Sony HDR-HC3E
The Sony HDR-HC3E is a digital high definition video camera in an easy-to-hold compact size.
The HDR-HC3E features higher image quality, a small and lightweight body, and ease of use.
More information can be found in the news release below.
Two powerful Sony technologies combine for optimum image quality
The new HDR - HC3E features the ability to record movies with higher sensitivity and higher picture quality, and 4Mega pixel still image. This is made possible by a ClearVid CMOS sensor entirely new and unique to Sony. The combination of the ClearVid CMOS sensor with the new Enhanced Imaging Processor from Sony is formidable, facilitating the recording of high quality images with both high resolution and heightened sensitivity. The Enhanced Imaging Processor is capable of processing large amounts of pixel data while capturing bright and dark areas of the image for the most realistic effect and colour reproduction yet. Other new benefits of these combined technologies include:
4Mega still Image Recording
Thanks to unique ClearVid CMOS Sensor, now you can record 4Mega still image from 2Mega CMOS Sensor with Unique Pixel interpolation based on signal correlation.
Dual Rec
Now you can capture high resolution 2.3 Megapixel still pictures even while you are shooting movie footage, by saving them temporarily on the camcorder’s internal memory before they can be transferred to a Sony Memory Stick Duo.
Smooth Slow Rec
High speed movie recording for special smooth slow-motion effects is now possible with this new feature from Sony. The Enhanced Imaging Processor ensures that images can be captured at very high speed - the normal mode sees recording rates of 50 fields/second, whereas Smooth Slow Rec can see as many as 200 fields captured in this timescale. Three seconds of footage can be captured at a time for a detailed view of a particular moving image.
HDMI-ready for easy TV viewing and sharing
The new HDR-HC3E from Sony has the added benefit of being HDMI ready, addressing the needs of increasing numbers of HDTV adopters. Now you can easily play back movies and audio through your TV without degradation of the digital image by sending uncompressed high quality HD video and audio signals from the camcorder through a single cable.
Colours come alive
The newest HDV camcorder from Sony features an improved wide Clear Photo LCD plus screen measuring 2.7†and designed to provide higher image clarity and contrast. The screen also features a new Anti-Reflection Coat to enable improved viewing and reviewing, even in strong sunlight. The HDR-HC3E also features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, with a 10x Optical Zoom capability and a filter diameter of 30mm. The advanced multi-layer T* coating within the Carl Zeiss lenses minimizes reflections, reduces flare and increases contrast. This results in brilliantly vivid images, natural colour saturation and precise renditions of subtle tones. The 10X Optical Zoom lens ensures high quality during zooming and close focusing.
Professional quality coupled with ease of use
With regard to the ease of use, the camera has become even more lightweight and smaller; it weighs 500g, which is 26 percent lighter compared to HC1 (680g), and the cubic volume has been reduced by 26 percent from 660cc(HC1) to 490cc, so it is a compact size model which can be easily carried around. Sony’s unique Easy Handycam menu gives one-button access to simplified camera operation and recording settings. It locks out the more advanced features of the menu, giving the user a quick and easy selection of basic settings to choose from. These are displayed on the LCD screen in large, easy to read characters.
Sony HDR-HC3E Reviews
Trusted Reviews has a review up of the Sony HDR-HC3E and writes, “If you’ve used the HDR-HC1E or Sony’s more professional HDV models for any length of time, you can’t help feeling disappointed by the HDR-HC3E’s lack of prosumer features. All that video quality, with so little user control. But then there’s the price. With some e-tailers already listing this model for £800, HDV has clearly arrived in the mainstream, albeit the high-end thereof. We can’t recommend the HDR-HC3E to semi-professional filmmakers – the much more expensive HVR-A1E based on the HC1E is the most cost effective choice here, or grab the latter while you still can. But if you’re an early-adopting consumer looking to capture family moments and holidays in stunning HD video, the HDR-HC3E’s superb image quality, price and portability make it the ultimate point-and-shoot camcorder.”
CNET has a review of the Sony HDR-HC3 and writes, “Anyone who is happy enough to let the camera do the work should be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. The automatic features tend to get it right and they’re quicker than one might expect. … A good choice for families wanting to match a camera to their HD TV set. Automatic operation means not needing to know much to get pleasing images. More advanced videographers may be a little frustrated by the manual controls.”
PCMag has a review of the Sony HDR-HC3 and writes, “In both real-world and lab tests, the HC3’s video footage, when viewed on either an HDTV or a computer monitor, offered exceptionally clear details and the subtlest of textures. … My main concern is that the camera has limited external controls, such as a manual focus ring. And because there is no external mic jack on the HC3, there’s no way to improve your audio quality by adding an external microphone. … Despite these minor gripes, I think the Sony HDR-HC3 HDV 1080i Handycam, like its predecessor, the HC1, stands alone as our Editors’ Choice for a HD consumer camcorder. Simply put, its incredible video quality has no equal.”
The New York Times has a comparison of the Canon HV10 and the Sony HC3. About the Sony HC3: “Now, depending on where the Canon’s street price winds up, Sony’s HC3 may be slightly more expensive. But it offers some goodies that the Canon lacks: a minutes-remaining readout for the battery; a “nightshot†mode for filming in total blackness, infrared-style; and an accessory shoe for video lights and microphones (proprietary Sony accessories only). The Sony model also has an HDMI jack. HDMI is a single cable that carries high-definition video and audio — a common, extremely convenient connector on high-def equipment.”
