I approach every product review from the standpoint that every product is designed to fill a specific need. The Sony HC28 seems perfectly matched to the mission of recording video in well-lit venues when you don't want to carry a larger, heavier camcorder. So my "Good" rating is based on how well it accomplishes this task. If you want it to shoot more professional videos, you might not consider this rating accurate. PROS: - Small, light-weight. - Simple to operate. Turn it on and push record. - Records both 4:3 and 16:9 video in standard definition. - Good quality in good lighting. - Inexpensive to own and replace. CONS: - Image stabilization is better than nothing but not the best. - Has a reputation for mechanical failures. Unlike Sony. - Menus offer a wide variety of options which are rarely used and difficult to access. SUMMARY: My particular use for this camera has been to record my grandson's sports games and some of our family outings. The camcorder will fit in one of my wife's larger purse's or I'll just hang onto it. A good-condition battery will last for a couple of hours of recording time as long as you turn it off between uses. It has plenty of optical zoom and to maintain quality I turn off the digital zoom. The resulting images are of good quality as long as you have decent light. I can't stress that enough. Don't expect crystal clear video at a candle-lit wedding or a dimly-lit reception. You'll get color pictures from the HC28 in these conditions. If you want really GOOD color pictures without a lot of light, you'll need to spend quite a bit more. For what it's designed to do and for what you'll spend, the HC28 is a good buy.Read full review
We purchased this Handycam for my niece (her first handycam). It has a great 20X zoom and a Carl Zeiss Lens. The convenience and ease of use is the best for a first camera. The DCR-HC28 also has the NightShot Plus that allows you to shoot video in low light. The software included is basic but workable. You will need to purchase a Mini DV (Digital Video Cassette) as it is not included. If you purchase the kit that includes the carrying case, it will include a blank Mini DV Cassette. The touch screen is very nice. You set the date and time on initial start-up. The menu is all touch screen. Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens has a multilayer coating that reduces glare and increases contrast Super SteadyShot® Image Stabilization controls shake & vibration frequencies for a smoother shot Super NightShot® Plus Infrared System lets you capture natural looking video even in low light i.LINK DV interface provides a digital interface which enables A/V communication between devices Program AE modes like beach & ski, spotlight, sunset, landscape and more at the click of a button Get creative when recording/playing back videos with Picture Effects like pastel, sepia & mosaic Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects Manual focus allows you to control the focus when the auto focus won't perform optimally InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ displays battery life in minutes so you know when to charge it What's in the box Sony DCR-HC28 MiniDV Camcorder AC adapter Power cord A/V connecting cable Lens cap Rechargeable battery pack Application software User guideRead full review
I chase storms for a living and use this camera as my dash cam. My first one gave me many years of use and was exposed to very harsh conditions and constant shake of my car as i drove down bumpy dirt roads with it on my dash. It shot footage that has been purchased by several production companies and even filmed footage that has been bought by Discovery Channel. That said, for its age and price you will get a great picture but if you want truly stunning video look else where. This camera has done well in low light conditions and the auto focus is fairly quick. I am on my third one of these cameras but I buy them to use them as a throw away camera that is cheap to replace and easy to come by. This model has served me faithfully and I will probably buy one more as a back up of my back up.
Haven't used it a great deal but I'm very pleased with all the features of this Sony handycam. The picture and audio quality are very good for a device of this type that costs so little.
This model has all the functions the average person will need. It is simple to use. All functions are easy to access. The revolving screen is a nice touch as is the touch screen. The name Sony to me adds confidence as goes evaluating and comparing products and I was not disappointed. Within minutes of arriving I was out capturing my kids at their games and knew I had made the right decision. The zoom is 10X and frankly any more zoom to me would require a steady hand or tripod which is not always easy to access when out chasing kids. The compact design makes carrying the HC28 easy and again adds to the charm of having made a good decision after reviewing other similarly priced video cameras.
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