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Sony HDR-HC3 Camcorder Review
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The launch of the HDR-HC3
has perhaps been the issue of more buzz as compared to any other
camcorder introduced this year. Major modifications from the HDR-HC1
(USD2295), the HC3 substituted, make the development in the HD market
throughout the past year. As the HC1 aimed former adopters who asked for
prosumer characteristics, at present consumers all over wish their
latest camcorders to possess HD. The HC1 showed Sony's power to produce
high-class camcorders featuring fantabulous video quality; at present,
in the HC3, Sony blends this expertness with its science at making
comfortable-to-use camcorders for lower-end users. |
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Features
The HDR-HC3 (USD970) has
power to shoot stills to Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo in
the JPEG format. If you own the former full-size Memory Sticks, sadly,
they will not adjust. There are two qualities of stills, Fine and
Standard, and can be captured in four different sizes: 4megapixel (2304
x 1728), 3megapixel widescreen (2304 x 1296), 1.9megapixel (1600 x
1200), and 0.3megapixel (640 x 480).
All of the manual and
automatic options and functions given in the video mode, for example
Spot Meter, Spot Focus function, sharpness, and AE shift, can be
accessed here also. A flash, placed on the upside of the lens, can be
adjusted to Auto, Forced Flash, and Off.
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Last years release, HC1
(USD2295) featured burst mode function and exposure bracketing option;
these two have been missed here. Panasonic presents extra manual
functions. Most Canons perform, also, and the shutter speed is
especially functional for stills. No function of this kind is offered in
the HC3.
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Performance
The HDR-HC3s stills
results are darker on the whole as compared to the video results. Color
balance is not as better. The picture is really sharp, unsurprisingly,
than the video, as the 2304 x 1728 has almost two times as of
information as the 1920 x 1080 video.
The HDR-HC1 (USD2295), by
comparing, had got redder in the image, which make stronger the oranges
and yellows. Greens were fainter. The Panasonic PV-GS500 (USD1040) was
more brilliant on the whole, having unusual figures of saturation:
intense on the red and white, however, almost eliminated in the greens
and yellows. The Canon Optura 600 (USD1099) feature comparatively better
color balance throughout, and was extremely clearly defined. Ultimately,
the DVD505 (USD664) was basically the same image as the HC3.
Although the HC3 made
nice stills on the whole, the camcorder cannot match to a dedicated one.
4 mega pixels can be great for a camcorder. Keep in mind: still
characteristics are an addition, not a motive to purchase any camcorder.
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