Sony DCR-HC90 - Expert Reviews

Pros: Able to shoot standard-definition widescreen (16:9) video. 3MP stills. Built-in flash. Excellent product design.

Cons: Video quality displayed dull colors. Stills were somewhat noisy and revealed aberrations in the details. Menu structure could be better.

Verdict: With both still-image and widescreen shooting capability, this great-looking camera is a good buy, but video-quality issues keep it from being our top pick.

Review summary: Though it has some design quirks and performance issues, the compact HC90 produces excellent video in both bright and dim light.

Pros: Top-loading tape compartment, Built-in lens cover, Wide-screen LCD, Novice-friendly Easy mode, Crisp, colourful video, Supports true 16:9 recording

Cons: Autofocus can be slow to lock on, LCD seems small for shooting in 4:3 mode, Some onscreen menus difficult to navigate, No manual shutter-speed control

Verdict: If you're ready to make the move to 16:9 videography or want to shoot a lot of romantically lit scenes, look no further than Sony's top-of-the-line single-chip Handycam.

Review summary: Though it has some design quirks and performance issues, the compact HC90 produces excellent video in both bright and dim light

Pros: Top-loading tape compartment ; built-in lens cover ; wide-screen LCD ; novice-friendly Easy mode ; crisp, colourful video ; supports true 16:9 recording

Cons: Autofocus can be slow to lock on ; LCD seems small for shooting in 4:3 mode ; some onscreen menus are difficult to navigate ; no manual shutter-speed control

Pros: Top-loading tape compartment ; built-in lens cover ; wide-screen LCD ; novice-friendly Easy mode ; crisp, colorful video ; supports true 16:9 recording

Cons: Autofocus can be slow to lock on ; LCD seems small for shooting in 4:3 mode ; some onscreen menus difficult to navigate ; no manual shutter-speed control

Verdict: If you're ready to make the move to 16:9 videography or want to shoot a lot of romantically lit scenes, look no further than Sony's top-of-the-line single-chip Handycam.

Review summary: The highest camcorder on Sony's HC series' list this year, the DCR-HC90 sports a some nice new cosmetic and hardware improvements to last year's most comparable camcorder, the DCR-HC85. Although, we can compare these two camcorders based on ...