July 2006
First Looks: Two camcorders for high-def home videos
The Sony HDR-HC3 and Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 bring HD to home movies
High-definition video isn't limited to HDTV broadcasts or HD movies on Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. Now you can create your own.
But don't expect the results to look quite as good as the best high-def TV broadcasts.
The $1,500 Sony HDR-HC3 and the $720 Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 are two of the first camcorders aimed at consumers that will digitally capture video in HD resolutions -- 1080i and 720p, respectively. The Sanyo is the more unusual device. It's a slim, sticklike camcorder that can fit in a shirt pocket or comfortably ride on a consumer's hip like a cell phone. Despite its small size, the camcorder features a 10x optical zoom lens, a 2.2-inch swing-out LCD screen, and a built-in flash that boosts light levels when taking 5.1-resolution digital stills. The Xacti stores both still pictures and video on SD memory cards, which are more commonly associated with digital cameras.
The Sony more closely resembles a conventional camcorder. (See our Ratings for the latest models, available to subscribers.) Similar to other Sony Handycam models, the palm-sized HDR-HC3 features a 10x optical zoom lens and a 2.7-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen. Unique to this camcorder is an HDMI connection that sends both video and audio to any HDTV with a similar HDMI connector. It's also capable of 4-megapixel digital stills and features a built-in flash.
Though the Sony produced videos that were noticeably sharper and clearer than those from the Sanyo camcorder, neither camcorder bowled us over.
Consider these other points before making the decision to jump into high-definition home video with either of these cameras:
Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1
PROS
Compact convenience. The Xacti is indeed small, measuring just 4.3x2.7x0.9 inches (HxWxD) and weighing a mere 4.9 ounces.
Simple to use. Onscreen menus were easy to navigate, and despite the camcorder's diminutive size, its on-camera buttons were adequately labeled, and easy to find and manipulate.
Stellar stills. The Sanyo's 5.1-megapixel sensor produced very good still images, comparable to those from digital still cameras we've rated as very good in image quality. (See our latest camera Ratings, available to subscribers.)
CONS
Disappointing video quality. Scenes shot in 720p HD resolution were plagued by boxy edges and video noise. Colors were oversaturated. We found even standard-definition video (480i) to be only fair in quality.
Fair sound quality. The stereo microphones are located on the swing-out LCD screen. So when you adjust the LCD so that you can see what you're shooting, the mikes may not necessarily be pointing in the direction of your video subject. In our tests, we found audio to be only fair even under optimal conditions.
Limited recording times. Since high-definition video files require more storage space, a 2-gigabyte SD card will enable the HD1 to record only about 28 minutes of 720p-resolution digital video. So you'd probably need to tote several cards with you, at $75 or so apiece. But even in standard-definition mode, recording time is limited to just under 43 minutes. Conventional digital camcorders record at least an hour per MiniDV cassette.
Basic features only. Like most memory-based camcorders, the Sanyo does not come with many extra features, such as fade-in and fade-out special effects. Only rudimentary camcorder controls, such as shutter speed adjustments and image stabilizer, are included.
Sony HDR-HC3
PROS
Sharper videos. The Sony camcorder produced digital videos that were noticeably sharp and clear, especially when compared with standard-definition videos. But its high-def videos couldn't match the detail or color accuracy of the best 1080i images we've seen from HDTV broadcasts and HD DVDs.
HDMI for easy HDTV connections. This simplifies displaying the camcorder's content on newer HDTV sets. One cable connection carries both the digital audio and video.
Uses conventional MiniDV tapes. The HDR-HC3 stores up to an hour of 1080i high-definition video on the same MiniDV videotape cassettes used in standard-definition camcorders. Switching to standard-definition mode enables recordings as long as 90 minutes. And the unit is backward-compatible--it will play standard-definition MiniDV recordings made on an older camcorder.
Filled with features. Sony's high-end MiniDV camcorders generally include many useful features and the HDR-HC3 is no exception. In addition to an image stabilizer, it has an "Easy Button" that automatically adjusts focus, exposure, and white balance to optimal settings. CONS
Weighty. The HDR-HC3 weighs 1.32 pounds and requires some effort to keep level. Even with the built-in hand strap tightened, the camcorder doesn't fit into a comfortable holding position and tends to wobble in the user's hand.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While these two camcorders are the first to be promoted as capable of high-definition video resolution, in our initial tests, only the Sony HDR-HC3 approached what we have come to expect of decent HD-quality video. And this model comes with an array of useful features. Even so, at $1,500, it's very pricey. Buy it only if you're willing to pay a whopping premium for somewhat sharper, clearer home videos.
The Xacti is half the price and is one of the few camcorders that would fit comfortably in a hip pocket, thanks in part to its postage-stamp-size SD memory cards (but they're pricey, compared with videotape). Price and size aren't everything, however; given its video quality, we don't recommend this Sanyo.
The $1,500 Sony HDR-HC3 and the $720 Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 are two of the first camcorders aimed at consumers that will digitally capture video in HD resolutions -- 1080i and 720p, respectively. The Sanyo is the more unusual device. It's a slim, sticklike camcorder that can fit in a shirt pocket or comfortably ride on a consumer's hip like a cell phone. Despite its small size, the camcorder features a 10x optical zoom lens, a 2.2-inch swing-out LCD screen, and a built-in flash that boosts light levels when taking 5.1-resolution digital stills. The Xacti stores both still pictures and video on SD memory cards, which are more commonly associated with digital cameras.
The Sony more closely resembles a conventional camcorder. (See our Ratings for the latest models, available to subscribers.) Similar to other Sony Handycam models, the palm-sized HDR-HC3 features a 10x optical zoom lens and a 2.7-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen. Unique to this camcorder is an HDMI connection that sends both video and audio to any HDTV with a similar HDMI connector. It's also capable of 4-megapixel digital stills and features a built-in flash.
Though the Sony produced videos that were noticeably sharper and clearer than those from the Sanyo camcorder, neither camcorder bowled us over.
Consider these other points before making the decision to jump into high-definition home video with either of these cameras:
Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1
PROS
Compact convenience. The Xacti is indeed small, measuring just 4.3x2.7x0.9 inches (HxWxD) and weighing a mere 4.9 ounces.
Simple to use. Onscreen menus were easy to navigate, and despite the camcorder's diminutive size, its on-camera buttons were adequately labeled, and easy to find and manipulate.
Stellar stills. The Sanyo's 5.1-megapixel sensor produced very good still images, comparable to those from digital still cameras we've rated as very good in image quality. (See our latest camera Ratings, available to subscribers.)
CONS
Disappointing video quality. Scenes shot in 720p HD resolution were plagued by boxy edges and video noise. Colors were oversaturated. We found even standard-definition video (480i) to be only fair in quality.
Fair sound quality. The stereo microphones are located on the swing-out LCD screen. So when you adjust the LCD so that you can see what you're shooting, the mikes may not necessarily be pointing in the direction of your video subject. In our tests, we found audio to be only fair even under optimal conditions.
Limited recording times. Since high-definition video files require more storage space, a 2-gigabyte SD card will enable the HD1 to record only about 28 minutes of 720p-resolution digital video. So you'd probably need to tote several cards with you, at $75 or so apiece. But even in standard-definition mode, recording time is limited to just under 43 minutes. Conventional digital camcorders record at least an hour per MiniDV cassette.
Basic features only. Like most memory-based camcorders, the Sanyo does not come with many extra features, such as fade-in and fade-out special effects. Only rudimentary camcorder controls, such as shutter speed adjustments and image stabilizer, are included.
Sony HDR-HC3
PROS
Sharper videos. The Sony camcorder produced digital videos that were noticeably sharp and clear, especially when compared with standard-definition videos. But its high-def videos couldn't match the detail or color accuracy of the best 1080i images we've seen from HDTV broadcasts and HD DVDs.
HDMI for easy HDTV connections. This simplifies displaying the camcorder's content on newer HDTV sets. One cable connection carries both the digital audio and video.
Uses conventional MiniDV tapes. The HDR-HC3 stores up to an hour of 1080i high-definition video on the same MiniDV videotape cassettes used in standard-definition camcorders. Switching to standard-definition mode enables recordings as long as 90 minutes. And the unit is backward-compatible--it will play standard-definition MiniDV recordings made on an older camcorder.
Filled with features. Sony's high-end MiniDV camcorders generally include many useful features and the HDR-HC3 is no exception. In addition to an image stabilizer, it has an "Easy Button" that automatically adjusts focus, exposure, and white balance to optimal settings. CONS
Weighty. The HDR-HC3 weighs 1.32 pounds and requires some effort to keep level. Even with the built-in hand strap tightened, the camcorder doesn't fit into a comfortable holding position and tends to wobble in the user's hand.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While these two camcorders are the first to be promoted as capable of high-definition video resolution, in our initial tests, only the Sony HDR-HC3 approached what we have come to expect of decent HD-quality video. And this model comes with an array of useful features. Even so, at $1,500, it's very pricey. Buy it only if you're willing to pay a whopping premium for somewhat sharper, clearer home videos.
The Xacti is half the price and is one of the few camcorders that would fit comfortably in a hip pocket, thanks in part to its postage-stamp-size SD memory cards (but they're pricey, compared with videotape). Price and size aren't everything, however; given its video quality, we don't recommend this Sanyo.
