Sony DCR-HC36 Camcorder Review

The Front (7.5)
A Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar 20x optical zoom lens is set in the upper right corner of the HC36’s front face. While the lens cover is not automatic, an accessory lens cover is included with this camcorder. The NightShot plus sensor for low light shooting is to the left of the lens, along with an IR sensor for the included remote control. These features must remain uncovered to work properly. The in-camcorder microphones are positioned directly beneath these two sensors and provide the only audio recording option available on this stripped down camcorder.

The Right Side (8.75)
The right side of the Sony DCR-HC36 has a hand strap that spans the camcorder body horizontally from front to back and features an adjustable Velcro component to adjust for varying hand sizes. Along the edge composed by the right and front sides of the camcorder is a port cover which hides the USB port, FireWire port, and AV out. The right side of the DCR-HC36 conceals the MiniDV compartment, a top-loading mechanism that opens via a switch on top of the camcorder body. Its placement allows users to switch tapes even when the camcorder is connected to a tripod. The right side is matte gray plastic, with a slightly textured surface that will perhaps provide a nominally improved gripping surface for the palm of the right hand.

The Back (7.0)
In the upper left corner on the back of the DCR-HC36 is an extendable electronic color viewfinder. Its eyepiece is made of hard plastic and, while not comfortable, is tolerable for short periods of time. A dioptric adjustment dial on the viewfinder’s right side adjusts sharpness. The battery pack is located beneath the viewfinder, and is released by pressing a small tab above the battery and to the right of the EV. Engaging and disengaging it was a compromised endeavor that would be easier with slightly more room between the viewfinder, battery pack, and other features on the back of the camcorder. To the right of the battery’s top edge is the rec. start/stop button, which can be engaged with the right hand thumb. Also to the right of the battery, but along the bottom edge, is a DC IN port masked by a stiff rubber cover that flips down from the top. Above the rec. start/stop and the battery is the polished silver power switch . By pressing the green tab located on the top of this switch inwards and pushing the switch to the right, the user can rotate between video, still image, and playback modes. Moving the switch to the left will move the camcorder back into the power off/charge position. Three small LEDs are located beneath the power switch. They inform the user of camera state and whether the camcorder is in tape, memory, or play/edit modes. The labels for these three LEDs are on the right side of the camcorder body.

The Left Side (6.0)
The left side of the Sony DCR-HC36 features a 2.5 inch LCD screen with 123,200 pixel resolution, which can rotate 270 degrees and can be returned to the camcorder body facing either out or inwards. Users can open the LCD by pulling out on either the back or bottom edge of its frame or by a casual flick of the wrist. It doesn’t lock into the camcorder body, and will open if caught on any edge. In addition, the hinge which connects the LCD to the camcorder is under-constructed; slight pressure caused the screen to move in a detrimental direction. Secondary controls for both zoom and rec. start/stop are on the outer edge of the LCD frame. The playback speaker is located next to the hinge of the LCD frame, in the cavity formed by LCD screen, and a small inset button above it resets the camcorder At the back of this cavity is a proprietary Sony Memory Stick Duo Pro card slot. Above the LCD screen, on the side of the lens barrel, are three buttons. The front most button is the back light on/off control for shooting strongly backlit subjects.; the display/battery information button is behind it; and the button for easy mode brings up the rear. All three buttons are well labeled and spaced, and users should have no confusion about their individual purposes. An incredibly small LED is near the back of the camcorder, where the electronic color viewfinder eyepiece meets the body. This LED indicates when the camcorder is charging.

The Top (6.0)
A handful of control options are located on top of the HC36. The Open/Eject slider for the tape compartment is near the front, while the NightShot Plus on/off switch is behind it, along the edge between the lens barrel and the right half of the camcorder. At the back of the camcorder, convenient to the index finger of the right hand, are the zoom toggle and the photo button for the Sony DCR-HC36. The zoom toggle is well designed, extremely sensitive, and capable of producing a number of zoom speeds with only subtle adjustment. Users should find it comfortable to engage when shooting . A raised ridge along the edge between the top and right side provides the fingers of the right hand with a gripping point for steadier shooting and better handling.