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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest
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alaTest.com
Editors' rating: 87
Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 84 reviews of Sony HDR-HC5E from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 72/100 and users 84/100. Comparing these reviews to 103109 other Camcorders reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 87/100 = Very Good.
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goodgearguide.com.au
Editors' rating: 80
Summary: The HDR-HC5E is a quality product, but it comes at a price. Despite a few flaws with colours, this camera performs very well in comparison to most camcorders. For those who can afford it, it's a great unit.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Digital Camcorders. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of digital camcorder.
MiniDV format
Most consumer digital camcorders use MiniDV cassettes, which record DV-format video. The DV standard produces high-quality footage that is superior to video recorded by consumer analog camcorders and can deliver more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution, depending on camcorder quality. Consumer and semipro digital camcorders that capture high-definition footage record HDV-format video on MiniDV cassettes.
Best for: Budget buyer; trendsetter; home and vacation moviemaker; independent filmmaker; business videographer.
| Broad range of video cameras, from bargain to professional three-chip models |
| Widely supported by video-editing and -effects software |
| MiniDV decks and other hardware products widely available |
| CD-quality 12- and 16-bit PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) sound capture and audio dubbing |
| MiniDV camcorders may be connected to TV for display or to VCR for copying |
| Some video cameras provide analog-to-digital conversion for digitizing older video |
| MiniDV camcorders can't play analog 8mm or Hi8 cassettes |
| Cassettes with built-in memory chip for indexing video segments are relatively expensive |
Supporting manufacturers: Canon; Hitachi; JVC; Panasonic; Samsung; Sony.
Read more in the Digital Camcorder Buying Guide
Exposure control
Every digital camcorder has a fully automatic mode that lets you simply point and shoot, but it's best to be able to adjust your exposure setting a little. Special shooting modes for capturing subjects lit by a spotlight or other specific sources can be helpful. For full control over exposure, you'll need a camera that lets you manually set both the aperture and the shutter speed. Advanced camcorders offer zebra stripes, which highlight overexposed areas with a striped pattern so that you can fine-tune exposure. Low-light performance is the Achilles' heel of many digital camcorders. Look for a model with a minimum lux rating of seven or lower. Many camcorders offer special low-light shooting modes, but they don't all work the same way. Some simply slow down the shutter speed so that you get full-color but impressionistic-looking footage. Others use an infrared emitter to capture greenish monochrome video in total darkness.
HD Camcorders info
If format proliferation is the sign of growing pains in a market, camcorders are in adolescent hell. Prices are dropping, making HD camcorders an attractive buy relative to their SD competitors, but inexpensive doesn't necessarily mean easy. Our most recent tally indicates there are no fewer than four possible media types to use, each of which can support multiple encoding formats; the encoding formats, in turn, support various combinations of standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) video formats. Toss in HD's three different available resolutions, and you have an ugly mess to sort through while you shop. And we haven't even begun to see the inevitable models based on HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs.
Read more in the HD camcorders Quick Guide
See more HD camcorders products
LCD and electronic viewfinder info
More pixels usually mean better viewfinder and LCD image quality. Look for a sharp LCD that's easy to see in bright light; adjustable screen brightness helps, too. The larger the LCD, the easier it will be to see (and the more power-hungry it will be); for all but ultracompact camcorders, look for at least 2.5 inches. An EVF that you can tilt with a diopter lever for adjusting focus will give you more shooting flexibility. Almost all EVFs and LCDs on consumer camcorders display color, although some video enthusiasts prefer black-and-white EVFs, which can make it easier to judge exposure. Touch-screen LCDs have begun to appear on a few consumer video cameras, usually for menu navigation and spot focusing. Some users find them convenient, while others prefer not to have to use the LCD to access camcorder controls.
See more LCD products
CNET product brief
Description: The Sony Handycam HDR-HC5 is a MiniDV (HDV)-based, prosumer camcorder.Compared to other prosumer camcorders on the market, it is expensive at around $1,890.It ships with Sony picture motion browser software.
Pros: Offers manual focus adjustment, whereas many camcorders have only auto-focus.This product weighs just 20.8 ounces without battery and media, which is relatively light.
Cons: None noted, given available product data.
Suitability: A prosumer camcorder, suited for semi-professional videography.
Value: Overall, this camcorder's price seems a bit steep, with respect to its features.In fact, you would typically pay close to 30% less for a prosumer camcorder with comparable effective resolution.
Suggestions: For more help selecting the right digital camcorder, visit CNET Reviews' buying guide.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
