Sony HDR-HC7 First Impressions Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jan 8, 2007 11:00 PM

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


Still Features                    
One of the biggest selling points on the HDR-HC7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1128.56) is its ability to shoot 6.1 MP stills, thanks to its large CMOS sensor. The user will find options for still capture in the camcorder’s touch screen menu, when in still capture mode. These options do not list dimensions, but the sizes available are 6.1 MP, 3.1 MP, 4.6 MP, and 0.3 MP. The 4.6 MP size is a widescreen still while the others are standard sizes. In the testing room, we’ll be able to see how good these stills are, especially the 6.1 MP since it exceeds the native resolution of the pixel count in the CMOS. We can say with reasonable assurance that if the ClearVID CMOS continues to process color in the same way as its 1/3" counterpart; color performance should be quite pleasing.  

In still mode, shutter speed manual adjustments are limited to 1/4-1/500, but most of the other manual controls from video mode are available here. Stills are captured to Memory Stick Pro DUO.




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