Sony DCR-HC21 Camcorder Review

The Front (8.5)
The features on the front of the DCR-HC21 are sparse. Like camcorders of last year’s HC series, this year’s DCR-HC21 features an ovular front, with the lens barrel’s culmination forming a rounded top edge and the lower portion angling in to give a more compact feel to the camcorder as a whole. Directly above this lower narrowing are the camcorder’s infrared sensor and stereo microphone. Also, a slender lens cover open/close switch runs along the left side of the front. Seen on last year’s models as well, this switch is used to manually slide up a plastic, built-in lens cover. I find this feature to be one of the coolest thing about these Sonys and a welcome retention from last year, as it rids the user of annoying lens covers that flap around on a little string and just get in the way.

The Right Side (7.5)
The right side of the DCR-HC21 is made up of the tape-mechanism panel that folds out to allow the tape to changed. The DCR-HC21, like all HCs this year, is bottom-loading, which is often an unfortunate sacrifice in having a compact camcorder. (Panasonic does offer some top-loading compact MiniDV camcorders.) The DCR-HC21's cushy suede strap runs along the tape-mechanism panel from the lower part of the camcorder’s front to the middle of the rear edge of the right side. Above the strap’s termination point at the middle of the rear edge is the DCR-HC21’s mode dial, which switches between play/edit and camera modes. Toggling this dial causes nearby LEDs to light, displaying which mode has been selected. The DCR-HC21’s photo button rests on a little plateau above these LEDs. The most notable feature of the right side of the DCR-HC21, aside from the camcorder’s strap, is the narrow ovular port cover running horizontally in the right-center of the side. This cover reveals the camcorder’s USB, DV (FireWire), A/V output, and LANC ports. On all other HCs this year, these ports have been moved to an external docking station, which makes connectivity a bit more convenient, if a bit less portable. Above this port cover is the camcorder’s NightShot Plus off/on switch.

The Left Side (6.0)
The left side of the DCR-HC21 features the camcorder’s LCD screen, which folds out ninety degrees and includes secondary zoom and recording controls along its margin. The cavity of the folded-out LCD does not include any buttons, which is usually a good thing, as users would not have to unnecessarily open the LCD screen to access certain buttons; however, here buttons are omitted because virtually all controls on the DCR-HC21 are accessed through the camcorder’s touch screen menu system. This means the user has to open up both the LCD screen and tap the hell out of it just to adjust focus a bit. Bummer. To make things even more complicated, the DCR-HC21 doesn’t feature the same 3D menu system found on the DCR-HC32 (Review, Specs, $490.7) (Review, Specs, $490.7) and the DCR-HC42 (Review, Specs, $399.95). This is one of the main differences between these camcorders, and definitely make the DCR-HC21 harder to navigate than its more advanced brothers. Above the LCD screen on the DCR-HC21 are buttons for Back Light, Display/Battery info, and Easy Mode.

The Back (7.0)
The back of the DCR-HC21 is dominated by the camcorder’s battery pack slot and electronic viewfinder. While the battery pack doesn’t jut out too far to obstruct a user from using the viewfinder, the viewfinder itself only retracts directly backwards rather than rotating up towards the viewer’s head. There is a dioptric adjuster on the right side of the viewfinder, allowing the user to customize the focus. The camcorder’s primary record button is located immediately to the left of the camcorder’s mode dial, at the middle of the right edge of the camcorder’s back. The tape-mechanism’s opener switch is located beneath the record button. The camcorder’s DC input is located below the battery.

The Top (7.0)
The top of the DCR-HC21 contains the camcorder’s cold accessory shoe, which is of standard size—Sony’s intelligent shoes this year are smaller than standard and, thus, only accommodate Sony products. The accessory shoe rests towards the back of the camcorder, with the DCR-HC21’s zoom toggle to the right. The zoom toggles on Sonys HCs this year are the best feeling toggles I’ve felt so far. They are easy to control and switch directions with, are elevated perfectly, and are very smooth. The only downside is that they are in line with the user’s middle finger—the camcorder’s photo buttons are accessed with the user’s index finger. Personally, I prefer to use my index finger to control the zoom, which is possible with the DCR-HC21, just not intended. It is certainly easier to use your index finger on these HCs than, say, on Panasonic’s GS series.