Editorial Product Review:Item Description:The DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam camcorder is a high quality, versatile, and highly capable device. Boasting a strong zoom lens and vivid color reproduction, this camcorder delivers what you need to capture those memorable events. 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 the 2.5' touch panel SwivelScreen LCD display puts control of everything at your fingertips.
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
-
Great Entry Level camera
I purchased this camera in mid October 2008, and so far have been very pleased given the low price. I initially wanted more features, but did not want to spend over $250-270 total (with accessories like MiniDV tapes, firewire cable, bag, extra battery). I use it for recording my children's music performances.
Plus:
- The video quality is very good. 40x OPTICAL zoom. This was the highest optical zoom I could find in a camera in this price range.
- The sound quality is good in the 12 bit mode, and even better in the 16 bit mode.
- Easy to use.
- Compact.
- Intelligent Lithium battery.
Minus:
- No MiniDV tape included. You will need to buy some.
- NO PASSTHROUGH MODE. This camera cannot accept input from analog sources (like output from an old VHS-C camera or a VCR). If you plan to use this camera to transfer from older analog to digital video, it won't do it.
- Battery life is short, 115 minutes according to book, but I get between 90 and 100 minutes. Buy an NP-FH50 and use the battery that came with the camera as a spare.
- No USB port. You WILL need firewire inputs on your computer to capture the video. And if you purchase from Circuit City, do not expect the sales people to know this.
- No Firewire cable. Factor that in the purchase price. Firewire cables are expensive ($25-$30) IF you buy from a brick and mortar store; expect to pay $8-10 online
- No Remote control. So if you want to put the camera on a tripod, you must manually start and stop the recording.
- No memory slot. MiniDV only.
Customer Rating: 
-
Not recognized by computer (Firewire)
I received this camera as a gift. It works fine to capture video. However, it is not recognized by the computer, so I cannot edit the images.
Yes, I connected it to the computer via Firewire and yes, I used a video capture software (tried IMovie and Final Cut on Mac, Movie Maker on Windows). None of these programs recognized the camera.
The Firewire port seems to be working, since the "DV in" info appears on the camera display when it is connected. However, the computer does not recognize the device ever. It is not possible either to transfer video from the computer to the camera (record).
Since no one else seems to have had this same problem, I believe it should be a defect of my camera. However, it is very frustrating. The camera becomes practically useless, and to fix it would probably cost more than buying a new one anyway.
Customer Rating: -
Excellent Condition and good price
The product details are not mentioned properly but over all product is excellent Condition and good price
Customer Rating: -
DEPENDABLE WITH ONE MINUS
I like almost everything about this camera except one thing. COLOR SATURATION IS LOW. I wonder if it is just MY camera or are the others like this? My previous JVC DV Cam had much better saturated reds and blues than the Sony. The HC52 has good clarity, good stereo built-in sound, with little if any machine-noise. For the great price, I think the extras make the deal.. Like touch screen menus, built-in lens cover, and 40X zoom. The image stabilizer works, albeit mildly. I noticed that the sunrise/sunset mode enriches the colors.. however the focus is fixed for distance only and can't be over-ridden manually in that mode..so, thus far I can't seem to manually get more saturated colors, therefore it loses 1 star.