| | |  | Stroller Accessories | Home » » » » Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom | | | | | | | Description: | | The HDR-HC7 lets you view the world through a professional grade Carl Zeiss(R) Vario-Sonnar(R) T* Lens with 10x optical/20x digital zoom and a 1/2.9" ClearVid(TM) CMOS Sensor. In addition to pristine quality video, you can capture 4.6 megapixel still images while the camcorder is recording video with the dual record mode feature. Take command of your pictures as you manually control focus, exposure, shutter speed, auto exposure shift and white balance shift. View everything you shoot on the 2.7" Wide Clear Photo(TM) LCD Plus featuring Touch Panel SwivelScreen(TM) technology, so you can swivel from any shooting angle. Super SteadyShot(R) technology and the Super NightShot(R) feature will help you capture videos you`ll want to share with the world. | | | Features: | |
• 3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor; choose between HD & DV recording formats
• 6.1-megapixel still image capture; Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• 2.7-inch widescreen Clear Photo LCD Plus
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens; 10x optical zoom/20x digital zoom
• Memory Stick Duo media slot
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 3.25 inches | | Product Width:
| 3.25 inches | | Product Height:
| 5.5 inches | | Product Weight:
| 4.14 pounds | | Package Length:
| 8.6 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.9 inches | | Package Height:
| 5.2 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 45 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Great CamcorderSep 24, 2009
After numerous months of searching, it was down to this and the Canon HV20. The Canon had a higher image quality, but appeared to have issues with the rolling shutter. (Reviews can be found at camcorderinfo.com) In the end, I picked the Sony because of the discount I could redeem from Sony card's points program. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. At the time of purchase, I also considered with new entries of hard drive and flash drive HD camcorders. From the comparison footage, the progressive image could not offset the image compression from the AVCHD format. I'm sure the image quality has improved since then because the bitrate wasn't used to its fullest potential in AVCHD.
I have used the camcorder for the past two years and I like the touchscreen on the Sony, it makes for changing settings pretty quickly. The controls are responsive and I'm happy with the image quality. There is a learning curve to shoot footage in varying conditions. But once you figure out to spend a few minutes before an event to set the white balance and exposure, the footage looks great! I picked up Sony Vegas Studio and the importing the videos from the HDV tapes to computer is simple as pushing record. The footage is easy to edit and compile onto a DVD. The editor has the ability to blend the interlaced frames so the video looks cleaner (without the jaggy lines you would see if you paused the video during a scene with high speed movements for the regular interlaced footage).
I've bought accessories such as the underwater housing (and 2 lbs of lead weights to neutralize buoyancy). This is great for pool videos during vacation as well as handy to record footage at the beach on windy days (to keep sand out), splashing around in the ocean, and in the rain. Additional accessories I picked up include a larger battery (almost 400 minutes of battery life if you use the viewfinder only), the bluetooth microphone (great for recitals), video light, and a UV filter (to provide some protection for the lens). I am considering a wide angle converter lens as the widest angle is narrow for filming in smaller rooms.
I look forward to creating more home videos with this camcorder.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Purchased 12-21-07, died 07-15-09 after shooting two cassette tapes!Jul 16, 2009
I purchased the Sony HDR-HC7 on 12-21-07 from Amazon. During the time that I've had it, I've shot two cassettes with it. The rest of the time it was safely stored in a padded case behind my tv. The camera was gently used around the house.
On 07-15-09 I wanted to shoot some video of my son's first steps. I knew the cassette need to be replaced, so I ejected the old cassette, inserted a new one, and pushed the "Push" marking on the cassette receiver. Normally this would cause the cassette housing to retract into the body of the camera, and you could then close the cover. After inserting the tape and pushing the cassette receiver the housing would not retract. I charged the camera, thinking it could be a power supply problem. After a complete overnight re-charge, the problem persists.
I just went to the Sony website and punched in my model camera and date of purchase. The automated system quoted a repair cost of $461.00.
So yeah, I cannot recommend this product. For the two cassettes it did function, I did enjoy it however.
 Stunning picture, 2 yrs. later it KINDA worksJun 12, 2009
I have raved about my HDR-HC7 for the exactly two years that I've owned it. About a month ago, the picture - indoor and outdoor - started getting occasionally blurry, for no rhyme or reason, and only some of the time. I could fix it by re-white balancing, but not for long. Now it's unpredictable. Too bad. I loved this camera and always will, because it's picture is often as good as my XHA1, and the slow-motion burst feature is great, although lacks clarity. I hope it's fixable. I have to get a new prosumer camcorder now. Still, I recommend it. I've not found anyone else with this problem.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Xlnt video+fatal defect+arrogant companyDec 01, 2008
Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
The video quality was great! But after about 8 hours of total use the camera refused to close its cassete compartment, flashing a "no tape' symbol. This 15 month old camera is no longer under warranty, so the minimum cost to repair appears to be $461.00, but even that quote is not guaranteed by Sony. It appears that the camera has design or manufacturing flaws since the problem is revealed elsewhere in the Amazon reviews by another unfortunate buyer. In other words, why would anyone pay for a very expensive repair when it seems probable that the defect will recur? Sony is completely uncooperative, refusing even to provide an address for service of process since I am suing them on the basis that the camera is not capable of reliably performing the function that it is advertised to fulfill. In this era of very reliable electronic products with life spans often so great that they are replaced because they become obsolete, building and selling such trash in order - it appears - to develop a profit center from repair charges is just a form of usury. The response of Sony on this product issue implies that other products will meet that same level of service. The Web appears to confirm that as fact. It is noteworthy to observe that Amazon, itself, no longer directly sells this camera but instead serves only as an on-line vendor for Wall Street Photo.
Warning - Sony Service is dismalApr 18, 2008
Lots of noise issues in low light situations. Sony's customer service isn't the best either. Their uncooperative reputation is starting to bite them or so I hear. My personal experiences with them have been frustrating to say the least. Cannon has much better customer service and their HD products outshine Sonys. This HDR-HC7's low-light performance was a disappointment.
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