Sony HDR-HC7 ¿ Camcorder HDV 1080i

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

We used 3 of these cameras mounted inside race cars for our show "Pure Stock." They lasted through multiple accidents and NEVER stopped working. The picture quality and functionality were perfect for our application. We added HD wide-angle lens to all the cams and the picture was still great. [...]

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

I manage a media team of 4 videographers, 3 of whom used this camera last summer at a summer camp. Although the camera captures a decent picture, it drives me nuts that Sony charges [$] for a $500 camera. All 3 cameras broke, in some fashion, within 6 weeks of purchase. The zoom mechanism is little more than an after-thought and takes great patience to operate at any speed other than full-in or full-out. The touch screens on all 3 cameras went out to some degree. The touch-screen controls are barely satisfactory. I liked the camera OK to start, but it proved to not be up to any real heavy-duty use. Best used in a home environment and kept away from any extended use. Overpriced for the quality.

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

I use this camera to film parties and low light plays, concerts and productionsAfter reading Camercorders info on poor low light recording i was dumbfounded. While recording a blacklight party i used this camera and three other sd mini dv cameras from sony and this blew them out of the water by far even when recording in sd. The cmos sensor does great compared to the ccd since the cmos doesnt wash out the color in low light settings while the ccd makes the picture look black and white. My only complaint to sony is the hot shoe. It makes me angry that they would put a speclized shoe that only there products work in. But to get around his you can buy a shoe adapter [$]. All in all hands down this is the best consumer HDV camera on the market[$]

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

I have had this camera for approx. 3 weeks and all I can say is it is a GREAT LITTLE CAMERA. I have been doing video for 13 years. I am a professional. I use the PD-170 at this time to do Legal Video. I wanted a small camera to do video journalism. I also have the Sony DCR-PC1000. It is a very good camcorder, but I wanted the newer technology so I bought the HC-7 and I am very pleased with it. The fellow that made the statement in this review about the still shots being bad is totally WRONG. I enlarged some of my pictures to 11x17 - printed them in a Canon printer and they look like the were shot with a Hasselblad camera(medium format). I shot weddings with the Hasselblad for 12 years. The still pictures when shot in the still picture mode with the HC7 camera are something to see.I am using the HC7 in HD mode, but I am transferring the video into my computer in SD mode. There is a setting in the menu to do this. I video a lot of traffic accidents and sell the video on DVD to attorney's. They do not need HD yet. The camera works great in all that it is built to do. If any one wants to purchase this camera you will never regret it.I use Sony Premium tapes and they work fine. The finished video in SD mode looks as good as what I get from my PC1000 and it is a 3 chip camera. I stand behind this camera 100%.

Expertise: Full Time Professional for 35 years

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: PC1000, PD-170

Items I Recommend: Wide angle lens

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

After several days of shooting with the HC7 and reviewing the movies on a Samsung LCD HD TV, I am happy to say that the movie quality for such a small camera is very nice.The reviewers that have preceded my review have done a comprehensive job of reviewing the camera -as far as movies go- so I'll just try to fill in some gaps.The microphone input does supply Plug In Power for condenser mics. It does not object to a regular self-powered mic such as the Rode Videomic. I never have seen anything documented one way or another about Plug In Power as it relates to this camera.The movies the HDR-HC7 takes from a moving vehicle are surprisingly good- I was able to get good quality on the first day, not even knowing how to run the camera. The Ilink is a 4-pin Firewire female out jack and an ordinary 4pin-6-pin Firewire works fine on your computer end. Had no problems at all for Windows XP to see and configure both the USB and Firewire connections.If you are wanting to transfer 1080i HD video into your computer be advised that the demands this will place on your computer will be pretty high- when Vegas Studio Platinum advises 2.8GHz + processors for HD importing, they are pretty serious. I have managed it with an AMD running at 2.2GHz -but the video and audio monitoring has to be off, in order to have no dropped frames.The real surprise for me was how poor the still pictures are. Although they are 6MPs in size, both the outdoor and indoor pictures are so noisy I can only describe them as awful. Set on Fine and 16x9 6MP, every one of the stills I have taken have yielded dismal results. I used a tripod, natural sunlight, manual and autofocus, Steady shot on and off, and all are very disappointing. The best I can say is: if you think of this as a movie camera that takes snapshots (akin to an $11 throwaway supermarket camera) then you will not be disappointed. The Nightshot still pictures are pretty good, considering it's an IR picture. The included IR emitter is not very bright though, and is effective only out to about arm's distance. I'd highly recommend an additional IR source if you need more than four feet range.

Expertise: Enthusiastic amateur

Problems Encountered: Importing HD to computer requires a fairly fast machine. Pretty awful still picture performance.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Minolta Dimage 7Hi, Canon Rebel Xt- First movie camera.

Items I Recommend: Sony AC-VQH10 AC battery charger and power source, NP-FH100 battery, Sony filter kit.

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

Again Sony has impressed the Camcorder's world with the most incredible Handycam, in my opinion, ever made. As everybody is saying the HC7 it's a dream machine. The ability to recorder in a native High Definition - 1080i - allows you to do the most detailed movies! All the features in this Camcorder are too simple to use...a few clicks in the touch-windscreen you will be totally inside the process. This is an invite to the future! We just hope SONY be able to develop new technologies to, as the time goes on, chock the interactive world with products as well as they do much more powerful!

Problems Encountered: No problem!!!

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: DSC TRV-361

Items I Recommend: DV 500 PCI

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

This is a somewhat specific review, but as a researchbiologist I'm hoping it will be helpful for someone lookingto use this camera in a similar way. I've owned the camera now for about one week and have beenusing it daily to film animal behavior. My previousresearch cameras have either been low end miniDV for basicvideo capture or the Canon XL1 and its previous Hi8incarnation. Despite previous negative reviews, I decided to purchasethis model because of its ability to film in infrared lightand its ability to capture 3 sec of high speed video (250frames/sec). I've been pleasantly surprised by the imagequality and functionality. Several reviewers have commentednegatively on the touch screen, but I find it quite a relieffrom small buttons and joysticks. The big buttons are easyto access and the customization ability is one of the firstthings that I used, setting up my own custom menu. I havehad no fingerprint problems with this screen and, overall,like how the controls can be accessed.The ability to take up to 3 photos (at the 4.1 Megapixelresolution) while filming is great for capturing images thatcan appear as journal-quality figures. I have not yetseriously used the high speed function, but it works well. Several reviewers have criticized reduced resolution and needfor more light when using this function. However, I thinkthis is a bit unfair. High speed filming requires morelight and the reduced resolution produces an image that isstill much better than dedicated high speed video camerascosting several thousand dollars more. Finally, the ability to manually control audio recordinglevel is a very welcome feature on a camera of this price. I'm quite satisfied the sound recording quality and woulddefinitely recommend this camera to anyone who needs torecord biological sounds.In terms of what could be improved, I would prefer to adjustmy exposure levels using the more traditional f-stops ratherthan how the camera does it, showing a graphical bar thatcan be adjusted in small + or - levels. Also, I have notfound a way for the camera to display the date and time onits screen while it is recording.Overall, I think this is a good basic research camera. Itcan be purchased for under $1000 with free shipping and notax. It is compact and has good image quality and excellentcontrol features. I have not compared it with other camerasin terms of performance under lower light conditions andunderstand it does more poorly. However, I believe that itsinfrared and high speed capability compensate for this.

Expertise: Biologist, but not a professional videographer

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Canon XL1

Items I Recommend: Closeup lens (2x)

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

Just returned from Indonesia after shooting 80 hours of video with this wonderful camera. The results on my 54 HD TV are as if I were right there. Detail is incredible. Sound is excellent. I guess I have arrived in video broadcast quality heaven, on the cheap. The bottom line is do not buy an inexpensive plug-in battery recharger, as I did (I decided not to take the supplied plug-in AC adaptor supplied with the camera). It failed in Indonesia, but luckily a friend following me by a week picked up a Sony BC-TRP battery recharger unit at Japan's Narita airport (it worked like a charm). The supplied NP-FH60 battery lasts only a little over an hour, but the aftermarket NP-FH100 battery is a real workhouse. The wide-angle Sony VCL-HGO737C lens is a must, and a very high quality lens at that.The camera fits very well in the hand. It and the FH battery are easy and light to carry around and shoot with, especially after tracking with two DCR-TRV950's and batteries for many years. I have found with my past prosumer video cameras that microphones like the Sony ECM-MS908C, or my Audio-Technica AT822, pick up camera noise when attached directly to the camera hot shoe, even with a rubber isolator mike adaptor. So too with the HC7. Get a screw-in bracket for the mike and most of the problem is eliminated (good peripheral sound rejecting headphones, like the Sennheiser HD 280 pro, confirm this). I found a bracket that acts as a handle, with two shoes, and this worked very well for steady hand-held shots.The Operating Guide for the HC7 states: You can use mini DV cassettes marked with miniDV. This is true. I did a comparison test with miniDV tapes ranging from $2.60 to $15 per. All looked the same on my 54 HD TV. Do not let a salesman tell you differently, that you must buy the $15 product. Panasonic makes tapes of various grades that last 83 minutes, and even longer. For this application I used Panasonic AY-DVM83PQ tape (83 minutes/about $4.50), but the 60 minute $2.60 tapes look identical.The HC7 goes from recording/still camera/viewing by a very convenientturn of the power switch. The viewing commands are located on the screen. I've got much more to learn about this wonderful device, so back to the owner's manual.I record a lot of music and dance performing groups and have frequently employed two and three cameras in my shoots. I foresee another HC7 in my near future.

Expertise: Amateur, but with a watchful eye.

Problems Encountered: Inserting and removing the battery is a very minor hassle, but the trade-off is that this is a top loader, and all of my above positive comments easily make up for this.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Sony TRV27 (2) / TRV950 (2)

Items I Recommend: wide angle lens / outboard mike bracket

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

I purchased the Sony HDR-HC7 a month ago just in time for atrip to Disney world. I had been waiting for Sony to offer aHi-Def camcorder with an external microphone input as Ishoot wildlife videos and need the alternative mikecapabilities. The picture quality is exceptional. I have aSony 60 high def TV and the images shot at Disney world aredetailed and the colors are accurate on the big screen.Pictures taken of fast-moving people and colorful rides areclear with no noticeable pixelation. Even fast pans aresharp. Low light shots taken at night are clear anddetailed. Friends we have shown the videos to have commentedthat the clarity of the picture is like being there. Ipurchased an Audio-Technica AT822 stereo microphone andmounted it with an L-bracket using a Rode SM3 shockmount andhave been ecstatic with the audio recording capability. Ishould add, however, that the internal microphone does agood job with very low noise, the only qualm being thelimited frequency response. I have experienced no problemswith dropout even after repeated playing of the tapes. The60 minute record rate is a real plus and the tape is adependable means of storing data.We are quite pleased with the camera and would recommend itto anyone who wants high quality recording at a reasonableprice. Good job Sony!

Problems Encountered: The active shoe bracket on the top of the camera is notstandard size so only Sony accessories will fit.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Sony Handicam, Hitachi VM-H720A

Items I Recommend: Extra battery, Sony case, UV filter, wide angle lens

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

This cam is a dream. I was upgrading from Sony HC3. I like the HC3 but it seemed the color was off (too red) and the SD downconverted video was not great, plus I had exposure and focus issues. This has all been corrected with the HC7 and the camera adds crisper video, perfect exposure,awesome grainless low light (the same if not better than the HC3 despite what some review site thinks, and yes I compared the 2) and more accurate color and HD like down converted SD video. Not to mention true OIS, this is a job well done by Sony in a small comfortable package. Even the included battery life has been expanded to almost 2 hours. Highly recommended for either HD or someone who is after the best SD quality camera around. You will not be disappointed with the HC7.

Problems Encountered: None

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Sony HC90 (still have), Sony HC3

Items I Recommend: 3 watt light

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

Ordered HDR-HC7 and the Impact NP-FH70.Camera Work Great. However the third party Impact Battery does not actually fit on the camera. It looks like Sony has slightly modified the battery terminal slots such that the smaller slots on this third party battery don't allign correctly. The included Sony battery works fine on the camera and when you look at both batteries, you can clearly see the difference in slotting on the back of the battery.My ratings are for the camera itself, not the battery.

Items I Recommend: Sony Original Batteries

Comments about Sony HDR-HC7 1080i HDV Camcorder:

I received the Sony HDR-HC7 4 days ago. This HD camcorder is the 3rd and final piece of my HD makeover. The first component is the Sony KDS-R60XBR2 1080p TV, the second is a PS3, and now the new camcorder. One thing I noticed immediately upon playing my older home-made DV videos is that the big screen really amplifies the lower resolution, and that the hand jitter of the home movies is more problematic as well. Both of these deficiencies prompted me to go for this HD camcorder with optical stabilization.Impressions after 4 days of playing with the camcorder:Pros-- The video is great, especially filling the 60 inch screen. The images look smooth, not necessarily eye-popping sharp, but very pleasing.- The still images are excellent. At 6.1 Megapixels, they are as good as any 6 MP still camera (I did the comparison). My test for still cameras is to print 8x10 glossies. When you do that, it is easy to judge excellent, good, and not-so-good. The 8x10 prints are excellent. Moreover, the camera has a 10x optical zoom, so that is a major advantage for still photography. The flash is surprisingly robust- better than most smaller still cameras. This camcorder truly opens up the possibility of leaving the still camera at home.- The DV tape is a cost-effective convenience. I popped in a standard Sony Premium DV tape and everything's been fine. So far, I've not seen any evidence of frame dropping. Everything has been smooth and very eye-pleasing. I carefully considered the other alternatives of HDD and DVD burners, but for overall ease-of-use, the DV is a proven cost-effective way to take a lot of videos and to store them conveniently.- Sony offers a case for underwater videography (Sony Camcorder Marine Case (SPK-HCB)). This case which is listed as an accessory offers good value considering that custom camcorder cases can run in excess of $1K. I have one on order and plan to use it very soon for some snorkeling. Such underwater home footage should be very cool.Cons-- It is not the most elegant or stylish hardware.- Does not have a neck strap.- The audio is not its strong point- nothing bad, but not particularly compelling.- The on-the-fly stills are in widescreen so that the overall resolution on printed paper is not as good as the stand-alone stills.- Naturally, with a substantial investment in the camcorder unit, comes the additional costs for options such as (1) stand-alone battery charger, (2) extra high-capacity battery, (3) better microphone, and (4) external light source for video and stills.This early review would not be complete without mentioning the significant value added by using PlayStation 3. The camcorder video is stored in the DV tape in MPEG2 format. After recording, I simply transferred the video into my Ulead VideoStudio 10 Plus which handles HDV files. After that I copied the MPEG2 file into the hard drive of the PS3. One can then watch the video on the big screen using the handy remote ($25) for the PS3 with fast forward and such so that the overall operation is almost as convenient as if you had burned a BluRay DVD. The fact that the SXRD TV has a 3rd HDMI input in the front makes connecting to the camcorder particularly convenient.Bottom line- the camcorder is very impressive. I've covered the basic functions so far but there's much more to learn and to explore with this unit. The coupling of the 1080p TV and the PS3 with the camcorder results in a most enjoyable HD experience.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Dv camcorders

Items I Recommend: marine case