Sony DCR-HC26 Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review

Setup/Installation
Setting up the camera is very simple.  You switch it on and using the automatic functions you can start shooting. If you want to play around with the manual functions you might want to read the instructions to get an idea of all the HC26 can do.  There's also a handy Easy button which when pressed does everything for you.

Features
The front of the Sony DCR-HC26 has a 20x optical lens with focal length of 44-888mm and an aperture range of f/1.8 to f/3.1.  Under this is a built-in microphone as well as a neatly masked port cover that hides a USB port, an A/V out port and a DV-in/out FireWire port.  There’s a small colour viewfinder which can be adjusted as well as a small colour screen.  For those who don’t want to spend time learning how to use a camera, but instead just start shooting, you’ll love the Easy mode, a function which as the name suggests, does everything for you.  There are the usual modes such as auto exposure, focus, white balance, shutter speed as well as a Spot Meter and Spot Focus.  There are also a variety of autoexposure modes, such as sports and portrait, as well as manual exposure and focus. Navigation of the camera is operated using up and down arrows under the touch-screen.

Performance
The Spot Metering and Spot Focus are a nice touch and very easy to operate.  Press the screen where you want the camera to focus or adjust its exposure and the camera does the rest.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that the outcome will be precise, but near enough in the region of where you wanted to concentrate.  The 2.5 inch screen is small but does provide a clear image even in direct sunlight.  We particularly liked the 20x optical zoom which was impressive and unlike some cameras it was very sensitive when zooming in and out, removing jerky movement.  There is a SteadyShot button that will steady any shake, but that used an electronic rather than optical zoom resulting in poorer quality of image – however there is a hole for a tripod which would be a better option to illuminate shake.  We like the Easy button.  Once you’ve pressed it you can start filming without worrying about anything other than what you might bump into while concentrating on your subject and when to use the zoom.  If you decide you want to be more experimental switch the mode off and you can start manually setting the HC26.  Picture quality was very average but adequate for basic video recording.  The nightshot worked well and gave your footage with that ‘Most Haunted’ touch with slightly greenish shades.  You can take still images but because you’re recording onto MiniDV tape the resolution won’t be more than 640x480.  Sound quality is recorded on 12 bit or 16 bit recording through the in-built camera and there is no way of adding an external microphone. However there is the option of dubbing sound in after you’ve finished recording.Actually navigating around the camera is a nightmare.  There are no large, user-friendly icons, instead you get a series of tiny buttons which you can just about see and the fiddly up and down arrows were far too small to operate if you have chunky fingers.  It was because of this complicated navigation that we stuck with using the Easy mode - the manual setting was nothing to write home about and meant having to confront the navigation system.  Battery life lasted around two hours.

What's In The Box?
Camera, charger, editing software.

Overall Opinion
If you’re looking for something that is really easy to use and are working on a budget the Sony DCR-HC26 Mini DV Digital Camcorder is a good camera.  The picture quality isn’t the best but it’s fair and bright. Even in low lighting it seems to work alright.  There are some nice functions like the night mode and the 20x zoom.  The Easy button, like the price reflects the HC26 is bottom of the range and really targeted at novices or new comers to the camera market.  However if you’ve got a bit more cash and are likely to develop your shooting to something more than quick shots of the kids, we’d suggest looking at something in the next price bracket. 

By Babita Wakelin