The Sony HDR-HC7 is equipped with a 1/2.9-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor with a resolution of 3.2 megapixels.  It has an effective resolution of 2.2 megapixels working in wide screen video mode (16:9 aspect ratio), 1.2 megapixels in normal mode (4:3 aspect ratio) and 3 megapixels in still photography.

The Sony HDR-HC7 uses HDV compression with a fixed data rate of 25 Mbps (1080i).  Digital video storage is thru MiniDV tapes.  It is capable recording in High Definition and Standard Definition videos.

Bright light performance is high quality due to the large imager.  At 3000 lux, the camcorder can provide crisp and clear images with the right color balance.  Low light performance, however, is totally a different story.  At about 60 lux the camcorder exhibits grainy images and blue and green noise in videos.  Below 60-lux, the grain becomes very pronounced and the amount of noise may make the video unintelligible.  There is a video light at the front of the device to provide extra light when shooting in dark environments.  The light, however, can make videos look flat and does little to improve video performance in low light conditions.

Still images are stored in JPEG format.  Still photos store in memory cards inserted in the memory slot that is located inside the LCD cavity.  The memory slot only supports Sony proprietary cards – Memory Card Duo / PRO Duo cards.  There is also a built-in flash mounted at the front-left side of the lens to compensate when taking still photos in low light conditions.

The Sony HDR-HC7 uses a 5.4mm – 54mm Carl Zeiss Zoom lens.  The lens has an aperture range of f/1.8 – f/2.9 and a shutter speed range of 1/2sec – 1/500sec.  It features a 10x optical zoom and an added 20x digital zoom.  It has a 37mm filter size and features a built-in internal lens cover.  The cover automatically opens when the camcorder turns on and closes as the camcorder turns off.  Image stabilization is thru Sony’s Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization capable of eliminating 75% of camera shake effects.

Audio recording is thru the camcorder’s built-in stereo microphone mounted just below the lens at the front of the camcorder.  The camcorder also offers a microphone jack located just beside the mic for video projects that needs an additional audio accessory.  The camcorder also features a 3.5mm headphone jack to monitor audio recording as you shoot.

The Sony HDR-HC7 has a 2.7-inch color LCD screen for video monitoring and playback.  The touch screen LCD has an effective resolution of 0.211 megapixels.  The LCD screen opens at 90 degrees from the camcorder’s body and is capable of rotating to about 270 degrees.  It can also fold back to the LCD cavity when at 270 degrees so the display screen faces outside.  There is also a color viewfinder as an alternate monitoring and playback option.  The viewfinder has a resolution of 0.123 megapixels.

The camcorder also comes with a handy remote control.  The remote sensor on the camcorder is located at the front of the camcorder, left of the lens.

The camcorder also has Sony’s proprietary NightShot night mode for taking videos and still photographs in dark environments.  Special effects include Sepia, Still, Trail, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Skintone, Cinematic, Old Movie, Flash Motion, Negative Art and Solarization.  Shooting programs include Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait Mode and Sports Lesson.  White Balance for this camcorder is identical with most Sony camcorders – Custom, Preset (Indoor & Outdoor) and Automatic.

It also has Sony’s famous Easy mode.  The Easy button is located inside the LCD cavity, just beside the memory slot.  With this mode on, all functions go on automatic and all the user has to do is to point and shoot.  The Easy mode does a good job in recognizing lighting and other factors and is very efficient in making the necessary adjustments to capture great quality videos.

The Sony HDR-HC7 also features several manual controls.  It features Sony’s Cam Control, which is a dial used to manually control shutter speed, exposure, focus and white balance.  The Cam Control is located at the left side of the camcorder.  You can also control focus using the LCD’s touch screen icons.  Most manual control and settings are accessible thru the camcorder’s P-Menu.

The HDR-HC7 comes with a NP-FH60 Li-ion rechargeable battery that sits at the battery compartment located at the rear of the camcorder.  The battery can provide power up to two hrs of extensive use.  The camcorder also features an open-type battery compartment that can easily accommodate battery upgrades.  Also at the rear of the camcorder, just beside the viewfinder, is the power dial to turn the camcorder on/off.  The dial can also switch from tape, memory to Play/Edit mode.  Just below the dial is the Start/Stop record button.

Several port connections are available for the Sony HDR-HC7.  A LANC jack, i-Link terminal, component output, headphone jack and A/V output is located at the port panel at the left side of the camcorder, just below the LCD panel.  Inside the LCD cavity are the USB port and the memory slot.  At the rear of the camcorder is the HDMI port that will allow users to plug the device directly to a compatible HD TV to view videos.  There is also a DC input port beside the battery compartment.  The camcorder is also equipped with an Active Interface Shoe at its top.  The accessory shoe, like most Sony camcorders, only caters to Sony proprietary accessories like the Sony shotgun mic, video light or Hi-Fi mics.

Dimensions for the camcorder are 3.2in x 5.4in x 3.2in (W x D x H) and it weighs about 1.5 lbs.  It may not be the smallest or the lightest camera in its category but the Sony HDR-HC7 handles comfortably.  The right side of the camcorder is designed ergonomically, and the strap fits comfortably making handling of the camcorder easy.

The Sony HDR-HC7 is an admirable camcorder capable of recording vivid and sharp videos both in manual and automatic modes.  Its ergonomic design and its Easy mode make it trouble-free to operate, perfect for a point-and-shoot application.  Its excellent High Definition video performance coupled with its versatility to accommodate added accessories thru its multiple ports (mic jack, 2.5mm headphone jack and hot shoe) gives it a multipurpose scope that can cater to the needs of an intermediate videographer.

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