Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 comparison

Add to my list
Print
E-mail
Share

Features
Remove from comparison	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove
Product name	Sony Handycam DCR-HC96	Canon Vixia HF200	Sony Handycam DCR-HC52	Canon FS200 (silver)	Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (silver)
Price	Check Prices	$549.00 to $749.99	$179.95 to $249.99	$259.00 to $529.95	$297.95 to $449.95
CNET editors' rating	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	stars Overall score: ( stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)	3.0 stars Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
Average user rating	4.0 stars	3.5 stars		3.5 stars	3.0 stars
Release date	January 19, 2006	April 01, 2009		February 01, 2009	February 01, 2009
The Bottom Line	Excellent video quality, a broad feature set, and decent photos make the Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 an excellent choice for those seeking a compact MiniDV camcorder. Navigating the small touch screen may encourage you to stick with its automatic features, however.	While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking.		Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available.	If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47.
Similar Products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products
Wireless connectivity	Yes (IrDA)	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Lens aperture	F/1.8-2.9	F/1.8-3.2	F/1.8-4.1	F/2.0-5.2	F/1.8-6.0
Flash type	Built-in	Built-in flash	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Media type	Mini DV	Flash card	Mini DV	Flash card	Flash card Hard disk drive
Optical zoom	10 x	15 x	40 x	37 x	60 x
Optical sensor type	Advanced HAD CCD	CMOS	Advanced HAD CCD	CCD	Advanced HAD CCD
Video input type	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder
Digital zoom	120 x	300 x	2000 x	2000 x	2000 x
Battery technology	Lithium ion	Lithium ion	Info unavailable	Lithium ion	Info unavailable
Battery included qty	1	1	Info unavailable	1	Info unavailable
Min illumination	0 lux	0.4 lux	Info unavailable	1.3 lux	6 lux
Weight	1.1 lbs	12 oz	13.4 oz	7.9 oz	10.6 oz
Image stabilizer	Electronic (Super Steady Shot)	Optical (SuperRange)	Electronic (Super Steady Shot)	Electronic	Electronic (Steady Shot)
Optical sensor size	1/3"	1/4"	1/6"	1/6"	1/8"
Effective sensor resolution	2.05 megapixels	2.99 megapixels	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Service & support type	1 year warranty	1 year warranty	Info unavailable	1 year warranty	Info unavailable
Manual focus	Manual Automatic	Automatic	Manual Automatic	Automatic	Manual Automatic
Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications
Buying choices	E-mail me when this product is available	Newegg.com $549.99 In stock: Yes TigerDirect.com $549.99 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $549.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 15 CNET Certified stores	Amazon.com $249.99 In stock: Yes PC Connection $229.95 In stock: Yes Sears $249.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 5 authorized stores	TigerDirect.com $269.99 In stock: Yes Beach Camera $269.00 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $269.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 16 CNET Certified stores	TigerDirect.com $299.99 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $299.00 In stock: Yes Amazon.com $299.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 10 authorized stores
Remove from comparison	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove