Everything at Your Fingertips

The DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam® camcorder is a high quality, versatile, and highly capable device. Boasting a strong zoom lens and vivid color reproduction, this camcorder delivers what you need to capture those memorable events. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar® Lens and Super SteadyShot® image stabilization capture clear, sharp video. Powerful 40x optical/2000x digital zoom brings you close to the action, and the 2.5" touch panel SwivelScreen™ LCD display puts control of everything at your fingertips.

Product Features

• 1/6" Advanced HAD™ CCD Imager, 680K Pixels (Gross)
• 40X Optical / 2000X Digital Zoom
• 2.5" Touch Panel SwivelScreen™ LCD Display (123K Pixels)
• Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® Lens
• i.LINK® Interface (IEEE1394)
• InfoLITHIUM® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System
• Stamina® Battery Power Management System
• Easy Handycam Button
• Fader Effects
• Manual Focus
• Multi-Language Menu
• NightShot® Plus Infrared System
• Picture Effects
• Scene Selection Modes

Product Specs

Sony DCR-HC52’s Review

by www.news.com.au

03/09/2009

Attractive price point, 40x optical zoom, solid user interface.

Cons: Performed poorly in low light, flash memory and DVD models can be bought just as cheaply.

The final word: The Sony DCR-HC52 is a perfectly capable little camcorder, but its recording format is beginning to show its age. Frankly, your money would be better spent on something younger and hipper. Mini DV, your time is nearly up.

THE Sony DCR-HC52 can be viewed as both the elderly gent and the squalling infant of its handycam family.

Recording standard-definition video to Mini DV tape, it’s a stubbornly old-school device that also happens to be the company's entry-level product.

While somewhat antiquated compared to other video formats, it remains a reasonable choice for people who want a dirt-cheap camcorder for occasional home movies. It also comes with a 40x optical zoom, which is sure to come in handy.

However, we feel that most users would be better off spending a few extra dollars on fresher technology. There are plenty of newer and more exciting options on the market that cost around the same price as the DCR-HC52. In other words, only Luddites and DV traditionalists need apply.

As you’d expect from a sub-$350 camcorder, the Sony DCR-HC52 is not the best looking unit on the block. Bulky, plastic and depressingly drab, it lacks the glossy chic exhibited by its bigger brothers.

On the plus side, the unit fits comfortably into the hand and is pleasantly lightweight given its blocky size. We also liked the 2.5” touchscreen, which helped to make menu navigation simple and intuitive. The inclusion of a viewfinder is also a nice touch - this means you can close the LCD and save on battery life.