Sony HDR-HC9 / HC9E Expert Reviews

alaTest has collected and analyzed 88 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the control panel. The color also impresses, but many are less positive about the battery.

Control panel, Color, Design, Interface

Battery, Memory

Experts rate this product 73/100 and users 91/100. We analyzed these ratings, the product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders, the Sony HDR-HC9 / HC9E is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 92/100 = Excellent quality.

Sony's new HC9 looks and feels a lot like last year's HC7, all in all a good thing. The design proves to be solid and usable, and it captures good images. For some users, the very best feature is one you can take out and hold in your hand: tape

Tape-based for easy archival Wide array of manual controls Great image quality

Lens hood obstructs flash and IR light Small Cam Control wheel Curious menu layout

A robust, flexible camera. Good choice for those who want their video on tape.

The Sony HDR-HC9 is a minor update from last year's HDR-HC7. This high definition camcorder records to tape in the HDV format, which continues be the format of choice for those who prize video quality over the convenience of flash media, HDD, and DVD. ...

The HDR-HC9 is a high definition camcorder recording in the tape-based HDV format. Though it may not have the cutting edge "shininess" of Sony's other HD models this year, tape remains the format that offers the highest video quality. The HDR-HC9 ...

The Sony HDR-HC9 has some advantages over the Canon HV30, such as a sturdier build and better ease of use. Canon's better video quality and options for 24P and 30P recording are hard to pass up, however. Neither is a perfect camcorder, and each has ...

The HDR-HC9 is identical in most respects to last year's Sony HDR-HC7, including the 1/2.9-inch CCD with a gross pixel count of 3,200,000. The performance is, once again, very good. In bright and moderate light, the camcorder shows excellent color ...

In low light testing, you'll start to see differentiations between the HDV models. While the Sony HDR-HC9 was good, it was clearly outperformed by the Canon HV30. Not only did the Canon produce a picture that looked less noisy, it also offers multiple ...

HD is taking over the video production world faster than many camera owners can keep up with. Now in its 5th generation, HDV cameras offer a broad range of choices from full-size broadcast cameras to small format palmcorders. The most recent addition ...

WITH Mini DV's being replaced by the more convenient AVCHD, the HDR-HC9 may be Sony's final foray in the high definition Mini DV market.

Superb 1080i image quality, loads of manual features, reliable build quality, intuitive user interface

Not much has changed since last generation's HDR-HC7

If you prefer the familiarity and reliability of HDV tape, the Sony HDR-HC9 is one of the best (and only) options on the market. Sticklers for value may want to check out Canon's HV30 though - it's every bit as good, yet cheaper.

Superb 1080i image quality, loads of manual features, reliable build quality, intuitive user interface

Not much has changed since last generation's HDR-HC7

If you prefer the familiarity and reliability of HDV tape, the Sony HDR-HC9 is one of the best (and only) options on the market. Sticklers for value may want to check out Canon's HV30 though - it's every bit as good, yet cheaper.

After only a couple of years, the tape-based HDV format is beginning to hum its swansong - it was, after all, a transitional move between DV and high definition. Sony is still releasing HDV products, though, and the HDR-HC9E is the latest in a line of ...

Sony's characteristically good image quality, but not quite enough manual features to compete with more enthusiast-oriented HDV models.