Sony's HDR-HC3 HDV Handycam combines the exceptional quality of high-definition video with easy-to-use features. Its ClearVid CMOS Sensor requires less power than traditional CCD imagers, while the swiveling 2.7" Clear Photo LCD Plus allows you to record from virtually any angle and environment. With an overall design 26% smaller than the previous model, the HDR-HC3 HDV Handycam offers the flexibility to capture and share the moment with ease.

Primarily used by professional videographers, HDV 1080i offers an exceptionally vivid picture at 1440 x 1080 pixels, more than four times the resolution of conventional MiniDV recording. Capture moments in high-definition for extraordinarily sharp, true-to-life images and outstanding clarity thanks to Sony’s HDR-HC3 HDV Handycam camcorder.

Sony’s powerful and versatile HDR-HC3 HDV Handycam offers more recording options, letting you capture every moment exactly as you want. Use regular MiniDV tapes to capture both high-definition and standard definition video. Sony’s HDR-HC3 HDV Handycam camcorder’s dual HDV/DV format recording gives you the power to choose.

Sony’s ClearVid CMOS Sensor produces smear-free images with wide dynamic range. The result is a high-quality picture with accurate brightness. Its enhanced sensitivity creates less image noise in low light, a higher pixel count for still images, and greater detail even when shooting SD (Standard Definition) Video.

For the best of both worlds, Sony’s HDR-HC3 offers the power to capture high-resolution digital video and still images thanks to its new ClearVid CMOS Sensor. Connect directly to any compatible printer with the convenience of PictBridge. Forget about installing extra software. Just connect to your PictBridge printer and use the HDV Handycam LCD to select your prints.

Carl Zeiss has been at the forefront of optical development for over 150 years. The advanced, multi-layer optical coating system of the Vario-Sonnar T* Lens improves contrast while enhancing colour. Reducing ghosting and flare by 80%, its anti-reflective technology allows more light to pass through, helping to create a sharper image.

Perfect for any situation, Clear Photo LCD Plus delivers enhanced image brightness and contrast, while the recording and zoom buttons on the frame offer greater control as you shoot. Capture the scene at any angle with the swivelling LCD and preview more of the picture with the WIDE 16:9 display.

The industry-supported, all-digital interface, HDMI allows for uncompressed high-bandwidth audio/video signals in one convenient cable. Connect your HDR-HC3 HDV Handycam camcorder directly to any HDMI-supported High-Definition Television and discover an impressive new level of digital video quality.

Connect video lights or external microphones to your Sony HDR-HC3 HDV Handycam camcorder using the Active Interface Shoe. Never worry about hooking cables or extra connections. By automatically recognizing your HDV Handycam accessory, the Active Interface Shoe is always ready when you are, expanding your world of personal digital video recording.

Plus More Great Features:

10x Optical Zoom, 80x Digital Zoom Super SteadyShot® Super NightShot plus™ Built-in Flash Easy Handycam Button InfoLITHIUM™ Battery System Multi-Language Operation

Click Here for information on Battery Life and Storage Capacity.

LENS / ZOOM

Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens
Zoom Key (Lever/Button on LCD frame)
Zoom / Zoom Speed (Optical):  
    With Lever during Standby: 10x, variable (0.90 – 9.42 sec.)
    With Lever during Recording: 10x, variable (0.90 – 9.42 sec.)
    With Button on LCD frame: 10x, 5.74 sec.
Digital Zoom¹:8x (80x)
Selection of Digital Zoom Ratio (2 steps): x20/x80 (MENU)
Precision Digital Zoom²
F: 1.8 - 2.9
f (Focal distance): 5.1 - 51mm; In Tele Macro (Minimum distance): Approx. 370mm
f (35mm conversion)(in "CAMERA-TAPE" position): (16:9 MODE)³: 41.3 - 485mm; 4:3 MODE)³: 50.5 - 594mm
f (35mm conversion)(in "CAMERA-MEMORY" position)(16:9 MODE)³: 40.4 - 404mm; (4:3 MODE)³: 37 - 370mm
Filter Diameter: 30mm
NightShot (SW)
Super NightShot ("CAMERA-TAPE" position)

CAMERA

Focus System: Full Range Auto/Manual (Dial)
Manual Focus (Dial), Spot Focus (Touch Panel)
Auto Focus Linear Mach AF
Progressive ClearVid CMOS Sensor: 1/3" (5.9mm) 2,304H
Pixels for Still Image Recording: Max. 4.0M (2,304 x 1,728) (4:3)
Number of pixels (gross): Approx. 2,103K
  Effective pixels of moving pictures in 16:9: Approx. 1,434K
  Effective pixels of moving pictures in 4:3: Approx. 1,076K
Effective pixels of still images in 16:9: Approx. 1,493K
  Effective pixels of still images in 4:3: Approx. 1,991K
Minimum Illumination: 5 lux (without NightShot); 0 lux (with NightShot)
White Balance: Auto / Outdoor / Indoor / One-push Auto (Touch Panel)
WB Shift: Menu + Touch Panel (9 Step)
Shutter Speed: 1/2 – 1/500 (Colour Slow Shutter, Program AE, Slow Shutter, Super NightShot)
  Auto: 1/60 – 1/250
  Program AE: 1/60 – 1/500
  Slow Shutter (Digital Effect): 1/4. 1/8, 1/15, 1/30
  Super NightShot: 1/4 – 1/125
  Colour Slow Shutter: 1/2 – 1/250
  Smooth Slow Rec: 1/240 – 1/500
Auto Shutter (Menu)
Colour Slow Shutter in “CAMERA-TAPE” position (Menu)
Program AE⁴ (Menu + Touch Panel): Portrait, Beach & Ski, Landscape, Spotlight, Sunset & Moon
14bit DXP
AE Shift: Menu + Touch Panel (9 Step)
Active Flicker Adjustment
Exposure Control: Menu (24 Step)
Backlight Compensation (Button)
Spot Meter (Touch Panel)
Iris Control (Auto Only) / Gain Control (Auto Only)
Sharpness Control in “CAMERA-TAPE/MEMORY” position (Menu, 8 Step)
Rec Format Switch (HDV/DV, Menu)
Quick Rec (HDV only, Menu)
Rec Review (Touch Panel)
End Search⁵
Smooth Slow Rec (Menu)
Zebra Pattern
Histogram (not available in “PLAY-Edit” position)
Guide Feature (Menu)
Self Timer (Menu)
Fader⁶ (Touch Panel): Black, White, Mosaic, Monotone
16:9 Default (CAMERA-TAPE)
Clock Setting (Menu)
World Time
Date/Time Auto Indication
SteadyShot (“CAMERA-TAPE” position only; Electronic, SteadyShot)
 SteadyShot ON/OFF (Menu)
 Conversion OFF / WideCon / TeleCon (Menu)
Tele Macro (Touch Panel)

CAMERA (STILL IMAGE)

Dual Rec: Image Size (16:9): HDV 2.3M (2016 x 1134); DV 2.3M (2016 x 1134); DV 1.7M (1512  x 1134); Image Size (4:3) DV 1.7M (1512 x 1134)
Recording Methods: Progressive Scan, Frame REC

VIEWFINDER

Colour, 16:9
0.69cm (0.27”)
123,000 dots (560 x 220)
Backlight Select7 (Normal/Bright)

AUDIO

PCM Digital Stereo Recording: DV (12/16bit, Menu)
PCM Digital Stereo Playback: DV (12/16bit, 32k, 44k, 48k)
MPEG1 Audio Layer2 (HDV)
PCM Mix Balance (Menu, DV Only)
Built-in Stereo Electric Condenser Microphone with Auto Wind Position
16mm Speaker
Speaker Volume Control (+/-, Touch Panel, 16 Steps)
Multi Sound (Bilingual) Switch (Menu)

VTR

HDV / DV Format
VTR REC (i.LINK Only)
Fast Forward / Rewind Time (Using AC adapter): Approx. 1 min. 45 sec. (DVM60)
Fast Forward / Rewind Time (Using fully charged battery): Approx. 2 min. 40 sec. (DVM60)
Clear Frame Still / Slow (DV Only)
Frame Advance (+)
Frame Advance (-, DV Only)
LP REC: Menu (DV Only)
LP Playback (DV Only)
HDV720/30p Playback
Zero Set Memory (with Remote)
Time Code
Advanced Data Code (Rec Date/Time, Camera Info)
OSD ON/OFF (Button)
OSD Output (LCD/LCD & Video Out)
1.1 – 5x Playback Zoom (Zoom Lever)
HD/DV Select (Menu)
TV Type Select (Menu)

INPUTS/OUTPUTS (CAMCORDER)

Component Video Output
Multi AV (Video Out / S Video Out / Audio Out): Stereo (Special)
HDMI Out
i.LINK (HDV/DV)
LANC
USB Terminal (mini-B)

LCD SCREEN

Size: 2.7 WIDE (16:9 ratio)
Number of Pixels: 211,200 dots (960 x 220)
Hybrid LCD Monitor
Touch Panel
LCD On/Off⁸
Backlight On/Off (Press & Hold Button)
Backlight Bright Select9: Normal/Bright (Menu)
Brightness Control (+/-, Menu)
Colour Control (Menu)
Upside Down/Mirror
Opening Angle: 90°
Turning Angles:
 Counter-clockwise: 180°
 Clockwise: 90°
 Monitoring: 0°
Noiseless Still / Slow
Anti-glare Treatment
Anti-fingerprint Treatment
EVF ON with reversed LCD (Mirror Mode)

REMOTE COMMANDER® CONTROL

Model: RMT-831 (English)
“CAMERA-TAPE” / “PLAY/EDIT” Common: Zero Set Memory (PB/Audio Dubbing Only/DV Only)
“CAMERA-TAPE”/”CAMERA-MEMORY” Common: REC Start/Stop, Zoom, Photo (Memory Stick® media Recording Only)
“CAMERA-TAPE”/”CAMERA-MEMORY”/”PLAY/EDIT” Common (Display)
“PLAY/EDIT” Position: PB, Stop, FF, REW, Pause, Slow, Search Select, Search Forward, Search Reverse
“CAMERA-MEMORY” Position (Play, Index, +. -)
Mode: VTR 2 Only

MULTI-LANGUAGE OPERATION

Menu/Warning Messages: English, Simplified English, Traditional Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, Canadian French, Latin American Spanish, Korean
Default Language: English

OTHERS

Charge on Camcorder
“Click to DVD” Direct Access
Active Menu (Touch Panel)
Assignable Dial: Focus, Exposure, AE Shift, WB Shift
Start/Stop Button on LCD Frame
Zoom Button on LCD Frame
Auto Shut Off (Menu)
Remote Sensor / Remote On/Off (Menu)
Beep Sound / On/Off (Menu)
Warning Messages
Front Tally / On/Off (Menu)
InfoLITHIUM Battery System
Tape/Remaining Battery Indicator
Battery Information
Demonstration Mode (Menu)
Easy Handycam
Display Guide
Weight (without Tape, Battery, etc.): 500g
Weight (with Battery)¹⁰:
 NP-FP50: 560g
 NP-FP60: 600g
 NP-FP70: 600g
 NP-FP71: 610g
 NP-FP90: 650g
Power Consumption (Viewfinder/LCD/ Viewfinder + LCD):
HDV: 4.1 W / 4.4 W / 4.5 W
DV: 3.9 W / 4.2 W / 4.3 W
Power Requirements (AC Adapter / Battery) 8.4 V / 7.2 V
Charge Time for 1-hour Shooting (Floating Charge): 35 min. (NP-FP60)
Charge Time for 1-hour Shooting (with BC-TRA): 35 min. (NP-FP60)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 82 x 78 x 139mm
Active Interface Shoe
Calibration (Menu)
Digital Effects (Touch Panel)¹¹: Still, Flash Motion, Slow Shutter, Trail, Old Movie, Cinematic Effect
Picture Effects (Menu)¹¹: Skin Tone, Mosaic, Solarization, Monotone, Sepia, Negative Art, Pastel

MEMORY

Recording Media: Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (Parallel Interface), Memory Stick PRO Duo™ High Speed media (Parallel Interface)

MEMORY (STILL IMAGE)

Recording Modes: Fine (1/4), Standard (1/10)
Recording Method: Progressive Scan, Progressive Shutter System, Frame REC
Image Size: 4:3: 4M (2304 x 1728), 1.9M (1600 x 1200), VGA (640 x 480); WIDE (16:9) 3M (2304 x 1296)
JPEG Compression
DCF Compatible
Exif2.2
PictBridge™
Interval REC: 1 min./5 min./10 min. Wait Time
Date / Time
Print Mark (DPOF)
Continuous File Number REC
Image Delete (One/All/Folder)
Image Protect (On/Off)
Tape to MS REC: 1440 x 810 (HDV), 640 x 480 (DV 4:3, DV 16:9)
Line in / DV in to MS REC (i.LINK Only): 1440 x 810 (HDV), 640 x 480 (DV 4:3, DV 16:9)
Multiple Folder Compatible
Index Playback (Touch Panel)
Review
1.5 – 5x Playback Zoom (Lever)
Slideshow (Menu)
Formatting (MS Initialization, Menu)

FLASH LIGHT

Fixed
Flash Mode
Red Eye Reduction (Menu)
Flash Level (High / Normal / Low)
Recommended Distance (In “CAMERA-MEMORY” Position): 0.5 – 2.5m
Recommended Distance (In “CAMERA-TAPE” Position): 0.5 – 2.5m

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES

AC-L200 AC Adapter
NP-FP60 Rechargeable Battery Pack
RMT-831 Remote Commander® Control
Component Video Cable
AV Cable
ML621 Button-Type Lithium Clock Battery (Installed)
CR2025 Button-Type Lithium Battery
USB Cable

REMARKS

1. The factory setting is “Off”. “CAMERA-TAPE” position only.
2. “CAMERA-TAPE” position only.
3. Focal length figures are actual figures from wide angle pixel readout.
4. “Sports Lesson” is not available in “CAMERA-MEMORY” position.
5. Advanced version. When using tape with Cassette Memory, the latest end-point will be saved in memory.
6. Not available in “CAMERA-MEMORY” position.
7. Backlight will be automatically set to “Bright” when connected to the AC adapter.
8. LCD will be turned on/off in accordance with LCD open/close.
9. Backlight will be automatically set to “Bright” when connected to the AC adapter.
10. Including battery and tape (60 min.).
11. Not available in “CAMERA-MEMORY” position. Options with * are available during playback.