alaTest Sites
alaTest USA
alaTest UK
alaTest Deutschland
alaTest France
alaTest Italia
alaTest EspañaAbout alaTest
Connect with alaTest
alaTest, All about reviews. © 2005-2025 ICSS AB. All rights reserved. Privacy & Terms
Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E
369 reviews
Jul, 2025
alaTest has collected and analyzed 369 reviews of Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviews about the size and price are on the whole positive. The portability and image quality are also mentioned favorably. Reviews are divided on the viewfinder. Some have doubts about the connectivity and memory.
usability, image quality, portability, price, size
memory, connectivity
We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.
See all Sony CamcordersReview analysis
(Based on 369 reviews)Disclaimer:
Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.
Showing 1 - 234 of 294
Show Reviews:
in English | in other languages (74)
Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)
Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E
alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 user reviews of Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the durability and portability are generally positive. The image quality and price are also appreciated, whereas there are some negative views about the memory. Views are divided on the size.
usability, price, image quality, portability, durability
memory
100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.
Jul, 2025
Consumer review (amazon.com)
Amazon.com review summary for Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E
alaTest has collected and analyzed 205 user reviews of Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the battery and durability. The portability and image quality are also mentioned favorably, but comments about the zoom and reliability are mixed. Many are critical about the connectivity.
usability, image quality, portability, durability, battery
connectivity
98% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.
Jul, 2025
Expert review by : James Morris (trustedreviews.com)
Sony HDR-HC3E - HD Camcorder
Sony's second HD camcorder aimed at consumers is a good £300 less than its predecessor, yet has even better image quality. James Morris discovers how Sony does it.
But the HC3E has one entirely new connectivity trick up its sleeve, or rather under a plastic flap. This is the first HDV camcorder ever to incorporate the consumer digital AV connection, HDMI. This will allow you to connect the HC3E to your HD Ready...
Feb, 2011
Expert review by : Denny Atkin (cnet.co.uk)
Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 review
intro The Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 brings down both the size and the cost of HD video to more reasonable levels. It's still not an impulse buy, but the excellent HD/SD video quality, the good mix of automatic and manual features, and the passable...
Excellent video quality; compact; supports both HD and DV resolutions; decent still photos.
No microphone jack; no 24p support; HDV editing and distribution options are limited.
Though significantly cheaper than Sony's previous consumer HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 still offers superb HD video quality.
May, 2006
Expert review by : Karl Foster (macworld.co.uk)
Sony HDR-HC3E
To HD or not HD? Macworld answers the question.
Aug, 2007
Expert review by : Good Gear Guide.au (goodgearguide.com.au)
Expert Review
A great entry to the camcorder market that's perfect for those with HD televisions.
Crystal clear video, decent still pictures, slimmest HD camcorder around, price
Video transfer software and cables not included, lacks advanced controls, only offers interlaced HD pictures
Apr, 2007
Partner Source
Expert review by : Terry Sullivan (pcmag.com)
Sony HDR-HC3 HDV 1080i Handycam
Incredible video quality. Excellent sound. Performs well in extreme lighting scenarios.
No included software. Instructions should feature more about the benefits and details of high-definition video. Menus are still not very clear. Cheaper than its predecessor, but still pricey.
Sony's HDR-HC3 sets the bar very high, letting consumers film home movies in stunning HD quality.
Jul, 2006
Partner Source
Expert review by : Richard Baguley (pcworld.com)
First Look: Sony's Slick New HD Camcorder
The HDR-HC3 brings high-definition video recording to the masses.
May, 2006
Expert review by : Denny Atkin (cnet.com)
image quality
Sony Handycam HDR-HC3
Excellent video quality; compact; supports both HD and DV resolutions; decent still photos.
No microphone jack; no 24p support; HDV editing and distribution options are limited.
Though significantly cheaper than Sony's previous consumer HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 still offers superb HD video quality.
May, 2006
Expert review by : Nicole Manktelow (cnet.com.au)
Sony HDR-HC3 HDV camcorder
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.
Great image in either SD or HD. Quick response to changing scene. Some image control provided by auto/manual toggle and dial. Touchscreen LCD has additional recording controls.
Camera controls most image settings. No external battery charger.
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.
Oct, 2010
Partner Source
Expert review by : Asher Moses, and Denny Atkin (cnet.com.au)
Sony Handycam HDR-HC3E
Sony brings HD recording to the rest of us with its latest Handycam, the HDR-HC3E.
Records high quality 1080i HD video ; Compact ; Affordable for a HD camcorder ; Logical button placement ; HDMI and component connectors
Touch screen navigation can be cumbersome ; Difficult to share video without a Blu-ray/HD DVD burner ; No video light ; No microphone jack
Sony rates the HDR-HC3E for 175 minutes of continuous recording time. We found this to be closer to 120 minutes, but of course your results will vary dramatically depending on how frequently you start/stop recording.
Oct, 2006
Partner Source
Price comparison for Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E
Top 5 Camcorders
Similar Camcorders
- Same
brand - Similar
features
United States (alaTest.com)
United Kingdom (alaTest.co.uk)
