Product Description

One step ahead, the DCR-HC42E Compact DV camcorder from Sony uses the full width of a 1megapixel CCD to always capture and playback your images in true 16: 9 widescreen. A high picture quality for both movies and still images are guaranteed and true 16: 9

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74775 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DCRHC42
• Released on: 2005-01-28
• Dimensions: .88 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
One step ahead, the Sony DCR-HC42E (DCRHC42E) Compact DV camcorders use the full width of a 1megapixel CCD to always capture and playback your images in true 16:9 widescreen. A high picture quality for both movies and still images are guaranteed and true 16:9 movies can be played back to the full on a home theatre system.

The DCR-HC42E provides true 16:9 widescreen recording, taking advantage of the full width of the 1Megapixel CCD, results in a wider angle of view than 4:3 methods. This is ideal for playback on today's popular widescreen TVs and for widescreen playback on the camera itself the camcorders also feature a 2.7-inch Wide Hybrid LCD monitor that ensures that a bright, clear picture can be viewed anywhere, even at high contrast locations.

Start and stop record controls and a secondary Zoom button are conveniently placed on the Wide LCD frame for quick access when viewing the subject on the display or for during difficult shooting situations, even when you are holding the camera above your head.

The Sony DCR-HC42E features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, with a 12x Optical Zoom capability and a filter diameter of 25mm. This ensures that your footage will be of pin-sharp quality, even when you are zooming in from a significant distance, while the sizable lens guarantees a bright picture.

Sony's STAMINA technology makes sure you have a worry free long recording time on the camcorders. They are powered by infoLITHIUM battery that can provide continuous recording, rechargeable via a supplied AC adaptor. A Battery Info button displays available recording times and remaining charge level on the LCD display when activated. This function is accessible anytime when the camcorder is turned off.

Situated handily on the frame of the LCD monitor are a Start and Stop Record button and a secondary Zoom button for quick access when viewing the subject on the display, or for during difficult shooting situations, even when you are holding the camera above your head. The LCD monitor displays a touch panel menu, rendered on the screen, which makes it easy to operate the functions.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Great camera
This camera is fantastic. It beats the other HC cameras below it by far. It's advanced hotshoe is a must as it allows you to connect things like external microphones and flashlights onto the top. A lot of people say that Sony's Suffer in low light conditions but the way I've got over this is simply using night shot or the backlight.

The backlight is also great for indoor shots of people against windows. It enables you to see their face. The coolest thing abuot this camera is its easy feature which does it all for you. It's like an automatic mode that actually works. You get an NP-50 battery with it which will last you roughly 90 minutes when using the LCD screen which is great. Most cameras only allow 60 minutes when using the LCD screen.

Overall a great buy considering the price from where I got it from.

Small but perfectly formed
Had the camera for a week or two and so far am immensely pleased with it. Plenty of features and all accessed via the LCD touchscreen software interface (there are hard buttons for some features). The 'backlit subject' feature is good, enabling shots of people in front of bright windows etc and still being able to see their faces.

Image quality is very good, and the camera is supplied with a handycam docking station and some free editing software which allows direct transfer from the camera onto VCD's, and also has a hilarious 'pop video' feature which automatically edits your footage and sets it to any mp3 you give it. It can do a full 5 minute 'song' in about 10 mins and turns out better than you expect. However the software is rather inflexible in that it only allows input from the docking station/camera and nowhere else, so its not possible to use for example footage already on your hard drive.

Be aware that unlike some models in the new dcr-hc range the camera is NOT supplied with a memory stick which you will have to buy separately (although it isn't essential).

Great camera...
This is a fantastic camera. Video quality is superb for a camera in this price bracket, although it does suffer in low light conditions. It has great features and is very easy to operate.