HDR-HC3
4.2
5
6
6
Great camera with a fatal flaw
What is the point of paying retail for a Sony product (ANY product, actually) with a built-in flaw which ultimately prevents you from using the product?
Google the term "Error Code C:31:23", or "Whack a Sony" to learn about a tape transport problem endemic to a whole generation of Sony's Mini-DV camcorders.
Then, consider buying a this-generation hard drive cam (either from Sony, or a competing manufacturer who has not sold you an expensive flop, then failed to make that transaction right).
February 7, 2011
Absolutely perfect for Mac - made for Mac.
This camera is built to use with Mac OSX.
Obviously you need to buy, and it will cost you as much as five dollars, the correct cable which is (obviously) a 4 to 9 pin firewire cable. (The camera has a 4 pin firewire socket, and Macs have a 9 pin firewire socket. Thus ......... you need a 4/9 cable!) 4/9 firewire cables are commonly available in every shop and every web site and cost about four dollars. Indeed, every camera made has a 4 pin firewire socket, and every computer has a 9-pin firewire socket - so you will need one of these for every camera and computer combination. Plug it in to your Mac, launch iMovie and everything is automatic. The ONLY disadvantage of this camera is simply that newer cameras, have digital storage (on an SD card) rather than storage on "old fashioned" tapes. Unfortunately most more modern cameras have digital image stabilisation ... which is comedy laughable. only optical stabilisation works -- and this magnificent camera has it. One of Sony's truly great products.
September 2, 2010
Good for shoting Documentaries
I got my cam for a few hundred bucks from a friend that no longer used his. I love how compact it is and how easy to use it is. I use a tripod or a handpod to capture my shots. It's small enough where when your doing an interview people tend to forget the cam is there.
August 9, 2010
Great Camera
this is a historical review since I have had this cam for 5y now. Bought it to take video at my sons 1st birthday and I was not disappointed. I have used it on many long trips carry along 15 mini DV tape with me.
in summry:
pro: 1st 1080i handicam, great video and audio
cons:
WIDE ANGLE LENS: this cam needed a wider angle lens on the low end which is 41mm(35mm eq) Sonys solution is to add the wide angle attachement and this works as long as you do not want to zoom to tele with the attachment on. Also when shooting you have to plan when you need to add/remove the attachement and then you have to carry a case to have it available.
For general shooting get a cam with at least a (35mm eq) 28-30mm wide angle lens. I really wished I had had a 28mm lens when I was at the Forbidden City to capture the fantastic panarama views.
MENUS: are a little confusing but after a year or so I got used to them.
TIME TO GET VIDEO OFF CAM: Using Sony Vegas works great for controlling how you want to get the video off the cam but it is time consuming. 15 full tapes means 15-20 hours to just capture the video into m2t/avi pc format.
STILL PIC QUALITY: this cam still pics look good in bright light but deteriorates in low (natural) light as it becomes grainy. My inexpensive canon & sony digital cam takes much better still pics.
The five star rating I gave this cam must be taken in context to the time it became available and the revolutionary capability it offered in 2005.
At this time (May 2010) I am retiring my HC3 and moving to a flash ram video cam. I have not decided on a replacement yet yet but I have been very happy with Sony HC3's quality, performance, reliability over the past 4 years as It helped me generate about 150 hours of HD video with NO issues.
May 29, 2010
