First Look: Sony's Slick New HD Camcorder

Sony's latest camcorder will let you record your next home movie in high definition without breaking the bank. The $1300 HDR-HC3 is the least-expensive HD camcorder we've seen so far, but despite its reasonable price tag, Sony didn't skimp on quality or features.

The 1080i high-def video that the HC3 records looks amazing, with sharp details and rich colors. In fact some video seems a bit too vivid at default settings, with a few colors appearing a little too bright. I also noticed occasional fringing (blurred edges) on some fine details. But these nitpicks aside, the fact is, if you put the HC3's video side by side with video shot using a standard-definition camcorder, you'll never want to go back to SD.

And going high-def doesn't mean throwing out your existing video editing kit, although you will need a pretty powerful PC. The unit records to MiniDV tapes, and you can transfer video from the tape to your PC using a FireWire cable (Sony doesn't include one). You can, however, transfer videos and still images recorded to the Memory Stick Duo slot via USB. Most recent versions of video editing programs--such as Premiere Pro 2.0, Apple iMovie, and VideoStudio 10--can import and edit video in the HDV format that the HC3 uses.

If your favorite program can't process HDV, or if you want to save the video to a standard DVD, the HC3 can convert its video to standard definition for you. You can also play back the high-definition video on a normal TV at standard definition using the HC3's composite or S-Video outputs. For HD viewing you use the component or HDMI outputs; the latter produces the best quality video.

Lots of Features

In addition to its HD capabilities, the HC3 has some nice extra features. My favorite is the slow-motion mode that records three seconds of video to the camcorder's internal memory at 240 frames per second, and then records it to tape at the usual 30 frames per second. This gives you extra-smooth, slow-motion video, great for analyzing golf swings or other fast events.

At 1.18 pounds, this HD camcorder is a little heavier than most SD models, but it's small and fits well in your hand. The record, zoom, photo, and mode controls fall under your index finger and thumb, and you access the other controls through the 2.7-inch LCD's on-screen touch menu.

The touch-screen menu is one thing I didn't particularly like about the HC3. For starters, you often have to tap the screen's tiny menu icons to get to the features you want (accessing the white balance tool requires seven screen presses, for example). Plus, you end up with fingerprints all over the screen (don't eat while you're using this camcorder).

There's also no standard microphone input. The front-mounted microphones capture a reasonable quality of sound, but you can add only Sony's own microphones through the proprietary Active Interface Shoe; you can't connect a non-Sony wireless or zoom microphone. Finally, the recessed viewfinder is a bit awkward to use, especially if you wear glasses.

But these are relatively minor complaints, and the Sony HDR-HC3 is an impressive achievement. It is small, light, and easy to use, plus it shoots great HD video. It's a little pricey compared to a good SD camcorder, but for those who take their home movies seriously, it puts the ability to shoot high-def home movies in the palm of your hand.

Sony HDR-HC3

Reasonably priced HD camcorder is easy to use and shoots excellent video.
List: $1300
Current prices (if available)