Sony DCR-HC96 Camcorder Review

When shooting in still image mode the DCR-HC96 can capture images with quality settings of either Fine or Standard with image resolution settings of 3.0 MP (2016 x 1512), 1.9 MP (1600 x 1200), 1.0 MP (1152 x 864), and VGA (640 x 480) when shooting with a 4:3 aspect ratio. When shooting with a 16:9 ratio the camcorder records resolution settings of 2.3 MP (2016 x 1134), 0.7 MP (1152 x 648), and 0.2 MP (640 x 360). Accessing these features is done by entering the P Menu followed by the Administrative Menu and then finally the Still Set sub-menu where the quality and image size options are paired with the burst mode settings.

When it comes to controls in still mode the user will find that they still have access to exposure, tele-macro, spot focus, spot meter, focus, and white balance options although still in the same overly complicated menu structure system found with the video recording modes. In addition to these manual options the easy mode and the program AE modes may be employed if needed for further tailoring of camcorder layout to user needs.

The burst mode settings as mentioned in the previous paragraph can be found in the still set sub-menu and when engaged allow the user to capture up to 32 images with approximately 0.7 second intervals occurring. Also located within the burst mode sub-menu is an option for exposure bracketing which will capture still images at three separate exposure levels which can be great if concerned with attaining proper exposure levels when shooting stills. Don’t expect high resolution images to be recorded when shooting in burst mode with this camcorder since the HC96 automatically sets the resolution to VGA with a 3:4 aspect ratio only. When shooting with a Memory Stick Duo instead of the Memory Stick Duo Pro we were only able to capture 14 images before the camera saved to memory regardless of whether the images were shot in standard or fine quality.

Still Resolution (10.5)
The DCR-HC96’s stills were tested for resolution using a standard ISO 12233 resolution chart and Imatest imaging software in both 4:3 and 16:9 modes. In 4:3 at the highest quality still (2016 x 1512), the HC96 produced an approximate resolution of 1057162. In 16:9 at the highest quality still (2016 x 1134), the camcorder produced an approximate resolution of 570445.6

Still Performance (7.0)
You’re going to like the low light performance, which we talk about in a moment, but the still performance of the HC96 just doesn’t cut it. The problem isn’t sharpness; it’s very sharp. In fact, the picture is much sharper looking than the GR-X5 (Review, Specs, $958), which we hailed as the best hybrid camcorder of 2005. But the HC96 cannot compete in the category, and the problem is color. The picture has all the appear of over-lit pea soup. Every color is washed out, making for the dullest possible photo. This camcorder would make the Caribbean sea look like tepid bathwater, should not be relied upon or though of as a hybrid. Last year’s HC90 (Review, Specs, $629) (Review, Specs, $629), unfortunately, told the same sorry tale.

The JVC GR-X5, as we said, is an excellent hybrid, due not only to color performance but to still features. In terms of pure picture quality, the JVC cam had much better reds and blues, though we admit that the greens were washed out and unhealthy looking. The Canon Optura 600 (Specs, $1099) also had better looking stills, both in terms of sharpness and color.