Sony Handycam® DCR-HC30 Mini DV Camcorder

Pros: Low price, analog inputs, performance, features, compact and lightweight
Cons: Manual controls not easy to use, low digital still resolution, zoom control too sensitive

For less than $500, the S ony DCR-HC30 is quite an inexpensive digital camcorder, which still uses MiniDV format and quality Carl Zeiss 10x optics. The HC30 is virtually identical to ...

Pros: picture quality, bright colors, compact size, amazing electronics, great LCD, EZ to use, many features
Cons: hard to find any. possibly range of contrast, possible cool bluish picture

Its hard to choose a cam. There are so many things to be considered. I'm an experienced amateur still photographer and completely understand exposure and shutter speed etc. I was looking for something compact and light to take on vacations. Before ...

Pros: Lightweight, connectivity, video clarity, menu access, touch screen, Carl Zeiss lens.
Cons: Still camera is only 640x480 and Memory Stick Duo Pro compatibility.

I got this camera for Father's Day and have been using it for a little over a year. The video quality is great for me and the family. The camera has several ports to connect the camera to a TV, Digital Video (Firewire), USB and the Sony LANC port. The ...

Pros: All the features, especially I/O, Remote, Lens, Nice body, touch screen operations.
Cons: I do not see any so far,...

I own one old CANON camcorder that I purchased in 1998. I do not have any issues with that, but I wanted to make use of the latest features available in today's camcorders. Therefore, I started my research. For this I compared features and price. ...

Pros: Don't know since was not able to use most features
Cons: Extremely poor quality control and poor support for repairs.

I thought I would like this camera since I had a Sony from a few years ago that got stolen. Sony has gone completely downhill in their quality control and repair departments. After using the camera 3 times a dirty video head message came on. We bought ...

Pros: Nice images, easy to use as a point-and-shoot camcorder, steady shot works well.
Cons: Construction seems a little flimsy. Complex nested menus are difficult to navigate.

I bought this camcorder to replace a similarly small Panasonic DV camcorder that broke ("Dew Detected" error that prevented it from working; lots of other users of some Panasonic DV camcorders have had the same problem). It is a very nice little camera ...

Pros: Seven hours of usage before going dead? NONE.
Cons: This DCR-HC30

After purchasing the DCR-HC30 on July 2004, had problems with "Dirty Head" message, record button sticks, and just last week, the built-in charger will not charge as it's giving a clicking or ticking noise when the adapter is plugged in. With only 7 ...

Pros: Feature packed, Versatile for pc apps/editing. HAS MIC INPUT! YES!
Cons: Low light perf not great, but not bad. Of course, battery life.

This the HC-30, as opposed to the HC32, came with the mic input. It's becoming harder to find a consumer level camcorder with this feature. The raw image data is workable in Sony's Video Vegas Software (not included, but you can pick it up on ebay, it's great!). Fire wire cost about $11 with the PCI card included, and Vegas captures the video with ease. HC30 has video pass thru, so I can use it to record VHS, other 8mm camcorders plugged into the AVin to my pc. Has a means to communicate with VCR via infra red to act as a remote for recording from HC30 to VCR, and Hey! guess what? It's a web cam, as well. I didn't know that. Still discovering new features. If you're not a pro, I think you'd be hard pressed to find fault with this camera. Had a Hi-8 prior to this. Two different customizable touch screens for play and rec narrows things down to a list of my favorite features. Very cool!

Pros: Great camera, has all the features a beginner/intermediate user could ask for.
Cons: Warranty unacceptable! Camcorder does not focus, it stopped working after 4 months.

After 4 months of owning the DCR-HC30, the camera no longer works. I bought it at Best Buy, which refused to help me (no optional service plan). I called Sony. They told me to send it in for repair, since the camera was out of the 90 day warranty, shipping and labor wasn't covered. The CSR said the minimum cost to repair it, would be just over $300. That is the minimum!!!

I did nothing that could have damaged it... I just can't figure it out. I spent $400 bucks on accessories for the camera, uv filter, padded bag, the whole bit.

I wanted to record a special event and the camcorder would not focus. I tried switching from auto to manual and it still would not focus... I reset the camera, removed the battery, replaced the DV tape, and it still would not focus. Error E-6100 flashed, a focus problem requiring service. The camcorder was hardly used enough to require service...

About the still shots. They are poor quality, BUT you can record your potential still shot, then playback the recording and capture a still shot during playback that is high quality.

Pros: Small, compact, functional,brilliant, great to use. Camcorder and still camera together.
Cons: None to date........

I love this camcorder due to it's easy use features. Have used on holidays and at football matches. Brilliant and easy to use, small and great with screen. Great self-focus. Always get brilliant video. Easy to use with computer and copy and edit into own home movies. Still shoots ok, though small. I bought this camera as it seemed at the time to best value for the money. A must to buy with this is another battery, bigger the better. Lots of built in functions, I'll never get to use them all. Great touch screen functions. Excellent to check battery charge info. Mini DV tape is small. Bye,bye to VCR tapes forever.
Dislikes. None that I have found. Recommend to all who want a great camcorder to use. Though it is expensive to buy, it is worth every penny.

Pros: Small enough to fit in jacket pocket. Easy to transfer video to PC. Night vision
Cons: Feature Menu had to use. Low resolution camera pictures. Firewire not included.

Its been 7 years since i bought a camcorder and i love how small it is. Its very easy to transfer the video to your PC, but you will have to buy the required firewire cable. I also love the night vision features.

Pros: -small -very light -best picture quality i have seen from a camera
Cons: -shutter should open when power is turned on.

this is by far the best video camera i have bought to date> the camera is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. the camera has the ability to work like a still picture digital camera, but the pic's are only about 1 mega pixel. the video from this camera is so easy to transfer from camera to dvd, and the picture quality is perfect. makes my old Hi8 look like a piece of junk.

Pros: Small, easy to use
Cons: It will stop working soon after buying it

After 1 year the play feature stopped working. Everything else worked, Sony wanted 300 dollars to repair it so I said forget it.
Don't recommend it to anyone, our kids birthdays and all especial events cant be viewed.

Pros: Nice touch screen, can import movies via USB/Firewire/AV, and microphone input jack.
Cons: Bad for taking pictures - grainy still pictures.

This camcorder is light weight and very easy to use. I've had this camcorder for about two years and I have had no problems with it.

The camcorder allows you to record in 4:3 and 16:9. It also has a few transition effects that you can use. The LCD screen is touch screen which makes it easy to navigate.

If you have a big enough memory card, you can record video to the memory card instead. However, the video quality is sub par. It is very grainy and dark.