[n8384]

All,


Looking at buying one of these models in the next 2 months.
I believe this question has been asked before but i cannot seem to find the thread anymore. Main uses would be to record the arrival of new baby, so i guess lots of indoor footage..

apart from size and price..what is the main difference between the two and for my usage is it worth splashing out on the HC1?

thanks

[bis96gw]

The HC3 is said to be marginally better than the HC1 in low light situations....

So unless you need any of the extra features of the HC1 (mic input, better manual control), then HC3 is the one for you....

I myself have bought a HC3 for the same reason as you.... due 6 weeks on sat

[redsox_mark]

Quality wise, there is not much difference. The HC3 is slightly better in low light., the HC1 maybe slightly better in good light – but any differences are small.

As well as price and size, the HC3 has the advantage of being side loading (vs. bottom loading), it also has a an HDMI port.

The advantages of the HC1 have to do with more manual controls, making it more of a “prosumer” model: e.g. an external ring that can be switched to control zoom and focus, actual manual control over shutter speed….. it also has an external microphone jack.

If you generally shoot in auto mode, I’d go for the HC3. If you want more manual control, consider the HC1.

[philipb]

Bought the HC3E for £765 last week. Brilliant bit of kit. You'll love it.

[senu]

I only have the HC1, having used the bulkier FX1 until lately.
So Im biased if I say even the HC1 is not large.

Saying that , the HC3 is positively dainty ( easy on the hand but may be more prone to shake), seems more point/shoot user friendly , Outputs direct to HDMI ( an advantage if your display doesnt like HD signals via component) .and meaning you dont need to cable in audio separately

I must say I find the HC1s low light perfomance acceptable and Im sure those who say the HC3 is better are right although Im yet to see a "prosumer " camcorder with the Sony Vx 2100s excellent low light abilities

I stumbled accross This thread from another forum on the same subject

Simply put ;looks like the HC3 seems better for you ( and less costly!)

[n8384]

Thanks for the info..Will go for the HC3E.....now just have to wait for the price to drop....
got 8 weeks to go......

[laser]

I've posted loads of footage from my HC1E, in both 720p and 1080i here:

http://www.nymrfootage.co.uk

It'll give you an idea of what its capable of.....

[redsox_mark]

Comparisons of single video frames from HC1, HC3, and FX1 can be found here
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babel...t.de%2f02.html

They were all taken at the same time (using a camera rail as shown on top of the page)... though the length of the rail makes the angles slightly different, especially on close ups...

Still, the differences are small. I didn't look at all of them... picture 12 (the stained glass window) the HC1 looks sharper. Picture 19 I think the HC3 looks sharper...

Overall to me it confirms there is not much difference between the two for quality.

[laser]

Some people say the HC1E picture looks colder, or has more blue in the picture compared to the HC3. In some respects they are correct when the camcorder is used at its default settings, However I've found shifting the colour setting on the HC1E by 1 notch removes the colder looking picture.