Sony DCR-HC96 Camcorder Review

The problems come about when the menu structure is entered. The menu is structured with six setting options per menu and there is enough room to accurately activate each setting, but the problem is when the user switches between this menu and the other scrolling list menu that is accessed with the administrative menu. This menu offers up less useful controls like clock set mixed in with far more useful settings like white balance, spot metering and program AE modes. These options can be moved to the P-menu with some work, but it would be nice if controls were listed together with a logical menu structure to begin with. The administrative menu has smaller controls and smaller settings and I found myself continuously struggling with navigation. This touch screen is also problematic with other options like playback zoom navigation, spot metering and spot focus where fine tuning and quick movement isn’t always possible.

If you're the type that's always been curious about manual controls, but afraid to try, Sony has put on a few features that you might like: Spot Focus and Spot Metering. Think of them as manual controls with training wheels. Found in the menu, when engaged, they draw a little frame around the LCD screen. Both functions work just like they sound. Is there a spot out of focus that you want to look better? Just touch the screen at that spot and it adjusts. Spot Metering is similar, but it adjusts exposure. Neither control works exceptionally, mind you. The camcorder simply divides the screen up into zones, and you are selecting a zone on which to adjust focus or exposure.

Of course, if none of this is for you, just push the big Easy button on the left side and all your troubles are over - all-auto, all the time.

Handling (7.0)
The handling on the DCR-HC96 is a marked improvement over last year’s HC90 which suffered from poor grip, awkward maneuverability, and uncomfortable control due to subtle reshaping of the camcorder. This year the HC96 features a slight scallop on the top of the right edge, which allows for comfortable gripping. Also, Sony has placed the zoom toggle and photo button in more appropriate locations so that the zoom is accessed with the index finger first and the photo button is within easy reach. Like last year’s HC90, the HC96 has a great zoom toggle that allows for clean and concise use with varying speed options.

This is a very comfortable camcorder to hold. The detriment is the interface design, centered almost entirely on the touch screen LCD. We are not fans of the touch screen system, and we can explain our position very simply. Touch screens get greasy fingerprints all over them in a matter of minutes, obscuring the primary tool for judging image quality in the first place. Secondly, big touch-friendly buttons mean that less informattion can be presented on each menu page. The menu, therefore, sprawls on for pages and pages. Thirdly, LCD screens eat up power, and if you need to both conserve power and engage the menu, you're in a bad place.  

Portability (5.5)
The DCR-HC96 is certainly not a matchbook camcorder, but it also isn’t a large Hi8 circa mid 90s model. The camcorder has measurements of 2 7/8 inches in width, 3 5/8 inches in height and 4 3/4 inches in length. This is actually an interesting deviation from the standard practice in a market that produces smaller and smaller products. The previous model, the HC90, was actually smaller than this year’s HC96, and it seems as though this increase goes directly against the Sony claims at CES of every model showing size reduction. Despite this interesting discrepancy, the HC96 is still a handheld camcorder that will easily rest in the right hand when not in use, and which can be popped into a bag, purse or case without too much concern or hassle.

LCD/Viewfinder (9.0)
The Sony DCR-HC96 features a 2.7-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screen with approximately 123,200 pixels for total resolution. This is about as high of a resolution found with camcorder LCDs in this price range. While tolerable, it is certainly subpar when compared to the 230K offerings found on LCDs of similar size in the digital camera market. With resolution levels of 123K focus will be hard to measure, and using the viewfinder may be a better idea for this. The LCD on the Sony DCR-HC96 is a touch screen interface, which means adjusting onscreen controls will both block the view and smear it with grease.

Amusingly, this camcorder places the focal control almost in the middle of the LCD screen. This is an absurd placement which makes accurate adjustment nearly impossible. With six slightly transparent overlays coating the LCD, it seems like Sony is trying its best to dissuade users from actually using what few manual controls remain gasping on this camcorder. The touch screen provided a poor interface for spot meter and spot focus due to the size of my fingers in relation to the image frame on the LCD. If drastic depth changes with simple scenes of one or two focal depths is being encountered the spot controls could possibly work, just don’t expect these controls to work in complicated scenes.

The electronic color viewfinder on the Sony DCR-HC96 is positioned for easy use with an extending feature. It would be better if it were possible to pivot the viewfinder up from the camcorder. And while it’s great to have a viewfinder, the touch-screen interface on the LCD means that users won’t be able to access menus, manual controls and camcorder setup when shooting with the viewfinder. This really defeats the purpose, which is unfortunate since manufacturers like Panasonic have debuted camcorders in 2006 with external joystick interfaces that can be engaged easily and quickly when using both the LCD and viewfinder.

Battery Life (9.4)
The HC96 ships with the NP-FP50 battery, rated at 80 minutes of continuous recording with the LCD open. We put this claim to the test, as we do with all batteries. The camcorder was left in Easy mode with the LCD open. No manual controls, menus, or zoom was engaged. In total, the battery lasted for 94 minutes and 21 seconds (1 hour, 34 minutes, and 21 seconds). Though better than advertised in the manual, this is still just average for a camcorder battery.