Digital Video Camera & Camcorder Review

The DCR-HC46 makes transferring data a cinch via the included Handycam® Station docking device. Now you can easily connect to television for viewing and to a USB-compatible1 PC for editing and sharing digital images and video. Memory Stick Duo® media compatibility2 makes it simple for you to take your images with you wherever you go.

Review round-up follows…

CNET:
“Sony DCR HC46 camcorder : Sony has updated its low-priced MiniDV camcorder line with three new models: the $350 DCR-HC26, the $400 DCR-HC36, and the $500 DCR-HC46. All three compact cameras will be available in February 2006. Offering the basics to home-video makers, the DCR-HC26 uses a 1/6-inch sensor, a 20X Zeiss lens, and a 2.5-inch touch-screen LCD. Sony has also improved its entry-level offering by giving it a color viewfinder and an infrared mode for shooting in very low light. The DCR-HC36 adds a remote control and a Memory Stick Duo slot for saving low-resolution stills, which doesn’t sound like the best use for your extra $50. Paying for the DCR-HC46 would probably be more worthwhile; that model uses a larger 1-megapixel, 1/5.5-inch CCD and offers a 12X optical zoom. It can shoot 16:9 video and is equipped with a 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD. The HC46 also comes with a cradle for connecting to a PC or TV.”

CamcorderInfo:
“The DCR-HC46 will sell well, that much is almost certain. It’s the middle-of-the-road MiniDV model from the most recognizable name in camcorders – Sony. If the salesperson is successful is swaying you out of the $400 and below market, this will surely be a strong contender in the sales pitch line-up. But does it deserve that attention?

Sony camcorders are simple machines to operate. Their Easy mode and their touch screen LCD menus have a powerful draw for the beginners and technologically disinclined. These conveniences come at a steep cost, however. Manual controls are curtailed, and do not include shutter speed, aperture, or gain. More importantly, the performance was worse than we were expecting. While most of the 2006 Sony MiniDV camcorders managed to shed the old problem of blue noise, the HC46 missed that crucial fix and continues to produce very noisy video.”

LetsGoDigital:
“Sony HC46 - miniDV camcorder
The Sony DCR HC46 camcorder features top-side tape loading so it’s effortless to replace tapes while shooting from a tripod. Furthermore the Sony HC46 incorporates a one Megapixel Advanced HAD CCD image sensor a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, a Memory Stick Duo media slot, a remote and a Handycam Station cradle. To view the moments the miniDV camcorder offers a 2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen LCD and a color viewfinder. The new Sony DCR-HC46 miniDV camcorder is available in February for only about $500.”

Find out more about the DCR-HC46 and buy it at Amazon.

Sony, DCR, HC46, DCR-HC46, camcorders, camcorder, review, reviews