1 reviews

Sony DCR-HC52

$350.00 Released January, 2005

The Pros:MiniDV format provides extended battery life - unit is much more energy-efficient than DVD camcorders at this price point. ILink port connects directly to Apple computers via Firewire - enables automatic content uploading editing programs like iMovie and Final Cut. Touchscreen LCD display is a surprising feature considering the low price point - component is very responsive and helps to simplify menu navigation.

The Cons:Lacks USB connectivity - users without Firewire connectivity will have a difficult time extracting content from the camera. Lacks expandability via SD or MicroSD card slot - puts the unit at a disadvantage compared to similar models from Samsung and Canon.

The Sony DCR-HC52 is a miniDV camcorder that retails for $350 and was released in 2005. It has a 40x optical zoom and a 80x digital zoom, which is very high. It has a 2.5" LCD, which is a typical size.

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Sony Handycam DCR-HC52 Digital Camcorder by PriceGrabber.com

Its manufacturer claim that it has battery life of up to 10 hours. There is nothing special about this camera that earns it an unusually high price (typical miniDV camcorders in different brands cost between $200 and $300). Perhaps the brand name is a major factor behind the steep price of this machine. One drawback to this piece is the proprietary memory card technology it requires: it only takes Sony memory cards. Despite all these negative aspects of the camera, it seems to have very positive reviews by users online.

Features

Uniquely powerful 40x optical zoom/2000x digital zoom
Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel LCD
Hybrid recording with Memory Stick PRO Duo media slot
Super SteadyShot image stabilization system

User Reviews (1)

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ProScore

Pros

1

MiniDV format provides extended battery life - unit is much more energy-efficient than DVD camcorders at this price point
1

iLink port connects directly to Apple computers via Firewire - enables automatic content uploading editing programs like iMovie and Final Cut
1

Touchscreen LCD display is a surprising feature considering the low price point - component is very responsive and helps to simplify menu navigation
1

40x optical zoom provides powerful macro capabilities - offers much more functionality than the advertised 25x zoom feature
1

Recorded sound is captured at very high quality - 12 and 16-bit dithering options provide users with versatile options based on content type

Cons

1

Lacks USB connectivity - users without Firewire connectivity will have a difficult time extracting content from the camera
1

Lacks expandability via SD or MicroSD card slot - puts the unit at a disadvantage compared to similar models from Samsung and Canon