Sony DCR-HC36 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on May 5, 2006 12:00 PM
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Most Sonys are very easy to use, and the HC36 (Review, Specs, $309) is no exception. In fact, just to make things inviting for the first time user, Sony even slapped a big old Easy button on the side. Pushing this button puts the camcorder in full automatic mode and even simplifies the menu – leaving only beep on/off, clock set, and display guide, which allows you to touch any icon on the screen and get an explanation as to what it means.
For those looking to take their first tentative steps into image control, the HC36 offers controls like Spot Meter and Spot Focus, which allow you to simply point at objects on the LCD screen and have the camcorder adjust exposure and focus accordingly. It’s not a great control, but it can suffice in certain situations. When you add these into the auto functions it does make the HC36 a slightly more appealing choice.
Handling (7.0)
The DCR-HC36 (Review, Specs, $309) handles like most camcorders in its price range. Its body is light and small enough to easily fit in the hand and most of the buttons are well-placed. However, it also feels cheap, an almost unavoidable problem with lower-end camcorders. I wouldn’t trust this plastic to give much protection during a drop. The LCD panel also flops open and closed with a good tug, and there is no locking mechanism to keep it in place. As this is probably the part most likely to break first, be careful.
Sony does a good job with intuitive design. Most people picking this up with their hand in the strap would have an immediate sense of operation. The downside to the small body is that a pinky finger could easily stray into the lens and smudge it up.
Our biggest grievance with handling is the touch screen controls. I know: if you read the site enough, you’re probably tired of hearing us complain about Sony’s touch screens. But, for those newbies, here’s a quick defense of our position. Touch screens require that you have the LCD open to make adjustments, which is a big drain on the battery. LCDs are also prone to picking up fingerprints and the natural oils that our skin releases. This not only produces an ugly-looking screen but damages your primary method of determining image quality. We prefer joystick navigation controls, which are gaining popularity. Canon adopted them this year for many of their models, and Panasonic extended them from their MiniDV camcorders to the DVD camcorders, as well. These guys know sensible design when they see it, but Sony has always been one to stick to their guns.
Portability (8.25)
At 370g (13 oz.), with measurements of 65 x 79 x 113mm (2 5/8” x 3 1/8” x 4 1/2”), the HC36 is an extremely portable camcorder. Although it won’t fit in your pocket like small flash media camcorder, such as the Panasonic SDR-S100 (Specs, $1199), this is about as small as MiniDV camcorders come.
LCD/Viewfinder (9.3)
The LCD screen on the left side of the camcorder body opens from the back or bottom edge of the frame. No locking device secures the screen to the camcorder body; rough handling or packaging can result in a broken or cracked LCD. The LCD screen measures 2.5 inches, has a resolution of 123, 200 pixels, and can rotate 270 degrees and be returned to the body of the camcorder facing either in or out. Its hinging mechanism is compromised and overextends slightly when at rest, so that the LCD is at a slight angle. This screen uses the Sony touch-screen interface found throughout their camcorder line. The LCD is undersized for competent usage, however, and features like Spot Focus and Meter are nearly impossible to use due to the size limitations of a petite interface. Additionally, the same touch-screen problems that plague any system apply here, with finger-prints smudging the surface of the screen. This will compromise monitoring images on-screen and will hamper manual controls, like focus, which rely on a crisp, clean image.
An electronic color viewfinder can function as a secondary monitoring viewing device. This viewfinder has an extending eyepiece that will aid in functionality and a dioptric adjustment device on the right side of the eyepiece. Users won’t find the hard plastic frame as comfortable as rubber versions, though, and will be unable to use manual controls without the LCD screen. This won’t be a huge setback for those shooting in Easy Mode, since access to record controls and zoom is still possible.
Battery Life (10.9)
The HC36 ships with a NP-FP30 battery pack, which requires about 115 minutes to fully charge. We tested the battery for continuous recording, leaving the LCD open, the backlight and image stabilization on, and no manual controls engaged. In total, the battery lasted 109 minutes and 58 seconds (1 hour, 49 minutes, and 58 seconds).
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