Sony DCR-HC51E Mini DV Handycam with X40 Zoom

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Customer reviews

review by: tj date: 2008-09-23 rating:
Great camera as long as you dont use FireWire or iLink
The camera itself is fine but the only way to get images off the camera and retain the quality is by using the Firewire or iLink cable (not supplied), any other method to get your images off the camera are of poor quality so you may as well get a cheaper camera.
I have 2 of these cameras, the iLink socket in both cameras does not work. My first one worked for a while before failing, the other one has refused to work from new. According to Sony this is just a coincidence however, do a search on Google and this is a very common fault indeed, so common as to be almost a standard feature.
I am going to return my newest one and get a different make. This may sound like a minor fault as the rest of the camera is very very good for the money but for me this renders the unit unusable unfortunately.
Also on another point if you have 64-bit Vista none of the Sony supplied drivers support it.

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review by: one_cam date: 2008-07-21 rating:
very disappointed
Due to my JVC dx 57 finally giving up the ghost and
on the basis of reviews here I ordered the unit 05/08.

Taking some test footage of foreground panning to landscape outside in bright summer sunshine. I then transfered via firewire to my PC and was very disappointed with the results. Specifically the unit really struggled focusing (an issue I could perhaps understand in low light) and footage looked like it was shot in soft focus. Note this is not apparent when replaying footage on the unit itself (which I assume is the reason why this has not been raised in other reviews or perhaps this is the first camcorder the other reviewers have experienced).

You can manually focus the unit but try doing that when your toddler subject is running about and its definitely not recommended.

I suppose I was asking for trouble with a unit boasting 40X zoom, sounds great until you try it and find you're reaching for a tripod. Sony would have done better concerntrating on the basics.

Top marks to Amazon in their returns policy as I was dreading this but turned out the best part of the purchase (the reason why this review got a star).

I then joined Which (I only wish I'd done so before) and my experiences tallied with their review. I've subsequently up'ed my budget and bought a Panasonic nv gs330eb (again from Amazon) and I'm delighted with the quality of the footage taken.

The main lesson I've drawn from this it don't solely trust these reviews.

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review by: Sony Product Reviewer date: 2008-07-07 rating:
Sony Handycam DCR-HC51E
I got this product in the box new complete with AV cables,charger etc.
This product is amazing and its for an exetremely low price!!
I highly Recommend Sony they make amazing products including this one.
When i discovered that it can do loads of good special effects I Was so Amazed. It is so lightweight you would not belive it!!
I also Recommend these Sony accessories :- Tripod,LCD Cleaning kit,lenses,sports pack etc.

So If You Need A Camera Recorder Get This One!!

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review by: date: 2008-07-05 rating:
Doesn't do what it says on the tin
Amazon say it has USB connection. (Still, now, 3 months after I bought mine)

It does not, the 53 and 54 do. it is not just the cable that is lacking as I thought at first - there is no connector socket for USB on the camera.

This was the only reason I bought this model!




review by: flyinghyphen date: 2008-06-19 rating:
No USB cable or software with this model
Accessories enclosed are: AC Adaptor, Rechargeable battery pack, and A/V connecting cable.

Page 9 of the Operating guide (Step 1: Checking Supplied Items) states that a USB cable, and also a CD-ROM ""Handycam Application Software"") is supplied only with models DCR-HC53E/54E.

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