Sony DCR HC 42E

I got this camera in Nov 2005. Used it to quite often, and the result was excellent. I would like to say this is one of the best handycam in this class. The camera is extremely compact megapixel DV Handycam with Memory Stick Duo™,

Handycam Station, DV In, got Zeiss lens, Touch Screen LCD and has got true 16:9 widescreen mode. If you are an ameture and want a camera to do real good shooting.. then go for this.

Here is the technical specification:

Technical specifications

Audio

Audio System PCM (12 bit / 16 bit)

Audio Dubbing 12bit YES

Built in Microphone Stereo

Built in Speaker YES

Camera

Image Device: Size 1 / 5.0

Image Device: System Interlace 14bit DXP YES

Advanced HAD technology YES

Number of Pixels Gross (K) 1070

Number of Pixels Act Camera mode (K) 690

Number of Pixels Act Memory mode (K) 1000

Focus: Full Range Auto YES

Focus: Manual YES

Manual Focus Key Panel

Spot Focus (Touch Panel) YES

Spot Meter YES

Minimum Illumination (lux) 7.0

Minimum Illumination with NightShot (lux) 0.0

SteadyShot (Image Stabilisation) Super (electronic)

Camera Noise Reduction YES

Shutter Speed 1/2-1/3500

White Balance Auto / Outdoor / Indoor / One-push

Backlight Compensation YES

Interval Rec. NO

Fader Black, White, Mosaic, Overlap, Wipe, Monotone, Random Dot

Night Framing NO

Jacks

Audio Input YES

Audio Output YES

Video Input YES

Video Output YES

S-Video Input YES

S-Video Output YES

i.LINK (DV) Input YES

i.LINK (DV) Output YES

i.LINK (MICROMV) Input NO

i.LINK (MICROMV) Output NO

USB Terminal YES

Lens

Lens *Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar

F: 1.8-2.5 f (Focal Distance) (mm)

Precision Digital Zoom  YES

Zoom Key Lever / Button on LCD frame

Nightshot: Camera mode Super NightShot Plus

Still Image Recording

Compression of still image JPEG

Recording Media Memory Stick DUO

Memory Stick PRO Compatibility YES

Progressive Scan: NO

Progressive Shutter System: YES

Image Size: Max  1152 x 864

Image Size: VGA 640 x 480

Still Image Recording Mode Fine 1/ 4.0

Still Image Recording Mode Standard  1 / 10

MPEG Movie EX

Burst Record: Normal Speed

Burst Record Auto Exposure Bracketing: YES

Burst Record Multi 9 Pictures: NO

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I'm a srilanka guy. I bought this cam last month in the dubai duty free. the shop keeper suggest me to this. I love the cute shape and the opperating. the carl zeiss vaio tessar lens helps to get a superior video.  the largest touck panel LCD helps to record. the 16bit audio quality is amazing.

It's a nice home use camera and ideal for small media coverage. the 1394 I cable helps to get superior video to compuer by DVC. If you have any doubts contact me through "maruthister@gmail.com".ENJOY THE DCR HC 42E.

The product LCD have connected to the cam through a ribbon this ribbon will be damaged when we open and close the LCD often. the active interface shoe helps to connect things such as ir light flash light zoom microphone and external mics.ther is a colour view finder also. we can attatch wide lens and tele lens.

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Hi, I am a proud owner of a Sony DCR HC 42E Camcorder. As per this product, This is really cool. But today I am not going to say about the product, but I want to share my experience in servicing that I received from Sony India.

I am using this product from last 2+yrs and I have never get any problem except a serious one what I experienced 2 months ago. One day I found my camcorder is not working. Neither its view-finder nor its touch screen is getting ON when I am starting my camcorder. Before that it sometimes used to give me some calibration problem, which is very minor and can be fixed within minute. But as it is irritating to calibrate every time, I was thinking to take it to some service station.

But after the serious problem, I was forced to take it to a service station and I contacted the Sony Service Station in 100ft Road, Bangalore. As my camcorder was still in warranty (3yrs) so they offer me totally free service. They also inform me that it will take 3-4 working days to fix the problem and they will get back to me when it is done. Surprisingly I got a call from them after 2 days and they informed me that my camcorder is fixed and ready to use. So I can take it. So next day morning I went and take it. Till date it is running smoothly. The whole process was so smooth that I am really impressed about Sony products. I am using quite a few other products (electronics/others), but I never experienced a prompt service like that. I recommend for Sony.

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Hi,

I got a Sony DCR HC 42E.Absolutely no regrets buying such a nice thing. It is absolutely fine.One disadvantage I found was that I went to OOTY in the month of January which is extreamly cold.My cam did not work properly. Due to the chill atmosphere I was not able to capture any videos.It got stuck and it just hung up by itself.I was so worried that I thought I lost the lovey cam :((.Alas!!! some thing came to my mind immediately.I went into my car and I started the heater and kept the cam near one of the big blower :)) I kept it for some 5 min and after that I slowly started reducing the heat of the blower. After some 15 min I brought the cam to the natural weather condition which was very cold. Then I slowly tried to operate it and Hurray!!!!!! it worked fine. It was really really worth spending 15 min inside the car as I got some beautiful videos out in the Mother nature.

Technical reason: This is some thing what I presumed.

Once the magnetic tape is exposed to extreame cold condition it will become sticky and it doesn't work at all..best way is when ever you go out for a hilly region and you feel that it is really cold out there best thing you can do is to expose the cam slowly to the weather rather than to open it immediately from the bag. This will really help you capture the best memories of your life.

All the best !!!

Mail me at bharanip@triviumsys.com if you need any assistance for using a handycam.

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dear friends,

i bought this camcorder 2 days back and so just like a newly wed in an arranged marriage there may be some lacunae .

this camcorder is suitable for the family user who wants beautiful video recordings with minimal hassles. the picture quality is excellent with the Carl Zeiss lens . also its CCD is slightly bigger so better pictures.

Why SONY --- because in below $ 1000 camcorders sony is the best . canon has poor low light perfomance and panasonic too . Also the build quality of SONY is excellent thanks to ''MADE in JAPAN'' .

Why HC 42E --- because it is a Mini DV camcorder . which is digital . and compared to HC 21 and 32 this has a 1 MEGapixel still camera also so good for reasonable quality snaps .

Why not HC 90 --- much more expensive. if u can afford HC90 go for it but dont compromise on HC 32 as price difference is not too great

advantages

it is very easy to use as the automatic mode called EASY CAM feature switch will automatically adjust the exposure so that u get excellent pics. if u want manual control ---that is possible also . u cam adjust white balance,exposure, etc.

BACKLIGHT switch will help to take subjects against bright background.

Zoom is quite adequate 12 x digital .

if u want night photos there is NIGHT SHOT which can give black and white images in absolute darkness .

Since it is a one CCD camera and not a highly professional camera --- dont expect world class videos .expect reasonable quality high resolution pictures for family use .

if u plan to take videography for something professionally this may not fit the bill fully .

even a kid can operate this . and many controls are touch operated on LCD .

they give 3 tapes free for videos but stills no smartcard is given free (have to spend another 1200 rs )

kindly leave comments dear mouthshut users :)

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