Sony DCR-SR32

alaTest has collected and analyzed 424 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviews about the value for money and resolution are on the whole positive. The color and design are also mentioned favorably, but many are critical about the connectivity and features.

zoom, design, color, resolution, value for money

memory, features, connectivity

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony DCR-SR32 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 82/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 424 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (30% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (42% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (14% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (7% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Zoom
  Show positive (58%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (61%)None yet(Show all)
Memory
  Show positive (10%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
Color
  Show positive (22%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
Features
  None yetShow negative (58%)(Show all)
Resolution
  Show positive (25%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (41%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
Connectivity
  Show positive (5%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
Build quality
  Show positive (45%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
Usability
  Show positive (73%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 266 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 266 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (162)

Expert review by:

Sony DCR-HC32

 

20x optical zoom

Image stabilization is electronic, not optical ; No manual controls ; Letterboxed (cropped) 16:9 mode ; No microphone jack ; Dock required for video transfer ; Stills are only 640 by 480 ; Poor low light performance

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Sony Handycam DCR-HC32

 

Review: A minor but decidedly worthwhile update of the DCR-HC30, the Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 offers a much more powerful optical zoom, a killer docking station, an accessory shoe, and a lower price tag. Plus, this MiniDV model carries over most of the...

Charging/connectivity dock included; built-in lens cover; novice-friendly Easy mode; touch-screen LCD; customizable onscreen menus; 20X optical zoom; NightShot mode

Noisy images in all but the brightest environments; touch-screen interface can be confusing; low-resolution still photos; cropped wide-screen mode; bottom-loading tape compartment

Like many lower-end camcorders, the Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 has trouble keeping noise out of the picture. But that's the only real problem with this affordable, feature-packed model.

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Expert review by:

Sony DCR-HC32

 

The 20x optical zoom lens on the Sony DCR-HC32 offers more range than most, but there's little else to recommend about this mediocre camcorder.

20x optical zoom

No manual controls ; letterboxed (cropped) 16:9 mode ; image stabilization is electronic, not optical ; poor low light performance ; no microphone jack ; stills are only 640 by 480 ; dock required for video transfer

The DCR-HC32 is compact, with well-placed controls, but I found the power switch and eject lever a bit awkward to operate. There are few buttons, with most options selected via easy-to-navigate menus on the 2.5-inch touch panel LCD. For sunny days,...

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Expert review by:

Camcorder Review: Sony DCR-HC32 Mini DV

 

The DCR-HC32 has an inviting design and user interface that beginners and intermediate shooters will enjoy. If you're a casual shooter who wants a camcorder with modern day power and conveniences, you'll definitely want to take a closer look

Easy to use right out of the box ; Small, lightweight, relatively inexpensive ; Programmable menu system ; 20x optical zoom

Manual focus in menu ; No DV I/O on camera (must have base station to capture) ; No headphone/microphone ports

An excellent beginner to intermediate camera with the useful Handycam Station (base station) at a very affordable price.

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Expert review by:

Sony DCR-HC32 First Impressions Camcorder Review - Sony MiniDV Camcorders

 

At the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Sony announced their new 2005 camcorder line, including the $600 DCR-HC32. While the new DCR-HC32 exhibits many of the cosmetic upgrades and features found on the DCR-HC21, and on all of Sony's new...

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Expert review by:

Sony DCR HC32

 

Sony DCR-HC32 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

Sony DCR HC32 MiniDV Handycam camcorder stands out with high-end digital imaging features at an affordable price. Super NightShot infrared system enables you to capture natural looking video in low light conditions. The Super SteadyShot picture...

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Consumer review by:

Good handycam, bad everything else

 

Having 2 separate DCR-HC32 failing on me and then having overpriced repair costs for each isn't worth it. $170 for handycam station burning out the internal playing mechanism??? You only have 1 year warranty. God forbid if the product fails on its own...

Video stability, night vision, battery life, good picture quality, good sound. Small size

Transfer videos to PC is a pain. Requires Sony PCs (ie. Vaio) to burn to DVD. ** Handycam Station can burn out internal play mechanism - have 2 devices that failed **. Repair costs after 1 year (especially to me after just over 1 year) can be $170

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Consumer review by:

"Good handycam, bad everything else"

 

Having 2 separate DCR-HC32 failing on me and then having overpriced repair costs for each isn't worth it. $170 for handycam station burning out the internal playing mechanism??? You only have 1 year warranty. God forbid if the product fails on its own...

Video stability, night vision, battery life, good picture quality, good sound. Small size.

Transfer videos to PC is a pain. Requires Sony PCs (ie. Vaio) to burn to DVD. ** Handycam Station can burn out internal play mechanism - have 2 devices that failed **. Repair costs after 1 year (especially to me after just over 1 year) can be $170+.

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Consumer review by:

Not great, needs less on screen settings

 

I was quite disappointed with the features of this cam. I am hard to please with audio and video gear but theres things on this cam that I really question why they put there...and in other cases, why they didn't put into this model. A mic input was on...

Light weight, fairly easy to use, good image stabilization, can connect with firewire to transfer to the PC for editing with most NLEs

No mic input, noisy images even in proper lighting, poor battery life, screen cuts off what is actually captured to tape, capture software with USB makes large file, view finder at strange angle, not enough manual control, too many on screen menus

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Consumer review by:

"Not great, needs less on screen settings"

 

I was quite disappointed with the features of this cam. I am hard to please with audio and video gear but theres things on this cam that I really question why they put there...and in other cases, why they didn't put into this model. A mic input was on...

Light weight, fairly easy to use, good image stabilization, can connect with firewire to transfer to the PC for editing with most NLEs.

No mic input, noisy images even in proper lighting, poor battery life, screen cuts off what is actually captured to tape, capture software with USB makes large file, view finder at strange angle, not enough manual control, too many on screen menus.

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Product Specifications

Sony's DCR-HC32 MiniDV Handycam camcorder stands out with high-end digital imaging features at an affordable price. Super NightShot infrared system enables you to capture natural looking video in low light conditions. The Super SteadyShot picture stabilization system uses motion sensors to detect and correct camera "shake" for smoother video recording. Tele Macro Mode zooms in for close-up shots to bring out the subject in vivid imagery - making it stand out above the background. This fully-equipped camcorder comes with easy solutions to transfer images and video recording to your computer. USB Streaming allows you to broadcast live video to family and friends, and i.LINK DV interface provides a connection from the camcorder to a variety of compatible devices. Memory Stick Duo media compatibility provides yet another way to easily transfer still images and compact MPEG Movie EX video to your PC for emailing and printing.

Audio Input

Microphone Operation Mode:Stereo/Surround
Microphone Technology:Electret condenser
Type:Microphone

Battery

Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Manufacturer Battery Name:Sony NP-FH40/Sony NP-FH60/Sony NP-FP30

Camcorder Features

Low Lux / Night Mode: Yes
Widescreen Video Capture: Yes

Camera Flash

Type:Built-in flash/None

Digital Camera

Supported Flash Memory:Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo

Digital Storage Media

Type:Hard disk drive

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:4.3in/4.4in/5in
Height:2.8in/3.1in/3.5in
Weight:0.9lbs/12.5oz/12oz/16.2oz
Width:2.2in/2.9in/3in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:2.5in/2.7in
Diagonal Size (metric):6.4cm/6.9cm
Display Form Factor:Rotating
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Beach & ski / Landscape / Portrait mode / Sports mode / Spotlight / Sunset & moon/Beach/snow / Candle / Fireworks / Landscape / Portrait mode / Sports mode / Spotlight / Sunrise / Twilight mode/Beach/snow / Candle / Fireworks / Landscape / Portrait mode / Spotlight / Sunrise / Twilight mode/Beach/snow / Candle / Fireworks / Landscape / Portrait mode / Spotlight / Sunrise / Twilight mode / Twilight portrait

Header

Manufacturer:Sony
Model:HC32/HC32E/SR190E/SR32E/SR72E
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Sony Handycam DCR

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/1.8-2.9/F/1.8-3.1/F/1.8-3.2/F/1.8-4.1
Max Focal Length:46mm/51mm/62.5mm/76mm
Min Focal Length:1.9mm/2.3mm/2.5mm/5.1mm
Optical Zoom:10/20/25/40
Type:Zoom lens

Optical Sensor

Camcorder Effective Still Resolution:0.3Megapixel/1Megapixel
Camcorder Effective Video Resolution:340Kpix/400Kpix
Camcorder Sensor Resolution:1070Kpix/680Kpix/800Kpix
Optical Sensor Size:1/3"/1/6"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):4.2 mm ( 1/6 ) / 4.2 mm ( 1/6" )/8.5 mm ( 1/3 ) / 8.5 mm ( 1/3" )
Optical Sensor Type:Advanced HAD CCD/ClearVid CMOS
Sensor Qty:1CCD/1CMOS

Optical System

Image Stabilizer:Electronic (Super Steady Shot)

Service & Support

Type:1 year warranty

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Analog Video Format:NTSC/PAL
Digital Scene Transition:Black fader / Monotone fader / Mosaic fader / Overlap fader / Random / White fader / Wipe fader/Black fader / White fader
Digital Video Format:MPEG EX/MPEG-2
Digital Zoom:2000/80/800
Media Type:Hard disk drive/Mini DV
Shooting Modes:Digital photo mode/Digital photo mode / Frame movie mode
Special Effects:Flash Motion / Low Shutter Speed (LSS) / Luminance Key / Monotone / Mosaic / Negative Art / Old Movie / Pastel / Sepia / Solarization / Still / Trail/Monotone / Old Movie / Pastel / Sepia
Still Image Format:JPEG
Type:Camcorder

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Color Support:Color
Viewfinder Type:LCD
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