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


Still Features
The DCR-HC96 features nearly identical still photo recording specs as last year’s DCR-HC90. Still can be captured in 4:3 and 16:9 mode, at resolutions of 2016 x 1512 and 2016 x 1134, respectively. They are captured using 3310K gross pixels and 3000K effective pixels, yielding a maximum of 3MP stills, though options of 1.9MP and 0.3MP are available. This year Sony displays these options instead of actual dimensions in the touch screen display (I’m not sure if this is good or bad or both). The DCR-HC96 includes similar still capture effects and features as last year, including normal and high speed burst modes and exposure bracketing. Stills can be captured in standard and fine qualities.


The MemoryStick slot

One the main perks of the DCR-HC96’s still features is that it is Sony’s only MiniDV camcorder this year to ship with an included MemoryStick Duo. It also features better imaging options than the DCR-HC46, the next-most-advanced Sony MiniDV camcorder this year. The DCR-HC46 captures 1 MP stills at 1162 x 864; it doesn’t ship with the MemoryStick either. Or MemoryStick Duo?







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