Sony HC96E vs Canon MVX460

[Moge]

Hi,

Having done quite a bit of reading in several places, I've settled myself into a straight one on one choice.
As the title implies, I'm aiming for either the Sony HC96E or the Canon MVX460

I want it primarily for snowboarding in the new year. Both have DV in as I might stretch myself to a helmet camera. (cue next forum post )
I intend to start taking it to film other things too eventually.
I've taken too many clips using my digital stills camera and wished I'd had a proper camcorder with me.

From what I can see, there's a considerable price difference with the cheapest I can find the Canon around £320 and the Sony around £400.

I suppose my basic question, alongside trying to garner any opinions that people have, is whether the extra money for the Sony is worth it. Do I get that much more camera for my cash?

Thanks for any help!

[redsox_mark]

In terms of features and quality they are very similar... which makes the MVX460 better value for money. The HC96 has a (physically) larger CCD - also more megapixels for stills. But in terms of quality they are much the same. Some people have had issues with motor noise on some Canon models, I've not seen this ever as an issue with Sony.

Overall I'd say the HC96 is only slightly better, and the MVX460 is the better buy - if you can find one. They seem in short supply.

[Moge]

Thanks for the swift reply Mark!
I followed your advice from another post and read some reviews at camcorderinfo.com
Canon
Sony

They don't seem to be overly enamoured with the design of the Canon.
I suppose I need to get myself down to a shop and see about having a play with one.

Do you have any idea if the battery life suffers very much from taking the camera up a mountain?

[redsox_mark]

Yes, you do need to get your hands on both and see how the feel to you, and what you think of the layout.

Yes camcorderinfo did have some issues with the layout of the Canon, but they liked it enough to award it "Camcorder of the Year".

Battery life is less in cold conditions. It's hard to say exactly how much less. As long as it is above freezing I don't think there is that much difference... if it is -20 then the life could be cut in half... something like that.

[Moge]

Nice one Mark, thanks for the info.

I think I'll go for the Canon.

Just need to decide if it's worth waiting for the January sales now, or believe what the media is saying about them having already started and find me a shop that has one!

Do you know any shops in Bath worth checking out? I'm going to be there on Saturday...

[redsox_mark]

In Bath it is the usual chains - Currys, Jessops (2 of them!), and a large Sony Centre. I'm not sure if our Currys or Jessops has the MVX460 in stock.

[toadoftoadhall]

the canon has a mic in , the Sony a Sony only special mic in, which restrict you to about 2 mics from sony. Depends if sound is consideration. I like good sound as much as good video. Hate poor sound.
I have a Canon, and 3 different mics, depends on what you want to do.

toad