Sony Handycam DCR HC1000E

Sony seem to be setting themself apart from the field with their range of handycams which are a class apart from the rest. In the DV (non-high definition) category, this is the best semi-professional camcorder around.

Firstly a listing of all the features to help:

- 3CCD Imaging System (3 x 1,070,000 pixels) with Advanced
HAD
- Optical Super SteadyShot
- 12x Optical / 150x Digital Zoom
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...camcorder, as with the whole Sony range, is a Carl Zeiss lens. These lenses have become famous for a very good reason - they are so damn good! The imaging technology from Sony is only one thing that makes this system so good - the other being the quality of the lenses used with them. The DCR H1000E is no exception and used a superb lens which gives superb clarity to the images. And being able to focus manually is a great addition to this camera. ... more

Sony seem to be setting themself apart from the field with their range of handycams which are a class apart from the rest. In the DV (non-high definition) category, this is the best semi-professional camcorder around.

Firstly a listing of all the features to help:

- 3CCD Imaging System (3 x 1,070,000 pixels) with Advanced
HAD
- Optical Super SteadyShot
- 12x Optical / 150x Digital Zoom
- Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T*
- 14 bit DXP
- Focus ring, zoom ring
- Zebra Pattern, guide frame and color bar
- Intelligent accessory shoe ready for a 4ch Microphone
true 16:9 widescreen mode
- 5 picture effects and 5 digital picture effects
- 6 Program AE
- Photo mode on Memory Stick Duo™
- 1,152 x 864 Still Image
- Automatic pop-up flash
- Multi angle grip
- 2.5" Hybrid LCD
- Spot Meter, Spot Focus
- i.LINK™ (DV in/out)
- Video and S-Video analogue Input
- STAMINA 2h 30min

The first thing to note is the 3CCD imaging system that has been deployed here. It gives a vastly superior picture quality compared with older 1CCD Digital Video devices. There is a great definition to the pictures captured, and not only that, the quality of the CCD is so good with such a wide-dynamic range that the images could easily be mistaken for professional images. It is not all about the number of megapixels or even the number of CCDs (although the later is more relevant) but the quality of chips used. These are clearly a classy affair because the lifelike tones, deep rich colours and jet blacks really show the quality of these chips. I haven't seen the images off the newer high-definition camcorders, but even though the resolution will be better, I doubt they will better the image quality.

The optical super steadyshot is not really apparent unless shooting beyond the optical zoom and into digital zoom territory - which I don't advise doing because you degrade your image by zooming in on the CCD and using less pixels. However, if you do choose to do this then its works well, but obviously only gets rid of small movements!! Having said this, the optical zoom of 12x should be sufficient for most people, and 150x many more times than anyone would require unless star watching is their thing.

The lens used on this camcorder, as with the whole Sony range, is a Carl Zeiss lens. These lenses have become famous for a very good reason - they are so damn good! The imaging technology from Sony is only one thing that makes this system so good - the other being the quality of the lenses used with them. The DCR H1000E is no exception and used a superb lens which gives superb clarity to the images. And being able to focus manually is a great addition to this camera. Sometimes you really need that manual control for fast focussing (which autofocus cameras are not particularly good at) and also to add effects, because the point of focus may not be in the main part of the frame.

The Zebra pattern is only of interest to quite serious photographers, and for those reading this it operates just as most others do and there is nothing exceptional about it. For those that want to know what it is I suggest looking for a reputable website or a good book, because its importance and use are beyond the scope of a review. The spot meter and spot focus are rather more for the serious types, but in a nutshell it gives you a much great control over image than just on totally automatic. These functions work well, but not quite as logically as those found on a good SLR still shot (digital or film).

True 16:9 is so important as 16:9 becomes the much more preferable format. This means it uses the whole CCD rather than just knocking off the top and bottom bars to create the CCD image. This means maximum resolution and far better picture than when using 4:3.

The accessory shoe is good, but not really anymore impressive than an accessory shoe in any other device. It allows expansion of capabilities, including 4-Point surround sound, but unfortunately at the expense of quality (12-bit as opposed to 16-bit). The sound quality of the camera is superb for a little camera, especially when using a microphone in the accessory shoe. Sometimes the camera can record its own noise and handling noise when just using the in-built microphone - but no where near as bad as other cameras.

The picture effects, digital or otherwise, are not something I really use, but much prefer to add afterwards in a software editing program. But for those that do, there are never really enough to be truely creative. I always think these are added for completeness, or as a hangover from a previous generation of camcorders. Unfortunately, the still-picture mode is a similar problem. There simply is not the resolution to be an adequate photography tool and just does not compare with the still-camera capabilities of a good compact digital or digital SLR. Even camera phones have higher resolution!! But its there if you want to use it - providing you supply your own memory card! And you have a pop-up flash to assist in dark situations, which is pretty compentant.

The multi-angle grip is a Godsend for those who enjoy tricky shooting situations or just being a bit silly with how they shoot! Yu can effortlessly put the camera in any position, and with the multi-angle LCD you have complete control. So much more user friendly - the camera adapts to you, not you to it. The screen is a nice lush 2.5" as well, which means you can get a real idea of what your movies looks like. And the touchscreen is excellent for playback and options.

All the inputs/outputs which you would expect are there, and as far as my experience shows, they are work well. The battery time is the bit I have been waiting to come to though. It is magnificent - long life (2.5hrs is more than any basic shoot should need) and not only that - the charging time is so quick you might have forgotten you charged it. It just finishes off an excellent package.

It comes with a broad range of accessories too. I have a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens and the 4-point surround microphone. All of these are equally well made and meet the camera on performance.

I have used this camcorder from holiday breaks to concert recordings to crazy shots and all came well. The white balance works well in bright conditions and the jet blacks found in the concert stuff were fantastic. And because of the manouverability of the camera the crazy stuff was easy. So, overall this is an excellent camera, that although made obsolete due to the advent of HDV, is still a winner for me. It is that good. The price tag that comes with it is high - you are paying Sony prices, but having said that, for good reason. This camera has an excellent build and certainly merits a look.

Extensive Specifications are to be found on the Sony Website 

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