SONY DCR-HC 90
A Personal Review by Derek Yeo

 

I would like very much to give my thumbs up to this new edition to Sony’s line of Mini DV Camcorders. The DCR-HC90 is the most expensive horizontal orientated single chip camcorder in Sony’s line up this year and retails for about S$1,799/-

 

A DCR-HC90 is truly a camera (in my personal opinion) worth to consider if you can afford it.
A replacement to its predecessor DCR-HC85, the DCR-HC90 is no doubt a better performer but with a relatively more expensive price tag.

 

I give the DCR-HC90 thumbs up when it comes to video performance. The 1/3-inch CCD is capable of 3.31 MP of pixel resolution and dedicates about 3 MP for still shots and
slightly over 2 MP for video resolution. Although the DCR-HC90 is a single chip camcorder unlike its competition the GS-150-250 series from Panasonic, I am very convinced in my opinion that the
relatively larger CCD compensates for this. Nevertheless the video performance is superior for a camera only equipped with a single chip CCD. My only complain with Sony’s traditional habit of
designing a great camera but the lack of an important manual focus ring, manual control for shutter speed and exposure. In my opinion the touch screen is really a true gimmick and not a practical feature when it comes to adjusting focus, shutter speed and aperture even especially given the compact size of the camera. This is only advisable and truly achievable with a tripod.

 

Focusing
One of the things I like most about the HC-90 is its ability to auto focus very quickly on close distances. The details are truly amazing when you the push the camera’s lens against a flower or object.
Like most previous models with the touch screen capability, the HC-90 also has the SPOT focusing feature of which I feel in this case is more usable because of the relatively wider LCD screen. (Spot focusing allows you to focus on objects that you touch on the screen within the boundaries of this feature.) 
I do however realize that the auto focusing in the HC-90 is not as effective in comparison to previous models that I have owned such as the DCR-350 and DCR-330 which were great camcorders. I put the camcorder through various test and realize however like all camcorders that come with a ‘teeny weenie’ lens the HC-90 did not provide very detail looking videos especially in infinite shooting.

 

Modes
As usual the HC-90 comes with the Program AE feature via the touch screen’s menu. They include: automatic spotlight, portrait, sports, beach & ski, sunset & moon, and landscape settings. This is very useful if you are in a variety of different situations and would like to enhance the best settings on the camera for the appropriate situation.
This camcorder however is very capable of shooting great videos even with its setting permanently set on Auto without need much for manipulation in its touch screen features.
The camera records in 4:3 and 16:9 modes and my advice is to be very careful when you use this feature and decide and predetermine what you want to view your video on afterwards.
You don’t want to end up watching a squashed video on your conventional 4:3 television unless you have a plasma screen or a 16:9 capable monitor.

 

Low Light Performance
One cannot complain when you use a camera like the HC-90 in low lighting condition. Just like the DCR-PC350 and the DCR-PC330 I am very happy to report that these cameras share the same exact outstanding performance in low light conditions. The HC-90 is also able to shoot in “Nightshot” mode, very much like those infra-red videos that you see on television (this feature actually turns your video into 0 lux mode, whereby your video turns into green & black). The HC-90 is a great camera to bring along on your next vacation, if you want decent stills and great quality video.

 

Shooting Guides
This camera provides through the touch screen menu the ability to turn on a guide grid that will appear on the LCD as well as your EVF which will assist you in your composition. More like a tic tack toe and the general rule of thumb of composing your shots using the rules of thirds. A great nifty feature to have, especially for someone who is a beginner and also in situations where there are just too many horizontal and vertical plains.

 

Design
Sony has finally realize the importance of designing their cameras with top loading mechanism and this is indeed a nice feature to have in oppose to bottom loader which can pose a real pain.
They have also included the on board microphone under the lens of which I feel is really the most appropriate place for any camera on board capture device.

 

Zooming
Equipped with a 10X optical and 120 X digital zoom the camera also has a tele-macro facility which allows you to bring the object closer at one touch via the touch screen. The Zoom rocker of the HC-90 is far by most the best zoom rocker I have ever experienced for camcorders this size. Indeed the word is effective and very usable and with a little practice you can really achieve a great smooth zooms with the rocker of the HC-90. Great Job!

 

My Conclusion
On the whole, I rate the DCR-HC90 a camera that reigns superior amongst others of its range and performs well overall. So if you want decent video quality and a budget big enough, it’s a great vacation camera to own.