Sony DCR-HC20 Reviews & Tests

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony DCR-HC20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 20 user reviews of Sony DCR-HC20 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the size and portability. The battery and price also get good feedback. There are some mixed views about the design, while there are some negative reviews about the zoom and finish.

usability, price, battery, portability, size

finish, zoom

85% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Jun, 2025

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony DCR-HC20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 101 user reviews of Sony DCR-HC20 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the price and design. The image quality and portability are also appreciated, whereas there are some mixed comments about the viewfinder.

usability, portability, image quality, design, price

77% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Jun, 2025

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.co.uk)

Sony Handycam DCR review

The Handycam DCR-SX series is Sony's flash-memory-based standard-definition ultracompact camcorder. It's made up of three models that differ only by storage amounts: the SX45 has no internal memory; the SX65 has 4GB built in; and the SX85 has 16GB of...

The Sony Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 are easy-to-use ultracompact camcorders with good active electronic image stabilization and a built-in USB cable for quick uploads.

The DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 produce very soft and noisy video with noticeable fringing on subjects even at small sizes. There are no mic or headphone jacks, and the electronic image stabilization won't help you with the lens fully extended.

Sony's Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 standard-definition camcorders pack a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model.

Jun, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.co.uk)

Sony Handycam DCR-SX41series review

The Handycam DCR-SX41 is Sony's flash-memory-based standard-definition camcorder. Its main attractions are its small size, 8GB of internal memory backed by a Memory Stick slot for expansion, and a 60x megazoom lens. It's also easy to use partly because...

Simple operation; 60x zoom lens; small, lightweight design.

Soft, digital-artifact-laden video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects.

If internal flash memory, zoom range, and a touch-screen LCD are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SX41.

Sep, 2009

Read the full review

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com)

Sony Handycam DCR review

The Handycam DCR-SX series is Sony's flash-memory-based standard-definition ultracompact camcorder. It's made up of three models that differ only by storage amounts: the SX45 has no internal memory; the SX65 has 4GB built in; and the SX85 has 16GB of...

The Sony Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 are easy-to-use ultracompact camcorders with good active electronic image stabilization and a built-in USB cable for quick uploads.

The DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 produce very soft and noisy video with noticeable fringing on subjects even at small sizes. There are no mic or headphone jacks, and the electronic image stabilization won't help you with the lens fully extended.

Sony's Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 standard-definition camcorders pack a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model.

Jun, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com)

Sony Handycam DCR-SX41series review

The Handycam DCR-SX41 is Sony's flash-memory-based standard-definition camcorder. Its main attractions are its small size, 8GB of internal memory backed by a Memory Stick slot for expansion, and a 60x megazoom lens. It's also easy to use partly because...

Simple operation; 60x zoom lens; small, lightweight design.

Soft, digital-artifact-laden video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects.

If internal flash memory, zoom range, and a touch-screen LCD are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SX41.

Sep, 2009

Read the full review

Expert review by : Jan Ozer (pcmag.com)

Sony DCR-HC20 Handycam

Though compact and easy to use, the Sony DCR-HC20 Handycam delivers subpar video and still-image quality and lacks some critical features.

Compact design. Easy to use. LCD is visible in direct sunlight.

Poor video and still-image quality. Lacks analog-to-digital conversion capabilities.

More digital camcorder reviews: Ricoh Theta SC Vuze VR Camera Samsung Gear 360 (2017) Giroptic iO YI 4K+ more

Oct, 2004

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Bryan Hastings (pcworld.com)

Sony DCR-HC20 MiniDV Handycam

The DCR-HC20 is a small, easy to use, and well-priced camcorder for those who just want to shoot video, but it is missing features such as still-image capture.

This is a stylish, small, low-cost camcorder that is comfortable to hold and easy to use, although it has fewer features than its more expensive siblings.

Apr, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by : Bryan Hastings (pcworld.com)

Sony Handycam DCR-HC20 Mini DV Digital Camcorder

Photograph: Rick Rizner

Apr, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by : Joshua Goldman (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR review: Sony Handycam DCR

Sony Handycam DCR

The ; are easy-to-use ultracompact camcorders with good active electronic image stabilization and a built-in USB cable for quick uploads.

The DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 produce very soft and noisy video with noticeable fringing on subjects even at small sizes. There are no mic or headphone jacks, and the electronic image stabilization won't help you with the lens fully extended.

Sony's Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 standard-definition camcorders pack a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model.

Jun, 2011

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Easy Camcorder (easycamcorders.com)

Expert Review

Sony's DCR-HC20 is the lowest of this year's DCR-HC models; the DCR-HC30 and DCR-HC40 succeed it. The DCR-HC20 is a stripped-down version of the DCR-HC30. It includes the same CCD, which is a 1/6-inch chip with comparable optical zoom. That said, the...

Aug, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by : Andrew Alexander (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony DCR-HC20 First Impressions Camcorder Review - Sony MiniDV Camcorders

Sony has consolidated both the number of camcorders and the physical size of their camcorders in their 2004 model line which was introduced at the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The camcorders have a new rounder design, and some upgraded,...

Jan, 2004

Read the full review