Sony DCR-HC36 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

After having used an old bread-loaf-sized Sony 8mm camcorder with great success for many years, I felt it was time for an upgrade. Modern feature-packed MiniDV cameras have become very reasonably priced, as the DCR-HC36's barely $300 price tag attests, so it was only a matter of which features I wanted - I prefer a powerful telephoto lens, and Sony has a curious habit of reducing zoom power the higher up the product line you go, so even though the HC36 is middle-of-the-road in the Sony camcorder lineup, its full 20x optical zoom made it a natural choice.Modern MiniDV cameras are also very reasonably sized; occupying less than half a cubic foot, the HC36 weighs in at less than a pound even with the battery and tape. That's about large cheeseburger size, or the size of a digital camera from a few years ago. Despite toy-like dimensions, the sculpted duo-tone exterior and handsome chrome lens bezel lend to a quality look and finish.Those of you intimidated by the arms-length list of features who "just want to hit record and go" will be glad to know that the HC36 has an Easy button. Located right next to the Sony logo on the left side of the camera is a blue button labeled - yes, really - "Easy". Pressing this button puts the camera into everything-automatic mode, and also increases the size of text on the display (very handy for the reading glasses set), allowing the old-school and I'm-not-technical school alike to record full quality video. You don't even have to know how to flip out the LCD screen, the Easy button literally makes the camcorder point-and-shoot.The more technically inclined are accommodated with tailored personalization. Nearly all the camera's functions are controlled by the touch screen LCD's menu system, but Sony uses a clever shortcut; A personalized menu which you can set to display the features you want - any camera function, such as exposure, white balance, etc., can be set as a menu button; A single touch of the LCD brings up the menu of buttons you've set to display. No scrolling through menus to get to some deeply-buried function, just press the screen and there's the menu that you made with your functions. This system is in some cases faster than physical buttons on the camera itself!And there's no shortage of functions to play with. The HC36 features two different levels of night vision; "Nightshot Plus" employs an infra-red lamp on the front of the camera providing a fully lit view up to about ten feet even in total darkness, while "Super Nightshot Plus" bumps up the light sensitivity by slowing the shutter speed - great for distance viewing in low light, or shots of the night sky (night vision can see stars that you can't). A Tele Macro function captures close-up sharp images from a few feet away, and the Spot Focus feature makes focusing a breeze - just touch what you want focused on the touch-screen and it focuses to that object.There's the usual basic palette of picture effects and faders included, but the true video editor will of course want to use the computer, which is what the MiniDV format was made for. An i.LINK jack (i.LINK is Sony's name for Firewire/IEEE1394, they're one and the same) is provided for a quick and quality connection. A note to the uninitiated: *DO NOT use a USB connection to export video to your computer.* The USB format is slower and will result in poorer-quality video. Connecting by Firewire provides a better-than-TV image using the right software - I avoid using bundled software when possible, and would recommend using Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 or Sony's own Vegas DVD program, both of which offer free trials to see which you prefer.The HC36's still picture feature is a novelty; you must purchase/provide a Memory Stick Duo for the function to work, and while 640x480 VGA size images are nothing compared to a digital camera, it can be entertaining when combined with the camcorder's other features - using the digital zoom and NightShot for example, you can capture an image from several hundred feet away in near darkness. Fun, but a real digital camera is still the way to go for photographs.Connections are the HC36's weak point. The aforementioned Firewire jack is there, but the cable is not included. An analog video/audio jack (out only, no in) is provided along with RCA-ended cable to connect to your television or analog source, but because the jack and cable are non-standard and unique, should you lose the cable, you'll have to go to Sony to get another. And there's no mic input. The built-in stereo mic can record 16-bit high-quality audio, but a camcorder with this many features should have this one more.Overall, the HC36 is the sweet spot in the Sony camcorder lineup, a big-quality features-heavy camcorder in a small, lightweight package, with a tiny price to match. Five stars for Sony's movie-making multi-tool.(Addendum: Why not DVD? DVD camcorders offer similar features, however you must pay hundreds more for a DVD camera than a similarly-featured MiniDV cam. They're also noticably larger, and DVDs aren't nearly as easy to work with - You must format a DVD before using it, which requires setting the camera on a steady surface and waiting several moments. Recording at the highest quality setting, a camcorder DVD will hold only 20 minutes, and then you must "finalize" the disc before playing it in any other DVD player. Should you need to replace the DVD during an important timely event, or forget to finalize the disc before giving it to someone or storing it, you're pretty much out of luck. Because the DVD camcorder system is set up to just play the DVD as-is, editing or getting the video on computer can be a long and very complicated process. Whereas MiniDV tapes last an hour, were made for editing, and offer slap-it-in-and-go convenience. If you have the extra money and just want to play back video as you shot it, a DVD camcorder is a possibility, but at a fraction of the price and complication, the MiniDV cam is the bang-for-the-buck convenience-is-king winner.)

DONE

I purchased this while on holiday when my other camera broke. I needed something with NIGHTSHOT in it as they do not make them any longer. I stumbled upon this which was exactly what I needed. I had it sent to my hotel and immediately began using it. In perfect condition works great! Perfect for anyone wanting NIGHT VISION.

I bought this used to film at night. I would have purchased a digital camera that recorded to SD memory card but at this price point the quality seemed poor, so opted for a well-respected brand name, Sony.First impression on Night Vision: works fine but the infrared light (built-in) seems too weak to reach across a room. I think I will need to purchase a stand-alone light to extend the range. Other than that the Sony quality seems to prevail. Happy so far.Batteries: Buy spares. The estimated "60 minutes" of battery life goes quicker than you would imagine.Cons: While recording yourself, with the view finder flipped, it's difficult to manipulate the control buttons. It's almost impossible to start/stop/change modes while holding the camera in front of you. Also - you must view the small viewfinder straight on to see it clearly; at the slightest angle the viewfinder appears dark and the image is difficult to discern. However, this is pretty much how any camcorder viewfinder is.Good to know: the "out" ports - iLink (Firewire), USB and AV - the iLink is specifically for computers and is the ONLY way to import files to a Mac. I bought a 4-pin to 9-pin firewire. You are unable to use the USB port to upload to a Mac. None of these cables are included so buy them when you buy the camera or have to wait anxiously for them to arrive to be able to upload them to you Mac. Also it seems that the ports serve one purpose each: the USB can be used to upload to a PC, firewire port us a must for Macs, and the AV port is the only way to view the files on your TV as far as I can tell. I attempted to view files on my TV via USB cable and that did not work. Don't let the miniDV tape scare ya if you're used to memory sticks, as it works well and produces HD files.Overall: GOOD Sony product, as most are.

My family likes to watch home movies on their birthdays and by the time I actually used this camcorder, it was too late to return it.It worked for about 20 minutes. Then I switched the tape and poof! Stopped working. After exhausting all options I finally gave up trying to get it to work. The next day I turned it on and it worked! Then I fast forwarded and stopped, then pressed play and it stopped working again! I spent $300 for a piece of junk!

i was actually just tryin to replace my video cam ( this model) & found this same model but the difference was this cam. has a place for a memory stick, mine didnt have this feature. so i have 2 options on how to use this cam. & this company customer service, always emailed me rite away when i had questions, they were very promt, which i REALLY appreciate!

The battery dos6 not hold charge plus I was in understanding that the av cable included I did not recover it you should send me battery and Av cable to hook to the tv

It was cheap, it came fast, it works and it's easy to use. Someone probably just wanted toUpgrade. I'm just using it for film class, so I didn't need anything special. Thanks