Sony DCR-HC96 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jan 7, 2006 9:00 PM

Intro Performance
Format Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features
Comparisons / Conclusion
   


Conclusion
If you buy the new DCR-HC96 (Review, Specs, $516) instead of last year’s HC90 (Review, Specs, $629) (Review, Specs, $629), you’ll get a more compact camcorder (for better or worse), Click-to-DVD technology, and a built-in automatic lens cover. But that’s about it. The camcorder features the same imager as last year’s model, the same mediocre manual control options, and the same other features.

The lack of upgrades on this camcorder is surely a sign that Sony is moving in the direction of the more fringe media of DVD and hard disc camcorders. That’s where the money is going, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see less and less of these MiniDV camcorders next year. The good thing is that these MiniDV camcorders still offer the best editing compatibility and better compression (or lack thereof) than either DVD or hard disc camcorders. However, this year, their video quality, due to un-upgraded imagers, may fall by the wayside if DVD and hard disk continue to receive all the innovation.





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