Sony HDR-HC5 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Nov 28, 2007 8:52 AM 
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Ease of Use (7.5)
Like all Sonys, the HDR-HC5 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $0.00) is blessed with an Easy button that, when pressed, places the camcorder in autopilot. All the shooter has to do is hit record and the HDR-HC5’s electronic brain will do all the adjusting—and very well, at that. Sonys feature some of the best automatic controls on the market, making advanced models like the HDR-HC5 friendlier to beginners. If you are not ready to take the bold leap into the world of manual adjustment, Easy mode is a great set of training wheels.
For those who wish to take the reins, the HDR-HC5 will not treat you as well as the HDR-HC7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1128.56), for it lacks a Cam Control dial. The HDR-HC7’s Cam Control dial enables the shooter to make manual adjustments on the fly without having to rely on the finicky touch screen LCD. With the HDR-HC5, you are strictly limited to the LCD touch screen, which will accumulate smudges over time due to the natural oils found in skin. This renders Spot Focus essentially useless because the entire screen will seem out of focus. In addition, you must wade through the HDR-HC5’s extensive menu in order to reach the manual controls, whereas the HDR-HC7’s Cam Control dial is readily available by the press of a button.
Now let’s talk about format. HDV camcorders record to MiniDV/HDV tapes, which offer 60 minutes of record time in the highest quality (SP mode). This is a definite plus, considering that most HD DVD camcorders can only squeeze 15 minutes of footage onto a disc. Tapes are also cheaper and do not require finalization or formatting. In addition, you can record over tape—just be sure that you review your recorded footage before you wipe out those once in a lifetime shots of the last Spotted Owl. Capturing footage to a computer just requires a FireWire or USB connection and an editing program that is compatible with the HDV format.
Handling (5.0)
Architecturally, the HDR-HC5 feels a lot more solid than the Canon HV20 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $903). Both camcorders feel vastly different, and we here at Camcorderinfo.com prefer power and craftsmanship on the road. The HDR-HC5 is nearly identical in dimensions, weight, and appearance to the HDR-HC7, though it lacks that handy Cam Control dial. The Canon HV20 might sport more controls in its dashboard—including a Cam Control dial as well—but a flimsy, all plastic design does not promise longevity under rugged use. The HDR-HC5 is sleek, burly, and downright sexy. Sony truly excels in the handling department, and the HDR-HC5 is a dream with its milled metal lens barrel and thick, rugged plastic paneling.
When you first slip your hand into the HDR-HC5, you’ll notice how balanced the camcorder feels. The index finger falls right atop the zoom toggle with ease, the thumb aligns with the Record Start/Stop button, and the middle, ring, and pinky fingers fit flawlessly along the top ridge of the tape hatch. Mmm…this is how a camcorder should feel. The back of the HDR-HC5’s hand strap is lined with a breathable mesh material that is padded with malleable foam, which you’ll thank Sony for after a 5 hour day of shooting at the beach in the dead of July. Our only qualm with the hand strap is that it’s mounted a bit too low, which leads to a slight amount of sag. Shifting your hand down a trifle should alleviate the angle of the flop. All in all, holding the HDR-HC5 is like taking a ride in a souped-up Caddy.
While the HDR-HC5 appears to be chiseled from a solid block of comfort, it lacks certain refined elements most users within this price range crave. The HDR-HC5 lacks a Cam Control dial, which is implemented on the HDR-HC7 and Canon HV20. Relying on a touch screen to make manual controls is bad enough, but at least the HDR-HC7 provides a quick, alternative option that functions to a superior degree. For that reason, the HDR-HC7 is ruler of the Handling kingdom in the land of HDV. The JVC GZ-HD7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1529) is the ultimate champion, however, flaunting a large, pivoting viewfinder, external picture adjust buttons, an LCD-mounted joystick, and an ergonomically sound body. For those who are not concerned with manual controls but rather HD video quality at a lower price, the HDR-HC5 will do the trick.
Menu (6.0)
Sony’s HDV camcorders march to a different rhythm when it comes to menu structure. Loyal Camcorderinfo.com readers have most likely noticed a recurring pattern in many Sony reviews this year—the illustrious Home menu. The HDR-HC7 follows in the HDR-HC7’s footsteps with an alternative structure that is rife with options. The HDR-HC5 simply flaunts too many manual controls and other features to cram into a watered down, tabbed Home structure. Therefore, the HDR-HC5’s menu is highly resourceful at the cost of a convoluted and highly in-depth structure.
The standby screen features four minute rectangular touch screen buttons located along the bottom. These buttons represent Image Review, Tape Playback Options, Guide, and P-Menu. The P-Menu is the heart and soul of all operation, but before we get to it, let’s take care of the former options. When Image Playback is selected, the screen shifts to the last recorded still. Your only options here are to delete the frame or return to the standby screen. Tape Playback Options include End Search, Play Preview, and Return. Both options are simply a way to checkpoint the location of your media so as not to record over footage or get bogged down with what was just recorded or needs to be recorded.
The Guide function offers four options: Shoot Guide, Connect Guide, Useful Guide, and Display Guide. Each of these options serves as an individual tutorial through the specified category. For instance, Shoot Guide walks the shooter through selecting a scene, making manual controls/picture adjustments, and adding effects. Connect Guide offers an extensive look at all connectivity options for a TV or Recorder. Point-and-shooters who shudder from large gusts of overstimulation will find solace in the Guide.
Now onto the P-Menu, home to a plethora of options. When you initially press the P-Menu button within the standby screen, a miniature menu appears, containing three pages what Sony deems to be popular options for quick access. The options are as follows:
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Quick P-Menu |
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| Page 1 | Menu, Display Guide, Scene Select, Smooth Slow Record, Tele Macro, Fader |
| Page 2 | Focus, Exposure, AE Shift, WB Shift, White Balance, Spot Focus |
| Page 3 | Spot Meter, X.V. Color, Beep, Language, P-Menu Setup |
The Quick P-Menu
Pressing the Menu button will transport you to the Administrative menu, which contains the following options:
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P-Menu |
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| Camera Set | Scene Select, Spot Meter, Exposure, White Balance, Sharpness, Auto Slow Shutter, AE Shift, Camera Color, WB Shift, Spot Focus, Focus, Tele Macro, Flash Set, Super NightShot, NightShot Light, Color Slow Shutter, Zebra, Histogram, Self-Timer, Digital Zoom, SteadyShot, Conversion Lens, X.V. Color |
| Edit/Play | End Search |
| Standard Set | Recording Format, DV Set, LCD/VF Set, Component, i.LINK Conversion, TV Type, Display Guide, Status Check, Guideframe, Remaining, Remote Control, Record Lamp, Beep, Display Output, Menu Rotate, Auto Shutoff, Quick Record |
| Time/Language | Clock Set, World Time, Language |
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A look at the menu from the top level |
The Camera Set submenu |
Portability (5.5)
The HDR-HC5 is not a beast to lug around, yet it requires a few essential items—we’ll get to those in a moment. This HDV warrior measures 82mm x 82mm x 134mm (3 1/4” x 3 1/4” x 5 3/8”) and weighs 630g (1 lb. 6 oz.). We’re not in entry-level HDD land anymore—the HDR-HC5 has some more meat on its bones. You’ll need a medium size camcorder bag with compartments for HDV/MiniDV tapes, the external power supply, additional cables, backup batteries, lens wipes, headphones, and Active Interface Shoe-compatible attachments. Most Point-and-Shooters will omit most of these items from the list, but advanced shooters know that you can never pack too much. If you plan on importing footage in the field, be sure to bring along a FireWire cable. Fortunately, you can get an hour out of an HDV/MiniDV tape unlike a typical high definition DVD camcorder which offers approximately 15 minutes per disc.
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The 2.7-inch LCD |
The extendable viewfinder |
LCD and Viewfinder (8.5)
The HDR-HC5 is equipped with a 2.7” LCD screen with a 211,200 pixel display. The LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. Like the HDR-HC7, the HDR-HC5 displays a sharp LCD picture heightened by a reliable color reproduction. A vertical strip of controls is located along the left side of the LCD panel, consisting of Zoom Out, Zoom In, and Record Start/Stop buttons. It’s nice to accommodate two-handed shooters—most top of the line HD Panasonics feature barren LCD panels.
The HDR-HC5 also includes a telescoping viewfinder that adds an extra inch from the back end of the camcorder. The viewfinder is not rubberized and does not extend upward, but we’ll take what we can get in this viewfinderless day and age. The HDR-HC5’s cavernous battery chamber prevents the battery pack from jutting out significantly, so shooting with the viewfinder is a truly valid alternative. The dioptric adjuster is located along the right side of the viewfinder shaft.
Battery Life (11.6)
We tested the life of the HDR-HC5’s NP-FH60 rechargeable battery pack by placing the camcorder in manual mode, disabling EIS, and recording continuously with the LCD flipped open until the battery threw in the towel. When a tape needed to be changed, the external power was connected and the battery was removed. The HDR-HC5’s battery lasted a total of 116 minutes and 23 seconds (1 hour, 56 minutes, and 23 seconds).