Sony DCRHC40 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder

Rating:
Summary: Love it
Review: I researched a lot of digital camcorders and chose this because it appeared compact and easy to use. I received about 2 weeks ago and I am extremely pleased. I taped my kids soccer game the last 2 weeks and image is excellent, as well as the quality of the zoom. The stock battery is noted for its short life but I found I had at enough battery power and plenty left over after taping my kids soccer game. I haven't used some of the more advanced features, but its very compact and touch screen is simple to use.

Rating:
Summary: DCRHC40 - better than TRV22
Review: MY beloved TRV 22 was stolen recently. Having only owned and really enjoyed it for 3 months I was aghast to find it was discontinued when my insurance company sought quotes. With a new baby I had been using the camera a lot.

Seeing the early comments about CCD size and potential low light performance on the web, I was really nervous about picking up the DCRHC 30 - the deemed replacement for my TRV 22.

Anyway, I just got my new WHITE (this was a surprise but it does match my Sony Ericcsson T630 phone - maybe I'd better buy a MAC (not)) DCRHC40 (I paid extra for the 1 Megapixel - better a half useable crappy still than a completely unusable 640 x 480 still) and the verdict is ..... it is an object of great joy. Believe me.

The form factor is just fantastic. And while I am no video expert I cannot see the differance between the TVR22 and the DCRHC40 in low light. By low light I mean shooting around the house at night under low incandescant lighting - as low as I care about.

There are are a number of small touches and features that place it well ahead of the TRV22. Just take one look at the LCD and you will know what I mean. You can see it outdoors in sunlight!!!

The lens cap!!

The sound is better!

I am really happy.

Rating:
Summary: washed out images?
Review: My husband and I just purchased this Handycam. I almost bought the DCRHC30 instead because in the store I also was concerned about the washed out looking images. When I compared the two and asked the salesperson for help he was not able to fix this problem. This bothered me so I walked away. I then went back to purchase the DCRHC30, but stopped again to look at the DCRHC40, talked with a different salesperson who was able to fix the problem on the sales floor and it looked just fine. It seemed to have a few more options, and we are extremely happy with it. Have not had a chance to use it much, but so far it is great. It will replace an old Digital8 Handycam that has had much use. Don't shy away because of the washed out images find a salesperson who is knowledgable to fix it for you.

Rating:
Summary: Nice Mini-DV Camcorder - Bad Still Picture
Review: Realy it is a very powerfull Mini-DV camcorder but:
Positive Points:
Video Quality = High
Video Resources, like effects, editing,etc.= High
Battery duration = High (I will not buy other one)
Dummie mode operation = Very Cool

Negative Points:
Poor quality images when you take picture
Be careful to not loose the CD with Installation software, because you will not find this on the internet (Picture Package. If you have this software, please send to me at [e-mail]). (Windows XP all ready have the driver);

OBS:
Unfortunatelly I lost the remote control+ AV Cable (I still looking for it on the internet).


Rating:
Summary: Great family camera with night vision
Review: Small compact camera, easily fits into your hand. I got it two weeks ago.
Whos it for: Family, fun, party filming. Quality is great for a small camera.
Pros:
-Sharp Image - Steady shot.
-Night Vision - great for Paris Hilton style home movies ;)
-Easy use - record, rewind, watch. Easy mode helps out the technologically challeneged.
-Interracts easily with the computer
-Hooks up easily to my Sony DVD-R Player
Cons:
-No light back up for dark areas (Night Vision substitutes for that) Flash attachment piece is available from Sony.
-Pictures feel like 1 meg shots. If you want great quality pictures - I would recommend 5meg Sony Cybershot photo camera instead.

I would recommend to read the manual to use this camera for its full potential. A lot of hidden features. I generally use this camera for family movies and for catching action at parties. I am glad I got this small camera! Email [e-mail] for any specific Q's!

Rating:
Summary: I've had mine for 9 months now...
Review: This is a great camera for filming! I love the size, the oh-so-easy-to-use lcd touch panel (nifty) and the auto-focus is not so bad. Of course, it takes pictures also, but keep in mind that the main purpose for this gadget is FILMING! It takes good enough videos with the memory stick, great sound!

Not so great pictures at night, but wonderful images during the day.
I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: I am very pleased with this purchase
Review: This is my third camcorder and I am very happy with this purchase. Friends call me a home theater freak because I am extremely picky about black details and color accuracy. This camcorder produces highly accurate colors and grey scale. The picture quality is close to DVD (480i) quality. I have compared the HC40 with HC30 and other Sony models (e.g. TRV22 and TRV33). This one is clearly a BIG winner. If you want to watch your video on a big screen TV, forget about the HC30 becuase the HC40 doubles the video resolution. I have tried both and the difference is huge.

Note: For someone who complained about the picture that looks washed out, he or she clearly does not understand the importance of accurate gray scale calibration in the color decoding process. The picture produced by the HC40 is highly realistic and the real life is NOT so colorful.

Rating:
Summary: amazing thing
Review: This is the best a person can have to capture his best momments

Rating:
Summary: Awesome - But Not for beginners
Review: This is truly an awesome little camera. It is a computer, camcorder and low resolution still camera all in one.

However, it is made for (1) people with small hands; (2) people who have a month, full time, to learn how to use it; (3) people who can memorize a hundred page manual and work with contra-intuitive menus.

This is classic Japanese engineering at its most excellent. However, if you buy this it had better be your only professional tool or hobby or you won't have the time to learn how to use it.

Sony made an great attempt to give it a "point and shoot" feature. However, if you are a man with large hands, you will need to stop anything you are doing and concentrate on hitting buttons and menu items with your finger with such precision that it will take you at least a minute to set up for a shot.

In terms of the learning curve . . . I would estimate a novice photographer (like me) could become proficient in Mircrosoft Office faster than learning how to use this nice device.