Sony Handycam HDR-HC7 (camcorder - Mini DV, HDV)

Pros: video quality, handling, size, hdv

Cons: memory, stills, menu

Summary: Pros:
1. Great video quality in good to great light. Colors are "punchy".
2. Doubles as a still camera. Even though the still quality is not great, it could still come in handy.
3. Down-conversion to standard definition seems pretty good. Can easily record you hi-def to DVD using a digital connection to a DVD recorder.
4. Handling seems good. The size of the camera is fairly small. It's amazing what they can pack into things of this size.
5. Uses HDV format on MiniDV tapes.

Cons:
1. USB interface is not USB 2.0! This is 2007! Downloading still photos takes much longer than it should. I don't intend to buy a proprietary memory card reader.
2. Uses Sony proprietary memory.
3. Still camera functions are mediocre. Probably equivalent to today's $200 and less digital still cameras. I have a Canon 20D digital SLR and the difference is quite clear! The Sony still photos are noisier and just not as good looking. The flash photos in low light are poor-fair.
4. Don't like the menu system. Seems harder to use than it should be.

Neutrals:
1. Fair battery life with the included battery.
2. Video quality in low-light could be better, but it's not poor. I'd say it is fair.