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Sony DCR-HC96

Sony DCR-HC96
Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96
alaScore 85

276 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 276 reviews of Sony DCR-HC96. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Views about the size and price are generally positive. The image quality and portability are also appreciated. Some have doubts about the memory and battery, and there are some mixed opinions about the viewfinder.

usability, portability, image quality, price, size

battery, memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony DCR-HC96 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 276 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (42% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (35% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (12% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
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Features

usability
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (91%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
image quality
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price
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size
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reliability
  Show positive (59%)Show negative (41%)(Show all)
durability
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design
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (91%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (41%)Show negative (59%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (22%)Show negative (78%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
connectivity
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
finish
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Showing 193 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 164 of 193 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (77)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony DCR-HC96

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 16 user reviews of Sony DCR-HC96 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the zoom and portability are overall positive. The price and image quality are also mentioned favorably. The color and design get mixed reviews, and the viewfinder and durability get negative comments.

usability, image quality, price, portability, zoom

battery, reliability, durability, viewfinder

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony DCR-HC96

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 138 user reviews of Sony DCR-HC96 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Views about the reliability and size are generally positive. The image quality and portability are also mentioned favorably, but there are some critical comments about the memory. There are some mixed comments about the price.

usability, portability, image quality, size, reliability

memory

83% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : James Galbraith (techadvisor.co.uk)

Sony DCR-HC96Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV Handycam

 

The £360 inc VAT Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV Handycam, Sony's high-end MiniDV camcorder, offers step-up features such as a higher-capacity battery, a charging dock and the ability to capture higher-resolution video than can other HC series models.

The Sony DCR-HC96 performs well and provides impressive still-image quality. Nice features such as a touchscreen LCD and an accessory shoe make it more attractive, but camcorders with better low-light video quality are available for less.

Jun, 2007
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Expert review by (expertreviews.co.uk)

Sony DCR-HC96E review

 

The fairly large DCR-HC96E comes with a docking station with USB and FireWire ports, as well as pass-through connectors for power and AV.

Sony's most expensive consumer MiniDV camcorder comes with a wide range of features, and shoots high-quality video and decent stills.

Feb, 2007
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Expert review by : Colin Barrett (simplydv.co.uk)

SimplyDV Review: Sony DCR-HC96 DV Camcorder

 

Good sturdy build and handling with tape top-loading, ergonomic design, LCD on-frame controls, full DV and AV input connectivity (incl. S-Video). Large CCD produces nice images, decent 16:9 widescreen

It's a pity there's no microphone input or headphone output. The omission of both takes the edge off what could be a great starter DV camcorder.

Despite what we've said about external mic and headphone output (which many users might not be bothered with anyhow) the DCR-HC96 is undoubtedly a great starter cam that's ideal for newbies and, of course, attractively priced.

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Expert review by : James Galbraith (pcworld.com)

Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder

 

The DCR-HC96 ($650 as of May 11, 2007), Sony's high-end MiniDV camcorder, offers step-up features like a higher-capacity battery, a charging dock, and the ability to capture higher-resolution video than other HC series models can. Though it scored...

Wide-screen LCD touch screen ; Very good standard-light video quality

Mediocre low-light performance ; Dock required for file transfers

May, 2007
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Expert review by : Denny Atkin (cnet.com)

Image quality

 

Sony Handycam DCR-HC96

Sharp, colorful video; compact size; decent photo quality.

Poor battery life; cumbersome menus poorly matched with the small touch-screen LCD.

Excellent video quality, a broad feature set, and decent photos make the Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 an excellent choice for those seeking a compact MiniDV camcorder. Navigating the small touch screen may encourage you to stick with its automatic features,...

Mar, 2006
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Expert review by : Denny Atkin (cnet.com.au)

Sony Handycam DCR-HC96

 

Excellent video quality, a broad feature set, and decent photos make the Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 an excellent choice for those seeking a compact MiniDV camcorder. Navigating the small touch screen may encourage you to stick with its automatic features,...

Sharp, colourful video ; Compact size ; Decent photo quality

Poor battery life ; Cumbersome menus poorly matched with the small touch-screen LCD

Photo quality is also better than a camcorder typically produces. The DCR-HC96's 3-megapixel images look sharp and detailed, with accurate colour reproduction and a low level of noise. However, the images are somewhat soft, and with a lack of detail...

Apr, 2006
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Expert review by : Easy Camcorder (easycamcorders.com)

Expert Review

 

The DCR-HC96 represents the best of what Sony has to offer this year on its consumer MiniDV camcorders (aside from the high definition HDR-HC3). Replacing the HC90, once again Sony has made great video quality in an easy to use package. At $800 (MSRP),...

Easy mode is great for the beginner, -Top loading tape compartment

Placement of white balance controls within a labrynithian menu structure, -Touch screen interface has a mere 123K pixel count and becomes smudged easily, -No mic input, -Proprietary hot shoe demands consumers only purchase Sony brand products that, are...

Apr, 2006
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Expert review by : James Murray (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony DCR-HC96 Camcorder Review

 

The DCR-HC96 is Sony's flagship consumer MiniDV camcorder this year, and by the looks of it, Sony has all but given up innovation in this medium. The HC96 is the same camcorder as last year's HC90, with most ports relocated from the body to a Handycam...

Mar, 2006
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Expert review by : James Galbraith (macworld.com)

Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV Handycam camcorder

 

The Sony DCR-HC96 Handycam is a MiniDV camcorder that performs well and provides impressive still-image quality. Nice features like a touch-screen LCD and an accessory shoe make it more attractive.

Wide-screen LCD with touch-screen controls; accessory shoe; impressive still-camera quality; very good standard-light video quality

Mediocre low-light performance; dock required for video and image transfers

A mix of plastic and metal, the DCR-HC96fits well in the palm. It features a 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD with touch-screen controls. Play, record, and stop buttons are also conveniently located just below the screen, allowing you to keep your eye on the...

Apr, 2007
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Expert review by : James Murray (reviewed.com)

Sony DCR-HC96

 

At 3000 lux, the DCR-HC96 had very good video performance. For the top model in its class, it should. The HC96 packs a big 1/3" CCD with 3.31 gross MP (2.05 effective MP). This is one of the big differences between manufacturers in their upper-tier...

Mar, 2006
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Price comparison for Sony DCR-HC96