| Sony DCRHC85 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom | 
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| Brand: Sony
Category: Photography
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:   (11 reviews)
Sales Rank: 33161
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 3.5
Maximum Focal Length: 45
Minimum Focal Length: 4.5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 1 x 1 x 1
MPN: DCR-HC85
Model: HC85
UPC: 027242646780
EAN: 0027242646780
ASIN: B0001DB3GQ
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| Features:
| • | Sleek, compact MiniDV camcorder and digital still camera with 2-megapixel CCD | | • | 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer | | • | 3.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder | | • | Low-light recording settings, Memory Stick Duo slot, and intelligent accessory shoe | | • | NP-FM50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
When image quality matters most, choose the DCR-HC85 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder from Sony. It features a 1/3.6" advanced HAD CCD imager which captures up to 2 megapixels of video information, translating into 530 lines of crisp, clear horizontal resolution. It even allows still image capture on Memory Stick DUO up to a huge 1600 x 1200 resolution. Combined with the new glare-reducing Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens, the DCR-HC85 gives you video that is larger and more vivid than any other camcorder in its class.Despite its advanced imaging capabilities, the DCR-HC85 remains a joy to use with features like the Easy Handycam button, Super SteadyShot image stabilization and an intelligent pop-up flash. Big features at a small price... it must be a Sony.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Digital Bliss December 9, 2004
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I Just pick this up, and I just want to say, this is the best camcorder I've ever seen. You can shoot in total darkness, in full color! You can even shoot in the 16:9 mode! The clarity is exceptional! I also own the SONY GX7 DVD recorder, which I use to transfer my movies and pictures from the Sony DCR-HC85 via the Monster Cable I-link cable. The transfer is flawless! You simply can not go wrong with purchasing this camera! Contrary to a couple reviews that are negative, I went ahead and purchased this camcorder from Video Only, who's prices are comparable to online prices and sometimes even better! I have not experienced any problems what so ever! The Carl Zeiss sonnar lense will have you gasping in awe! And the 3.5 lcd screen is a welcome addition. Perfect for the holidays!
 Beware...widest/min. focal length of lens(52mm) limiting! November 23, 2004
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
This is a great camcorder except for one major limitation: the minimum focal length of the lens. The lens is equivalent to 52mm - 520mm in 35mm camera terms. For telephoto situations it is great, but as far as normal shooting it means that if your subject is close, you will have to back up to get everything on screen. I bought this camera one day before going on a trip to Disneyland and found that I was constantly backing up into people or getting frustrated that I could not get everyone in the picture.
Most new camcorders have a much lower minimum focal length, usually between 44mm - 46mm. It may not seem significant but the 6 - 8mm difference of the HC85's lens at its widest, is VERY NOTICEABLE! I had being using a Sony TRV10 with a 42mm minimum focal length which made the problem even more apparent. This is the only new Sony model with this limitation. Every other new Sony model, including the similarly designed but lower resolution HC65, have either a 45mm or 46mm minimum focal length. I am exchanging my HC85 and upgrading to the Sony PC350 which has a 45mm minimum focal length and twice the video resolution of the HC85. It also has 3 Megapixels of still resolution vs. 2.11 Megapixels for the HC85.
Cool Handycam to possess October 27, 2004
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
I bought HC85 in July , but got a real chance to shoot for long hours only in October. I found all the controls very very effective and handy. also to add to its video the Still photographs that are captured at 2 Mega pixels are amazingly good. I also tested the Photographs by getting a print and its good enough and comparable with any other camera (2 mega pixel ofcourse).
Though i am having a problem or rather some confusion about.
1. Formatting the Video while getting it from tape to hard disk
2. The video Quality when i view it after writing to VCD is not that good. Probably i am missing some setting while using it
it would be great if someone could help me out on this.
Sony HC85 compared to HC40 October 25, 2004
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is my first foray into "movie cameras" since having an 8 mm camera a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away --- oops! that just slipped out... The point is, I'm definitely a novice in the camcorder world. My needs are simple: good quality video from point-and-shoot operation; acceptable low-light performance, ease of use, and dependability. I spent many, many hours on research before deciding that a Sony camcorder would best fit my needs, and finally shelled out for a DCRHC40 a week ago.
I was happy but not thrilled with its performance. So today I upgraded to the DCRHC85, and now I'm thrilled. The main differences that made me go for the more advanced model are the larger CCD size (1/3.6" vs 1/5"), the larger LCD (2.5" vs 3.5"), and the different shape.
Some professional reviews of the HC85 rated its video quality as poor, and that worried me, but I've found it clearly superior to the HC40: the colors are brighter and the images are sharper (using both cameras in "Easy" [read "idiot"] mode.) I tried both cameras outdoors in twilight, with the same tape cartridge, and while both gave good results, the HC85 is obviously crisper and truer to color. I also found the HC85's automatic focus to respond faster.
Several other things I like better in the HC85: Less recording noise; finer zoom control (the zoom on the HC40 seemed to have one speed, fast; on the HC85, zoom speed can be controlled by pressure on the key); the larger LCD --- I find its resolution perfectly adequate, and I like the touch-screen controls; and finally, although it's a larger camera, it fit my small hand better than the HC40 (it's "fatter" and allows a better grasp at the top).
Admittedly, my impressions are based on very limited experience with both models, and I'm a real newbie at this, but I definitely find the extra price for the HC85 worth it.
On the negative side is the fact that you have to shell out extra for a decent battery, a separate recharger, and a case. Also, it seems most authorities agree that Canon produces superior video quality.
A Great Camcorder September 23, 2004
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is probably one of the best consumer camcorders out there. Everything about it is quite impressive, like the night vision feature and the touch-screen LCD monitor. Most importantly its got a great picture and it does amazing with lighting which most digital camcorders don't. The size and wieght of this product is perfect for portable use and easy maneuverability. Overall this is a grreat camcorder and really lives up to its expectations and price.
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