Sony Handycam HDR-HC7

Good: Excellent video and performance; satisfying photo quality; a decent set of manual controls for the target audience; bundled FireWire cable.

Bad: Annoying touch screen interface.

The bottom line: A great HD camcorder for deep-pocketed leisure shooters, as long as you like the Sony Handycam HDR-HC7’s touch screen interface.

Price range: $899.95 - $1,099.99

Manufacturer: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Part number: HDRHC7

General
Product Type: Camcorder

Digital Zoom: 20 x

Optical Sensor Size: 1/2.9 in

Optical Sensor Type: ClearVid CMOS

Min Illumination: 0 lux

Digital Video Format: MPEG-2

Special Effects: Sepia, Still, Trail, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Skintone, Cinematic, Old Movie, Flash Motion, Negative Art, Solarization

Image Stabilizer: Optical (Super Steady Shot)

Digital Scene Transition: Black fader, White fader, Mosaic fader, Monotone fader

Min Shutter Speed: 1/2 sec

Max Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec

Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode

Shooting Programs: Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait mode, Sports lesson

White Balance: Custom, Presets, Automatic

White Balance Presets: Indoor, Outdoor

Exposure Modes: Program, Automatic

Camera Flash: Built-in flash

Widescreen Video Capture: Yes

Main Features

Camcorder Effective Still Resolution: 3 megapixels

Camcorder Interpolated Still Resolution: 6.1 megapixels

Color Support: Color

Still Image Format: JPEG
Remote Control: Remote control - Infrared
TV Tuner: None

Memory / Storage

Floppy Drive: None

Image Storage: JPEG 2848 x 2136

Media Type: Mini DV (HDV)

Recording Speed: LP, SP

Lens System

Type
Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 54 mm - F/1.8-2.9
Focal Length
5.4 mm - 54 mm
Lens Aperture
F/1.8-2.9
Optical Zoom
10 x
Lens system type
Zoom lens
Min focal length
5.4 mm
Max focal length
54 mm
Lens Manufacturer
Carl Zeiss
Filter Size
37 mm
Focus Adjustment
Manual, Automatic
Zoom Adjustment
Motorized drive

Additional Features

DV input
Yes
Low Lux / Night Mode
Yes
Digital Still Camera Function
Yes
Additional Features
PictBridge support, Accessories hot shoe, Touch-screen control
Remote control
Remote control - Infrared
Software
Sony Picture Motion Browser

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Type
LCD
Viewfinder Resolution
123,000 pixels

Display

Type
LCD display - 2.7 in - Color

Digital Player (Recorder)

Type
None

Microphone

Type
Microphone - Built-in

Connections

Connector Type
IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), Control-L (LANC), Composite video/audio output, USB, Component video output, Headphones, Microphone, HDMI
Expansion Slot(s)
1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo

Audio Input

Audio input type
Microphone
Microphone type
Built-in
Microphone Operation Mode
Stereo

Miscellaneous

Carrying Case
None
Cables Included
A/V cable, Component video cable, USB cable, IEEE 1394 cable

Power

Power Device
Power adapter - External

Battery

Supported Battery
1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )

Manufacturer Warranty

Service & Support
1 year warranty
Service & Support Details
Limited warranty - Labor - 90 days, Limited warranty - Parts - 1 year

Viewfinder / Display

Display Form Factor
Rotating
Display Format
211,000 pixels
Viewfinder Color Support
Color

Physical Characteristics

Width
3.2 in
Depth
5.4 in
Height
3.2 in
Weight
1.5 lbs