Sony HDR-HC1

Pros: The best consumer camcorder on the market.

Cons: Additional standard batteries are worth it in the long run for the comfort factor.

The Bottom Line: If you can afford this camcorder, then buy it!!

Review: Just purchased this camcorder from Best Buy on 8-6-05. It is the best camcorder on the market. I have owned three other Sony camcorders; this one is worth the investment. When I hook up the camcorder to my hi def Sony TV the results are awesome. I am ...

Pros: Image quality, decent range of pro functions, compact size, build quality, backwards compatibility.

Cons: Battery, bottom-loader, lacks: universal hotshoe, aperture/gain readout, fussy menu, av-in, ND filter

The Bottom Line: A great cam, at a good price, cheapest route to HDV, but some silly minor flaws

Review: INTRODUCTION As an owner of an FX1 I decided to replace my Canon XM2 with a second HD camera, primarily to use as a safety cam & perhaps a player to save wearing out my man cam. It's worth pointing out how small the HC1 is, I would put it at about ...

Pros: HD;light;bright lens;stable image;manual focus and zoom

Cons: bottom-loading;no bundled software;image less bright than hdr-fx1

Review: I am very impressed with this camcorder. It does not come cheap, but it is very, very nice considering how new this technology is. I cannot imagine why one would buy a camcorder these days if it is not a HD? What exactly is new in comparison to your old ...

Pros: Simple intuitive operating system, image quality, price, universal audio jacks

Cons: not sure yet

The Bottom Line: but this camera because its nice

Review: I just bought one yesterday and I am impressed. But, I am not an expert on video. The image quality is good. I am extremely impressed by the SUPER EASY operating system, which I learned through experimenting for a few minutes. I put in a tape and ...

Pros: Great video quality.

Cons: Fairly expensive. Doesn't have as many features as some standard definition camcorders.

The Bottom Line: If there are important memories that you want recorded in the best possible quality, this camera is for you.

Review: This camera is really your only option right now for consumer HD video recording. The price is fairly steep due to the lack of competition, but it isn't unreasonable. The camcorder records video in 1080i HDV format on regular miniDV cassettes. The ...