1 Megapixel Image - 690 Kilopixel Video - 12x Optical Zoom - 480x Digital Zoom - MPN: DCRHC42
Strengths: Compact size. 12X optical zoom. Wide screen capability and wide LCD touch screen.
Weakness: Very visiable grainy in low-light. Moving parts and buttons are not as smooth as on DCR-HC40.
It's a disappointment for an upgrade from the very nice DCR-HC40. LCD shows very annoying flashing blue hue/grains. It also tends to show dancing grains when video taping areas in shadow. It is a bit slower than the HC40. If you already have the DCR-HC40, don't buy this one.
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TopStrengths: Small compact. Nice digital touch screen. I like the color viewfinder. Many cool features. I like what I see at this time. Audio sounds good. I love the docking station.
Weakness: Confusing lame software. No insturction manual for software. It took me 2 hours just to get the video on my computer. It was very frustrating.
Don't buy from the absolute cheapest. Buy from the dealer with the best rating in the bottom 5 prices. I like how the lens cover is built into the camera. Downloading software to the computer is disappointingly slow. I thought I would just burn onto CDS but this is not a realistic option.
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TopStrengths: Good quality image in bright, natural light - outdoors only.
Weakness: Grainy indoors - even with decent artificial light.
I purchased the HC42 after having returned the Panasonic GS-120 for audible gear noise on the tape. I could not believe how grainy the images were indoors. The poor indoor images could be seen most when filming blue colors. Since most of my filming will be in semi low light conditions, I will be returning this camcorder tomorrow, knowing that I will have to pay a 15% (about $75) restocking fee. I should have done more research on the HC42 before purchasing.
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TopStrengths: small, light, ease of use
Weakness: color grains visible in low light, optical zoom is only 12X, no light in-built
This is very handy especially compared to Digital 8 models. It takes sharp, clear video in day light, but displays color grains in low light inside room. The docking station is very useful, especially need not to be worried for connecting to computer or baterry chaarger everytime. I still desire for improved optical zoom (20X).
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TopStrengths: great size, widescreen, excellent picture quality
Weakness: controls little tough to master, cords easily unplug from docking station
I really enjoy this camcorder. It is small and lightweight, but takes great footage. The controls for the zoom and the touch controls on the LCD screen are a bit tricky to master, but once you get the hang of it, there's no problem.
When you are using the docking station, you have to be careful to keep it in a steady place and not touch it. I've found that the power cable pulls out rather easily and that can be a problem if you are downloading into a computer, because the camera will just shut off.
However, overall I am pleased with my purchase and I would recommend this model as a good value for the price.
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TopStrengths: user friendly, handycam dock station, sony's reliability, 120X zoom, small size, clarity of pictures
Weakness: not any that i can think of
i had the sony HC-40 before and i think the 42 is better even if it is a tad bigger-it has a better zoom, a handy dock station and best of all you dont have to touch the LCD screen to rewind the tape or any such actions
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TopStrengths: Compact size, 2.7" LCD screen, docking station.
Weakness: The intelligent accessory shoe located on top of the camera is not an industry standard & works only with Sony brand accessories.
This camcorder features a good video quality. Form factor is excellent, lightweight & intuitive though it takes a while to get used to the touch screen LCD panel. I also liked the 16:9 widescreen LCD which I think is the cheapest in Sony's line of MiniDV camcorder that offers this feature.
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TopStrengths: 480x total zoom along with 12x optical zoom. Very small size. The pictures online really betray you to its size.
Weakness: On some occassions, the more you zoom in, pictures become a little grainy. This is due to activating 480x digital zoom.
I was really amazed at the size of this little camcorder. It has a lot of features for the price, and I have not been able to delve into most of it. I really like the ability to shoot pictures in bursts. I was really impressed with that particular feature. Has Super Night Shot plus, which improves upon the Night Shot a bit. I would have liked sony to package a small size(in terms of MB) memory stick with this camcorder. All in all, a best buy.
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TopStrengths: lots of features, great touch screen, easy to use
Weakness: horrible dot crawl even in well lite indoor setting, lots of yellow and blue flecks
I don't think I will keep this one, surly there must be a better camera in this price range that gives better quality. Like everyone else I agree that Sony should have included at least a small memory stick.
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TopStrengths: compact, easy to use, good LCD screen
Weakness: takes time to get used to touch screen commands
This is a good camcorder for me - I am not a professional - it is easy if you want it to be (easy button)
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TopStrengths: Design, 480X Zoom, Video Quality, features
Weakness: No MS in the box, Poor software
I am satisfied with this camcorder. Video quality is superb. It has lot of features. I have not tested the still photo quality yet.
One bad thing is Sony has not provided any memory stick with it. Another thing I did not like it is whenever I transfer the Video to PC the quality is very bad.
Overall this is a good camcorder to have.
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TopStrengths: Clear picture at good lighted condition and easy to use.
Weakness: Under low light condition and shooting far away, visiable noise and unstable background.
We are quite happy with the pictures under normal lighted conditions. When shooting indoor with regular lights, especially shooting far away, there is visible noise and the background unstable. The battery life is just OK. Did not come with the DVD editing software which I think most DVD writer may include.
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TopStrengths: Its a very elegant and sleek product. Thee picture quality is very good and also it comes with a good brand name aka sony. 12X optical zoom and wide screen capability which is very good.
Weakness: The camcrder is not very user friendly and sony doesn't provide a memory stick with it.
In all the camcorder is good with the features provided. But in the same price you could get an another good product by sony itself.
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TopStrengths: Compact size and light weight. This is my first camcorder and I find it good.
Weakness: None as of now.
It will be great if they provide little memory and 1-2 Mini DV tapes with the product.
Because with the camcord you do not get Sony memory stick (for still photos) and mini DV tapes.
Voice etc. is clear, yet to use it more.
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TopStrengths: Compact size, 2.7" LCD screen
Weakness: Optical zoom is only 12X
This is a good miniDV, although it is more expensive than other brands, such as CANON, JVC. 2.7-inch Wide Hybrid Touch Panel LCD is beautiful. I think it is a nice gift for ladies.
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TopStrengths: Good recording on well lighted area.Has pass through port for analog to digital.
Weakness: Not durable. Poor Philippine sony service.Only the main office have competent tech and adequate equipment testing it. If you want to waste your money buy a sony.
I was very happy at first to get this very first digital video recorder after my dad's last purchase was an analog type. Got nice video from it unfortunately it did not last. After 18 months of use my unit went dead. Cant transfer video to my Mac computer. Unable to record sound and what made it worse was the incompetent tech on the satellite sony service center. I had to go to the main sony office to have a competent one test it and guess what. The main board is busted.
Good thing I got an extended warranty that costs around 300 dollars (equivalent in Phil Peso) to have it fixed if not under warranty.
And now after using it again for some time. the problem is the tape needs to be reinserted many times before it can be taken in.
I am disappointed with Sony since I have known them to have durable equipments. I guess I was wrong and they now I am and advocate of not getting any Sony products.
Want to waste your money, buy a Sony.
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Sony Handycam DCR-HC42E receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 3.44 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #5 MiniDV camcorder of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a...
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TestSeek.com has collected 5 expert reviews for Sony DCR-HC42 and the average expert rating is 74 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use TestSeek.com to find all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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The DCR-HC42 is the midrange camcorder in Sony’s 2005 DCR-HC series. Like the rest of the DCR-HC line this model is fairly easy to use, with great automatic controls and the Easy Handycam mode. Easy Handycam leaves all image quality control decisions to the camcorder. The DCR-HC42 separates itself from its smaller sibling with a larger imager as well as bigger 2.7” 16:9 LCD screen. It is the...
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The DCR-HC42 is the most expensive camcorder in Sony’s HC series this year. It features the same body type as the two lower-end models, the DCR-HC32 and DCR-HC21. It is the cheapest Sony MiniDV camcorder this year to feature a 16:9 LCD screen (2.7”), an intelligent accessory shoe, and a enhanced (not just letterboxed) widescreen mode. It does have some downgrades from the DCR-HC32 and the...
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At first glance, the Sony DCR-HC42 looks promising enough. It’s compact, sports a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD, and shoots colorful, vibrant video outdoors. Unfortunately, it suffers from very noticeable purple fringing, a distracting purple glow that appears around high contrast areas in an image.
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Could be a great camcorder if it would just work
Strengths: Too many to list
Weakness: Low light performance. Heads get dirty to easy. Beware of sony's warranty. After 90 days, it's a fixed price $240 to repair
I've only taped about 3hrs worth of video and already the unit is telling me the head is dirty. So I cleaned it. Warning is gone but I've got gray bars across the screen now. No matter what I do I can't get the gray bars to go away. After browsing the forums, this appears to be a common issue with Sonys, their heads are too sensitive. Many have had to exchange their camcorders to get the problem fixed.
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Nov 21, 2005
I had the same "heads are dirty" problem with the gray bars early on with this camera. I called Sony and was told to do the re-set thing with the tiny button. Check your manual. I did it and the camera has work flawlessly since March 2005. It is a great camera, especially with a Mac and iMovie.