| Sony HDR-HC9 6MP MiniDV High Definition Handycam Camcorder 10x Optical Zoom | 
 enlarge
| Brand: Sony
Category: Photography
Buy New: $899.00
Buy New
Avg. Customer Rating:   (6 reviews)
Sales Rank: 5860
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Monitor Size: 270
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 10
Digital Zoom: 20
Connectivity: IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 54
Minimum Focal Length: 5.4
Maximum Resolution: 2280000
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7 x 6
MPN: HDR-HC9
Model: HDR-HC9
UPC: 027242727717
EAN: 0027242727717
ASIN: B00123Q936
Release Date: January 31, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Features:
| • | Capture high-definition video to MiniDV | | • | 3.2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor | | • | 10x optical zoom, 20x digital zoom; Digital Zoom Interpolation | | • | Capture still images up to 6.1 megapixels | | • | HDMI connection; USB 2.0 terminal |
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The HDR-HC9 miniDV HD Handycam(R) Camcorder delivers high definition quality and versatility with a professional grade Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens, 10x optical zoom & 20x digital zoom, and a 3.2-Megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor for stunning video and 6.1-Megapixel still images. Use the Dual Record Mode to capture still images and video at the same time, while Super SteadyShot(R) optical image stabilization helps ensure clear images. Sony's ClearVid CMOS Sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with video performance up to 1080 lines of horizontal resolution in HD format, or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD format. Unlike traditional CCD Imagers, CMOS Sensors require less power, providing improved battery performance. The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lenses use highly advanced optics to deliver vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. Aperture - F1.8-2.9 Filter Diameter - 37 Focal Distance - 37mm Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/2 - 1/500 (Scene Selection Mode) Minimum Illumination - 5 lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, 1/30 Shutter Speed) Video Signal System - NTSC color, EIA standards Formats Supported - HDV (MPEG2) and DV (AVI)
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Great Camcorder June 26, 2008
I love this camera! The image is good quality and the colors are vivid. I would recomended!! The only thing is that the battery doesnt last long, only about 1 hour so I would recommend a second battery but they are expensive.
 HIGHLY AGREE >>> Justin Paxton "CLOWNZ IN MY HEAD" - A Barely Upgraded HDR-HC7...But Still A Great Camera June 2, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Justin Paxton's review is right on the money. I couldn't have done better. If you want a miniDV tape format camera (for all the right reasons such as image quality, editing capability, shelf storage) then read his review carefully. I also agree, that this camera needs a 20x-25x optical zoom lens. I've been holding out until such a camera comes on the market at this price range. A 10x is basically useless to me.
Good camera, bad support April 5, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is our first HD camera, so we didn't really know what to expect. (Note that for video review, we played the output via HDMI to our Sony Bravia 46" HD TV.) In full light, the picture is fantastic; you get some blur and artifacts during movement or in shadows, but I don't know if that is normal or not for an HD camera, so I'll take that at face value. Night shooting without the IR light (Nightshot) is pretty grainy, even with an add-on light. The Nightshot IR functionality works great and is a lot of fun to play with. The built-in IR light seems to work well up to 7 or 8 feet and then drops off.
Still shots are pretty poor; even in picture mode, they look like video captures; the contrast and color balance are bad compared to a dedicated still camera, but that seems to be common with most if not all dual use cameras so, again, take it at face value. Note that it does have a built-in flash (I couldn't find that documented anywhere).
It is small and light; you can almost stick it in your pocket, even with an extended life battery. Contrary to the CNET review, I didn't have any issues with the touch screen functionality.
Video and still import work fine; I had to buy a different firewire cable (the one included has the small end on each side, my PC has a large firewire connection). The Picture Motion Browser did not work; it crashed with an error when trying to open on Vista. Sony were absolutely no help; they just kept sending me to knowledge base articles that were of no use, and refused to make any effort to help (given that I just dropped $1500 on camera and accessories, you'd think there would be more love there).
On the whole, I'm pretty happy with the camera, although I'm disappointed that I have to carry two devices to get quality stills, and I'm very frustrated with Sony's support for their worthless software. But, at the end of the day, I paid for an HD video camera, not a still camera or software...so, four stars for the video functionality.
Lots of features, very complicated April 3, 2008
6 out of 11 found this review helpful
I've been playing with my HDR-HC9 for only about one month now, so I am still not familiar with all the bells and whistles. The big positive feature - I think this camcorder has just about everything one could ask for in a small package. The positives outweigh the negatives, but there are significant negatives, too. Some of the negatives I've found are:
1. Extremely complicated owner's manual with many conflicting statements. Many of the camcorder features are only minimally covered, and I think conflicting statements made may be due to poor translation into English.
2. If you record in HDV and then transfer to DVD, you'll never play your video on an old TV where you can't pick a 9:16 aspect ratio. Camcorder is supposed to automatically sense TV aspect ratio, but that doesn't translate to DVD recording.
3. On-screen menu. That means your hands have to be clean to use it - no fish slime or axle grease allowed!
4. Compact camcorder, but everything is too compact. Designed for someone with spider fingers, not cigar sized fingers like mine. I have difficulty opening up the output covering because my fingers are too big to get under the opening flap. Etc...
5. To activate fader you have to go through several menu items and it reverts to the default "no-fade" after you use it only once. Can't fade-in and fade-out with an external button like my DCR-TRV9 this replaces.
I haven't used it enough to say more. I'm sure I'll like it more when I become more familiar with it.
Smaller is better...sometimes March 29, 2008
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
The Sony HDR-HC9 is a great camera in a small package. The HDV footage is stunning in clarity. The Super SteadyShot really works well as long as fast zooms and pans aren't in the plan. The NightShot is super fun to use at dimly lit parties and events. Smooth Slow Record is a blast! Tape something with lots of motion (volleyball serve, trampoline flip) and dissect it. Coonectivity is great with component video, AV, and HDMI outputs. All this functionality in a camera that fits in your pocket (almost) is awesome! most of the time...
Some of the buttons are too small and hard to reach if the LCD screen is out. Also, the manual focus control is difficult to use. It is a scroll wheel which is hard to control. A focus ring would have made this camera much better.
Overall, I would recommend this camera for anyone who wants to shoot HD footage of family events or even use professionally as a 2nd or 3rd camera as a stand alone on a shoot of an event.
|
|
|
