Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E

369 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
usability (195)
image quality (140)
portability (109)
price (83)
durability (37)

Negative
memory (7)
connectivity (3)

General overview
Price comparison

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. Reviewers are impressed by the size and price. The portability and image quality are also mentioned favorably, but there are some less positive opinions about the connectivity and memory. Reviews are divided on the viewfinder.

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.

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Review analysis

(Based on 369 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

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price
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Showing 294 review(s)

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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. Reviewers are impressed by the durability and portability. The image quality and price also get good reviews. There are some less positive views about the memory. There are some mixed views about the size.

usability, price, image quality, portability, durability

memory

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-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 really like the battery and durability. The portability and image quality also get good views. Comments about the zoom and reliability are different, and many are less positive about the connectivity.

usability, image quality, portability, durability, battery

connectivity

98% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

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

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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

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Expert review by : Which? (which.co.uk)

Expert Review

(Rating Hidden)

Feb, 2007

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Expert review by : Karl Foster (macworld.co.uk)

Sony HDR-HC3E

To HD or not HD? Macworld answers the question.

Aug, 2007

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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