[owain_thomas]

I'm in the market for a miniDV camcorder and have pretty much settled on a Sony HC90E, as I've only just started looking into this field I've no idea how long this model's been out. Any one have any ideas about how long this will be a "current" model for, I'd hate to buy one and find out a week later there is something better for the same money.

I know that there will always be something shinier, faster and better a few steps down the road but I'd like at least a few months before feeling done!

TIA
owain

[Bearded_Malc]

look on the sony site. HC90 is still listed though stocks seem variable. New models are the HC94 and HC96. 94 only has AV/DVout. 96 same as 90 has AV/DV in/out. Expected feb I think but sony shop told me april so could be feb in usa. I've just bought 90. 96 has nothing new really. Differences are: 96 has battery on back like all other camcorders (I liked 90's internal battery). 96 is wider, no sure if that makes it easier to hold. 96 has a cradle (but then do you have to take that with you everywhere?). There are pictures on the caminfo site.

[owain_thomas]

cheers malc,

as you say it doesn't really look any different, it's listed as shipping in feb on the sony-style shop site. might hang on and try and get a bargain hc90.

thanks
owain

[Bearded_Malc]

I toyed with waiting. In the end I went for it. I decided I could wait and then find all the HC90s are gone and the HC96 was more. Plus I don't like the battery on the HC90.

[Applespider]

Originally Posted by Bearded_Malc

Plus I don't like the battery on the HC90.

I like the battery on the HC90. Much prefer having it hidden inside than hanging off the back and adding bulk. The higher-capacity one gives me about 160 minutes of recording which with the smaller one as backup, should be more than enough for my purposes.

The absence of a cradle (and just cables) also appealed - since I work from a laptop rather than a desk, there's just not a good place to leave a cradle!