Sony DCRHC65 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder

Rating:
Summary: Not worth the $$$
Review: I bought the DCRHC65 after trying out the DCRHC30 thinking the larger CCD unit would make a difference in low-light conditions. But I wasn't able to see any difference.

The design of this camera sux. The input / output cable ports are located in difficult spots. The tethered lens cap is ridiculous. Too heavy. Consumes battery too quickly.

If you're considering this camera, compare it with the DCRHC30. The only big difference is the pixel memory and CCD size. Both do analog to digital pass-through. But the DCR-HC30 is hundreds less.

Rating:
Summary: Really good camcorder
Review: My initial impression of the HC65 are generally very favorable. I like the feel and balance of it, and the controls are laid out nicely. The LCD display at 3.5" is very nice, and the touch screen is nice as well, being reasonably intuative and requiring only a light touch which minimizes camera movement while filming. I tried some filming outdoors first, close to sunset, and had great results in the Easy mode. The focus and exposure adjust very quickly and give a good picture. The colors are vibrant, and the image is clear.

The manual focus is a nice feature as well, using a focus ring on the front of the lens, and also showing the focus distance on the LCD display. The zoom works quite well; easy to control the speed, and the button is well placed, although I wish it had just a little more than 10X. The 10X should be sufficient for most applications, and I would reccomend a telephoto lens adapter and tripod if you need extra magnification.