Sony HandyCam DCR-HC32
This is a compact and lightweight camcorder perfect for a traveler or family shooter. It features a 20x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens that can get up close and personal from long distances. Although the electronic image stabilization works well, consider using a tripod for the long shots. The effects of camera movement at telephoto lengths become especially apparent in the still photo feature.
As an additional mode to the Mini DV recording, the DCR-HC32 records stills and video to a Memory Stick. It also has a flip-out 2.5-inch LCD screen and convenient Handycam Station. Don't be afraid to put your fingers all over the LCD, either. The menu is driven by the LCD touch-screen. Inside the menu you'll find manual controls for white balance, focus and exposure.
In addition to the standard zoom toggle and thumb accessible Record Start/Stop button, there is a second set of these controls on the LCD. At first, having two of the same controls literally inches away from each other seemed to have no real advantage. But the zoom controls on the LCD are set to crawl slowly in or out. This gives you much more control. Unfortunately, you can't change the speed of the zoom on the LCD.
The auto focus on the camera is reliable. It holds well during pans and tilts. If you need to manually focus the camcorder, it has an option in the menu. The menu driven manual focus lacks the same amount of fine control as a focus ring, but it technically allows for manual- style focus.
Comes with battery and charger!
This is a compact and lightweight camcorder perfect for a traveler or family shooter. It features a 20x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens that can get up close and personal from long distances. Although the electronic image stabilization works well, consider using a tripod for the long shots. The effects of camera movement at telephoto lengths become especially apparent in the still photo feature.
As an additional mode to the Mini DV recording, the DCR-HC32 records stills and video to a Memory Stick. It also has a flip-out 2.5-inch LCD screen and convenient Handycam Station. Don't be afraid to put your fingers all over the LCD, either. The menu is driven by the LCD touch-screen. Inside the menu you'll find manual controls for white balance, focus and exposure.
In addition to the standard zoom toggle and thumb accessible Record Start/Stop button, there is a second set of these controls on the LCD. At first, having two of the same controls literally inches away from each other seemed to have no real advantage. But the zoom controls on the LCD are set to crawl slowly in or out. This gives you much more control. Unfortunately, you can't change the speed of the zoom on the LCD.
The auto focus on the camera is reliable. It holds well during pans and tilts. If you need to manually focus the camcorder, it has an option in the menu. The menu driven manual focus lacks the same amount of fine control as a focus ring, but it technically allows for manual- style focus.
Comes with battery and charger!
This is a compact and lightweight camcorder perfect for a traveler or family shooter. It features a 20x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens that can get up close and personal from long distances. Although the electronic image stabilization works well, consider using a tripod for the long shots. The effects of camera movement at telephoto lengths become especially apparent in the still photo feature.
As an additional mode to the Mini DV recording, the DCR-HC32 records stills and video to a Memory Stick. It also has a flip-out 2.5-inch LCD screen and convenient Handycam Station. Don't be afraid to put your fingers all over the LCD, either. The menu is driven by the LCD touch-screen. Inside the menu you'll find manual controls for white balance, focus and exposure.
In addition to the standard zoom toggle and thumb accessible Record Start/Stop button, there is a second set of these controls on the LCD. At first, having two of the same controls literally inches away from each other seemed to have no real advantage. But the zoom controls on the LCD are set to crawl slowly in or out. This gives you much more control. Unfortunately, you can't change the speed of the zoom on the LCD.
The auto focus on the camera is reliable. It holds well during pans and tilts. If you need to manually focus the camcorder, it has an option in the menu. The menu driven manual focus lacks the same amount of fine control as a focus ring, but it technically allows for manual- style focus.
Comes with battery and charger!