One thing this feature-rich camcorder can't do is replace your camera. Its photo resolution tops out at 640x480, meaning it's suitable for snapshots headed to the Web and not much else. Perhaps sensing the limited value of the DCR-HC32's photo capabilities, Sony didn't even bother to supply a Memory Stick Duo for saving stills. You can purchase one separately if you do want to take the occasional snapshot.
Another leg up on the competition is the included Handycam Station, which provides effortless charging and connectivity. This stylish clear-plastic dock provides connectors for the AC adaptor, the USB and FireWire cables (you'll have to purchase the latter separately) and the A/V cable. You can leave the dock near your PC for quick and easy video transfers or near your TV for quick and easy video viewing. If there's a downside, it's that the dock is required for USB and FireWire connections, so it can't stay with the TV permanently. You'll also have to bring it along if you want to transfer video or photos to a computer while travelling. Thankfully, the camcorder has built-in A/V and power ports.
The DCR-HC32's other assets include USB and A/V cables, a wireless remote and a shoulder strap. Sony's Picture Package software suite lets you create photo slide shows and music videos. However, it doesn't support DVD burning and lacks any real video-editing capabilities.
Performance
For a camcorder in its price range, the Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 performs remarkably well. Its quick zoom and responsive autofocus can easily keep up with active videographers and subjects, and its electronic image stabiliser delivers solid results even at maximum zoom. In addition, its LCD doesn't wash out under bright skies -- critical since that's where the camcorder does its best work (as we'll explain in the Image quality section).
Having witnessed extremely jerky low-light performance from several recent Canon camcorders, we were impressed by how smoothly the DCR-HC32 handled panning and zooming under dim lighting. Unfortunately, we can't say the same for other aspects of video quality, as discussed in the Image quality section.
Sony claims the included NP-FP30 battery will let you shoot continuously for 80 minutes with the LCD and 95 minutes without it. Unfortunately, those numbers are cut in half in real-world use, so plan on packing at least one extra battery. The good news is that the camcorder's battery meter counts down the available minutes remaining instead of forcing you to rely on a cryptic three-bar gauge.
Image quality
For all its great features and commendable design elements, the Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 can't quite overcome its small CCD. Colours seemed a bit muted, and the camera seemed to have trouble managing high-contrast exposures. For instance, the top side of a yellow playground slide appeared totally washed out, which we could understand on a sunny day -- but it was cloudy when we shot it.
The bigger problem is visual noise. Although images stayed clear in outdoor and extremely well-lit indoor environments, noise crept in as ambient light diminished. That's fairly common, but the DCR-HC32 exhibited a distracting amount of noise even under typical indoor lighting. Even Sony's terrific NightShot Plus mode, which makes it possible to shoot in almost pitch-black environments, produced noticeable noise levels. We'd gladly bring the camera on our next holiday or use it to film barbeques, but it wouldn't be our first choice for birthday parties and other indoor events -- unless strong lighting was ensured.
Edited by Aimee Baldridge
Additional editing by Nick Hide
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Anonymous 15 December 2005
Good: Easy Shoot
Bad: The most important feature: the Picture quality is terrible
Comment: I bought this camera from Best Buy because I was convinced that this camera was the best on the market with regard to making your own DVDs. Well yes, it is fairly simple to use to make DVDs, but what's the point when the picture is worse than my 10-year-old VHS tapes. I made DVDs from my 10-year-old VHS tapes and the picture quality is superior.
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