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Sony HDR-HC1

Sony HDR-HC1
Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1Sony HDR-HC1
alaScore 84

194 reviews

Nov, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 194 reviews of Sony HDR-HC1. The average rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the design and image quality. The price and portability are also appreciated, but there are some critical opinions about the battery and reliability.

usability, portability, price, image quality, design

reliability, battery

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony HDR-HC1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 84/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 194 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (44% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (35% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (6% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (66%)Show negative (34%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (65%)Show negative (35%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (31%)Show negative (69%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (44%)Show negative (56%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (73%)Show negative (27%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
finish
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
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Showing 138 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 120 of 138 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (56)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony HDR-HC1

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2 user reviews of Sony HDR-HC1 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Views about the image quality and design are overall positive. The size and price are also appreciated, but many are negative about the reliability. Opinions are divided on the portability.

usability, price, size, design, image quality

reliability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony HDR-HC1

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 108 user reviews of Sony HDR-HC1 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Reviewers really like the zoom and price. The image quality and usability also get good feedback, whereas reviews about the viewfinder and battery are different. Many are critical about the reliability.

portability, usability, image quality, price, zoom

reliability

87% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : Neil Bennett & Bruce Buckman (digitalartsonline.co.uk)

HDR-HC1

 

The HDR-HC1 is the little brother of the HDR-FX1. It drops the FX1's 3CCDs in favour of a single CMOS sensor, and shrinks the body size and weight down to that of a traditional consumer handheld.

Much smaller and lighter than current HDV competition. High quality footage capture. Manual ring for zoom and focus. Touchscreen.

Single sensor. No XLR inputs. Built-in mic picks up tape noise.

The HC1E did a great job adjusting to transitions from light to dark and produced a clean, low-noise result when shooting in lower light indoors, a result helped by Sony's Enhanced Imaging Processor

Oct, 2005
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Expert review by : Laurence Grayson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Sony HDR-HC1

 

Sony's new HDR-HC1 is the first high-definition video (HDV) camcorder within reach of the consumer videographer.

Affordable HD camcorder

No progressive scan, some design faults

While not without its flaws, the Sony HDR-HC1 can claim the title of being first HDV camcorder available to mainstream consumers

Nov, 2005
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Expert review by : Marc Perton (engadget.com)

Sony HDR-HC1 HDV camcorder reviewed

 

Sony's HDR-HC1 - the company's smallest and most affordable HD camcorder - is about to hit the street (er, not literally, we hope), and the lucky devils at Camcorderinfo.com got their mitts on a review unit. What did they think...

Jun, 2005
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Expert review by : Terry Sullivan (pcmag.com)

Sony HDR-HC1 HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder

 

Video Recording Format: DV Tape, CCDType: Single CMOS Chip

Incredible video quality. Great sound.

Expensive. Most users will need to invest in new hardware to store and play high-definition video. No software included for HD video editing. Image stabilization isn't powerful enough.

Though it certainly isn't perfect, Sony's HDR-HC1 puts HD in your hand and takes home movies to a whole new level.

Sep, 2005
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Sony Handycam HDR-HC1 review

 

Sony Handycam HDR-HC1

High-resolution video; compact design; excellent viewfinder; versatile features.

Only interlaced HD video, no 720p; some design quirks; some autofocus glitches.

The Sony Handycam HDR-HC1 is a good first effort at a consumer HD camcorder, but only HD fanatics should consider it.

Jun, 2005
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam HDR-HC1

 

A good first effort at a consumer HD camcorder, but only HD fanatics should really consider it.

High-resolution video ; Compact design ; Excellent viewfinder ; Versatile features

Some design quirks ; Some autofocus glitches

Jul, 2005
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Expert review by : Randolph Ramsay (cnet.com.au)

Sony HDR-HC1 HDV camcorder

 

Sony's HDR-HC1 camcorder is bringing high definition down to a more affordable and aesthetically pleasing form for the average consumer.

High-resolution video ; Compact design ; Excellent viewfinder ; Versatile features

Some design quirks ; Some autofocus glitches

Jun, 2005
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Expert review by : Robin Liss (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony HDR-HC1 HDV Camcorder Review

 

CAMCORDERINFO.COM EXCLUSIVE

Jun, 2005
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Expert review by : Bentley Dean (pcauthority.com.au)

Sony HDR-HC1

 

Sony's first CMOS based consumer HD camera brings control and fidelity to images in a package that's hard to beat.

Oct, 2007
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Expert review by : Frank Völkel (tomshardware.com)

Sony HDR-HC1: A Quantum Leap For Video Buffs

 

Sony's smallest HD video camera costs upwards of $1,200, but is the way to go for serious amateur videographers looking to raise the level of ...

Mar, 2006
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Price comparison for Sony HDR-HC1