Sony DCR-HC26 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom

This is a fantastic camcorder, I've had it for 6 months and have played with it a ton. We bought this camera as a replacement for our 8 year old Samsung Hi-8 camera. The first thing that astonished me was the size difference between the two cameras! The Sony HC26 was 1/4 the size when compared to the outdated (but well performing) dinosaur Samsung. We paid more 8 years ago for the Samsung Hi-8 than we paid for this outperforming, master of technology, the Sony HC26! I was so impressed by the level of improvements in technology and the space and compactness, I instantly was very happy with this camcorder. I was hesitant about the touch screen controls, but have now fallen in love with that feature. It has enough features for the average user, it's a great camera for home use. If you're not "averagely technological" to master the programmed settings, an "easy button" located on the inside controls when you open your viewing screen, makes a pro out of ANY new camera operator. My seven year old is able to operate the camera, and do quite a good job at it, so if that's not user friendly, I don't know what is! We compared it to the Panasonic, JVC, and Canon, but knowing that we had no need for the still camera, this was the best choice for us. It's perfectly hand sized, buttons are easily reached to the "blind eye," the zoom is awesome at 20 optical zoom and placed right under your right index finger, other models have the button placed awkwardly. Despite other reviewer comments, I detect no "noise" from the zoom even after reviewing the footage in playback. The best-selling feature on this camera is the impressive nightshot when compared to similar cameras under $500. It films in real time with a black and white image and really captures your subject clearly and brightly. No other camera came close to the image quality with the nightshot feature, most were too dark to distinguish your subject. The nightshot really only works up to about 5 feet away even though they claim up to 10 feet. The Carl Zeiss Lens captures vivid colors and crisp images and the sound quality is very good. If your wanting quality picture and sound, definately go with this mini DV tape Sony Handycam 26 camcorder! Just a note, the technology isn't quite "there" yet for the disc recorders, you compromise on sound and picture quality by using the disc camcorders. This is a superior camcorder for the price! The fire-wire doesn't come with the camcorder package, but is needed to download video.

UPDATED NOTE: 2006 CONSUMER REPORTS BUYING QUIDE gives the Sony DCR HandyCam high marks as follows: picture quality-very good, ease of use-good, image stabilizer-excellent, audio quality-good, battery life-80 minutes. I thought it was interesting that they rated the JVC GR-DF450, the Canon Elura 85, and the Panasonic GS250 with FAIR audio quality, and all of these cameras are considerably more expensive but most competive with the Handycam. Of all the digital camcorders reviewed, the Sony Handycam outperformed and was the most affordable too!

HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great product! Very good image stabilization, even when I zoom in close. I especially like the location of the zoom in/out button and the LCD touch screen is easy to use. The LCD is clear, buttons and menus are easy to understand, and the unit's overall weight is light and comfortable to hold. Top loading tapes make switching tapes easy, especially when mounted on a tripod. The Easy mode makes usage a snap. Battery life is good, but I will buy the heavy duty 2400 mAh battery soon. I wanted to use this camcorder to download and edit movies on my laptop. The iLink (aka 1394 firewire) port on the camcorder is the 4 pin type. I bought a 4 pin to 6 pin firewire cable and a firewire PCMCIA card to interface with my Dell laptop (not included with camcorder, obviously). I plugged in the camcorder and had video downloading into Microsoft Windows Movie Maker in a matter of minutes. I haven't tried the software that came with it because I like Movie Maker. Video quality was acceptable at night with low indoor lighting and without the night mode even turned on. Outdoor video during the day is bright and clear. This is not a $15,000 professional camera, but if your intent is to take some great video to show your friends or keep a collection of memories and not spend a ton, this little guy is great! I did a lot of research on this before I bought it and I'm very happy.

Buy Sony DCR-HC26 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom Now

This is a bare bones camcorder in that it comes with little more than a battery, a charging cord, a lens cap, and a video/audio cable to hook the camera to a TV. You will need a 4-pin to 6-pin Firewire cable (not included) to import to a computer.

I found using the touch screen to be easy and pretty intuitive. There are not a lot of extra features, but I found on previous cameras that I do not need special effects functions. It's small size and low weight make it great for travel.

Picture quality is not great due to the small sensor. I have been using the 16:9 feature to record anamorphic DVD using iDVD '06. Long distance shots are very soft on a large screen 16:9 TV. Close ups look good. Audio quality is OK if you are not in the wind.

There are cheaper camcorders of equal recording quality. I went with Sony due to its lower rate of repair needs.

Making DVDs is very easy with a Mac and iLife '06. You do not need the Sony software. Just plug in the camera and iMovie recognizes and even operates playback of the camera.

In summary, this is an entry level camera at a low price for Sony. Highly demanding videographers will not be satisfied but the budget-minded traveler will find this good buy.

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The machine works fine.

If you buy the firewire cable (e.g., Sony VMC-IL4615 1.5 Meter i.LINK 4-Pin to 6-Pin Digital Video Transfer Cable) you can actually download the movies to a computer (as another reviewer pointed out). On the mac it works well easily and basically flawlessly (sometimes the rewind hangs on you, but it might be the OS X I have on that machine).

Image quality is OK, I guess. You have to realize that I am an obsessed still photographer, so I will always complain for the image quality of a CAM recorder. It needs care when shooting at maximal focal lenght because it is so small that it is easy to make "sea-sick" productions.

I previously ownen a JVC which I hated with all my heart. This one is great.

I would definitely buy it again. If I had more money, I would buy the more expensive version of the same camera.

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I purchased this camcorder in July of 2006 because of all of the great reviews. The LCD display just stopped working (greyed-out, on-the-blink, the bottom of the picture/display is partially now on top, etc.) and I now need to send it back to the "Sony Factory" for repair. Even though the unit is under warranty for one year, it's only under warranty for parts -not labor (which is the most expensive part of fixing something!!!). I'll now have to pay $129 just to have the display fixed.

I liked the camcorder otherwise, IF you don't have problems. Not sure if an extended warranty would make a difference since you still have to pay labor -that's ridiculous!