Line: The DCR-HC30 makes a decent and very compact choice for a budget camcorder, but if you can afford to spend another $100, the DCR-HC40 will give you better video quality.

Release Date: 04/15/2004

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 6.8 megapixels, 0.9 lbs

CNET editors' take

Sony Handycam DCR-HC40 Reviewed on 05/14/2004

The Bottom Line: The DCR-HC40's touch screen can be inconvenient to use, but this affordable compact camcorder's footage in automatic mode isn't likely to need many adjustments.

Release Date: 04/15/2004

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 1.0 megapixels, 0.9 lbs

CNET editors' take

Sony Handycam DCR-HC85 Reviewed on 03/21/2005

The Bottom Line: The DCR-HC85 is easy to use and compact, but we expect better video quality from a camcorder in its class.

Release Date: 04/01/2004

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 1.3 lbs

CNET editors' take

Sony Handycam DCR-HC1000

Specs: Camcorder, 3CCD, 12 x, Mini DV, 6.9 megapixels, 1.8 lbs

Product info

Sony DCR-HC90 Reviewed on 05/02/2005

The Bottom Line: If you're ready to make the move to 16:9 videography or want to shoot a lot of romantically lit scenes, look no further than Sony's top-of-the-line single-chip Handycam.

Release Date: 02/01/2005

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 0.9 lbs

CNET editors' take

Sony DCR-HC42

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 12 x, Mini DV, 0.9 lbs

Product info

Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 Reviewed on 06/15/2005

The Bottom Line: Like many lower-end camcorders, the Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 has trouble keeping noise out of the picture. But that's the only real problem with this affordable, feature-packed model.

Release Date: 02/15/2005

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 20 x, Mini DV, 0.9 lbs

CNET editors' take

Sony Handycam DCR-HC21

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 20 x, Mini DV, 3.4 megapixels, 0.9 lbs

Product info