A Review of the Sony HandyCam DCR-HC52 Handheld Digital Camcorder

Whether you're having a new baby, heading on vacation or a budding skateboarder, you all likely have one thing in common: the need for a digital camcorder. When it comes to these devices brand name is everything and Sony is known for producing a high quality product and backing it up with world renowned service. I have been lucky enough to get my hands on one of Sony's finest camcorders the DCR-HC52. I am going to let you know how it performed for me so you can decide for yourself if it is worth your hard earned money.

Video Quality: 4/5

Sound Quality: 3/5

Value: 5/5

Overall: 4/5

Product Overview:

The style of this camcorder is fantastic. It is quite small despite it being a Mini-DV camcorder and will easily travel with you on vacation in your bag or pocketbook or even on your belt loop without it weighing you down. The recording quality is decent but on par with the majority of Mini-DV camcorders. The stability is alright but it doesn't stand out from the rest, luckily it does come with a small tripod that does the job. It is quite small though, luckily it accepts a standard sized tripod as well.

The features provided are fairly robust with. It has night shot and an impressive infrared system. The zoom is adequate with the majority of the zoom being generated from digital means leading to image quality reduction. The scene selection options are nice and allow you to quickly switch between modes.

By far the nicest quality about this camera is its ease of use. This is important especially for cameras in this price range that for the most part target amateur videographers. It can literally be picked up by most people and they can immediately begin recording.

The battery life in this camcorder is awesome compared to a lot of devices in its category. The lithium ion battery was allowed me to record upwards of 120 minutes of video on a full charge. To put it in perspective this is the equivalent of a full length feature film! So be sure to stock up on those mini-DV tapes!

Value:

This Sony Handycam comes in at the midrange pricing category and is really a standout among its competition. If you're in the market for a camcorder I recommend holding out until the end of the year and you'll likely see a lot of price reductions as retailers battle for your dollar the Sony DCR-HC52 is no exception.