Buy new Sony HDR-HC3 or HDR-HC1?

[David97]

Which one would you guys buy?

[tazzila]

I would get the HDR-HC1 it was awarded the best pick for under $2000 in 2005 and has been given great reviews check camcorderinfo.com for the full review. This site is one of the best when it comes to camcorders they perform some of the best tests out there and give scores to every feature. there rating system is #1


This award was perhaps the easiest to give out. If you read our review of the HDR-HC1 you’ll immediately know how floored we were by this model. The gorgeous, sharp video, with its vivid colors, knocked our socks off. Better still, the inclusion of manual controls made us feel comfortable shooting with a Sony once again. No camcorders in the $1,250 - $2,000 range even come close to the HDR-HC1 in quality or anything else.

[slacker]

I would get the hc-3. It is gorgeous, and the retail price just dropped to $1500. Uses the same CMOS chip as the hc1 so why pay more.

[teeg]

This has been talked about on other forums on the net.
The new HC3 doesn't have a external mic input, no manual focus ring, however, has a tape top loading mechanism, and supposedly slightly better low light performance (according to the manuals floating around on the internet). People seem to be asserting that this model is slightly more 'consumerish' with the retraction of the headphone/mic options.

[slacker]

I need to edit my post.
The hc3 does allow for Sony's proprietary stereo or gunzoom external microphones.

[edDV]

I'd go with the HC-1. The extra features are worth it to me.

That was Sony's strategy. They took away some key features for the Prosumer and raised the price of the HC-1. Panasonic did some similar tradeoffs with the GS-500.

[slacker]

Yes, but in the hc3 we see Sony finally committing to an overall design. The hc1 never did look "right", the designer was OTL. And it has some material issues as well if you scan the forums.

I'll bet dollars to donuts the upcoming replacement to the hc1 and a1u looks EXACTLY like the hc3. The hc1 is already an over the hill design.

Mark