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



Video Performance
The DCR-HC96, Sony’s most advanced MiniDV camcorder this year, features a 1/3” 3000K (2050K effective) Advanced HAD CCD, the same as last year’s DCR-HC90. The DCR-HC96 also includes a Primary Color Filter, a special feature also found on the DCR-DVD405 and DCR-DVD505, Sony’s new DVD camcorders, and their top-billed, new hard disc camcorder, the DCR-SR100. The DCR-HC96 also features a 30mm Carl-Zeiss lens, and offers a 10x optical zoom with 120x digital capabilities. The next model down in price, the DCR-HC46, includes a smaller 1000K (690K effective) 1/5.5-inch CCD and only a 25mm lens, features similar to last year’s DCR-HC42.

 Last year’s DCR-HC90 featured a similar 1/3” CCD with 3000K gross (2050K effective) for video. The fact that Sony hasn’t upgraded their MiniDV imagers is clear evidence of the industry shift from tape-based media to alternative, previously fringe and gimmick media such as DVD discs and hard discs. Usually, their new MiniDV camcorders topped the list of hype as well as imager advancement, but it seems those days are over. We can expect performance results similar to their ancestors, as these new MiniDV camcorders share the imagers of their progenitors.

Low Light Performance
As far as low light performance goes with this cam, we can pretty much expect similar results to last year’s DCR-HC90 - results that were substantially better than the infamous DCR-HC85, but still not spectacular. This will probably average out to be a decent camcorder which, if cheap enough, should be a solid buy. However, our tests will surely reveal some subtleties that may illuminate this camcorder’s unique nature.



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