Black Friday see store specials
The Sony HDR-HC7 is a handheld camcorder that records high-definition video (1920x1080i) onto miniDV tapes. Part of Sony's 2007 lineup of camcorders the HC7 comes near the top of the line for the miniDV offerings. The cylindrical form-factor accommodates the large Carl Zeiss lens with 10x optical zoom. Similar to many modern camcorders the HC7 acts as both a video camera, and still digital camera. Images are captured using the 3.2MP CMOS sensor, with still photos stored on memory stick duo cards up to a resolution of 6.1MP, though this is achieved through interpolation. Controlling the camera is achieved through the 2.7" LCD monitor that is also a touchscreen and is used to navigate through the menus.
MSRP $1,399.00
Release date January, 2007
love it
want it
have it
tag it
Pros & Cons8
Reviews2
Details
Buy It
Competitors3
Related1
Gallery1
Pros & Cons
0 positive
1 mixed
1 negative
![[i]](/images/info.png)
How is the ProSCORE calculated?
show me!
The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
approved reviewers from the ProductWiki community.
ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 6
Con votes = 7
Total votes = 13
If you want to help improve the accuracy of the results, register and start voting!
» see the top ranked reviewers
[close]
Details
Specs
- 10x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens
- 3.2MP CMOS sensor
- up to 1080i video recording
- miniDV tapes for storage
- 2.7" LCD touch screen monitor, 211K pixels
- Internal lens cover mechanism
- Records video with x.v.Color (need a compatible TV to view)
- Data ports: USB1.1, Firewire
- Video ports: Component, S-Video, HDMI
Transferring capture video to a computer is accomplished through the USB1.1, or Firewire interfaces. USB1.1 is significantly slower than USB2.0 so keep that in mind if you don't have a Firewire port on your computer. You can also playback recorded material directly from the camera onto your television with the built-in video output ports.
The HC7 has a "dual record mode" where you can be filming video to the DV tape and snap a still picture at the same time that saves to the memory stick. A built-in flash is also available that is triggered automatically in low-light situations. In near-pitch black conditions the camera has a night-vision mode that records video in a monochromatic green.
A hot-shoe is found on the camera that lets you connect a light or microphone and uses a Sony proprietary form factor. The shoe offers both power and two-way communication between the camera and accessory, but accessories are limited to Sony-specific parts.
Submit a link
This report was started
January 14, 2008 at 5:03 pm by
Omar
with the last edit occurring
May 14, 2009 at 1:12 pm by
Yale
This page has been viewed
835 times,
with
27 edits by
5 contributors.
See the
full report history »
Buy It
Competitors
Sony Handycam HDR-HC7 is ranked 3rd among it's competitors.
See the
top picks in
Camcorders »
MSRP $1,099.00
Released February, 2008
Pros
- HDV is a standard format that all video software recognizes
- Plenty of manual controls
- Good selection of outputs including USB2.0, Firewire, Component, HDMI
- Great video capture quality
- Internal, automatic lens cover
Cons
- Still limited to proprietary Sony accessories
Sony Handycam HDR-HC7
0%
vs.
Sony Handycam HDR-HC9
100%
MSRP $1,000.00
Released January, 2007
Pros
- Great image quality
- Image stabilization works well
- Less expensive than Sony
Cons
- Less features than the HC7
- Poor low light performance
- No night-shot mode
Sony Handycam HDR-HC7
50%
vs.
Canon HV20
50%
MSRP $1,300.00
Released September, 2007
Pros
- supports affordable, capacious and easy to find SD/SDHC cards for expansion
- 60GB of internal storage
- 3 CCD sensor technology
Cons
- expensive
- cheaper lens than the one found on the upgraded HD7
- no focus ring (as found on the upgraded HD7)
Sony Handycam HDR-HC7
vs.
JVC HD Everio GZ-HD3
Reviews
January 21, 2008
approved
reviewer
Pros
- Great video quality
- Good battery life (2 hours)
- Configurable manual focus ring is useful
- Good form factor
Cons
- USB1.1 interface is crazy
- Have to use Sony Memory Stick cards
- Small control dial
- Difficult menu system
Competitors
Omar prefers
Canon HV20 over
Sony Handycam HDR-HC7
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
February 19, 2008
approved
reviewer
Pros
- Great video quality
- Good battery life (2 hours)
Cons
- USB1.1 interface is crazy
- Have to use Sony Memory Stick cards
- Small control dial
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Price comparison information by:
This product is also known as:
HDR, HC, 7, HDRHC, HC7, HDRHC7
