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Sony Handycam DCR-HC21 Mini DV CamcorderThe DCR-HC21 from Sony gives you a full-featured, compact MiniDV camcorder at an entry-level price. Highlights include the Advanced HAD CCD...
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The DCR-HC21 from Sony gives you a full-featured, compact MiniDV camcorder at an entry-level price. Highlights include the Advanced HAD CCD imager, which captures stunning detail and clarity, and the Digital Zoom, which focuses on distant subjects providing clear close-up images with less distortion. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens offers less glare and increased contrast for vivid, more life-like color and tones.
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11 Reviews from Shopping.com
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Always trusted Sony Quality until now.
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Small size, Easy Controls
Cons: Very poor image quality, Low light performance even worse. Software issues
The Bottom Line:
I wouldn't purchase this camera. Many other models in price range out perform the Sony.
I purchased a Sony HC21 because my wife is about to give birth, and we have to capture the moment. I decided to go with Sony mainly because of brand name and size of the camcorder. Once I got home the love affair quickly began to die. First I can't transfer directly from camera to DVD with the Sony software because I don't have a Sony computer. Next I tried to burn to CD with the Sony software, but I can't do that because Sony doesn't have any updated drivers or firmware to recognize the DVD/CD burners on my two month old computer. I called Sony and they said I would have to use non Sony Software to download. What I needed to do was download the video using Windows Movie maker, then use a different program to convert it to DVD format for home viewing, and finally another program to burn it. Once doing this I was surprised to find that the quality was very poor. Even at the highest quality download the picture was grainy and detail was very poor. In room light it was even worse. I do have extensive knowledge in this area because I work as a photographer and use high-end digital cameras on a regular basis. I have read tests of this camera on several webpages, and what I was seeing in picture quality was the general consensus. I returned the HC-21 and replaced it with a Panasonic 120, and the difference in quality is night and day for very little difference in money.
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