Sony HDR HC1

10 Dec 2005 4:40 PM

LurfysMa

I asked for suggestions for a camcorder a couple of weeks ago. It will
be for my son as a new baby / Christmas gift. It will be used mainly
for family videos. The main exceptional criterion is probably good low
light capability (birthday parties, Christmas morning, etc.).

Based on feedback I received here and other research, I am leaning
toward the Sony HDR HC1. It was recommended by B&H and others. My main
concern is that it uses a CMOS chip rather than CCDs. Does anyone
think that is a problem?

If I get this one, I'll probably get an extra battery, too, as it is
only rated for 45 minutes or so.

For around $1,600, can anyone suggest a better choice for my needs?

The runner-up models are:

1. Panasonic PV-GS400. The overall Camcorderinfo review was very
favorable. This may be a good altenative and it's several hundred
dollars cheaper.

2. Panasonic AG-DVC30. This is the GS400s big brother. It's is better
at almost every task, but several hundred dollars more and possible
more complicated.

3. Sony DCR TRV900. Supposedly better than anything since, but it
would be used with all the potential problems of that.

4. Sony DCR VX2100. A lot bigger and a lot more expensive.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks

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11 Dec 2005 5:00 PM

Dave Martindale

LurfysMa <invalid@invalid.invalid> writes:

>Based on feedback I received here and other research, I am leaning
>toward the Sony HDR HC1. It was recommended by B&H and others. My main
>concern is that it uses a CMOS chip rather than CCDs. Does anyone
>think that is a problem?

No. CMOS has the advantage of lower power and simpler drive
electronics. In the past, CCDs gave higher quality images, but that's
been changing. All of Canon's digital SLR cameras use CMOS sensors.
Sony, who manufactures many of the CCDs in all brands of digital camera,
just introduced a high-end consumer camera with a CMOS sensor. And
Nikon uses CMOS in some of their cameras too.

Dave