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Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E

Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E
Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3ESony HDR-HC3 / HC3E
alaScore 89

369 reviews

May, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 369 reviews of Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the size and price. The portability and image quality also get good views. There are some mixed views about the viewfinder, and the connectivity and memory get negative comments.

usability, image quality, portability, price, size

memory, connectivity

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 369 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (58% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (27% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (10% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (87%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (61%)Show negative (39%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (64%)Show negative (36%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (97%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (13%)Show negative (88%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
connectivity
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 294 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 234 of 294 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (74)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 user reviews of Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the durability and portability. The image quality and price are also mentioned favorably. Many are less positive about the memory, while reviews are divided on the size.

usability, price, image quality, portability, durability

memory

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 205 user reviews of Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the battery and durability. The portability and image quality are also mentioned favorably. Views about the zoom and reliability are different, and some have doubts about the connectivity.

usability, image quality, portability, durability, battery

connectivity

98% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Expert review by : Terry Sullivan (pcmag.com)

Sony HDR-HC3 HDV 1080i Handycam

 

Incredible video quality. Excellent sound. Performs well in extreme lighting scenarios.

No included software. Instructions should feature more about the benefits and details of high-definition video. Menus are still not very clear. Cheaper than its predecessor, but still pricey.

Sony's HDR-HC3 sets the bar very high, letting consumers film home movies in stunning HD quality.

Jul, 2006
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Expert review by : Richard Baguley (pcworld.com)

First Look: Sony's Slick New HD Camcorder

 

The HDR-HC3 brings high-definition video recording to the masses.

May, 2006
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Expert review by : Denny Atkin (cnet.com)

image quality

 

Sony Handycam HDR-HC3

Excellent video quality; compact; supports both HD and DV resolutions; decent still photos.

No microphone jack; no 24p support; HDV editing and distribution options are limited.

Though significantly cheaper than Sony's previous consumer HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 still offers superb HD video quality.

May, 2006
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Expert review by : Easy Camcorder (easycamcorders.com)

Expert Review

 

Quick Review Camcorders: Sony HDR-HC3

Terrific HDV video at a very reasonable street price - lower than some SD camcorders, - Easy to use and handle, - Huge and sharp 3.5" LCD screen, - None of the workflow issues associated with AVCHD video

Compared to the HDR-HC1, this camcorder disappoints, - Control dial rather than the superior ring found on the HC1, UX1 and SR1, - No mic or phone jacks make this a point-and-shoot camcorder

Oct, 2006
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Expert review by : Robin Liss and David Kender (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony HDR-HC3 Camcorder Review

 

The release of the HDR-HC3 has probably been the subject of more buzz than that of any other camcorder this year. Significant changes from the HDR-HC1, the camera the HC3 replaced, demonstrate the evolution in the HD market over the past year. While...

Apr, 2006
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Expert review by : Best Digital Camcorder Reviews (best-digital-camcorder-reviews.com)

Sony's HDR-HC3 camcorder

 

Sony HDR-HC3 4MP High-Definition Handycam MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Sony HDR-HC3 MiniDV Camcorder Features From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sony's HDR-HC3 camcorder is the industry's smallest and lightest HDV1080i consumer-level...

Mar, 2011
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Expert review by : About.com (about.com)

Sony HDR-HC3 High-Definition MiniDV Camcorder Review

 

HDV/DV Recording Options One neat feature of the DCR-HC3 is its ability to record high-definition and standard video onto a MiniDV tape. Camcorder users can decide which format they would like to record in.

Feb, 2007
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Expert review by : Andrew Burke (videomaker.com)

Camcorder Review Web Exclusive! Sony HDR-HC3 Mini DV

 

Just plain realism is the lighting style visible in most movies and TV dramas (comedies shot with multiple cameras generally use a different approach). Realism uses the same light-painting techniques, but tones them down so that their artificiality is...

Portability ; HDMI output ; DV/ HDV switchable

Audio inputs ; Scroll Wheel

Our overall experience with the HDR-HC3 was a positive one, especially after we connected it to our 42" plasma HDTV. We liked having a 1080i camcorder literally fit in the palm our hand. Most experienced users will be deterred by the touch panel LCD...

Nov, 2006
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Expert review by : CHAD SAPIEHA (evergeek.com)

Sony Handycam HDRHC3

 

To heck with keeping up with the Joneses. Pick up Sony's new HDR-HC3 Handycam—the first of a new breed of compact, user-friendly high definition camcorders—and you'll not only lap the J.family, you'll have the best looking home video of anyone you know.

May, 2006
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Expert review by : Robin Liss and David Kender (reviewed.com)

Sony HDR-HC3

 

The HDR-HC3 uses a 1/3" CMOS sensor, the same kind found on the DCR-DVD505. The chip in the HC3 has 2,103,000 gross pixels; 1,434,000 effective pixels in 16:9 video mode; 1,076,000 effective pixels in 4:3 video mode

Apr, 2006
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Price comparison for Sony HDR-HC3 / HC3E

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