Today, I took the HC-3 for full day of handling and this is what I have to say about the camcorder which is supposedly the replacement of its predecessor the Sony HC-1.

 

Well, if you haven't jump on the HDV bandwagon yet I suggest you try buying a Sony HC-1 still lying somewhere on the shelve of a shop instead of the HC-3. Here are the factors to consider: This 1/3 Single Cmos Chip HDV Camcorder is way overpriced in my opinion for a camcorder lacking so many manual features. Hold it in your hand and I am sure you will know what I mean.

 

 

1)   Very Light and almost 30% smaller than the Sony HC-1

2)   Better Zoom Rocker Controls than the HC1 including A1P (Smoother Slow Zoom Crawls)

3)   Higher Resolution LCD Screen ( 211,200 pixels )

4)   Clear Vid Technology Video Colours Better than HC1 compared side by side output via component.

5)   HDMI output for easier connectivity with one connection. ( De Facto Standard for transferring HD content )

6)   Higher Still Images Capture then HC1 and A1P ( 4 Megapixel 2304 X 1728 )

7)   Simultaneously 2.3 Megapixel Recording while recording video

8)   Battery Compartment allows a bigger battery to be used.

9)   The first removable EVF that allows you to remove dust on your own easily.

 

 

 

You have also user assignable feature for regularly used options. There is also the typical easy recording mode where the camcorder will do everything for the user with no requirement in settings. There is also a quick start recording mode like the HC1 for setting the camcorder drum in a standby mode.

 

 

The other manual controls that are found on the HC-3 includes sharpness control and color intensity, both of which also use the plus and minus scale. The shocking discovery for me was the absence of SHUTTER CONTROLS. Sony had sort of decided that an Auto Shutter Program, which allows better automatic adjustment in bright light conditions.

The featured automatic controls are largely the same as the HDR-HC1: color slow shutter, zebra patterns, and a histogram. Sony will also outfit the HC3 with Spot Focus and Spot Metering. Program modes are in line with the standard Sony set: Auto, Spotlight, Portrait, Beach and Ski, Sunset and Moon, and Landscape.

The HC-3 has also a multi function cam control ring which allows you to adjust FOCUS, WHITE BALANCE, AE SHIFT but again like most SONY camcorders the APERTURE is on PLUS & MINUS rather measured in actual F-Stops. Well, the HC3 is still a pretty awesome mini HDV camcorder to own if you like shooting respectable HDV quality video with a cacorder small and light. And if you like, you can even purchase a sports pak that will allow you to trash the camera around the beach and even get a couple of decent snorkelling shots underwater.

With all the above being said, I guess if you cannot get a Sony HC-1 since has already been discontinued by Sony, the only option you have is the HC-3. Video resolution is pretty amazing with the component out to my 42" plasma screen and I feel the colour compared to HC-1 is probably even better. Another fuction which deserves mention is the Zoom control or Zoom Rocker of the HC-3. Identical to the HC-1 and A1-P the HC-3 gives you a more sensitive and more slower and more accurate zoom allowing you to perform slow crawls without any effort.

So if you don't mind forking out over 2K for small HDV camcorder minus all the features, I guess the HC-3 is the camcorder for you right now.

Article by Derek Yeo May 1st 2006