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Camcorder News

January 07, 2007

Sonys Ever-Shrinking MiniDV Line Offers 3 New Models

By David Kender
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Sony DCR-HC28, DCR-HC38, DCR-HC48 Photo Gallery

 

Sony DCR-HC48

  
January 7, 2006  - Today at the Consumer Electronic Show, Sony presented three standard definition MiniDV camcorders, down one from last year. The new models include the very low-priced DCR-HC28 ($280 MSRP), the DCR-HC38 ($330 MSRP), and the DCR-HC48 ($400 MSRP). Last year’s top-end DCR-HC96 will be carried over into 2007. New features on today’s camcorder announcements are slim since Sony, along with most manufacturers, have shifted its attention to high definition. Of the new features Sony has included are the long-life H. Stamina batteries and on the DCR-HC38 a 40x optical zoom. The HC38 and HC48 also feature a new usage guide in the menu.  All models include electronic image stabilization but lack analog inputs and accessory shoes.
 
 
The downsizing trend in MiniDV camcorders emphasises the eventual demise of the MiniDV. There is no doubt that DVD, hard disk drive (HDD), and memory card camcorders are surpassing MiniDV, but Sony thinks that tape may have some life left.
 
'Because of the vast amount of editing software and the fact that it's less compressed than other formats, tape will continue to be attractive to serious videographers, filmmakers, a smaller percentage, but an important group of people, ' said Yolanda Hunt-Boes, Corporate Communications for Sony. 'The MiniDV format is still a very significant portion of the industry because of the price point. It is a huge volume driver, but it is not a growing category. There is no growth happening there.'

 
 
The DCR-HC28 is the entry-level model. It is clearly directed towards the budget consumer with a distinct absence of any new features. It offers a 1/6" CCD with 680K gross pixels that is the same chip found on most of Sony’s entry-level camcorders. The zoom is limited to 20x, comes equipped with the bottom-level 2.5" 123K LCD, a 123K non-widescreen EVF, and Carl-Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. The sole upgrade from last year is the option to use the new H series Stamina battery that shoots for an estimated 14 hours. Current specs indicate that the HC28 actually ships with the older P series battery.
 
The DCR-HC38 features the same imager, but the zoom increases to 40x. The HC38 also uses the new "Usage Guide" function of the menu that acts as a helping hand to beginning users by explaining the effects of various camcorder settings. Also included are a "Click to DVD" function and a battery info feature that gives detailed information on remaining battery life. Finally, the HC38 has a USB port despite having no MemoryStick slot.
 

Sony DCR-HC38

 
The DCR-HC48 features a 1/6" CCD with an upgraded resolution (1MP gross pixels). This is the only new MiniDV camcorder to offer a MemoryStick Duo slot, as well as the only one to include a 2.7" widescreen LCD (123K resolution) and a HandyCam base station. A 25x zoom is included, expanded functionality in the Usage Guide, and Super Night Shot which uses infrared. The HC28 and HC38 are equipped with standard NightShot that does not incorporate infrared light.
 

Sony DCR-HC28
 
 
Last year’s DCR-HC96 will now be leading the MiniDV line, and its price has been dropped to an MSRP of $650. The HC96 has a much larger 1/3" CCD which in our tests produced good video quality. A complete review of the DCR-HC96 is available here.

 
 

The DCR-HC28 ($280 MSRP), the DCR-HC38 ($330 MSRP), and the DCR-HC48 ($400 MSRP) are all scheduled to hit stores in February 2007. The DCR-HC96 is currently available and will be so throughout 2007.

 

Sony 2007 Camcorders DCR-HC28 DCR-HC38 DCR-HC48 DCR-HC96
MSRP February 2007 February 2007 February 2007 Carryover from 2006 Line
Release Date $280.00 $330.00 $400.00 $799.99
Imager / Native Aspect Ratio 1/6' 680K Pixel CCD 1/6' 680K Pixel CCD 1/6' 1070K Pixel CCD 1/3' 3310K Pixel CCD
Effective Pixels Video (native aspect ratio) 340K Pixels 340K Pixels 670K Pixels (16:9), 690K Pixels (4:3) 2057K
Effective Pixels Still (native aspect ratio) NA 340K Pixels 750K Pixels (16:9), 1000K Pixels (4:3) 3048K
Recording Media MiniDV MiniDV MiniDV MiniDV
Recording Playback Time SP: 60 min
LP: 90 min 		SP: 60 min
LP: 90 min 		SP: 60 min
LP: 90 min 		SP: 60 min
LP: 90 min
Zoom Optical/Digital 20x / 800x 40x / 2000x 25x / 2000x 10x / 120x
LCD / EVF (Viewfinder if applicable) 2.5' 123K pixel LCD / Color 123K pixel EVF 2.5' 123K pixel LCD / Color 123K pixel EVF 2.7' 123K pixel LCD / Color 123K pixel EVF 2.7' 123K pixel LCD / Color 123K pixel EVF
Stabilization Super SteadyShot EIS Super SteadyShot EIS Super SteadyShot EIS Super SteadyShot EIS
Active Interface Shoe (AIS) No No No Yes
Ports and Terminals AV
i.LINK (IEEE 1394)
S-Video Out (w/optional accessory) 		AV
i.LINK (IEEE 1394)
S-Video Out (w/optional accessory) 		AV Output
i.LINK (IEEE 1394)
USB 1.1
S-Video Out (w/optional accessory)

LANC
AV Input
AV Output
i.LINK (IEEE 1394)
USB 1.1
S-Video In/Out (w/optional accessory)
Weight 420g (14 oz) w/Tape and Battery 420g (14 oz) w/Tape and Battery 465g (1.0 lb.) w/Tape and Battery 525g (1 lb. 2 oz.) w/Tape and Battery
Measurements 65 x 79 x 113mm (2 5/8' x 3 1/8' x 4 1/2') 65 x 79 x 113mm (2 5/8' x 3 1/8' x 4 1/2') 63 x 85 x 115mm (2 1/2' x 3 3/8' x 4 5/8') 72 mm x 91 mm x 120 mm (2 7/8 x 3 5/8 x 4 3/4')
Supplied Accessories Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (AC- L25)
InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NP- FP30)
Stereo A/V Cable
Lens Cap
Application Software
Enjoy Handycam DVD 		Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (AC- L25)
InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NP- FP30)
Stereo A/V Cable
Lens Cap
Application Software
Enjoy Handycam DVD 		Supplied Accessories
Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (AC-L200)
InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NP-FH40)
Handycam® Station (DRCA-C155)
Remote Commander® Remote Control (RMT-831)
Stereo AV Cable
USB Cable
Application Software
Enjoy Handycam DVD		 Power Adapter/ In-Camera Charger (ACL25)
InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NPFP50)
Handycam Station (DCRA-C152)
Remote Commander® Remote Control (RMT-831)
Stereo A/V Cable
USB Cable
CD-ROM with USB Driver, (PicturePackage™ Software Ver. 1.5 for Sony)
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