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Compare most popular Digital-Camcorders to Sony Handycam HDR-HC1

Product Name Sony Handycam HDR-HC1

Sony Handycam HDR-HC1

 Canon Vixia HF200

Canon Vixia HF200

 Sony Handycam HDR-FX7

Sony Handycam HDR-FX7

 Sony HDR-FX1

Sony HDR-FX1

 Canon Vixia HV30

Canon Vixia HV30
Release Date 07/05/2005 04/01/2009 10/15/2006 11/15/2004 03/01/2008
Price Range Check latest prices » $549-$890 Check latest prices » $1749-$2000 Check latest prices » $4026 Check latest prices » $600-$1500
Review Summary The Sony Handycam HDR-HC1 is a good first effort at a consumer HD camcorder, but only HD fanatics should consider it. 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. The Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 is an excellent high-definition camcorder from a video perspective, but it's less satisfying if you're an audio control freak. Though it lacks some audio flexibility and isn't recommended for 24fps shooting, the HDR-FX1 provides advanced consumers with professional-level video controls and entry-level pros with an affordable starting camcorder. An extremely minor upgrade from the HV20, the Canon Vixia HV30 remains a quality HDV camcorder with a couple of performance issues.
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Basic Specs

Product Type Camcorder - 1080i Camcorder - 1080p Camcorder - 1080i Camcorder - 1080i Camcorder - 1080i
Digital Zoom 120 x 300 x 200 x
Effective Sensor Resolution 1.9 megapixels 2.99 megapixels 1.04 megapixels 921600 pixels
Total Pixels 2.8 megapixels 3.89 megapixels 1.12 megapixels 1555200 pixels
Optical Sensor Size 1/3" 1/4" 1/4" 1/3" 1/2.7"
Optical Sensor Type CMOS CMOS 3 ClearVid CMOS Super HAD 3CCD CMOS
Min Illumination 0 lux 0.4 lux 4 lux 3 lux 0.2 lux
Image Stabilizer Optical (Super Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange) Optical (Super Steady Shot) Optical (Super Steady Shot) Optical (SuperRange)
Digital Scene Transition Black fader, White fader, Mosaic fader, Monotone fader Black fader, White fader Wipe fader
Max Shutter Speed 1/10000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/10000 sec 1/2000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode Digital photo mode Normal movie mode Normal movie mode, Digital photo mode Digital photo mode
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Custom, Presets, Automatic Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white) Indoor, Outdoor Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white)
Exposure Modes Program, Automatic Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Manual, Automatic Manual, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority
Camera Flash Pop-up flash Built-in flash No Built-in flash
Analog Video Format NTSC
Digital Video Format AVCHD, MPEG-4 MPEG-2
Shooting Programs Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode Spotlight Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode
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
Special Effects Black & White, Color, Sepia Art, Sepia, Vivid, Neutral, Skin Detail, Black & White, Low Sharpening
PCM Digital Sound 16bit (48KHz / 2 channels), 12bit (32KHz / 2 channels)
Min Shutter Speed 1/4 sec 1/2 sec
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