Sony DCR-HC90 Camcorder Reviewby Matt CullerPublished on Jun 2, 2005 12:00 PM 
|
|
The DCR-HC90 (Review, Specs, $629) (Review, Specs, $629), Sony’s most expensive horizontal, single-chip, MiniDV camcorder this year, is available for around US $750. It shows a completely redesigned and unique configuration to other Sony camcorders, continuing a trend that Sony started with the DCR-HC1000 (Review, Specs, $1199.89) last year and manifested in some of their models this year, such as the DCR-PC55 (Specs, $549.99) and their DVD camcorder line. While the DCR-HC90 does perform better than last year's DCR-HC85 (Review, Specs, $593), with a relatively more expensive price tag, traditional lack of manual control, and glossy gadgetry, it might not be able to outsell less expensive 3 chip Panasonic camcorders.
Video Performance (7.0)
The DCR-HC90 is armed with a 1/3-inch CCD, with 3.31 MP (3.05 for stills, 2.05 for video). While it lacks the three CCDs of many of the other camcorders in its price range, such as the PV-GS150 (Specs, $449.95) and DCR-PC1000 (Review, Specs, $699.97), it still holds its own as far as video quality is concerned.
In our bright light testing environment of 3000 lux, the DCR-HC90 holds its own compared to its predecessor the DCR-HC85. The DCR-HC85 has a slightly smaller imager with less effective pixels for video than the DCR-HC90, though in bright light these camcorders produce similar video.
In the realm of this year’s camcorders, the DCR-HC90 may be the best performing single-chip camcorder, though it’s also the most expensive. You’d think with all the gimmicks and amenities Sony has thrown into the DCR-HC90, they'd offer maybe a focus ring or some manual shutter speed; but after last year’s DCR-HC1000’s inclusions, and this year’s DCR-PC1000, we’ve learned not to ask for too much.
Video Resolution (8.01)
In order to test the Sony DCR-HC90’s true video resolution, stills from video footage of a resolution chart were taken in both 4:3 mode and Wide modes and exported to Imatest Imaging Software. In 4:3 mode, the camcorder gave us approximately 325.87 lines of horizontal resolution at its best, with 245.94 lines of vertical resolution, yielding a true resolution of approximately 80144.46. In Wide mode, this model provided 435.9 lines of horizontal resolution at its best, with 232.3 lines of vertical resolution, generating a real resolution of 101259.57 pixels at its best
The Front (7.0)
Sony’s DCR-HC90 is uniquely shaped for a Sony MiniDV camcorder. This is not to say that many other Sonys have remained stagnant in design; indeed, nearly every Sony has been reshaped this year, but the DCR-HC90 takes the cake, even when compared to the DCR-PC55 and DCR-HC1000. The DCR-HC90 is a horizontally shaped camcorder, and is fundamentally the same shape as the less expensive HCs, but it is also very different. The front of the camcorder shows a large lens barrel with a stereo microphone wrapping beneath it. Underneath these, a unique plastic port cover can be removed to reveal the camcorder’s USB and DV ports. The flash of the camcorder is built in to its frame and does not jut out like that of the Sony DCR-DVD403 (Review, Specs, $489)’s.
The Right Side (5.5)
The right side of the DCR-HC90 is the side gripped by the user. It features a unique design including a bulbous middle portion which is clearly intended to mold into the user’s palm. And it works; if you have small hands, this may be the best feeling Sony horizontal camcorder yet. However it doesn’t necessarily work as well for bigger hands. There is a small port cover towards the right of this side which reveals the camcorder’s LANC, A/V input/output, and DC inputs. Unfortunately, many of the features on this side, along with the camcorder as a whole, feel a lot like cheap plastic.
The Left Side (8.0)
Sony had made the left side of the DCR-HC90 the main control center for the camcorder. It features the camcorder’s widescreen LCD screen, with a touch screen menu system built-in. The LCD screen features secondary buttons for zoom and record. This side definitely looks less cheap and shoddy than the right side, down to the external buttons located above the LCD screen. They control backlight, display/battery info, and easy mode, and are all sleeker and more stylish, though they are harder to push than the buttons found on more traditional Sonys.
The Back (6.5)
The other main control center (aside from LCD screen) on the DCR-HC90 is its back, which prominently features a viewfinder and card/battery port cover wrapped in ugly filmy gray plastic. This is unique to this camcorder, and we’re thankful for it. The camcorder’s primary record button is located here and feels as flimsy as the front port cover. The wide select button, usually located on or under the LCD screen, is located on the back of the DCR-HC90. This is a good convenient placement for this important function. The camcorder’s flash option toggle and mode selector are also located here, and are of good quality. One of the most unique things about the DCR-HC90 is its battery port which can be accessed by pulling out the plastic cover. The downside here is that the battery port does not support an expandable battery.
The Top (7.5)
The top of the DCR-HC90 features the camcorder’s unique accessory shoe port, which is an oval port cover which slides around rather than flipping up to provide access to the slender accessory shoe. The shoe cover itself feels like cheap plastic. I’m afraid it’s going to snap off, and it will be my fault and not covered by any sort of warranty. The NightShot switch and tape mechanism opening switches are also located here, which is traditional. The photo button is located towards the back of the top, and it feels very cheap, though the zoom toggle is one of the best from Sony this year. It is smooth and relatively large.
Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (8.5)
The automatic control performance of the DCR-HC90 is mixed. Usually we expect excellent automatic control from Sonys, and the automatic controls here are disappointingly mediocre compared to many more inexpensive Sonys this year. Don’t get me wrong, the DCR-HC90 does have good automatic controls, just not as good as some less expensive Sonys. Compared to other manufacturer’s camcorders, the DCR-HC90 still performs well. The reason why such functions are mediocre compared to other Sonys is that in some cases, such as focus and exposure, adjustment time lags and in some situations struggles to find a solid level, situations where other Sony camcorders do just fine.
One of the truly great things about the DCR-HC90’s automatic controls is its automatic focus. Users can achieve focus at incredibly close distances without the annoying blurring seen on tons of other camcorders. Objects nearly pushed up against the camcorder’s lens barrel can be seen in incredible detail. Really nice.
The Spot focusing and Spot metering functions seen on nearly all of Sony’s touch screen menu camcorders this year are available here as well. These nifty features allow the user to touch a portion of the touch screen menu to specifically adjust focus or exposure. These features are only enhanced by the greater surface area of the DCR-HC90’s LCD screen.
A number of Program AE (auto exposure) features are available on the DCR-HC90 as well. They include: auto, spotlight, portrait, sports, beach&ski, sunset&moon, and landscape.
Overall Manual Control (3.0)
The usual faults of Sony manual control are featured on this model, and though a number of additional features are located on the camcorder, they don’t exactly make up for the camcorder’s lack of shutter speed, valueless exposure, and touch screen menu adjustment control. The camcorder does include some value indicators of focal length during manual focus adjustment. Unfortunately the touch screen menu system is still used in this instance as well.
Zoom Control (8.0)
The zoom control on the DCR-HC90 is one of the best of this year’s Sonys. It is bigger than those of the more inexpensive HCs, and is equally as smooth. Controlling one of these toggles is similar to controlling the toggles on Canon’s ZR series this year.
Focus (4.0)
Manual focus is available using the camcorder’s touch screen menu system, and while this is unfortunate as it requires the user to constantly tap on the LCD screen, Sony has included focal distance measurements (from infinity to 0.7). It’s is a nice touch, though it’s relatively cosmetic.
Exposure (Aperture) (4.0)
Manual exposure on the DCR-HC90 is controlled using the camcorder’s touch screen menu in a similar method to focus, though the exposure control lacks any indicator, numerical or otherwise. Users can tap their way across 24 steps of exposure adjustment.
Shutter Speed (0.0)
There is no manual shutter speed option on the DCR-HC90. There is an auto shutter feature, which helps the camcorder adjust to bright light levels. Its default setting is on, so I suppose in turning this function off you would be exerting a certain amount of manual control, though I can’t imagine why you would want to turn it off to begin with.
White Balance (7.5)
Standard white balance options of one push, indoor, outdoor, and auto exist in the DCR-HC90’s menu system. These functions are perhaps the most likely to be used when not recording or immediately before, making them the most practical of all touch screen menu-based controls, but their adjustment does require a certain amount of digging around.
Gain (0.0)
There are no manual gain controls on the DCR-HC90.
Other Manual Control (4.0)
The DCR-HC90 does include some additional manual control befitting a camcorder in its price range, though they remind me of the add-on features on the DCR-PC1000: the features are like band-aids trying to make up for the camcorder’s lack of shutter speed and focus ring. These features include Sharpness and AE Shift. Sharpness offset is available at minus three and plus four, while AE Shift is available up to minus four and plus four.
Ease of Use (7.0)
With an easy to access (aside from the difficult to push buttons) Easy mode, the DCR-HC90 is pretty easy to use. Like most Sonys, the automatic controls are so strong that they only make the Easy mode option more like the option to use. While ease of use is slightly hindered by the camcorder’s mediocre handling ability, it is strengthened by a few incidental features that are included to try to justify the price. Features such as guide frames and telemacro make handheld recording a bit smoother.
Still Features (8.5)
The DCR-HC90 features a good amount of still options, and it should for the price. It captures stills at 2016 x 1512, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, and 2016 x 1134 (widescreen). SteadyShot is not available in still capture mode. The camcorder features a built-in flash. Flash level can be toggled in the touch screen menu; there are three levels (normal, high, and low). Red-eye reduction can be enabled as well. Flash settings (on, off, auto) can be set on the back of the camcorder.
Two cool features that are available on the camcorder are the interval recording and the burst modes.
Interval Recording mode allows stills to be taken in an interval of one, five, or ten minutes. This function is designed to be used to record things like cloud movement, as opposed to fist fights or other sporting events.
Three burst modes are available on the DCR-HC90, all of which provide some variation on the number of stills taken in certain intervals. In normal mode, a number of stills can be taken consecutively depending on their size (3 at 2016 x 1512, 4 at 1600 x 1200, 21 at 640 x 480) at an interval of a half second. The High Speed mode allows for up to 32 photos to be taken at an interval of .07 seconds, though the size is only 640 x 480. Exposure bracketing mode sets the camcorder to take three pictures, the original bracketed by two photos of offset exposure values. You are to pick the best one.
Still Resolution (5.9)
The Sony DCR-HC90 has the ability to capture stills to a MemoryStick Duo in both 4:3 and 16:9 modes. In 4:3 mode, the camcorder takes stills at 2016 x 1512, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480. Only the resolution of 2015 x 1134 is available in Widescreen Mode. The camcorder’s standard 640 x 480 images are displayed in 407266.2075 pixels (0.407 MP). At 1600 x 1200 the DCR-HC90 captured images with approximately 597551.07 (0.597 MP), while the 2016 x 1512 images generated 693505.92 (0.693 MP). The camcorder’s widescreen resolution of 2015 x 1134 captured stills at approximately 250900.2936 (0.25 MP).
Still Performance (7.0)
The still performance of the DCR-HC90 is very good. Like the DCR-PC1000 and the DCR-DVD403, it shows incredibly crisp colors and grayscale. Crispness could really not be better. It also shows a very balanced spectrum, better balanced than the DCR-PC1000. That said, its color vibrancy is where it falters. Colors are not as good as Panasonic’s 3 CCD camcorders this year, certainly not as good as the DCR-DVD403’s colors, and inferior to the colors on the DCR-PC1000 and the Optura 60 (Specs, $649.99).
Low Light Performance (6.5)
The low light on the DCR-HC90 is pretty good considering some of Sony’s recent, higher-end camcorders’ performances. Especially considering the DCR-HC85’s performance of last year, the DCR-HC90’s showing is a breath of fresh air.
At a light of 60 lux, the equivalent of a somewhat dim indoor room, the DCR-HC90 shows a nice image without the nuclear colors of last year’s model. Also, minimized is the nasty bluish noise which plagued the DCR-HC85 (and this year’s DCR-HC42 (Review, Specs, $399.95)). While the DCR-HC85 and the DCR-HC42 both had/have bad problems with this noise (even in bright light in the DCR-HC85's case), the DCR-HC90 seems to have minimized this problem, though some blue noise does exist in low light. I don't know what it is with the CCDs that Sony has been using on some of their more expensive camcorders. They should have used the chip from the DCR-DVD403 in this camcorder. What the DCR-HC90 does have in lieu of these (or because of them) is color vibrancy.
At 15 lux, a significantly lower light level than 60, the DCR-HC90 shows a dramatic loss of crispness, an increase in blending between colors, and much noise. However, the image is still better than last year’s DCR-HC85, though perhaps not up to par with comparably-priced 3 chip camcorders.
The low light performance on the DCR-HC90 is quite good, and comes in better than other camcorders in this price range including Panasonic's PV-GS150 and PV-GS250 (Review, Specs, $1299.99), as well as the Canon models in this price range as well. In all, the DCR-HC90's low light performance is one of its strong points
Zoom Power/Ratio (10.0)
The DCR-HC90 has an optical zoom of 10x, with digital options of up to 120x. This is a disappointingly small optical zoom for such a pricey beast.
Wide Angle (8.4)
In 4:3 mode, the DCR-HC90 has a wide angle measurement of 42 degrees, while displaying a 47 degree wide angle measurement in widescreen mode.
4:3 LCD view
Widescreen LCD view
VCR Mode (9.0)
The DCR-HC90’s VCR/Playback mode is accessible using its mode dial, followed by its touch screen menu system. As far as off-camcorder playback is concerned, the camcorder’s composite output jack allows for both RCA input/output and S-Video output to a television. You can record from other sources as well as dub audio over existing footage, and burn DVDs and VCDs if you have a Sony camcorder. Various speed playback is also available in order to get that slow mo thing. Using the Audio mix function, the user can adjust the front/rear balance of a track recorded with the optional 4 channel microphone. As for still playback, there is a slide show function as well as a thumbnail display for on-camcorder playback.
LCD/Viewfinder (9.0)
The DCR-HC90 features Sony’s new widescreen 2.7” LCD screen which is certainly nice, and also unique to Sony products this year. The LCD quality is good and the screen does not solarize when viewed from an angle. The cosmetics of the DCR-HC90’s LCD screen are nice as well; it looks like a quality screen both from the front and back. The viewfinder on the other hand is another story. While the quality of the viewfinder is standard and no different than the other Sonys, its cosmetics need work. The viewfinder (and memory card port) are encased in an opaque plastic which is not only ugly but feels and looks cheap.
Audio (4.0)
Audio 12 and 16 bit are available for capture, and as mentioned above, audio dubbing is available. An optional Sony external surround sound mic can be used to record four-channel audio, and while this is a nice gimmick, it would have been better for Sony to include manual audio level control.
Handling (5.5)
Handling on the DCR-HC90 is not the greatest. Most of it is hindered by the camcorder’s touch screen menu system, but on top of that, the camcorder is very particular about what types of hands can comfortably hold it. It features a molded right side which really only feels good to a smaller handed person. The photo button feels kind of cheap and inaccurate, and is located underneath the user’s index finger, a spot better suited for the zoom toggle.
Portability (6.0)
The DCR-HC90 is not the smallest camcorder in the world, and it’s certainly not the largest. I wouldn’t try to fit this guy into my pocket, though I wouldn’t exclude it from vacations either. This is not a camcorder to be stealthy with, though it does look a lot like a taser, but if it wasn’t a camcorder with such mediocre handling, I would recommend it for extensive handheld use.
Battery Life (8.9)
The DCR-HC90 features the same extremely slender battery pack found on Sony’s DCR-PC1000. This battery slips into a slot on the back of the camcorder under the plastic port cover. A fully charged battery can record for 89 minutes and 20 seconds (1 hr. 29 min. 20 sec.) with the LCD open and without zooming. The NP-FA70 battery is also available for around eight dollars and gives up to 2.5 hours of battery life.
Compression (8.0)
The DCR-HC90 uses DV compression, storing video to MiniDV tape at 29.97 frames per second. Additionally, for still photos, the camcorder uses JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compression.
Media (8.0)
The Sony DCR-HC90 accepts MiniDV tape and MemoryStick Duo PRO media.
Editing (8.0)
Video footage recorded to MiniDV tape can be edited very easily using a FireWire connection and any of many compatible editing software suites. Editing is done using the DCR-HC90 FireWire input/output located underneath the LCD screen. MiniDV camcorders always score fine in this section, and it is really here to evaluate camcorders which use compression methods such as MPEG2 or MPEG4 and which do not have the editing capabilities of MiniDV camcorders.
Widescreen/16:9 Mode (8.0)
The widescreen mode on the DCR-HC90 is nice because it is easily accessed by an external button on the back of the camcorder and easily visualized on the camcorder’s widescreen LCD screen. But the method used is a strange one. When flipped from 4:3 to widescreen mode, the vertical angle shrinks while the horizontal doesn’t change. There are echoes of this, and perhaps more persuasive evidence, in the still measurements. A 4:3 still’s resolution is 2016 x 1512 while a widescreen stills is 2016 x 1134. Widescreen isn’t available in easy camcorder mode.
Widescreen
4:3 Standard
Scan Rates/24P (5.0)
The DCR-HC90 features a 30P, or 30 progressive, effect. When Progressive Rec. is selected in the menu system a 30p icon appears on the LCD screen. It is not usable with digital or picture effects. Basically, it is an effect to simulate 30 frames progressive recording which produces richer, deeper images than video’s traditional 60i, or sixty interlaced fields recording.
Ports (6.0)
The DCR-HC90 features all the ports you’ll need. They include a FireWire, USB, LANC jack, DC input, and Composite (A/V, S-Video) port. The composite port’s output function can be switched between S-Video and A/V in the camcorder’s menu system.
Other Features (6.5)
Telemacro The Telemacro function on the DCR-HC90 allows the user to record small objects in high detail. It basically engages the camcorder’s optical zoom to its fullest telephoto, without requiring the user to use the zoom toggle. Once selected, the telemacro remains engaged until the zoom toggle is touched.
NightShot (switch) NightShot is Sony’s night vision mode.
Super NightShot This is a 16 times more intense version of the NightShot mode.
Color slow shutter This night vision mode does not use the infrared light to illuminate the image. Rather, it dramatically slows the shutter speed of the camcorder allowing more light to enter. The result is a “natural” color night mode, though with extreme slow shutter effects.
Zebra patterning (70 and 100) Another neat feature added on to the DCR-HC90 is zebra patterning, available at 70 and 100 percent levels. When selected, this function shows zebra striping on overexposed areas of the image.
SteadyShot Not available in camera mode, this is Sony’s electronic image stabilization technology.
Digital effect A number of digital effects are available in the camcorder’s menu system. They include cinema effect, delay motion (motion repeater), still (overlay a still at certain opacity), flash (like trail delay without feedback), lumikey, trail (delay), and slow shutter.
Picture effect A number of picture effects are available on the DCR-HC90. They include negative art, sepia, b&w, solarize, pastel, and mosaic.
Frame recording (for stop animation) Using this function, the user can record 6 frames of video at a time. Designed for stop animation.
Smooth Interval Record (interval of 1-120 second) This feature is similar to the interval record function for stills on the camcorder. It allows users to set an interval of recording to slow moving things like cloud movement. There are intervals of 1-10 seconds, and then intervals of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 120 seconds. When selecting this mode, the camcorder displays how many recordings per hour, and the playback rate equivalent (i.e. 2 sec interval, 60 secs of footage/hour, plays back at 60x speed)
Guideframes This function, available on camera and camcorder modes in-menu, places white guideframes (tic-tac-toe board form) onto the LCD screen and viewfinder to allow the user to more easily compose the image.
MPEG image size MPEGs can be recorded with the DCR-HC90 and stored on the memory stick at resolutions of 320 x 240 and 160 x 112.
Comparisons
Panasonic PV-GS250
For less than a hundred more than the DCR-HC90 users can procure the penultimate in manual control of Panasonic’s consumer 3 CCD camcorders, the PV-GS250. While the DCR-HC90 and PV-GS250 are close in video performance, the DCR-HC90 really wins in low light. However, when it comes to options, audio features, and manual control, the PV-GS250 clearly wins.
Canon Optura 60
For less than a hundred dollars less than the DCR-HC90, Canon’s Optura 60 is a available. While the Optura 60 shows nice manual controls compared to the Sony, as well as decent video performance, in low light it falls short to the Sony. If you plan to shoot in bright light levels only, but want a bit more manual control, this might be a better deal.
Panasonic PV-GS150
One of Panasonic’s affordable 3 CCD camcorders this year, the PV-GS150 falls into the same price range as the DCR-HC90. From a performance perspective, like the PV-GS250, the PV-GS150 holds its own with video but lacks in low light. It’s available now for about half a hundred less than the DCR-HC90, and shows a wealth of manual control. It does lack some of the gimmicks and gadgets that are thrown onto the Sony, such as the zebra patterning, interval recording, widescreen LCD screen, touch screen menu, and guideframes. It certainly has many more features, but at the sacrifice of low light performance.
Sony DCR-PC1000
Like the DCR-HC90, the DCR-PC1000 offers a number of gimmicks and features that help make up for its lackings in other more key areas. It has the same bad manual control and audio options seen on lots of other Sonys, but adds a histogram, a new navigational tool, a 30P effect, and a number of other things to help mask that. Some of these things are relatively nice, like the navigational tool and the sharpness functions, but on a whole, I would rather have manual shutter speed and better exposure control. The DCR-PC1000 does produce good video in both bright and lower light levels. It is the first camcorder to feature CMOS imagers, and it features three of them. For this better video quality (and still quality) there is a greater price to pay, though fortunately, it's only monetary.
Panasonic PV-GS400 (Review, Specs, $1099)
This camcorder is an option if you're really interested in video quality and can afford a splurge. The PV-GS400 is priced significantly higher than the DCR-HC90 and features 3 CCD video quality, a wealth of manual control, a focus ring, microphone port, and other useful additions. Unfortunately, it doesn't feature the same navigational device found on the PV-GS250 and PV-GS150, but its video quality is much better.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (9.0)
This is a great camcorder for point-and-shooters. In fact, it’s probably one of the best, as it features mediocre manual controls, great automatic controls, and a number of little features which make it easier to operate, such as zebra patterning and guideframes. The mediocre handling here causes a loss of points though.
Budget Consumers (8.0)
Not necessarily for the budget conscious. You could do better saving a few bones on comparable-performing cheaper camcorders.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (3.75)
The DCR-HC90 does include a fair amount of still options, including the cool interval recording function. But that said, I wouldn’t buy this camcorder for its still performance.
Gadget Freak (4.0)
The DCR-HC90 includes a fair amount of gadgets—the ability to recording 4 channel audio, zebra patterning, interval recording, guideframes, telemacro. Unfortunately, it seems that most of them have been tacked on, as they were on the DCR-PC1000, in order to make up for the camcorder’s lack of improvement in key areas, like manual control, over last year’s models.
Manual Control Freaks (2.0)
Featuring limited and mediocre manual controls, this camcorder is not recommended.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists (1.0)
Only for the serious hobbyist on vacation, this camcorder cannot be recommended as it lacks some important things necessary to the serious hobbyist such as advanced manual control, including manual audio control.
Conclusion
The DCR-HC90 is a mixed bag. In many ways it follows trends laid out by the DCR-PC1000. It has a unique design and is packed with features that seem to gloss over the glaring exclusion of many key features and controls that Sony continues to leave off their expensive camcorders. Namely, manual shutter speed, gain, independent F-stop control, manual audio levels, and focus rings. What we had with the DCR-PC1000 was a nice-looking camcorder with relatively useless gimmicks like a histogram to make up for these deficiencies; though with the DCR-PC1000, video performance was surprisingly good with three CMOS chips, and a new navigational device as well which was kind of cool. While it's good, it doesn't match up to the top Panasonic 3 CCD camcorder, the PV-GS400, which goes for about the same price.
The DCR-HC90 doesn’t really show any of this. Its revamped design often seems cheap and shoddy. The video performance and low light performance of the DCR-HC90 is quite good, though the stills are pretty disappointing. This camcorder's best feature is it's low light performance, and if that is critical to you, and you don't care about manual control and options, or want something thats just easy to use, the DCR-HC90 would be a great choice. However, we should warn you that your audio is going to be bad, and Sony doesn't want you to buy a microphone to improve it other than their own. The DCR-HC90 might have a small audience, but if you're spending this much on a camcorder, you should probably look at a more advanced model, or just save some money and get a lower priced ease of use model.