Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom
by Sony
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List Price: Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: Love it!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this camera, the touch screen, the fit, the effects. This is a great camera especially for the price. Customer Review: good camera but need extras
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an excellent camera but you will need to buy an i-link or equivalent (mini firewire) cable if you want to edit video on your PC computer. Actually the manual does not indicate that connection to a computer is possible. The instructions in the manual indicate that with the optional cable you can import video from a VCR but references the next model up (HC54) if you need to export to a PC.
Once I purchased the cable I was able to capture video without problem. Windows computers have the appropriate drivers preinstalled. Just connect the cable set the camera to play/edit and select capture in your favorite editing program (this assumes your PC has a mini firewire port-not all do).
Although Mini DV cameras have older technology, they take better movies than SDHC (card) or harddrive camcorders because the pictures have far less compression. Also the format used .avi is much easier to edit than MPEG-4 which the other formats typically use. They do use more power so look for a "kit" deal that includes an extra battery.
Customer Review: Last SONY product I'll ever buy
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this camera last fall, along with a firewire interface card. Had a problem with the interface card and exchanged it. Replacement card had the same problem (it was a usb/firewire combo card that the computers I tried it in failed to recognize). I then ordered another firewire card that seemed to work. Note the qualifer, 'seemed'. No matter what computer I installed the card into or what OS that computer was running, or which of the several cables I tried, the camera was never recognized. Obviously, the firewire port on the camera was either defective at the time of manufacture, or the design is defective, causing it to fail in NORMAL usage.
In and of itself, this problem probably wouldn't warrant a one-star rating. However, when I finally decided (well within the 12 month warranty period) that the problem was with the camera's ilink port, I attempted to contact SONY for service. It turns out that the 12 month warranty covers only parts, labor is only covered for 90 days (which was pretty much used up ordering alternate interface cards, cables, and testing). Since the fixed cost to repair this camera that's absolutely worthless for its intended purpose (under warranty!) is just slightly less than the cost of replacing it, that is the route I will take. Needless to say, that replacement will not have the name SONY anywhere near it (and when my SONY TV, VCR, DVD players, and monitor need replacement, they will also be manufactured by somebody else!)
Customer Review: MR. ERNST MENTOR
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought it as a gift for a friend and she likes it and did some
great videos
Customer Review: Sony Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
Great simple product. Perfect for the grandparents or those wanting just to record quality video without all the bells and whistles.