Digital Video Camera & Camcorder Review

Sony HDR-HC7 is now the most promising and one of the relatively easy on the budget HD camcorders in line. Experts say that this camcorder from Sony could be the consumers’ top favorite for 2007 as it does not only record to tape like the HDR-HC3, it also has a upgrade in imager size feature (commonly sought after).

With its professional grade Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens with 10x optical/20x digital zoom and a 1/2.9 ClearVid CMOS Sensor, the world is within reach. It has a 2.7 wide clear photo LCD Plus a Touch Panel SwivelScreen technology to allow the greatest flexibility. Another great features are the Super SteadyShot technology and the Super NightShot features. The HDR-HC7 also features a 16:9 LCD screen with a 2.7 inch diagonal and a 16:9 aspect viewfinder. The black bars on the sides of the LCD screen and viewfinder are for easy capture settings. This works nice; however, you cannot extend it upwards but it can only extend backwards. This is one of the concerns of users as there are other new Sony DVD camcorders that feature upward-bending viewfinders that helps any shooter in taking difficult angles and shots.

Aside from the larger imager, there are also a lot of major upgrades made to HDR-HC7 to outshine its predecessor. The good parts are back like the mic input and headphone jacks of the HDR-HC1. Another bonus that every user would love about this is the new 1/2.9” ClearVID CMOS sensor (3.2 MP gross pixels) sensor which is the same chip that was found in Sony’s top of the line AVCHD, HDD, and DVD Camcorders.

The price range of this camcorder ranges between $1,054.95 - $1,399.98. With its price, it sure will distinguish itself above others because of its features and good performance. It actually could be the best HD camcorder that Sony has to offer the excited consumers in a modest price-range. The camcorder is relatively easy to use as what is expected with Sony.

The touch screen menu system has its pros and cons. There are users who have dreamed of this but there are those who get easily frustrated as well. HDR-HC7 has an average weight and can easily be handled with a palm although the strap won’t work for bigger buds. It has much better colors, and more importantly, there is a lot more space so you can press buttons and generally keep better organization of the whole material.