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Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 comparison

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Product name	Sony Handycam HDR-HC3	Canon Vixia HF200	Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)	Canon Vixia HV30	Sony Handycam HDR-HC1
Price	Check Prices	$549.00 to $749.99	$380.00 to $499.00	$2,499.95	$1,499.95
CNET editors' rating	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
Average user rating		3.5 stars	2.5 stars	4.0 stars	4.0 stars
Release date	March 11, 2006	April 01, 2009	March 15, 2009	March 01, 2008	July 05, 2005
The Bottom Line	Though significantly cheaper than Sony's previous consumer HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 still offers superb HD video quality.	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.	You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100.	An extremely minor upgrade from the HV20, the Canon Vixia HV30 remains a quality HDV camcorder with a couple of performance issues.	The Sony Handycam HDR-HC1 is a good first effort at a consumer HD camcorder, but only HD fanatics should consider it.
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Lens aperture	F/1.8-2.9	F/1.8-3.2	F/1.8-2.2	F/1.8-3.0	F/1.8-2.1
Flash type	Built-in flash	Built-in flash	Info unavailable	Built-in flash	Pop-up flash
Media type	Mini DV (HDV)	Flash card	Flash card	Mini DV (HDV)	Mini DV (HDV)
Optical zoom	10 x	15 x	10 x	10 x	10 x
Optical sensor type	ClearVid CMOS	CMOS	ClearVid CMOS	CMOS	CMOS
Video input type	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder	Camcorder
Digital zoom	80 x	300 x	120 x	200 x	120 x
Battery technology	Lithium ion	Lithium ion	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Battery included qty	1	1	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	1
Min illumination	0 lux	0.4 lux	Info unavailable	0.2 lux	0 lux
Weight	19.8 oz	12 oz	Info unavailable	1.2 lbs	1.5 lbs
Image stabilizer	Electronic (Super Steady Shot)	Optical (SuperRange)	Optical (Steady Shot)	Optical (SuperRange)	Optical (Super Steady Shot)
Optical sensor size	1/3"	1/4"	1/5"	1/2.7"	1/3"
Effective sensor resolution	Info unavailable	2.99 megapixels	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	1.9 megapixels
Service & support type	1 year warranty	1 year warranty	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Manual focus	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual Automatic	Manual 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	B&H Photo-Video $549.00 In stock: Yes Buydig.com $549.00 In stock: Yes Amazon.com $549.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 14 CNET Certified stores	Amazon.com $499.00 In stock: Yes B&H Photo-Video $384.99 In stock: Yes J&R Music and Computer World $399.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 7 authorized stores	Amazon.com Marketplace $2,499.95 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store	Amazon.com Marketplace $1,499.95 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store
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