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Compare most popular Digital-Camcorders to Sony Handycam DCR-HC36

Product Name Sony Handycam DCR-HC36

Sony Handycam DCR-HC36

 Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF200

 Canon FS200 (silver)

Canon FS200 (silver)

 Sony Handycam DCR-HC96

Sony Handycam DCR-HC96

 Sony Handycam DCR-HC52

Sony Handycam DCR-HC52
Release Date 01/19/2006 04/01/2009 02/01/2009 01/19/2006
Price Range Check latest prices » $500 Check latest prices » $549-$890 Check latest prices » $257-$430 Check latest prices » $180-$250
Review Summary Unless this camcorder's low-resolution, low-quality stills are important to you, you might as well go for Sony's less expensive DCR-HC26. While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking. Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available. Excellent video quality, a broad feature set, and decent photos make the Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 an excellent choice for those seeking a compact MiniDV camcorder. Navigating the small touch screen may encourage you to stick with its automatic features, however.
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Basic Specs

Product Type Camcorder Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder Camcorder Camcorder
Enclosure Color Gray Misty silver
Digital Zoom 800 x 300 x 2000 x 120 x 2000 x
Effective Sensor Resolution 0.34 megapixels 2.99 megapixels 2.05 megapixels
Total Pixels 0.68 megapixels 3.89 megapixels 6.8 megapixels 3.31 megapixels
Optical Sensor Size 1/6" 1/4" 1/6" 1/3" 1/6"
Optical Sensor Type Advanced HAD CCD CMOS CCD Advanced HAD CCD Advanced HAD CCD
Min Illumination 0 lux 0.4 lux 1.3 lux 0 lux
Analog Video Format NTSC NTSC NTSC NTSC
Special Effects Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Negative Art, Solarization Sepia, Trail, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Cinematic, Old Movie, Flash Motion, Negative Art, Solarization, Luminance Key, Delayed Motion Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Negative Art, Solarization
Image Stabilizer Electronic (Super Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange) Electronic Electronic (Super Steady Shot) Electronic (Super Steady Shot)
Video Head Qty 2 2
Digital Scene Transition Black fader, White fader, Mosaic fader, Monotone fader Black fader, White fader, Mosaic fader, Stripe fader, Monotone fader Black fader, White fader, Mosaic fader, Monotone fader
Min Shutter Speed 1/4 sec 1/4 sec 1/60 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Digital photo mode
Shooting Programs Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & ski, Portrait mode, Sports lesson, Sunset & moon Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & ski, Portrait mode, Sports lesson, Sunset & moon Snow, Beach, Sunset, Sunrise, Landscape, Spotlight, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Twilight mode
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white) Daylight, Tungsten light Indoor, Outdoor Indoor, Outdoor
Exposure Modes Program, Automatic Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority Program, Automatic Program, Automatic
Camera Flash Built-in Built-in flash Built-in
Digital Video Format AVCHD, MPEG-4 MPEG-2
Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
Features AF illuminator
Widescreen Video Capture Yes Yes Yes
Progressive scan Yes
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