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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Tour

  • Auto/Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio/Playback/Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Comparisons/Conclusion

  • Specs/Ratings

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Tour
  • Auto/Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio/Playback/Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Comparisons/Conclusion
  • Specs/Ratings

Performance

The DCR-HC26 features a 1/6" CCD with a 680K gross (340K effective) pixel count. At 3000 lux, the camcorder produced tones in accordance with its bottom-of-the-barrel position in the product line. The picture was exceptionally noisy, even at this bright light level. It shows almost no improvement over last year’s HC21, and includes all of the same flaws. The colors are saturated, which may please some people who are tired of the flat tones that a Canon might produce. But the Canon’s colors are accurate. The HC26 presents what one earlier reviewer referred to as "nuclear colors" on the HC21. By this, I believe the reviewer meant that the automatic gain and color correction have been jacked up to such a degree that making the colors "pop" has taken on a far greater priority than representing the colors as they appear to the human eye. On the plus side, the whites are marginally brighter on the HC26 than on last year’s model.

By comparison, the last year’s bottom-end Canon ZR100 produced analogous saturation, with a bit more emphasis on the greens, but did so without nearly so much noise. Cutting down on noise also reduced some sharpness, but overall, the ZR100 offers a preferable picture. This year’s ZR500 is expected to produce similar results.

The Panasonic PV-GS39, a new model at the same $350 price point, has a very similar picture to the HC26. Both are excessively noisy and approximately equal in saturation. The Sony tended to push the blues values further into the magenta area, making a lilac tone. Panasonic’s magenta tile (upper right corner) has a more pinkish blush.

**Video Resolution ***(9.5)*

The Sony DCR-HC26 was tested for its video resolution in 4:3 and 16:9 using a standard ISO 12233 resolution chart and Imatest imaging software. In 4:3, the HC26 produced 333.7 lines of horizontal resolution and 285.3 lines of vertical resolution, yielding an approximate resolution of 95204.61. In 16:9, the camcorder produced 335.7 lines of horizontal resolution and 205.0 lines of vertical resolution, yielding an approximate resolution of 68818.5.

Low Light Performance* (3.0)*

The low light performance of the DCR-HC26 was disappointing yet expected. A 1/6-inch chip is simply not large enough to gather much light. At 60 lux, the HC26 had an exceptionally noisy image that one could not overlook. This should not come as surprise after looking at the performance in bright light, which was also noisy, perhaps indicating that the camcorder is too quickly maxing out its automatic gain. Whatever the case, the picture shows that a lot of color information has been lost, particularly in the green-yellow portion of the spectrum. One note in the camcorder’s defense (the same note as mentioned in the Video Performance section, when footage is shot at 3000 lux) – the white remains fairly strong.

Last year’s HC21 showed a slightly stronger performance in the yellows and greens, though the noise was just as prevalent. The Canon ZR100 also had a noisy picture, but retained more color information. Panasonic’s PV-GS39 was far and away the winner at 60 lux among the competition, producing a much brighter picture while managing to push down noise levels to the same amount found at 3000 lux.

At 15 lux, all bets are off. The picture has been reduced to near black and white, with noise running rampant. Again, the whites are strong, but that is just about the only thing in the HC26’s favor. Last year’s HC21 tells the same story. The Canon ZR100 pulls through with just enough color information for us to identify what the colors are, but not enough to like them much. The PV-GS39 gave up fending off noise at 15 lux, and is a match for the HC26 in that category. It did, however, manage to reproduce recognizable color tones.

Wide Angle* (8.8)*

We tested the Sony DCR-HC26 for the width of its field in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. In 4:3, the HC26 had a wide angle of 44 degrees. In 16:9, the HC26 had an identical score of 44 degrees. This proves that the camcorder does not possess native, or "true" widescreen. Instead, it employs a cropping technique which clips the frame at the top and bottom, then blows up the remaining picture to conform to 16:9 aspect ratio frames like widescreen TVs. In this process, you actually lose information rather than gaining information on the sides, as you would in a true widescreen mode.

Format

Compression* (8.0)*

The user of the Sony DCR-HC26 will find that their 6.35mm MiniDV tape is subjected to the industry standard compression rate of 25 Mbps. This rate is still able to produce image quality that outdoes DVD footage. However, as time continues to provide technological innovations, MiniDV’s superiority may wane.

Media* (8.0)*

The Sony DCR-HC26 does not come with included media, but the 6.35mm MiniDV tapes the camcorder uses may easily be found either on or off-line for far cheaper than DVDs. DVD camcorders shooting in high quality settings can only record a maximum of 20 minutes of footage per disc, making the MiniDV format a more logical option for extended period shoots. Stills are also recorded to the MiniDV tape.

Editing* (8.0)*

The HC26 ships with Picture Package 1.5.1 on CD-ROM, a dual-platform bare-bones editing software. This programs allows you to capture video, create slideshows of stills, and create Video CDs. The program will not get you very close to the Oscars. For that, we recommend a more advanced editing program like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, or Avid. On these programs, you will find that MiniDV footage is the easiest to import and edit, and shows its distinct advantage over DVD.

Those who own Sony VAIO computers can take advantage of a Click to DVD function, described in the Other Features section below.

Tour

**The Front ***(7.5)*

The front of the Sony DCR-HC26 features a 20x optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with a diameter of 25 mm. The focal length on this lens is 44-880mm with an aperture range of f/1.8 to f/3.1. The lens is positioned in the upper left corner of the front face. To the right of the lens users will find a glossy black plastic surface which masks the infrared port for the DCR-HC26. Beneath the infrared port is the only audio option, the in-camera stereo microphone. Last year’s HC21, which the HC26 is replacing, had a built-in lens cap; this model, for better or for worse, does not.

**The Right Side ***(8.75)*

The plastic making up the right side of the Sony DCR-HC26 seems to be less than durable and will probably show everyday wear and tear. There is a slightly textured surface where the palm of the right hand is placed, suggesting the idea of grippability. In fact, it adds none. It would be nice to see a sturdier plastic composite that could take a beating, considering that the cam’s small size will likely find it in a cluttered purse or backpack rather than a camera bag.. There is an adjustable Velcro strap which horizontally spans the right side of the camcorder body. A leather pad is attached to this strap for a comfortable fit for users of many different hand sizes.

The primary feature on the right side is the top-loading MiniDV tape compartment which is opened via a switch located on the top of the camcorder. Towards the front of the right side, users will find three ports masked neatly by a port cover attached on the edge of the front cover of the body. There is a USB mini-B port, a DV-in/out FireWire port, and an A/V-out port located beneath the cover. These ports are easy to access and clearly labeled so users shouldn’t find this layout confusing or complicated even with the tape compartment open.

**The Back ***(7.0)*

The back of the Sony DCR-HC26 contains a small Electronic Color Viewfinder in the upper left corner. This feature, while small and primarily unusable, isn’t nearly as bad as the offering found on the Canon ZR500. The viewfinder on the HC26 can extend out from the body of the camcorder, although it cannot angle up or down from this position. The extendibility of this feature allows users to engage it easily, even when the battery pack is in place directly below. The viewfinder adjustment lever is located on the right side of the viewfinder and allows users to alter the focal distance within the viewfinder feature. You’ll be happy to know that this is a color viewfinder, a distinct improvement over last year’s black and white viewfinder.

As mentioned above, the battery is positioned directly below the viewfinder. It may be removed by holding the Battery button down while pulling outwards on the battery pack. The polished silver mode dial is located in the upper right-hand corner and controls whether the camcorder is off or on, and whether the camcorder is in Record or Playback mode. To switch between Playback and Record modes the user must merely pivot the mode dial to the left, a movement which selects the MODE setting. This prompts an LCD message of "Play/Edit" or "Camera" white-on-blue, strongly reminiscent of Doogie Howser, M.D. The DCR-HC26 salutes you, Doog’.

To the right of the battery pack and located for comfortable access with the thumb of the right hand is the Record Start/Stop button. And finally, at the bottom of the back and to the right of the battery is the DC-in port, which has a rubber port cover. All controls are labeled with full text labels in white, although the wording of these labels is not raised and they may wear off over time.

**The Left Side ***(6.0)*

The left side of the Sony DCR-HC26 features a 2.5-inch, 123,200 pixel LCD screen which opens by pulling the LCD from its back vertical edge. The screen opens easily and cleanly, connected via a hinge at the front of the camcorder body. This hinge is of sturdy design and should be able to take some abuse. When open, the screen can swivel 270 degrees and may be closed facing outward from the camcorder body. When the screen is rotated 180 degrees, users will find that the image flips so you can see yourself rightside-up.

There are three controllers located to the left of the screen on the LCD panel – redundant controls for zoom and Record Start/Stop. The primary controls are located on the top and back. Redundancy might seem unnecessary when the camcorder is so small, but they may come in handy when shooting from in front of the lens.

In the LCD cavity, users will find an in-camera speaker for audio playback during video review. While not an accurate vehicle for properly gauging audio levels and other audio attributes, this feature will at least assure the user that audio is, in fact, being recorded. Adjacent to the top of the in-camera speaker, users will find the control reset button for the HC26.

Above the LCD screen on the exterior of the camcorder body are the Backlight List, the Display/Battery Info, and the Easy buttons. The Easy Button has a blue LED in the center of the control for simple visual recognition.

The Top* (6.0)*

Starting near the front of the Sony DCR-HC26, users will find the Open/Eject slider which opens the MiniDV tape compartment situated beneath it. Also on top is On/Off switch for NightShot Plus. Behind this is the Zoom Toggle, which is smooth and sensitive enough to allow both extremely quick and finely tuned zoom control. Although it’s a sliver of control when compared to larger zoom toggles on camcorders made by manufacturers like Panasonic, the HC26’s toggle has a surprisingly comfortable feel and reactivity. This control isn’t in the best place and may force users with larger hands to readjust their grip for optimal control, though users with smaller hands should find it perfectly acceptable. Directly to the rear of the zoom toggle is the photo button for capturing still images to MiniDV tape.

Auto/Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (9.5)

Sony’s auto mode is a funny thing. Of course, it has the standard array of what you’d expect: auto exposure, focus, white balance, gain, and shutter speed. If you like, you’ll never have to think about these controls again. Just push the big blue Easy button on the side and your cares are over (assuming you don’t actually care that much about image quality).

In a way, though, the controls that Sony does include are also "auto," in most ways. The most useful ones include Spot Metering and Spot Focus, both of which have been simplified to the point where you can just push on the screen where you want the camcorder to focus or adjust exposure and it complies. Not that the controls are exact, or even adequate for some users. Experienced users will find this process maddeningly dumbed-down. Absolute beginners and infrequent shooters might actually like the controls, making them feel as if their opinion matters to the shot.

Just getting to these controls can be a process, however. The menu navigation is atrocious. We can’t mince words about this. Unfortunately, the HC26 is the only MiniDV cam to not offer the "3D Menu" system, which offers larger, more user-friendly icons. What you get here is a series of tiny, translucent, barely visible buttons of questionable purpose. The structure is also confusing.

The settings for shooting in preset modes are located within the first submenu of the administrative menu. This menu is navigated via up and down arrows located on the bottom of the LCD screen; their icons appear beneath the linear onscreen menu structure that seems to be a holdover from older camcorders made by Sony. Menu selections may be altered once highlighted by using the EXEC. Control located next to the up and down arrows. To exit the administrative menus, users will need to press the RET button until they are placed back into the Function Menu. The preset controls located within the administrative menu allow the user to set camcorder parameters to adjust to the following settings: Auto, Spotlight, Portrait, Sports, Beach & Ski, Sunset/Moon, and Landscape.

 
Page 1 and Page 2 of the menu

Located within the same submenu as the preset shooting modes is a list of preset digital effects which are applied in real time during shooting. The following picture effects options are possible: negative art, sepia, black & white, solarize, pastel, and mosaic.

So, as mentioned earlier, if these controls are too daunting, Sony has placed an inviting Easy button on the left side of the body which will alleviate any terror. It will eliminate any opportunity for the user to access controls or settings. When this mode is entered, users can only access beep, clock set, and language, along with a display guide setting which is mostly useless considering the utter lack of control options. The only settings outside of this which can be controlled by the user are when to record and how much to zoom. Even the still image capture to tape feature is not available when shooting in this mode. Apparently, Sony believes that users who may find this mode helpful are also slightly visually impaired; the size of the display font on the LCD screen is increased.

Automatic controls reacted with consistency and accuracy in gauging both focal depth and like white balance and exposure. Sony plays to their strengths and has definitely tailored this camcorder for the auto enthusiast. However, the camcorder doesn’t give the user opportunity for improvement. Unlike camcorders like those built by Panasonic, users won’t be able to shift from full auto to partial manual to full manual over time. Before purchasing, consider whether or not you may want manual controls in the future, or if the strong performance found on the auto mode settings is good enough.

Overall Manual Control (3.0)

In terms of manual controls, the HC26 provides a few options, although nothing as comprehensive as the control options found on camcorders released this year by Panasonic and JVC, or even Canon. It is possible to control focus, zoom, exposure, and white balance to varying. The focus setting allows you to select between Spot Focus, auto, and manual settings, though the auto and manual settings perform with greater accuracy and sensitivity than the Spot Focus feature.

White balance options include a full auto mode, two presets, and a "One-Push" manual feature which is activated through the same menu structure as the focus control. And finally, exposure is manipulated by a sliding scale for proper exposure levels. There is, unfortunately, no numerical setting displayed when activating this feature, so users will need to rely solely upon the sharpness of the image produced by the LCD screen when gauging exposure levels.

Manual controls are accessed by pressing the FN (Function Menu) icon located in the lower right corner of the LCD. When the user has the Sony DCR-HC26 in Easy mode they will find that this menu is limited and only allows access to Beep On/Off, clock set, and language parameters, with all changes initiated through the touch screen interface.

When the HC26 is in regular shooting mode, users will see a number of manual control options within the first screen display. The first menu page allows access to Spot Focus, Focus, Spot Meter, Display Guide, Menu, Fader, End Search, and exposure settings. All controls and submenus are activated and navigated by pressing the touch screen LCD, a process which leaves finger marks, thus affecting the quality of the displayed image. The second page of the Function Menu allows access to settings which control White Balance, Self Timer, and LCD Brightness. The placement of white balance in this menu seems odd; it would seem more logical to place this manual control with the rest of the manual controls listed on the first page, especially considering the likelihood that even point-and-shoot users may find this one useful.

If full manual control is desired, the Sony DCR-HC26 isn’t going to satisfy to any real extent; the touch screen interface used for features like Spot Metering or Spot Focus will perform with less accuracy and responsiveness than other versions, mostly because of the limitations imposed by the size of a human finger in relationship to a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Also, the fact that the user’s hands must cover the LCD during manual control alteration means that sections of the LCD will be masked, something that suddenly becomes a problem during post-shooting review when you realize that there is an unwanted object or obstruction in the bottom corner of the LCD screen which was hidden at the time of capture by an index finger adjusting the focus.

Zoom (8.0)

The zoom toggle on the Sony DCR-HC26 is positioned on the top of the camcorder body, and while awkward in placement for users with larger hands, this control displayed an impressive level of sensitivity and responsiveness considering its slender build and the price of this camcorder. The zoom level on the HC26 is 20x, sizeable but not ostentatious. However, the use of electric rather than optical stabilization will result in a decreased ability to offset the hand-shake which is displayed more easily at higher zoom levels.

There is a secondary zoom control located on the frame of the LCD to the left side of the monitor. The zoom controls here are two small buttons labeled "W" or "T" and both are raised slightly from the surface of the camcorder. When using these controls, users may find the camcorder moving slightly and shifting during use. They secondary zoom controls are also less sensitive, and their use results in broader shifts in zoom level because of a limited nuanced reaction to pressure. The only point on which this control is preferable is its use when the user is positioned in front of the camcorder body, which was precisely the point. Otherwise, the danger of having a jostled or shifting frame outweighs the benefits of this feature when shooting in a regular stance.

Zoom Power/Ratio (20.0)

The zoom power on the Sony DCR-HC26 is 20x optical, which provides users with an good level of optical zoom for an inexpensive one-chip camcorder. However, the SteadyShot control is an electronic rather than optical one, which means a lower quality result will ensue. If some camera shake at higher zoom levels is tolerable then this electronic stabilization system may be acceptable. Better yet, users should consider turning off the SteadyShot option and just using a tripod when shooting with higher zoom levels.

There is a digital zoom feature on the DCR-HC26, allowing users up to 800x of digital zoom. It is possible to cap them within the menu at either 40x, or 800x, or turn it off entirely. Although slight use of digital zoom will result in minimally degraded video, even a setting of 40x is going to yield video of very poor quality indeed. Unlike optical zoom, which actually engages the optics of the camcorder, the digital zoom feature merely enlarges the pixel size of the image at the highest end of the optical zoom spectrum. The higher the digital zoom level, the worse the picture quality; it’s as simple as that.

Focus (4.0)

There are two control options on the Sony DCR-HC26 beyond full Auto Focus. Firstly, you have the option to engage a Spot Focus control which displays a frame on the LCD screen, so users can stab blindly within it, encouraging the camcorder to recognize the intended change in focal depth for differing subjects. Depending on the proximity of subjects, size of fingers, speed of deployment etc., this control method will yield varying results.

And regardless of whether the camcorder actually managed to register a change in different subjects’ focal depths, the HC26 tends towards breathing - an small but noticeable oscillation in the picture’s focus that looks like the camcorder is breathing. If this continues for prolonged periods or is noticeable throughout a length of video footage, it can become a very distracting visual irritant. Also, because this control is a touch screen feature, users will find that their hands and fingers will obscure sections of the frame during adjustment.

Luckily there is a manual focus setting with the HC26. Unfortunately it isn’t an external focal ring, although honestly with a one-chip in this price range it wouldn’t be likely to manifest in this form anyway. To get a manual focus ring, users will have to move into the 3 CCD market and look at models being released by Panasonic like the Panasonic PV-GS500.

The digital manual focus on the DCR-HC26 is accessed by pressing the FN icon in the lower left corner of the LCD. Once this display is entered users can select the Focus submenu, and once this menu is engaged, they can select the Manual setting. Once selected, manual control is altered by pressing the + and – arrows which appear in the lower corners of the LCD. While not nearly as accurate or subtle as an external focus ring this feature does allow at least some focal depth adjustment, even if it is hampered by the digital constrictions.

Exposure (Aperture) (4.0)

Exposure may be controlled by accessing the touch screen display through the FN marker located in the lower left corner of the LCD. Once opened, this display will show the Exposure submenu. When the user enters the submenu they will find options of either auto or manual mode. If manual mode is used, the user must press the + and – areas on the LCD, an action that is registered by a sliding bar located between them. To slide through the scale without repeated pressing, the user must merely hold the appropriate control down until the proper exposure level is selected. This control layout will leave smears on the LCD which will not necessitate continual cleaning and lead to a smeary-looking displayed image.

These onscreen controls will also mean that altering each manual control will leave the users fingers to obscure sections of the LCD. Another problem: the level of sensitivity for this control often compromised the intended setting most of the time. When I tired tried to move only a slight degree or two, the scale tended to jump to the end of the exposure spectrum in one fell swoop. Fine-tuning with this feature is nearly impossible. It would be nice to see a manufacturer construct a control layout that was able to both engage in single step alterations as well as drastic shifts from polar ends of control spectrums. As it is, Panasonic allows for exact (painfully exact, some might say) iris, shutter speed, and gain adjustments, while Sony has built a system meant for drastic and large changes. Unfortunately neither company has yet to produce a system which capitalizes upon both these equally functional and important control attributes.

*Shutter Speed (0.0) *

Shutter speed may not be manually controlled by the user of the Sony DCR-HC26, although this omission shouldn’t be seen as a huge detraction considering the price point of just under $300. Although less visually alluring, the Canon ZR500 can provide users with manual control over shutter speed, as can certain models by both JVC and Panasonic.

White Balance (7.5)

White balance adjustment is provided on the DCR-HC26. It has a full auto mode, two preset modes, and a full manual mode which allows users of varying skill levels to comfortably engage in this basic manual control. Interestingly, this control isn’t located on the same page display as other manual controls; instead Sony has elected to place it on page two, along with the Self Timer and LCD Brightness. This decision really doesn’t make sense. White balance is one of the few manual controls which can be easily understood by beginning users, and by hiding this control in a second menu separate from the obvious manual controls, it makes this feature less likely to be engaged.

Once the while balance is actually found by users within the second page of the Function Menu, users will can choose between Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, and One Push (manual) White Balance. To set the manual white balance, users will merely need to select the manual setting and wait until the icon finishes flashing on the LCD screen. If the camcorder is incapable of properly setting the white balance, the icon will continue to flash and the user should revert to auto mode or improve the shooting situation.

Gain (0.0)

There is no manual gain control on the Sony DCR-HC26, an unsurprising omission considering the low price of this camcorder. If manual controls are essential to your shooting, it may be wise to look at manufacturers like Panasonic, who outfit their models with extensive manual control options even at lower price levels.

Other Manual Control (0.0)

There are no other manual control settings with the Sony DCR-HC26, though considering the price range, one-chip CCD, and other specifications, this shouldn’t be a huge shock.

Still Features

Still Features* (1.5)*

Still features are the barest of the bare minimum on the HC26. Stills can be captured to MiniDV tape by pressing the Photo button behind the zoom toggle. The resolution is fixed at 640 x 480, with resolution and quality identical to the video performance. You do get seven seconds of audio to accompany the still - just enough time say, "is this thing recording yet?!" If hybrid camcorders are essential to you, be prepared to spend at least twice as much money.

Still Resolution* (0.95)*

Because the Sony DCR-HC26 can only capture stills to the MiniDV tape, the resolution (640 x 480) and quality will be essentially identical to the video performance. A side-by-side comparison confirms this. See the Video Performance section above for complete details.

Neither last year’s Canon ZR100 nor the ZR500 update has the ability to capture stills at all. Sony at least gives you the option of pushing a button to mimic the feel of a still camera. The Panasonic PV-GS39 captures stills to an SD card at 640 x 480, but the feature hardly seems worth it. The colors are absolutely choked for vivacity, and the entire green-yellow spectrum has been conveniently truncated to two or three shades of yellow. Pulling a still from the HC26 MiniDV tape is a much better option, regardless of how much time it takes.

Still Performance* (2.0)*

Because the DCR-HC26 captures stills to MiniDV tape at the same 640 x 480 resolution as found in the video mode, the resolution will be the same: 333.7 lines of horizontal resolution and 285.3 lines of vertical resolution, yielding an approximate resolution of 95204.61.

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (9.0)*

With a touch screen menu structure and basic menu boxes connoting easy to use manual control options, the interface for the Sony DCR-HC26 would appear at first glance to be an easy one to glide through. However, the touch screen interface and two page Function Menu design are complicated in actual engagement. You’ll find yourself making several incorrect selections before finding the one, true path. While using the Spot Focus and Spot Metering functions, users will find that their hands cover portions of the LCD screen, making a clear view of the entire frame impossible.

The menu structure has two parts. There is the initial two-page Function Menu, and after that, a secondary administrative menu which is structured like Sony camcorders of yore. This secondary menu is also navigated through up and down arrows located on the touch screen panel, and moving between submenus and main menu is a hassle thanks to the EXEC. and RET. buttons that must be used in addition to these two navigational controls. A simple straightforward menu with a list structure, external control, and a cohesive visual design would be far easier to navigate.

*You'll be thankful for the Easy button, located on the left side. *

Another setback to a touch screen menu structure arises when users actually want to engage the electronic color viewfinder and not the LCD. All camcorder settings including aspect, manual, and preset controls will need to be set prior to using the viewfinder since menus are only available when the LCD screen is open. If low on batteries or in a situation where the LCD is less than advantageous, this limiting access structure may be another point of discontent for possible consumers.

Despite all the complaints above, Sony will always have the Easy button to fall back on to boost its score in this category. Even a monkey could pick this up and start recording if given enough tries. Who knows? They might even give the Spot Focus a whirl.

Handling* (7.0)*

Instead of using four-way controllers or joysticks like other manufacturers Sony has opted to outfit their line of camcorders with touch screen interfaces. In theory, this would lead to simpler navigation and user-friendly control systems. Well, this theory didn’t hold out, and we found that interaction with Sony’s menu layout and design leaves an immense amount to be desired.

The DCR-HC26 had a tendency to do one of two things during navigation. When placed in the regular menu structure, the camcorder occasionally wouldn’t react when pressure was applied to the touch screen, forcing multiple attempts at activation. On the other end of the spectrum, once entered into a control setup using a sliding scale, such as the one found with the focal depth, the camera had a tendency to jump and send the control to the other end of the spectrum. Although this didn’t happen with zoom (which is an external control) it certainly happened with focus and exposure levels when attempts were made at fine tuning.

Speaking of the zoom toggle, users will find it sensitive and diligently accurate in replicating varying speeds based upon the pressure exerted by the user. This allows for a wide range of zoom speeds from sloth-like shifts to huge jumps to occur within seconds of one another, a great advantage over models like the Panasonic which has one point between off and full blast. But the zoom buttons on the frame of the LCD are less than stellar and really should only be used for rough adjustments when shooting from a position in front of the camcorder body. In terms of other controls, beyond these few key features and the record button and the Photoshot button, the user of the HC26 will find few other external offerings.

The joystick design used by Panasonic this year provided some compelling arguments for using external controls; it encouraged fast navigation of menu structures and manual controls with a minimal number of settings. In many ways this design would be better suited for a camcorder like the HC26, with its limited menu settings and even more limited manual control options. However, the downside to this design was the cumbersome one-press-per-increment-movement navigation. This was a major irritant when dealing with the more than forty steps necessary to move from one end of the gain scale to the other end of the aperture range. With slight tweaking Panasonic will surely have a menu system and manual control structure which far outdoes that found on the HC26, but as of right now each has their benefits and setbacks.

Portability* (8.25)*

In terms of overall portability, the Sony DCR-HC26 certainly improves upon models offered last year, a trend which seems to be prevalent this year. This model has dimensions of 2.7 inches in width, 3.2 inches in height, and 4.5 inches in length, which means that I was able to comfortably palm this unit when not shooting. The camcorder weighs 14 ounces with both battery and cassette which is certainly lighter than last year’s model, and the HC26 is light enough for casual carrying in the user’s hand during walking or hiking.

While the strap for the right hand is comfortable during shooting and minimal portage, users may wish to purchase an additional should strap or case for carrying this camcorder over a longer haul. The plastic on the right side of the camcorder seems to be easily scratched and would indicate that carrying this in a backpack or loose in another bag may not be a good idea.

LCD/Viewfinder* (9.3)*

The LCD screen on the Sony DCR-HC26 is a 2.5 inch touch screen interface and has a total pixel count of 123,200 pixels. This touch screen appears to have a protective layer to help reduce wear and tear, but it isn’t totally able to deflect finger sweat and grime or the feeling that over time this interface will inevitably lead to damaged and dead pixels.

 

The viewfinder on this camcorder is an undersized electronic color viewfinder that is hard to use due to the small frame size. Thankfully, the viewfinder does extend out from the camcorder body, making its close proximity to the battery a non-issue, unlike the smaller and fixed position viewfinder on the Canon ZR500. A viewfinder focal adjustment knob is located on the right side of the viewfinder and can adjust to individual user’s eyesight within a certain range. The HC26 has improved upon its predecessor, the HC21, by making the viewfinder color rather than black and white. We are thankful for improvement, but must this final note: when secured to a tripod, the bottom of the LCD panel has a tendency to scrape across the plate. Expect scuff marks on your shiny technology pretty soon.

Battery Life* (12.4)*

We tested the DCR-HC26 for battery longevity while shooting. The camcorder was set to record in 4:3 mode, with the image stabilization off, and the LCD backlight off, as well. When the tape required changing, the DC power was plugged back in, then immediately removed to continue testing. In total, the NP-FP30 battery lasted an a mighty 124 minutes and 44 seconds (2 hours, 4 minutes, and 44 seconds).  Last year's DCR-HC21 lasted only 105 minutes, showing an significant improvement this year.

Audio/Playback/Connectivity

Audio* (2.5)*

Audio control for the Sony DCR-HC26 is limited to the in-camera stereo microphone placed near the base of the camcorder’s front face. There is no audio input jack. The in-camera microphone allows users to select whether the camera records in either 12 bit or 16 bit recording modes through a submenu located within the administrative menu’s Tape Set submenu. It is also possible to dub audio once the camcorder has already captured video footage, a process which is activated by entering the camcorder into playback mode. Once in playback mode, the user must enter Page 3 of the Function menu and select the A Dub Ctrl menu setting. Once open, users will find that they are able to press Audio Dub, Play, Pause, and Stop when engaging this feature.

Also in playback, users may choose to increase playback volume levels by selecting the Vol control within Page 1 of the Function Menu. Users looking to purchase an inexpensive camcorder with a Mic port may wish to look at the Canon ZR500, a camcorder which although plagued with its own low-cost construction problems, at least allows users to engage an external microphone. There is an A/V-out jack located on the right side of the DCR-HC26 and theoretically could allow for headphone playback, although this would involve a series of additional cables, adapters or other interface devices which will lead to diminished audio quality. While this diminished audio quality won’t affect the audio recorded to tape, it will result in inaccurate monitoring of levels, signal, and noise.

VCR Mode* (6.0)*

When switched into VCR Mode, the Sony DCR-HC26 will immediately display the following controls along the bottom of the LCD screen: stop, rewind, play/pause, fast forward, and FN for Function Menu. These controls are standard options for reviewing MiniDV tape and allow users to navigate their footage with a linear format, which DVD camcorders have done away with in favor of a database thumbnail structure.

These controls are all activated via the touch screen interface and work with surprising efficiency. Playback audio may be heard through the speaker located in the cavity covered by the LCD screen when closed. Although it is possible to watch already recorded footage through the viewfinder, it isn’t possible to actually control playback unless the LCD is open.

The Function Menu in playback mode is structured the same way as the Function Menu in Shooting mode, but of course with different setting options. The first page displays the playback controls shown in the standard menu along with control over volume levels, end search, menu, and display guide submenus. These submenus appear as text descriptions inside of boxes which the user may interact with via the touch screen. The second page of the Function Menu allows access to the data code settings, LCD Brightness, Burn DVD, and Burn VCD. The last two options are only available to owners of Sony Vaio computers with preinstalled with Click to DVD Ver.1.2 or a later version, via the i.LINK (FireWire) cable. At the bottom of this menu page users will find that the VCR controls are still provided.

And finally the third playback menu page allows access to settings for variable speed play control tape navigation, audio dubbing control, and record control for when recording via another playback device. The administrative menu provides access to HiFi Sound, Audio Mix, LCD color, Wide Display, Rec Mode, Tape Remain, Clock Set, USB Stream, Language, World time, Beep, and Disp Out controls. This administrative menu is also structured to mirror the one users will engage when in the shooting mode.

 

Ports* (4.5)*

There are four ports located on the Sony DCR-HC26: three beneath a well designed port cover on the right side of the camcorder, and a power jack around back. The USB, FireWire-In/Out, and A/V-out ports are positioned with a comfortable amount of room between each one to allow access without unplugging other cables. On the back of the camcorder is a second port location next to the battery a for DC-in power, allowing the user to continue shooting even when switching from battery to outlet power. Other camcorders, like the PV-GS39 by Panasonic, place this port under the battery, forcing users to turn the camcorder off and back on when switching from battery to wall power. The HC26 has seen a substantial cut-back in ports since last year, when the HC21 offered a LANC jack as well as a cold accessory shoe.

Other Features

Widescreen/16:9 Mode* (5.0)*

The HC26 does not offer true widescreen. You do have the option of shooting in a 16:9 aspect ratio, which the camcorder obtains but cropping the top and bottom of the frame. Neither is the LCD widescreen. When in 16:9 shooting mode, the picture is sandwiched between top and bottom letterboxes.

Scan Rates/24p* (0.0)*

The Sony DCR-HC26 shoots at a rate of 29.97 frames per second, a standard shooting speed for camcorders found within this price range. Even 3 CCD models offered by other companies like Panasonic, like the PV-GS500, are only able to give users a "strobe effect" feature. If variable frame rates are important to you, be prepared to spend more than $300 dollars for your camcorder.

Other Features* (4.0)*
Fader - The fader control allows users to select between fade in or fade outs that have black or white transitions to opaque screens. When the HC26 is in standby mode, users can engage fade-in, while fade-out is available in recording mode. These settings are located within the first page of the Function Menu within the Fader submenu. Once within this menu users can choose between White and Black fades.

NightShot Plus and NightShot Light – The NightShot Plus feature works in low light situations, either alone or in tandem with the NightShot Light. This light is an Infrared Light (thus invisible to human eyes) which will illuminate low light scenes for greater image legibility beyond the capabilities of slow shutter or other control settings. But when using this feature, don’t expect objects to appear in normal lighting and don’t expect color or saturation to be accurate; it’s only for times when footage is absolutely necessary and light is absent from a scene.

It is possible to shoot in NightShot mode without the light by disengaging the NightShot Light setting within the Administrative menu under the submenu categorization of "Camera Set". That being said, the slight increase in exposure provided with just the NightShot mode alone wasn’t enough to help out in really low light, and anyway, having a green tint to your video isn’t going to be a huge concern, considering the already greatly impaired image quality of footage captured at this light level.

Click to DVD- Although this feature can be used only on Sony Vaio computers, it does provide at least those users with a seemingly quick way to transfer MiniDV still photo footage onto DVD through the use of Sony’s preinstalled "Click to DVD Ver.1.2" found with Vaio computers. Supposedly, this system is as simple as selecting the "Click to DVD" program from the programs list, and selecting the Burn DVD setting found within the playback Function Menu. Once a disc is inserted into the DVD drive and a still photo is selected, users are able to transfer MiniDV photos onto DVD with an MPEG-2 conversion occurring between media formats.

Comparisons/Conclusion

Comparison
*Sony DCR-HC21
*The Sony DCR-HC21 has many if not all of the same primary features which are found on this year’s HC26: the same vague menu structure with the even more vague manual control layout of sliding scales without numerical representation, the same inaccurate touch screen spot controls, and limited overall manual control. It does however also have the same responsive and accurate auto mode design which has continued into this year’s HC26. It has an identical CCD and the same 20x optical zoom with ludicrously large 800x digital capability. Last year’s HC21 and this years HC26 also share the same 2.5 inch, 123K pixel count LCD touch screen, which will result in shaky images and inaccurate settings when using spot controls. Still image controls are identical from last year to this year and users will find that both models record 640 x 480 stills to tape. The old HC21 does have a cold shoe, a feature which was eliminated with the release of this year’s HC26, along with a LANC jack, which has also been left behind. The HC21 has a slightly larger body than this year’s HC26, so if portability and size are important aspects, the HC26 may be a better option.

Panasonic PV-GS29
The Panasonic PV-GS29 comes with a CCD which is identical in size and pixel count to the one found on the DCR-HC26—a 680,000 pixel 1/6-inch CCD. It does manage to provide an even larger zoom lens with a maximum level of 30x when shooting with optical zoom only. With A/V composite-out and FireWire, the PV-GS29 does not have a USB-out, one blow for this camcorder in comparison to the HC26. Unfortunately like the HC26, this camcorder doesn’t have a Mic-in port. This camcorder comes with a 2.5-inch LCD screen which is similar in size, although thankfully it is not a touch screen interface. The joystick control design on the Panasonic is an immense improvement, allowing users to logically and easily navigate linear menu structures in a manner which the Sony menu layout can only dream of achieving.

The similarities between these two camcorders end here; the manual control design, layout, and control options are far superior on the PV-GS29. The PV-GS29 has numerical settings for the plethora of included manual control options. This camcorder offers control over manual exposure, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and gain. If manual controls are essential to your shooting and you’re on a budget, the Panasonic MiniDV camcorder line should be a definite consideration, especially when placed up against the auto-centric controls and interface found with the Sony camcorders.

Canon ZR500
The Canon ZR500 has several problematic designs, including a non-extending viewfinder, lower quality construction, and the placement of controls on the frame surrounding the LCD screen, making it yet another camcorder which will shake when the user navigates menus and control options. The one feature which really separates this camcorder from the HC26 and the other camcorders in the comparison section of this review is the inclusion of a Mic-in port. This camcorder does have a slightly larger LCD at 2.7 inches, but the pixel count of 112,000 indicates that overall quality will be less when placed next to the HC26’s crisp, clean offering (at least it’s clean until the touch-screen is used). Its physical build is larger than the HC26’s and although slightly more slender, the camcorder is definitely taller with a longer body. If manual controls are essential, it would be wise to look beyond this model due to the lack of real options and the barely adequate video performance results. All of these detractions and sub-par performance results may be acceptable to the infrequent user, but consumers with more video experience will certainly want to direct their attention to the middle and upper tier models from these two manufacturers.

JVC GR-D350
Also equipped with a 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel CCD is the JVC GR-D350, to be released in 2006. It is another lower-priced camcorder seeking to expand the boundaries of optical zoom up to 32x. The GR-D350 has a slightly lower slated retail price of $300 MSRP while still having comparable features like a 2.5-inch LCD and a simple Auto mode option. Unlike the extensive offering of manual controls found with the Panasonic camcorders, the JVC GR-D350 has the same stunted offerings found with the Sony DCR-HC26. This camcorder has manual control settings for focus, exposure, and white balance. Although the inclusion of a headphone jack is one improvement over the HC26, JVC unfortunately did not equip this camcorder with a Mic-in port, which could have potentially separated this camcorder and the HC26 from the rest of the competition.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters *(8.0)*

For point-and-shoot users, the Sony DCR-HC26 is certainly a logical camcorder to select. With bright, over-saturated colors and an Easy mode in addition to a standard auto mode, the possibility of being overwhelmed is less than likely. The touch screen interface takes some time to acclimate to, and this may be the only area of real detraction since there are some menu settings that this market may find useful.

Budget Consumers* (6.0)*

The budget consumer will definitely find this a compelling camcorder option, especially if automatic controls are important and manual access is a nominal or undesired parameter. The camcorder is slated to sell at $349 MSRP and will drop in price as the year progresses. However, better camcorders can be found at this price range.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid* (0.5)*

Capturing 640 x 480 resolution still images to tape is the best that the Sony DCR-HC26 offers. If users are looking for hybrid options, the first thing to do would be to look for a camcorder with a memory card and settings for Red-eye reduction, an in-camera flash, and other features which would indicate at least a nominal degree of hybrid functionality.

Gadget Freaks* (1.0)*

There really aren’t features on the Sony DCR-HC26 to catch the eye of the gadget freak. It is a basic MiniDV camcorder with stripped-down manual controls and a touch screen interface that is bound to leave gadget freaks unsatisfied and hungering for something more.

Manual Control Freaks* (3.0)*

With control of focus, exposure, and white balance being the only manual control options, the touch screen control system adds insult to injury. If manual control options are wanted and price is a concern, camcorders provided by manufacturers like Panasonic will provide a more extensive list of options.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists* (2.0)*

There really wouldn’t be a reason for the serious or pro hobbyist to turn to this camcorder; the touch screen interface, minimal manual controls, and basic system make the Sony DCR-HC26 an option for an entirely different section of the market.

Conclusion

The Sony DCR-HC26 is the budget model for those demanding ease of use above all other concerns. The picture quality in bright light is fair to poor, while the low light performance is downright bad. The HC21, this camcorder’s predecessor, was one of the lowest ranked models last year for good reason, and the HC26 is similar in almost every regard. Now, however, even options like a cold accessory shoe have been stripped away.

But Sonys endure, due to their ease of use and automatic controls. If you want a camcorder to learn on, look at Panasonic which will give you higher end options once you've learned to bike without training wheels. The lowest-end PV-GS29 offers comparable performance with the additions of vastly better manual controls. The lowest-end Canon ZR500 has a similar ease of use and richer video. Even though the Canon feels cheap, the inclusion on a mic-input outweighs any leanings we might have towards the Sony.

Specs/Ratings

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Meet the tester

James Murray

James Murray

Editor

James Murray is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

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