| Sony HDR-HC1 2.8MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom | 
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| Brand: Sony
Category: Photography
List Price: $3,064.53
Buy New: $899.12
You Save: $2165.41 (71%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (20 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1280
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 51
Minimum Focal Length: 5.1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 10.6 x 7.5 x 5.2
MPN: HDR-HC1
Model: HDR-HC1
UPC: 027242681330
EAN: 0027242681330
ASIN: B0009Q4W9A
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Everything I could have wanted, one year later August 9, 2006
I have had this camera for over a year at this point. I saw the HC3 and now HC7 come, but neither seems to have surpassed this. The camera is rugged, allows for more expansion than my wallet can handle, and offers a fantastic picture if you have enough light. I did buy the small 3W video light Sony makes, and for the shooting I do the camera is fantastic. A bigger HD or std def camera (FX or VX series) would have been way to big, this one I can take with me and have room left over for a Fuji F20 if I want a low-light photo. It uses tapes, which I actually like after playing with a drive based camera. First, the data rate is much higher than in the hard drive cameras, which I can see as less compression. Second, when I fill up the tape, I pop in another which takes 10 seconds. On a hard drive based camera, you'll have to offload the video. Maybe not that big a deal in some circumstances, but on vacation or chasing behind a child would mean potentially missing a shot.
It works flawlessly with a Mac I have, and the NP71 battery I added gives me just under three hours without the video light. If you want a 1080i camera, then unless you need to film in a room with a 100W light bulb as your only light source and you're not willing to put up with some gain noise, this camera cannot be beat for the price and features.
A Great Camcorder August 7, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have had this camera for about 7 moths now and still continued to be impressed, from the features and the picture quality to the size and portability of this camera. When watched on my HDTV the picture quality is stunning when you are outside during the day cloudy or sunny (almost like being there). It is the best picture I have ever seen from a high definition consumer camcorder. The picture qualities of the hdr-hc1 are exactly if not vary close to an HD broadcast like Discovery HD Theater or ESPN HD channels. This is definitely a HD broadcast quality camcorder. If you are filming inside or lower light in general I have found that the picture quality is not as bright or as clear as the outside shots. But in my opinion it is still a lot nicer than standard definition. The 3mp digital still camera is pretty good for being on a video camera. I would not know personally because I manly bought this camera for recording HDV video. But I have used the still camera a few times and printed out the pictures on my HP photo smart printer and with the pop up flash on the camcorder the pictures came out nice and bright, vary nice for 3mp like I said, and when I do need to take a digital still I am not looking around for that camera it is right on my video camera that is a big +. I consider this video camera to be the all in one solution for HD video & 3mp stills. I have also been comparing the hdr-hc1 to the new HDV video camera that just came out the hdr-hc3 witch I have looked at best buy and played around with it. The conclusion that I came to after trying out both the hdr-hc1 & the hdr-hc3 is that they are both nice cameras, the only downsides to the hc3 is that there are no mic/headphone jacks on the hc3 and there is also no zoom ring. Which are some of the reasons that I prefer the hc1 to the hc3. Overall if you are like me and like and use the mic/headphone jacks and zoom ring this would be the camera for you. But if you do not need these features than I would go with the Sony hdr-hc3. For those who want to buy this camera better buy fast because I heard that Sony is discontinuing this model because of all the pro features on it and for the price that it is being sold for. So get one while you can because the next camera up from this is the hdr-fx1 which is 3 times heaver that of the hc1 and is over 3grand. I still continue to be impressed with this camera and think it is worth every penny. So have fun & enjoy this camera.
Just Incredible - But Believe It May 16, 2006
I bought this camera to film my son's budding music career. I am familiar with the difference between standard definition TVs and HD TVs, since I've owned a HD TV for over two years. There is no way that I was going to buy a SD camera - when this exists. For the extra money that you are going to spend above a SD camera, there is simply no comparison. The camera comes with component cables enabling the HD to come through on the TV, and it is absolutely STUNNING. Other writers have done a great job of comparing the price of this camera to other HD cameras, and the others are simply out of the range of most individuals. The HC1, while expensive, is a screaming deal for what you get. Its manual adjustability, taken away in the HC3, is quite good, good enough, I daresay, for most people's tastes. In any event, if you want that sort of control now, you are not going to get it from Sony unless you drop in excess of $3K. I am told that they are discontinuing the manufacture of this camera, so get 'em while they are still around. Though you are basically stuck either a) connecting it to the TV directly or wiring it to your computer and then to your TV, you are also completely future-proof when the new generation of HD DVD players/recorders come around, which is apparently going to take some time. But fear not gentle reader - you are prepared for anything with this camera, and it will not be surpassed certainly for the foreseeable future. As to downsides to the camera, apart from its immediate connectivity and play-back limitations, I honestly can't think of any, with the minor exception of Sony's decision (a good one from a business point of view) to make the hot shoe proprietary so that you have to buy an adapter to fit anything other than a Sony microphone or light to the top of the camera. The adapters are available, so this is a relatively minor inconvenience. Also, the use of a tripod is a must. Further, you might want to invest in a wide angle lens - I am going to. I simply love this camera. It is preserving memories for me that will never fade away or be blurry or anything less than 1080i which makes me a happy JazzDad. See you at the Blue Note.
 Great Camera... Be *very* careful with it... April 25, 2006
17 out of 28 found this review helpful
Bought this camera and have been very impressed with the quality of the features as other have identified. The lack of the 3CCD isn't really that bad, except you do notice it in some low light situations, otherwise, the HD image it produces in normal light is top notch for a non-professional level camera.
However, one big gripe... In the first weekend of use the camera was knocked a bit -- not enough to really even come close to damaging the lenses, but the housing in the front section just fell apart like a kids toy... The two, microscopic screws holding the entire front section just gave, exposing the inside a bit, crowding the flash, so it no longer can pop-up as designed.
Sony's sevice center in Laredo, TX refused to stand behind the warrantee.
Bottom line... Great camera with great features, but I was shocked how poorly the unit was constructed. I'd never buy a Sony again because I'd be too afraid to actually use it for fear the thing would fall apart on me, and I now know the warrantee is worthless.
I never thought it could be this good April 4, 2006
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
I went shopping for a higher resolution 3CCD camera, and instead found this Sony HDR-HC1. Upon my first test viewing I couldn't believe how good this camera was with color, and the 1080 resolution was jaw dropping. If you buy this camera, be ready, this is broadcast quality. Once again, Sony brings technology and the art of the moving image, to a new affordable level. Now filmakers, young and old can fulfill their wish, to create with a powerfull camera.
Thank You Sony
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