Rating: 
Summary: Cool Handycam to possess
Review: I bought HC85 in July , but got a real chance to shoot for long hours only in October. I found all the controls very very effective and handy. also to add to its video the Still photographs that are captured at 2 Mega pixels are amazingly good. I also tested the Photographs by getting a print and its good enough and comparable with any other camera (2 mega pixel ofcourse).
Though i am having a problem or rather some confusion about.
1. Formatting the Video while getting it from tape to hard disk
2. The video Quality when i view it after writing to VCD is not that good. Probably i am missing some setting while using it
it would be great if someone could help me out on this.
Rating:
Summary: DCR-HC85
Review: I bought this camcorder about a month ago after I bought the DCR-TRV70 which was not working properly. This Camcorder is so much easier to use than the TRV70 and I like the larger LCD screen. I'm still learning about the camera but, I don't like the still pictures. My 8 month old is always drooling and the stills have silver dots on all his wet spots. Also you have to have very good lighting in a room to make the videos bright enough. the video always seems very, very dark indoors. The only time this does not happen is in the mornings and early afternoon. I'm going to try a video light for 40.00 to see if this will correct the problem. I'm also having problems streaming my video into my computer but the memory card goes right in and it's tons of fun to take my mpg video's and e-mail them to family. Nobody has had a problem opening any of these videos on there end. I love the video but, if your used to really sharp 4x6 or 3x5 from a 3 or 4 megapixal camera you won't like the photos from the DCR-HC85.
Rating:
Summary: DCR-HC85
Review: I bought this camcorder about a month ago after I bought the DCR-TRV70 which was not working properly. This Camcorder is so much easier to use than the TRV70 and I like the larger LCD screen. I'm still learning about the camera but, I don't like the still pictures. My 8 month old is always drooling and the stills have silver dots on all his wet spots. Also you have to have very good lighting in a room to make the videos bright enough. the video always seems very, very dark indoors. The only time this does not happen is in the mornings and early afternoon. I'm going to try a video light for 40.00 to see if this will correct the problem. I'm also having problems streaming my video into my computer but the memory card goes right in and it's tons of fun to take my mpg video's and e-mail them to family. Nobody has had a problem opening any of these videos on there end. I love the video but, if your used to really sharp 4x6 or 3x5 from a 3 or 4 megapixal camera you won't like the photos from the DCR-HC85.
Rating: 
Summary: Digital Bliss
Review: I Just pick this up, and I just want to say, this is the best camcorder I've ever seen. You can shoot in total darkness, in full color! You can even shoot in the 16:9 mode! The clarity is exceptional! I also own the SONY GX7 DVD recorder, which I use to transfer my movies and pictures from the Sony DCR-HC85 via the Monster Cable I-link cable. The transfer is flawless! You simply can not go wrong with purchasing this camera! Contrary to a couple reviews that are negative, I went ahead and purchased this camcorder from Video Only, who's prices are comparable to online prices and sometimes even better! I have not experienced any problems what so ever! The Carl Zeiss sonnar lense will have you gasping in awe! And the 3.5 lcd screen is a welcome addition. Perfect for the holidays!
Rating:
Summary: Hits the right price point...
Review: I'm quite impressed with the new Sony DCR-HC85. I had been looking at some of the Panasonic 3CCD cameras in this price range as well as the Canon Optura Xi (which is a little more expensive). In the end I chose this camera for the following features:
* very large (and sharp) CCD for the price
* 0lux night shot mode, though somewhat gimmicky. grainy, and green in practice, is very effective for taking sleeping baby shots
* reputedly much higher reliability and better repair services (vs the Panasonic)
* large reflective/transmissive LCD that's highly visible in both dark and light
* many videophile-oriented features (more on that below).
* can operate as a webcamUpsides:
* Though many online reviews have questioned whether or not the touchscreen-based interface is a good thing, I found it to be more than adequate for my needs. One of the first things I did was rearrange the menus with my favorite features up front. Very easy to do and makes the camera feel "customized". If the camera weren't capable of these customized personal menus, however, I'd imagine the somewhat slow and bulky interface would get pretty annoying.
* True anamorphic 16:9 widescreen functionality works great and is easily understood by video importing tools.
* Nice shape, easy to hold. I have shaky hands and prefer a slightly larger camera to hold onto.
* Its optical image stabilization is amazing. Once again, I have shaky hands and was worried about getting steady video. Exceeded my expectations on this point.
* Setting it up as a webcam was straightforward and the quality was great.
* Nightshot Plus is eerily effective. The video ain't gorgeous, but it sure does do the trick. I'd imagine that the accessory shoe-based IR light that Sony offers would improve the functionality of this feature even more. Downsides:
* Camera comes with an 8MB card that can only realistically hold 8 photos. Kinda pointless unless one is just test-driving the feature. * Camera comes with just a single FP50 lithium battery which doesn't hold enough power to record an entire 60min DV tape (unless, possibly, you turn off the LCD, use just the viewfinder, don't use anything on the accessory shoe, and film straight through without stopping). I guess that's what keeps the price down.
* Camera doesn't come with a FireWire cable. I was not able to use Windows Movie Maker 2 using just the included USB cable (although USB streaming with MSN Messenger worked great with that). I had plenty of FireWire cables in my bin of extra computer parts, but just don't see how you can get professional results without one.
* Though the camera supports both progressive scan and true anamorphic 16:9 widescreen (both features helpful in acheiving a film look with a digital video camera), you can't use them both at the same time.
* Some default settings are questionable (but easily changed). Why default to 4-track 12bit audio vs 2-track 16bit? Why default to beeping melodies on key presses? Some odd buttons on the default Personal Menu (which is what you customize). Overall, I'm a big fan of this camera and would recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: sony camcorder
Review: it is real good camcorder it was just a little too small for my liking, i like to know that i have a video camera in my hands, not some itty bitty thing thats the size of an apple. other that that its good.
Rating:
Summary: I'm very happy I took the time to find a camcorder, so fine!
Review: My mother had decided to buy a new camcorder, and gave me the privilege of finding it. After consulting not only Consumer Reports, but INFINITE reviews on INFINITE camcorders on INFINITE sites, I took a plethora of information and I found myself at a sound conclusion. I had discovered that Canon camcorders have the best picture, bar none. Also, they are also the only camcorders that you can use still picture WITHOUT interrupting the video, unfortunately Canon's repair percentage is one of the largest. On the other hand, Sony proved itself to be the most durable and reliable camcorders (according to Consumer Reports, multiple reviews, and of course, my own experiences.) Going from a Digital8 (1 mega pixel) to a MiniDV (2 mega pixel, 1.92 for actual recording) was UTOPIA. If your looking at TRVs (30, 40, etc.) as I was, you will discover that they tend to have a washed out picture and you pay more for less features e.g., 2.5 LCD. Moreover, the DCRHC85 has a gorgeous (and crisp) 3.5 LCD, and a cornucopia of creative controls. Sony's new camcorder is impressively very light in weight as well, but is no indication of poor material nor construction. I do however, rarely have an issue of closing the LCD, but I chop this up to my virgin experiences with this new design. The touch screen is something to get use to as well, nevertheless its organization is superb, and is also quite responsive. The camcorder even has an "EASY" button so you can disable the "pro" buttons, leaving the standard function buttons (record, playback, etc.) which are still real (analog) buttons too. This camcorder is quiet and does NOT pick up the motor as some Sony's (and others) in similar classes seem to do. The new fancy Carlos lenses are more than just a name, they improve the picture filming and quality a lot! The sun and glare off metal, snow, and water are reduced immensely. The audio is also very clear, but does seem to pick up less than the TRV78 (mom's older Sony, which is still working just fine.) However, this camcorder has yet to miss any desirable audio. I am an individual with large hands, hands which have a little trouble squeezing in between the camcorder and strap, but they manage just fine. Night shot and Steady Shot are a vast improvement too, I was recording at my little sisters school dance, and in a dark gym with a disco ball going... and it did not miss a beat (pun intended.) Furthermore, not only can it go in and out of Night Shot with sensors, the picture remains AMAZINGLY seemless! I have seen this camcorder's effective (recording) pixel amount differ from site to site, but according to the manual, it records in 1.92 mega pixels, and I believe it!! ONE THOUSAND may seem like a lot to pay, but it is the best deal I found for a camcorder of this caliber. I literally spent over a month checking camcorders out for my dear old ma', which in turn found itself to be extremely educational. In conclusion, I do nearly *ALL* the camera/camcorder art in my family, and thus I am proud, and confident, in saying that this is the !BEST CAMCORDER ON THE MARKET under 1000! Good luck with any decision you end up making. -IvoryCrane
Rating:
Summary: A Good all round point and shoot Camcorder
Review: The Sony DCRHC85 MiniDV camcorder really delivers for me. This metallic finish Camcorder is both a sleek design and easy to operate. This is a very user friendly Camcorder, just about anyone could take good quality footage or stills with this. It is, however, worth reading the manual, and learning how to operate the different shooting modes, as shooting everything on Easy mode will not necessarily give you the best results. Altering the camera settings is done mainly on the LCD screen, and this is both impressively large and intuitive to operate. The quality of the footage is good at 1/3.6" Advanced HAD, and I was relieved to find that there weren't the video quality problems described in some early reviews I read online for this product. The only few minuses I can think for this camera package is that it didn't come with a mini DV tape supplied, iLink cable or a case, you'll have to get these separately. Look for value for money with this camera as you can get some great deals if you buy this Camcorder online. Overall one of the best point and shoot Camcorders on the market. Not a Pro-Cam, but delivers significant performance nonetheless for the mid-range point and shoot market. A great buy.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware...widest/min. focal length of lens(52mm) limiting!
Review: This is a great camcorder except for one major limitation: the minimum focal length of the lens. The lens is equivalent to 52mm - 520mm in 35mm camera terms. For telephoto situations it is great, but as far as normal shooting it means that if your subject is close, you will have to back up to get everything on screen. I bought this camera one day before going on a trip to Disneyland and found that I was constantly backing up into people or getting frustrated that I could not get everyone in the picture.
Most new camcorders have a much lower minimum focal length, usually between 44mm - 46mm. It may not seem significant but the 6 - 8mm difference of the HC85's lens at its widest, is VERY NOTICEABLE! I had being using a Sony TRV10 with a 42mm minimum focal length which made the problem even more apparent. This is the only new Sony model with this limitation. Every other new Sony model, including the similarly designed but lower resolution HC65, have either a 45mm or 46mm minimum focal length. I am exchanging my HC85 and upgrading to the Sony PC350 which has a 45mm minimum focal length and twice the video resolution of the HC85. It also has 3 Megapixels of still resolution vs. 2.11 Megapixels for the HC85.
Rating:
Summary: Sony HC85 compared to HC40
Review: This is my first foray into "movie cameras" since having an 8 mm camera a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away --- oops! that just slipped out... The point is, I'm definitely a novice in the camcorder world. My needs are simple: good quality video from point-and-shoot operation; acceptable low-light performance, ease of use, and dependability. I spent many, many hours on research before deciding that a Sony camcorder would best fit my needs, and finally shelled out for a DCRHC40 a week ago.
I was happy but not thrilled with its performance. So today I upgraded to the DCRHC85, and now I'm thrilled. The main differences that made me go for the more advanced model are the larger CCD size (1/3.6" vs 1/5"), the larger LCD (2.5" vs 3.5"), and the different shape.
Some professional reviews of the HC85 rated its video quality as poor, and that worried me, but I've found it clearly superior to the HC40: the colors are brighter and the images are sharper (using both cameras in "Easy" [read "idiot"] mode.) I tried both cameras outdoors in twilight, with the same tape cartridge, and while both gave good results, the HC85 is obviously crisper and truer to color. I also found the HC85's automatic focus to respond faster.
Several other things I like better in the HC85: Less recording noise; finer zoom control (the zoom on the HC40 seemed to have one speed, fast; on the HC85, zoom speed can be controlled by pressure on the key); the larger LCD --- I find its resolution perfectly adequate, and I like the touch-screen controls; and finally, although it's a larger camera, it fit my small hand better than the HC40 (it's "fatter" and allows a better grasp at the top).
Admittedly, my impressions are based on very limited experience with both models, and I'm a real newbie at this, but I definitely find the extra price for the HC85 worth it.
On the negative side is the fact that you have to shell out extra for a decent battery, a separate recharger, and a case. Also, it seems most authorities agree that Canon produces superior video quality.
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