Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom

Posted by Cheryl P. | 11:00 AM
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Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom Review



This is a great little camcorder. I purchased it to replace a 9 year old Sony Digital8 camcorder. I did not want a hard drive, or DVD. The picture quality is great, far exceding my old top of the line Digital8. It is small, easy to use, and so light. It will be easy to take on trips, which is really the reason I bought it..the 8mm camera, which by the way still works like its brand new, is just a little too big to carry around on vacation. I like the touch screen menus, which my 8mm does not have. And once again, the picture quality is awesome, which for me is all it really comes down to. The only thing I use this camera for is recording my kids as they grow up, I am not a video professional.



Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom Feature


  • 1/6" Advanced HAD CCD Imager, 680K Pixels (Gross)
  • 40X Optical / 2000X Digital Zoom
  • 2.7" Touch Panel SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels)
  • Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens
  • InfoLITHIUM Battery with AccuPower Meter System



Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom Overview


The DCR-HC52 puts exceptional quality, versatility, and affordability in the palm of your hands. 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 Super NightShot Plus technology keeps your video bright when shooting in dimly lit environments. The 2.5" touch panel SwivelScreen LCD display puts control of everything at your fingertips, or use the Easy Handycam button to simplify your recording options when the action just won¿t wait.


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Customer Reviews


spartan and effective - Funnelwebmaster - Sydney, Australia
This is my second DCR-HC52. My first one got soaked by a rogue wave and died a slow, moist death (although its battery survived and is now my back-up battery). This unit is simple to operate and provides a nice image (I process using the Mac's iMovieHD). There are no bells and whistles although one can customize the functions a bit and manual focus is possible. Once you get used to the touch screen it does the job. For the money I think you can't do better than this if miniDV format is what you need.






Ok but not great - Pteri - United States
This camera is just ok. I wish I had spent a bit more money to get something that would have had more bells and whistles. Also another reason for a bad review is that Sony has misinformation on their website about this camera. The Sony website links to a USB cable for this model of camera, and they have a USB cable for sale. BUT DON'T ORDER IT because it won't work. You can NOT use USB with this camera. The returns process for Sony is convoluted, and they won't credit shipping charges even when it is their mistake! They don't readily provide a customer service number on their .com site. Also, the user manual is lacking in information about the camera and misses several ideas for troubleshooting. It is also a noisy camera and has to be charged for every 2 hours of use. I have never purchased a Sony device before... if this is typical for Sony (misinformation on their website and a mediocre user manual), I won't again.



Shame on Sony - M. Lamore -
I owned an older model DV Sony camera. It's too bad that the accesaries are not interchangable. I brought this camera with the hope of using the extra batteries I had from my old camera. Shame on Sony for not designing compatibility between the two designs. I think that corperate greed played a big part in the design of this cheaper version of my old camera.


**Product Information Jan 24, 2010 12:00:11**