High performance Carl Zeiss lens Touch screen camcorder controls Ergonomic and compact Amazing low light and no light recording

Somewhat limited 10x optical zoom range Some microphone wind noise No external battey charger supplied (battery must be in camera to charge)

Following a major disappointment with another brand of camcorder, I purchased the DCR-HC30 with a bit of a grimace. I thought perhaps my expectations were too high for anything in this price range, and that I would have to settle for something of mediocre performance and minimal excitement. It wasn't long before the grimace transformed into a smile. Being much more familiar and experienced in the still image photography world, one feature of this camcorder that lured me in its direction was the name of Carl Zeiss on its side. Perhaps many do not know that Zeiss has been engineering and manufacturing some of the world's highest quality lenses for the past 158 years. That's right -- 158 years. In the 35mm and medium format world, the Zeiss name carries the utmost respect, and commands some of the highest prices. For me, image quality is paramount. I'll tolerate other shortcomings in cameras, but optical quality is something I won't sacrifice. The lens found on the DCR-HC30 did not disappoint this reviewer. I am ecstatically happy with the sharpness and color rendition of the Carl Zeiss 2.3-23mm f/1.7-2.3 lens. This is a 10x optical zoom that is equivalent to a focal length of 43-430mm in the 35mm film world. There are two noteworthy items for discussion here. Firstly, several other brands in this price range offer substantially bigger zooms. If big zooms rank high in your feature wish-list, Sony comes up comparatively short here. Sony does manufacture an add-on 2x teleconverter for the DCR-HC30. I do not know the quality of this teleconverter but in almost all cases, such converters will degrade the image quality. I do anticipate the purchase of one myself. Secondly, the focal length starts relatively long, which means that you may find the DCR-HC30 not zooming out enough, or wide enough, for your needs. Most competing camcorders will start at a focal length equivalent of 35mm. Again, Sony makes a .6x wide angle converter attachment for this lens, with the likelihood of degraded image quality. I have not tried this converter, but it too is on my wish list. Sony places the various camera controls on the 2.5" color hybrid touch screen, which I find incredibly convenient. I have large hands and fingers, yet find the touch screen easy, accurate, and intuitive. Having difficulty getting the autofocus to target your desired subject? Sony couldn't make it easier. Simply touch the screen where you want the focus to be, and the DCR-HC30 will make it so. Ditto for auto exposure. Very handy for off-center compositions. An attractive and colorful 3D menu is displayed for navigation to the camcorder's many features. While Sony has dominated the low-light performance arena for some time now with their Nightshot system, things have gotten even better with Nightshot Plus. Previously, when the light got really low, Nighshot would continue to film but with a greenish cast to the image. With Nightshot Plus, color is retained whenever possible. I have noticed it's a gradient effect -- the less light available, the less color that is retained in the image, until near total darkness it switches to the green cast at last. To watch this in action is amazing. It's never to dark to bring along your DCR-HC30. Other manufacturers simply cannot compete, with many of them producing horrid image quality in even medium light. The microphone still suffers a bit from wind noise. The viewfinder is color and a bit contrasty, but quite usable. Diopter adjustment is available. For still images and movies also, a slot for a Memory Stick Duo is provided. A/V in and out is supported, which comes in handy for copying your VHS tapes to digital. There is a pass-thru mode wherein an analog video input source such as a VHS player can have the signal digitally coverted directly to your PC via a firewire connection. Overall, I am very satisfied with the DCR-HC30 and am sure it will see a lot of use. Its compact size makes it easy to tote along.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic PV-GS15