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Sony HDR-HC5 4MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
Sony HDR-HC5 4MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder reviews Capture high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) video to a MiniDV cassette with the Sony HDR-HC5 high-definition camcorder. Record every detail of every moment with the 10x optical/80x digital zoom and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens. However, you'll be capturing more than just video with the 4.0 megapixel still image feature. Snap spectacular 2.3 megapixel photos while filming in dual record mode. The Sony HDR-HC5 even slows down the audio. Get it all and get it in high definition with this amazing camcorder. Sony HDR-HC5 High Definition Minidv camcorder 2.1-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor The 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution in HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode) and 4 MP still image performance. Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require less power and provide better battery performance. Switchable HD/DV format recording The Sony HDR-HC5 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette. Real-Time HD Codec engine Sony developed a Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that high-definition video can be recorded on the same MiniDV cassettes as are used for SD recording. x.v. Color x.v.Color can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than currently possible. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience. 10x optical/80x digital zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom. Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario- Sonnar T* lens Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfectg renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare. 2.7-inch widescren hybrid touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display The 2.7-inch 16:9 LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier. Smooth slow record By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen in the video. Memory Stick Duo media slot Capture still images up to 2304 x 1728 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy trasfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick media compatible devices. Dual record While recording video in high definition, you have the ability to capture a 2.3-megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick Duo media. Super SteadyShot image stabilization system Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera "shake" without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems. Cinematic mode Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC5 Cinematic mode lends 24 frame film-like effect to your recordings. i.LINK interface (IEEE1394) A high-speed, bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs. Tele Macro function Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocused so that the subject stands out. Active interface shoe Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories. Additional Features Built-in Intelligent Flash Super NightShot infrared system Scene selection modes Fader effects Picture effects InfoLithium battery with AccuPower Meter system Multi-language menu One-touch wide-angle shooting Easy Handycam button On-screen zoom and record buttons Manual focus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sony HDR-HC5 High definition minidv camcorder Customer Reviews and Ratings : Outstanding camera I am extremely pleased with this camera. I have been shooting and editing video as a hobby for about 10 years and am thrilled with the image quality of this lens and the processor. If you are going to buy it, my only recommendation is to make sure your computer can handle editing HD video. It is MUCH more data than standard "Mini DV" or Digital Video and will be extremely taxing on your computer's processor. As compared to similar products in the same price range that I tested in stores, the Sony seems to be slightly better built in terms of its casing. The only potential flaw I noticed was the plastic "door" for the ports. This thing could break extremely easily. This Sony camcorder gives great high definition video for an affordable price This Sony hi-def camcorder (filming in 1080i) provides a lot of value for the price. The key to "home movies" is always going to be the quality of the media on which you are putting your recording, and on to that end, this camcorder delivers very, very well for a relatively inexpensive price. I bought it for about $1,000 in NYC in March 2007 just before a family trip that was to include the Grand Canyon. When I came home and played the recordings on my HDTV, I felt like I had just produced something for the Discovery Channel HD! (I'm talking about the audio and video quality combined with the scenery, of course ... NOT my "skills" as a cameraman!) Here are the major PROS: - HDMI output port included, which allows you to show video straight to HDMI-equipped HDTV in the highest quality available (HDMI has become the HDTV standard cable for delivery of digital video and audio in one cable, and all HDTVs made in the last year or two have at least one HDMI input -- current ones have 3 or 4, for other sources like HD cable boxes, HDMI-equipped DVD players, game consoles, Blu-Ray DVD players, etc.); - Component output ports also included (one for audio, one for video; special cables included), in case you do not have an HDMI input on your (likely older) HDTV; - Firewire and USB (albeit 1.1) output ports included, for easy upload of video to your PC or Mac; - You can take pix while filming; - Low light filming is very good; - The Night Vision works VERY well (albeit in green, but that comes with any infrared illumination); - The "shoe" on top allows for a Sony zoom microphoneSony ECM-HGZ1 Shotgun Microphone for DCR-PC55, DCR-DVD305, DVD 405, DVD 505, HDR-HC1, HC5, HDR-UX1, UX5, DCR-SR100&SR200 Camcorders, which I highly recommend for anyone shooting any outdoor footage (the sound actually "zooms in" as you zoom in on the video subject, minimizing distracting noise made by others near the camcorder!); - The playback features are AWESOME, in that they allow for super slow-mo and zoom, and you can also record a 3-second sequence (golf swing, baseball pitch or swing, basketball shot, etc.) in high-speed filiming (120 frames per second, versus the normal 30 frames per second), so you can dissect that activity to your heart's delight; and finally (not really, but I have to stop somewhere), - You MUST invest (not much $ for the value) in a Sony tripod with remote control on the tripod handle; this allows you to zoom in and out; start and pause recording; take pix; even turn the camcorder on and off ... all from the main handle of the tripod!!! Sony VCTD680RM Remote Control Tripod for Sony Cameras & Camcorders (I'm not sure if the one I just featured is the one I own. The one I own includes a balance bubble, removable base (for quick removal of the camera from the tripod) and a tilt that allows you to turn the camera 90 degrees to the side - such as when you want to use the camera function in portrait mode.) That works out really well at kids' activities (sports, recitals, etc.), as you ELIMINATE camera shake (see CONS, below). Also, you can change tapes while the camcorder is on the tripod (the inability of which is a common design faux pas on too many other camcorders). Some CONS: - The image stabilization is not great, especially at zoomed-in distances, resulting in noticeably shaky video when you record by holding the camcorder with one hand and then plug and play the results on your HDTV (see recommended tripod, above, to fix that most times); - No microphone or headphone jacks (which don't matter much in regular use); and - the mini-dv tapes are more expensive than any off-the-shelf-at-CVS/Walmart/etc. types, although you can buy them in small bunches on Amazon for less than $10 each all-in NOT REFURBISHED, NEVER USED, NEVER OPENED.. It is said that the hi-def tapes have a better metallic coating on them that make them better-suited to hi-def recording. I have never done a side-by-side comparison of regular versus hi-def tapes, so I can't opine on that. In the end, you want to get the best MEDIA for your priceless memories, and this camera (in the hi-def mini-dv format) delivers, as the video and audio are less compressed than on hard drive or DVD hi-def camera, and thus more revealing. And since Blu-Ray seems to have won the High-Def DVD race (defeating HDDVD, if you are to believe the papers), then buy this camera, record your priceless memories before they go to college and convert then to Blu-Ray DVDs when Blu-Ray DVD recorders get to a reasonable price!! Whatever you choose, first go to a bricks-and-mortars store and try out and compare this camera and a few others. Good luck! HDR-HC5 Review So far I have found this to be a great camera. Here are a few of my observations so far. Video Quality: The video quality this this takes is great. However, there must be sufficient lighting. In a dimly light room, for instance, the video accumulates a fair bit of grain. But by adding a few more lights, or taking it outside on a nice day, your videos will rival that of broadcast HDTV. Sound: Like most all camcorders the sound is very average. And the only mic's available are proprietary Sony mic's. One must upgrade to the HC7 to get the real mic inputs. Features: This camera comes pretty packed. There are manual settings for exposure, focus, white balance, and a few others as well. And all of these, for better or worse, are adjusted through the touch screen interface that I personally love. Some of the buttons on the screen are small, so those with bigger fingers may have trouble navigating the camera. Battery: I get about an hour of real recording time with the built in battery. It's enough to get through a Mini-DV tape, but not much more. Other: The "Smooth Slow Record" is garbage. Yes, it does record 3 seconds of video extremely slow. But the video quality makes YouTube look like HD... It is bad. The Night Shot is pretty cool and works just as described. The effect is only as good as the built in IR light, so you can see maybe 15' in the dark. The touch focus feature is really cool. Just touch on the screen where you want the camera to focus, and it does it automatically. Recording on Mini-DV tapes seems quite antiquated, but it does get the job done. It is a proven standard and pretty much any decent video editing program can handle it. The hard drive camcorders out there that record in AVC-HD do not currently enjoy as much compatibility as HDV, so that is why I when the tape based route. Overall, this is a great camcorder. It could use some "real" manual features, like a dedicated focus ring, but those kind of features seem to be reserved for cameras in the 4 digit area. The video quality is also great in the right conditions. Definitely recommended. OnlineDigitalCamera.com | Shopping Cart
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