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Compare most popular Digital-Camcorders to Sony Handycam DCR-HC46

Product Name Sony Handycam DCR-HC46

Sony Handycam DCR-HC46

Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF100

Canon Vixia HF100

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)

Sony Handycam DCR-HC96

Sony Handycam DCR-HC96

Release Date 02/01/2006 04/01/2009 04/08/2008 03/15/2009 01/19/2006
Price Range Check latest prices » $549-$890 Check latest prices » $500-$1700 Check latest prices » $379-$599
Review Summary Sony's top midlevel MiniDV camcorder delivers quality video that is worth the step up from its less-expensive siblings. 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. One of a pair of Canon's first flash-based camcorders, the Canon Vixia HF100, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100. 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 - 1080p Camcorder - 1080i Camcorder
Enclosure Color Gray Black
Digital Zoom 800 x 300 x 200 x 120 x 120 x
Effective Sensor Resolution 0.69 megapixels 2.99 megapixels 2.05 megapixels
Total Pixels 1.07 megapixels 3.89 megapixels 3.31 megapixels
Optical Sensor Size 1/5.5" 1/4" 1/3.2" 1/5" 1/3"
Optical Sensor Type Advanced HAD CCD CMOS CMOS ClearVid CMOS Advanced HAD CCD
Min Illumination 0 lux 0.4 lux 0 lux
Analog Video Format 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
Image Stabilizer Electronic (Super Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange) Optical (SuperRange) Optical (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
Min Shutter Speed 1/4 sec 1/60 sec 1/4 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/1000 sec 1/4000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode 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 Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait mode, Twilight mode Landscape, Spotlight, Beach & ski, Portrait mode, Sports lesson, Sunset & moon
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) Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white) Indoor, Outdoor Indoor, Outdoor
Exposure Modes Program, Automatic Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic Program, Automatic
Camera Flash Built-in Built-in flash Built-in
Widescreen Video Capture Yes Yes Yes Yes
Digital Video Format AVCHD, MPEG-4 AVCHD AVCHD, MPEG-2
Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
Features AF illuminator
Progressive scan Yes
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