Digital Trends

Sony DCR-HC96 May 1st, 2006 | by David Elrich

Performance

Even though it's tape-based, this camcorder is ready to go in less than two seconds. I initially set the camcorder in the Easy mode then used the Program AE settings and manual adjustments, shooting indoors and out. I found the camcorder a pleasure to use, once I got used to the placement of the zoom, snapshot and mode buttons. The LCD is OK at best, having trouble in bright sunshine; the viewfinder saved the day though.  

Once I did my taping, I reviewed the videos on a digital TV through the A/V inputs and downloaded the material using Movie Maker 2 to the PC. The quality of the clips was good without the digital noise found on many DVD camcorders. Outdoor blossoms and skies were accurate but the auto focus took longer that it should to lock in on a subject. Leaves from a weeping cherry tree gave it fits but that's a tough one for any camcorder. Indoor shots were good too without too much noise.

There's been some buzz on the ‘Net about the onscreen menus of the DCR-HC96, complaining they are confusing. Although hardly as elegant as iTunes, they're pretty easy to follow. Just remember to have a tissue handy to wipe your fingerprints off the LCD.

As for still quality, the DCR-HC96 is not going to win many awards although the 4x6 prints of tulips we made were good enough. Remember it takes 3MP files (2016 x 1512 pixels) and most digicam makers don't even sell them anymore (4MP is the entry level such a Canon Powershot A430 for $149). Still it's better than the vast majority of camcorders other than Canon Optura 600  and miles ahead of cell phones.

Conclusion

I have no problem recommending the DCR-HC96 for the vast majority people who will use it for what most home video-making folks do—recording vacations, birthdays, babies, kids—the things camcorders are purchased for. Video quality is very accurate in daylight and under low light conditions. Now I get to answer one of the questions raised earlier—how does it compare to a DVD camcorder? Quality-wise it wins hands down. Ergonomics are better too. Yet eliminating the need to download clips to a PC is quite a bonus since most people don't edit anyway. Although it doesn't have the convenience of a DVD camcorder, DCR-HC96 makes up for with quality video—and if you're taping your first child, quality is king (or queen). I must note that we just received a Panasonic VDR-300 DVD camcorder ($999). It uses three 800K CCDs and has the potential to close the quality gap with MiniDV.  We'll let you know as soon as we put it through its paces.

Pros

• Extremely comfortable, compact
• Takes quality videos, decent stills
• Very simple operation

Cons

• LCD quality could be better
• Confusing onscreen menus
• Poor placement of the mode dial
• No tape, card or Firewire cable supplied