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Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
 
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Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

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4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews) More about this product

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Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this item with Sony High Definition Minidv Videocassette (2-Pack)

Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom + Sony High Definition Minidv Videocassette (2-Pack)
Price For Both: $1,620.05

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Technical Details

  • 3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor; choose between HD & DV recording formats
  • 6.1-megapixel still image capture; Super SteadyShot image stabilization
  • 2.7-inch widescreen Clear Photo LCD Plus
  • Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens; 10x optical zoom/20x digital zoom
  • Memory Stick Duo media slot

Product Details

  • Item Weight: 4.1 pounds
  • Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
  • ASIN: B000M3HVLQ
  • Item model number: HDR-HC7
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,968 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #65 in  Camera & Photo > Camcorders > Digital MiniDV
  • Date first available at Amazon.com: January 8, 2007

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Sony's Super SteadyShot optical technology and Super NightShot feature help the HDR-HC7 capture the highest quality high-definition video possible on a MiniDV cassette. The assignable dial gives control over focus, exposure, shutter speed, AE (Auto Exposure) shift and WB (White Balance) shift. The HDR-HC7’s still image capture mode takes photos up to 6.1 megapixels, and up to 4.6 megapixels while recording video.

HDR-HC7 Highlights

3.2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor The 1/2.9-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution in HD mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD mode) and 6.1 MP still image performance. Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require less power and provide better battery performance.

Switchable HD/DV format recording The HDR-HC7 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette.

Real-Time HD Codec engine Sony developed a Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that high-definition video can be recorded on the same MiniDV cassettes as are used for SD recording.

x.v. Color x.v.Color can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than currently possible. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience.

10x optical/20x digital zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario- Sonnar T* lens Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfectg renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

2.7-inch widescren hybrid touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display The 2.7-inch 16:9 LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Smooth slow record By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen in the video.

Memory Stick Duo media slot Capture still images up to 2848 x 2136 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy trasfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick media compatible devices.

Dual record While recording video in high definition, you have the ability to capture a 4.6-megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick Duo media.

Super SteadyShot image stabilization system Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera "shake" without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.

Cinematic mode Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC7 Cinematic mode lends 24 frame film-like effect to your recordings.

i.LINK interface (IEEE1394) A high-speed, bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs.

Tele Macro function Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocused so that the subject stands out.

Active interface shoe Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.

Additional Features

  • Built-in intelligent flash
  • Super NightShot infrared system
  • Scene Selection modes
  • Picture effects
  • Fader effects
  • InfoLithium battery with AccuPower
  • Meter system
  • Stamina battery power management System
  • On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons
  • Easy Handycam
  • One Touch Wide Angle Shooting
  • Manual Focus
  • Multi-Language Menu



Product Description

The HDR-HC7 lets you view the world through a professional grade Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens with 10x optical/20x digital zoom and a 1/2.9" ClearVid CMOS Sensor. In addition to pristine quality video, you can capture 4.6 megapixel still images while the camcorder is recording video with the dual record mode feature. Take command of your pictures as you manually control focus, exposure, shutter speed, auto exposure shift and white balance shift. View everything you shoot on the 2.7"2 Wide Clear Photo LCD Plus featuring Touch Panel SwivelScreen technology, so you can swivel from any shooting angle. Super SteadyShot technology and the Super NightShot feature will help you capture videos you'll want to share with the world.

Buy This Product and Related Accessories

Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
1599.55
$1,599.55
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Average Customer Rating
4.2 out of 5 stars (45 customer reviews)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for amateur like me -much like an upgraded HC90, March 10, 2007
This just arrived Thursday so these comments come with minimal time on camera so far. I am also absolutely an amateur user of camcorders so I won't be able to comment on the quality of the manual controls, etc.

I agree closely with the other two reviews so I won't repeat their details. I'll try to hit a few other topics and also compare the HC7 to the Sony HC90, an earlier model that took 16:9 standard definition video with 3 MP stills.

I have taken about one hour of HD video so far, and have viewed it through an HDMI cable on a Sony 46" XBR LCD TV (1080p). I captured a few indoor scenes, a few neighborhood outdoor scenes, and some footage at Harper's Ferry in West Virginia - river, mountain, and two trains passing by at close range while I was at the railroad station there. I can say comfortably that you won't confuse the video from this camcorder with Standard Definition camcorder video - when they say High Definition, they aren't kidding. If your TV can show the video off to advantage and you've grown fond of HD, I think you'd be pleased with this camcorder. In my case, the overwhelming reason I upgraded camcorders was to get the HD video, so this has made it worth the steep expense. My second requirement is to have a camcorder that took decent stills so I only have to carry one piece of equipment around. I already had this in the Sony HC90 at 3MP, so going up to 6MP was desirable but not enough to make me buy something this expensive in itself.

My only output criticisms so far are that the West Virginia footage looks a little brighter and the water a little greener than I remember. I didn't play with any settings so take that with a grain of salt. These camcorders have a lot of manual adjustments you can make which I have not explored. One or more of them undoubtedly would have given me improved footage, and I'm not unhappy with what I think I noticed in the slightest.

The stills look very good to me so far, but I've only taken about 20 and viewed them on the TV. I normally view stills on a PC.

I don't have a telephoto lens yet so I can't report on the quality of the stabilization. I used a tripod today and that was readily apparent in the stability of the video. I was very pleased, by the way, with how well the camera did with the moving trains. Very crisp where I expected a fair bit of motion blur.

LCD size and controls have been mentioned in First Looks. I'm perfectly happy with a 2.7" LCD instead of the larger one in the UX7. So this wasn't a negative for me personally. The controls (menus) are highly similar to those of the Sony HC90 I already have. If you haven't seen them before, there's a learning curve. If you have the HC90 or another camcorder with those menus, you'll be right at home with the HC7. One note: you can configure P[ersonal]-Menus to include the things you use the most in your own order, in addition to the camcorder's menus. One thing I forgot is that each mode (video, camera, play/edit) has its own configurable personal menu. So I was looking for things to add to the Play/Edit personal menu that I was sure should be configurable, but couldn't find them. That was because they belonged only to the filming side, not to the playback side. So you've got three personal menus you can create, not one.

Battery: check the sizes on the batteries. The HC90 batteries were very thin. I think three of the batteries for the HC7 fit entirely within its case. The fourth and largest battery looked to be much bigger in one dimension such that I thought it would extend past the end of the camera 1/2" or so. The other three will fit flush into the back of the camera, though they're not behind a door or anything.

Battery life: my impression so far is that the battery life statements are accurate, but the batteries drain faster than that of the HC90. This is almost certainly a function of increased power load instead of the older batteries being better than the newer ones. The CCDs and the stills and everything are all "more" than in the HC90. So I think I'm fine with the battery life, but you'll need to watch it and definitely have more than one battery.

Size compared to the HC90: this struck me as being about 10-15% bigger overall than the HC90. It's maybe 1/2" longer front to back, and wider as well. I think the HC7 is one notch up in size from the average camcorder I see in Best Buy. But it's noticeably smaller than last year's SR1 Sony hard disk camcorder, say. I don't see dropping this one in a coat pocket like I did with the HC90, but it's pretty light and still fits in the case I used for the HC90 if I don't load other stuff in there.

Fit in the hand: I found a Best Buy with an HC5 and UX5 on hand and played with both at the same time. These have the same footprint as the HC7 and UX7 as far as I can tell. The HC5's tape case is maybe 3/8" wider than the UX5's DVD case. The UX5's DVD case is maybe 1/4" higher. So I found that my right-hand fingers curled nicely around the smaller but taller UX5 and it felt slightly more comfortable. However, I found that the HC5's extra width made me curl my palm slightly such that the base of the camcorder fit solidly on top of the ball of my thumb. As I played with this in the store, I realized it seemed like the HC5 actually was easier to hold stable because of this. Absolutely try these two out on your own instead of assuming this will be true for you. Just wanted to say that the two cases do differ a bit and will probably feel different to you at some level.

Tape vs DVD (really HDV vs AVCHD): I spent a lot of time wondering if the noise reported in last year's AVCHD UX camcorders would still be present, and if I would care in any case. The detailed reviews still aren't out, so I don't know whether there will be a noise problem there. But I can say I noticed nothing in the footage so far that I'd call noise, so my decision to go with the tape and HDV format looks very good to me right now. I have never had the problems people report with Mini-DV tapes, so that whole transport discussion (tape vs DVD) didn't weigh on me much. The noise discussion did have an effect on my decision, though.

Getting the video to your TV: "how much money do we have?", apparently. I played the tape back to the TV directly, but that's not a long-term solution. I have heard that you can capture the HDV video and then will be able to transform it on a PC to formats suitable for Blu-Ray or HDV burners, if you have the money. Then you need a Blu-Ray or HDV player attached to your TV. For now, it sounds like many people are archiving the HDV video to DVDs as data files. Then they burn playable DVDs where the HD is down-converted to standard definition video. So they get to see decent versions of the video now and can produce HD versions for playback in the future as technology changes and prices drop. One other HC7 reviewer also implied that HD files captured by Ulead software could be moved to a PS3 hard drive and played back to an HD TV from there. So far, the easy and cheap path we have for SD video to DVDs to TVs is not quite there for HD based on what I've read.

The one extra feature I wish the camcorder had was a built-in 20X optical zoom. I'm sure this would affect both the cost and the size of the barrel negatively, so I "understand". But that would be #1 on my wish list.

Overall, I am amazed at what camcorder manufacturers can pack into these shells now. I know we're talking computers that are way more powerful at image processing than anything that existed ten years ago. But it is still almost like magic to drag a camcorder of this size around, take some video, and then have play it back on a high-quality HD TV looking to me like it was taken with broadcast-level equipment. I know better intellectually, but it's really great to have a camcorder like this that marries up with the new TVs so beautifully.

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49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!, February 27, 2007
This product, so far as I know, has not been available from Amazon since Jan. 8 as a comment claimed. It wasn't available on Feb. 19 when I ordered it from an Amazon competitor. It's now available (about March 1) at a very competitive price.

It is a fabulous video camera. Colors are accurate, low-light performance is amazing, video noise is non-existent, resolution will blow you away. The 2-hr battery provides a full 2 hours of recording. The camera is light, flexible, and intuitive to use.

The Sony miniDV tapes cost a reasonable $10 ea., and there are zero dropouts. Loading couldn't be easier. It'd be nice if Sony would stick to optical zoom specs (10X), since digital zoom can be anything (why stop at 20X? - go for broke, 1000X! Idiots.) Steadycam - optical stablization - seems to work very well. You can shut it off if you're using a tripod.

Audio is okay, but it could be much better. They provide a jack for an external mike and a powered shoe for a lamp. Video output is flexible - USB, iLink, component, S-video. Speaking of flexible, the user guide runs over 100 pages! There is useful content on every page - it'd take months to try all the options available!

Image quality is stunning, esp. considering the reasonable price. I've not tried the included software, but HDMI playback to my Panasonic 50" plasma is just like network HD! Fantastic! You won't be disappointed. (Okay, there is one little glitch. The zoom speed (rate) is not menu adjustable. There's variable zoom speed provided via a little lever, but you'd better be r e a l l y steady.)

Great camera overall.
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Footage...and works perfectly with Macbook!, May 16, 2007
By Brian Charette (San Francisco, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I purchased this camcorder in anticipation of the birth of my son last month. This is my first camcorder purchase and I am extremely impressed and happy with my purchase.

My goal was to make videos that I could watch in HD on my TV and also quickly edit on my macbook in iMovie and then burn to dvd or upload to youtube.com to share with family. In this regard it works flawlessly. The camcorder and my macbook play together beautifully and it is simple to get the footage off of the camcorder and into my macbook and then burned onto a dvd or uploaded to youtube.com. The footage is automatically adjusted to standard definition by iMovie but the tape in the camcorder retains the 1080i HD footage. This means that I can play it back on my TV in HD whenever I want and also save it for the future when I have an HD disc burner to make HD discs.

By the way I have never done ANY video editing of any kind prior to buying this camcorder and macbook. I am a complete amateur and the ease of which I can make decent home movies with titles and effects and then share them with family is nothing short of astounding!

The bonus is that I can also play the footage directly from the camcorder to my Sony XBR2 1080p TV using an HDMI cable and the picture quality is breathtaking, as clear and sharp as some of the network HD feeds I get through Comcast cable.

Video Quality: The color is very lifelike although tends to be a bit oversaturated. Some may prefer more subtle true lifelike colors that the Canon camcorders are known for. I like the Sony color however, because the colors seem to "pop" a bit more while still seeming natural. This camcorder utilizes Sony's new x.v. color which promises nearly twice the viewable color currently available. My HDTV does not support x.v. color so this feature is useless to me. From what I understand, very few HDTV's support x.v. color so for now this seems to me like marketing hype. The sharpness is absolutely amazing. When watching on my HDTV via HDMI cable, the image is in my eyes comparable to the prime time network HD shows through my cable provider.

Low light performance: When researching this camera, I read the camcorderinfo review which stated that this camcorder suffers from poor low light performance. I find that to be simply untrue. Based on that review I expected the low light footage to be bad and was delighted to find that the low light performance was quite good and more than adequate for my needs. I tested the low light ability at night in my living room with the 60 watt ceiling bulbs dimmed halfway and the video came out fine. The colors were a little muted which was expected but there was no graininess and the footage was sharp and detailed. For my needs I will be filming low light indoor scenes such as candle-lit birthday parties and Christmas morning present openings and I am quite happy with the camera's abilities in these types of low light situations. In outdoors in sunlight, the picture and color will take your breath away.

Ease of Use: My wife was quite intimidated by the thought of learning to use an HD camcorder. I was thrilled to find that the HC7 has an "easy" button. My wife and I got quite a laugh out of this but it really is a great addition. The "easy" button sets the camera to all automatic point and shoot mode and I have to say in this mode the video comes out amazing with no effort or manual adjustments on your part. Because of the "easy" button my wife is no longer afraid of the camera and is now filming as much as I am. In fact, we both use the camera primarily in the "easy" mode and the footage always comes out sharp and stunning (and I get to be in the footage with my son now that my wife shoots too).

For more experienced shooters, this camera has tons of manual controls which I will probably never use. The menu system is a bit awkward as you have to dig deep into nested folders to find some of the options you want. This is extremely frustrating when you are shooting and want to change something quickly. For example to change white balance or turn off optical image stablisation when using a tripod requires scrolling through mulitple folders to find the option you want - annoying. Although to be fair the instructions do say that you can set your most used manual controls on a custom touchscreen for easy access. I have yet to do this.

Batteries: The Sony Infolithium batteries give real time information on exactly how much time you have left to shoot. This is extremely helpful and I find the estimates to be incredibly accurate. You will have to purchase an additional battery however, as the one it comes with does not give you adequate shooting time before needing to be recharged.

Overall I am extremely happy with this camcorder and would absolutely recommend it. The stunning video quality, compatibility with my Macbook for making videos to share with extended family and incredible ease of use make this camera a winner. Throw in the fact that it has an "easy" button that allows my non-techie wife to take incredibly sharp, beautiful footage and be comfortable using the camera and enthusiastic about shooting, and you have the perfect camcorder for my family. Highly recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camcorder
After numerous months of searching, it was down to this and the Canon HV20. The Canon had a higher image quality, but appeared to have issues with the rolling shutter. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Randolph Hwang

1.0 out of 5 stars Purchased 12-21-07, died 07-15-09 after shooting two cassette tapes!
I purchased the Sony HDR-HC7 on 12-21-07 from Amazon. During the time that I've had it, I've shot two cassettes with it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Joshua D. Schlie

3.0 out of 5 stars Stunning picture, 2 yrs. later it KINDA works
I have raved about my HDR-HC7 for the exactly two years that I've owned it. About a month ago, the picture - indoor and outdoor - started getting occasionally blurry, for no... Read more
Published 5 months ago by T. Conrad

2.0 out of 5 stars Xlnt video+fatal defect+arrogant company
Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
The video quality was great! Read more
Published 12 months ago by N. Olson

1.0 out of 5 stars Warning - Sony Service is dismal
Lots of noise issues in low light situations. Sony's customer service isn't the best either. Their uncooperative reputation is starting to bite them or so I hear. Read more
Published 19 months ago by G. McDonnell

2.0 out of 5 stars Warning: beware warranty
When I encountered a defective internal lens cover I went to their website about getting it fixed and they state there is a minimum $250 charge. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Michael T. Martin

3.0 out of 5 stars Very nice video but questionable reliability
I am very pleased with the video quality and the comfortable feel of this HD camcorder. Unfortunately, the camera began to intermittently auto-focus erratically in the third month... Read more
Published 20 months ago by D. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Features in a small Body
The Sony HDR-HC7 has features that you would not expect in a Handy cam. I once asked a Professional at a local retailer, why HD Tapes are 63 minutes instead of the traditional 60... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Anthony F. Akins

5.0 out of 5 stars HDR HC7
I've had this camcorder for about 8 months now and I've been using it enough, I feel, to give a pretty accurate review. Read more
Published 20 months ago by A. Rossin

4.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY RECEIVED MY HDR-HC7
After receiving wrong camera I finally received the right camera about a month ago.

I am very pleased with it. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ana Luisa Angermeyer

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