Hi

Have been looking at getting a new camcorder after my last one was stolen.

Put off Panasonic as the one I had was terrible (NVGS50). Slow
mechanism, poor performance in low light and picture quality that was
only marginally better than my old Sony 8mm camera!

Anyway, I see the new range Sony have just released and I might go for
one of these - either the DCRHC39 or the DCRHC42 (because they are
widescreen rather than pseudo widescreen)

Has anyone had any experience of these yet? I've not really been able to
find any reviews on the web as of yet, although this is understandable
considering they are only just out.

Does anyone know why the higher 39 and 42 models only have 12x optical
zoom whereas the lower models in the new range offer 20x zoom! Both of
these are an improvement to last years models 10x zoom.

It's interesting to note that the 42 can be bought for less than the
outgoing 40 model! Even though the 42 is brand new.

I'd appreciate anyones experiences or thoughts on these new cameras
before I finally go and commit and end up buying one!

Thanks in advance!!

Stephen.

"StephenH" schreef in bericht
...
Hi

Have been looking at getting a new camcorder after my last one was stolen.

Put off Panasonic as the one I had was terrible (NVGS50). Slow mechanism,
poor performance in low light and picture quality that was only marginally
better than my old Sony 8mm camera!

Anyway, I see the new range Sony have just released and I might go for one
of these - either the DCRHC39 or the DCRHC42 (because they are widescreen
rather than pseudo widescreen)

Has anyone had any experience of these yet? I've not really been able to
find any reviews on the web as of yet, although this is understandable
considering they are only just out.

Does anyone know why the higher 39 and 42 models only have 12x optical
zoom whereas the lower models in the new range offer 20x zoom! Both of
these are an improvement to last years models 10x zoom.

It's interesting to note that the 42 can be bought for less than the
outgoing 40 model! Even though the 42 is brand new.

I'd appreciate anyones experiences or thoughts on these new cameras before
I finally go and commit and end up buying one!

Stephen,

Although I were (am) a SONY fan, I am put off these otherwise excellent new
camcorders because off their awkward touch screen menus. I don't know how it
is with you, but I'd prefer buttons. Before making a decision, do take a
look at the new CANON MV800 series
(http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home...ageID=26346#1).
In general, they are cheaper than the new SONY ones, have 20-22x zoom and
also high-resolution 16:9 mode.
--
Lou van Wijhe
Website: http://home.hccnet.nl/jl.van.wijhe/
AntiSpam: Vervang INVALID in e-mail adres door NL
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In message , Lou van
Wijhe writes
Snipped...

Although I were (am) a SONY fan, I am put off these otherwise excellent
new camcorders because off their awkward touch screen menus. I don't
know how it is with you, but I'd prefer buttons. Before making a
decision, do take a look at the new CANON MV800 series
(http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home...rders/Digital/
MV800/index.asp?ComponentID=259462&SourcePageID=26346#1) . In general,
they are cheaper than the new SONY ones, have 20-22x zoom and also
high-resolution 16:9 mode.

After nearly three years with a much-used and much-loved TRV30, and with
several friends with later touch-screen Sonys I too was heavily biassed
against the touch-screen operation that is used on all latter-day Sonys.

I've now had a little while with my "new-condition" second-hand Sony
DCR-TRV80 and I'm already getting quite used to the touch-screen
operation. Two things I'd suggest, though. Don't try using your finger
to operate the LCD touch-screen - use a stylus. The TRV80 has a 3.5" LCD
and it's difficult enough with that size using your finger; with the
2.5" LCDs that grace most of the Sony range I'd be very uncomfortable.
Being right-handed also took me a while to get used to using my
left-hand to traverse the menu system with the stylus, but it does get
easier the more you do it. The other thing I'd suggest is to fit an LCD
protection film (available from Jessops).

--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info

First off, when out filming, I hardly ever need to use the touch screen.
Occassionally I'll switch to manual exposure, and I'll turn on/off the
steady cam feature, but that's it.

I tend to use the thumb on my left hand and have no problems operating the
menus that way. I don't feel a need for a sylus - with nowhere to put it,
it's just one more thing to lose. I also don't need a plastic protector
for my screen. I always film through the viewfinder, and store the camera
with the screen closed, so the screen is in no danger of getting
scratched.

Just a different viewpoint.

"StephenH" wrote in message
...
Hi

Have been looking at getting a new camcorder after my last one was stolen.

Put off Panasonic as the one I had was terrible (NVGS50). Slow
mechanism, poor performance in low light and picture quality that was
only marginally better than my old Sony 8mm camera!

Anyway, I see the new range Sony have just released and I might go for
one of these - either the DCRHC39 or the DCRHC42 (because they are
widescreen rather than pseudo widescreen)


Not the cheapest place but digital depot
https://secure.hitech-uk.com/acatalo...DCE_HC39E.html is selling it for
£375 which is £124 cheaper than Currys/Dixons/Comet

"StephenH" wrote
Has anyone had any experience of these yet? I've not really been able to
find any reviews on the web as of yet, although this is understandable
considering they are only just out.

http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/sony/h...ew/index.shtml

"informer" wrote


http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/sony/h...ew/index.shtml


opps sorry this is the link for the hc42
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm

In message , informer
writes

"StephenH" wrote
Has anyone had any experience of these yet? I've not really been able to
find any reviews on the web as of yet, although this is understandable
considering they are only just out.

http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/sony/h...ew/index.shtml

Wasn't the question about the HC39 and HC42? Or are you suggesting that
they are the same as the HC40?
--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info

In message , informer
writes

"informer" wrote


http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/sony/h...ew/index.shtml


opps sorry this is the link for the hc42
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...mpressions-Cam
corder-Review.htm

I've just seen your correction... Sorry :-)
--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info

"Tony Morgan" wrote


opps sorry this is the link for the hc42
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...mpressions-Cam
corder-Review.htm

I've just seen your correction... Sorry :-)
--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info

Reading the comments by users at the bottom of the review shows that the
writer of the review made errors in his report.