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Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder
 
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Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder

by Sony
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)

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Technical Details

  • MiniDV recording
  • Super compact design
  • 1/6" 800k pixel CCD
  • Carl Zeiss lens
  • 2.5" Hybrid LCD monitor with touch panel control
  • 10 x optical zoom (120 x digital)
  • Start/stop button on LCD frame
  • Super NightShot Plus
  • SteadyShot
  • Click to DVD
  • i.LINK (DV OUT)
  • USB connectivity
  • P series battery
  See more technical details

Product details

  • Item Weight: 399 g
  • Boxed-product Weight: 1.8 Kg
  • Delivery Destinations: Visit the Delivery Destinations Help page to see where this item can be delivered.
    Find out more about our Delivery Rates and Returns Policy
  • Item model number: DCR-HC18E
  • ASIN: B0001GRIIA
  • Date first available at Amazon.co.uk: 1 Jan 2001
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 65,075 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Product Description

Packed with new features, the DCR-HC18 is part of a new range from Sony that provides the best combination of ease of use and high picture quality yet seen in a DV Handycam. Among the enhancements to the range are a newly-compact horizontal body design, 16:9 widescreen mode (applicable to megapixel camcorders only--HC40, HC84, PC109, PC330, DVD201), enhanced touch sensitive LCD technology, improved menu systems and higher quality CCDs and lenses. Packed with new technology across the board, the new range looks better than ever after a revolutionary redesign. New functions intended for ease of use mean that the whole family can now get into digital video.

For beginners, a Easy Handycam button on the camcorders now provides a one-step solution to confusing menus. This new and unique Sony function simplifies the choice of menu features, displaying a limited set of commands on the LCD screen in large, easy to read characters. With almost all settings on automatic, the user is presented with only the commands necessary for basic camera operation, making learning to shoot video even easier. Users can return to the normal function Regular Mode by simply pressing a single button, making these cameras perfect for both beginners and more advanced users. In a further move to simplify camera use, the menu system can now be set to display in any of nine European languages. An i.LINK connection allows users to transfer the video footage at high speed to a compatible PC for editing and each model in the range comes bundled with Picture Package - a new and extremely easy way of creating movies on Video CD. Targeted at the beginner, this solution-oriented package does away with the need for complex video editing software on the computer. The simple process starts with the user choosing a music track, then the video from the camera. Confirming the selection starts the software quickly burning a movie to VideoCD using the computer’s CD recorder. The result is a professional looking video that has been automatically edited to match the music and which benefits from the automatic addition of special effects between the scenes. Output directly to VideoCD for widespread distribution, it can be played in most PCs or domestic DVD players. USB Web streaming is also an option as the camcorders can use USB to provide high speed transfer of e-movies and digital pictures to a PC, allowing the camcorder to be used as a Webcam, or to be burnt to a CD.

Storage is also a key factor but in keeping with the compact design, Sony has made its new DV camcorders compatible with Memory Stick DUO™ for digital image capture and high-speed data transfer (DCR-HC30 and above). Half the size of a normal Memory Stick, the Sony Memory Stick DUO™ is available in up to 128 MB capacity and comes with an adaptor so it can be used in devices that use the larger Memory Stick format. As well as i.LINK and USB cables, each camcorder comes bundled with an AV cable to connect to the TV. Manual focus, exposure control and IR remote control are incorporated as standard.

Manufacturer's Description

Sony's worldwide reputation for creating unique, attractive, high-quality, advanced technology products rests on a long line of innovations embraced by people from all walks of life. With a diverse product lineup serving a variety of lifestyles and industries, Sony continuously strives to introduce new products and technologies to meet changing market needs.


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Customer Reviews

28 Reviews
5 star:
 (19)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (28 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

249 of 253 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood in your pocket, 3 April 2004
This review is from: Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder (Electronics)
The latest Sony range continues the fine form of last years models. Very little has changed, which isn't a bad thing, but the chassis is that bit more compact. Provided you're not into wearing too tight trousers, these things really will fit in your pocket. The DCRH collection of camcorders (models 18, 20, 30 & 40) are very nicely designed, with all features easily accessible. The touch sensitive LCD screen I find is a wonderful navigation device. All controls for playback are also found on the screen.
The super night shot warrants a mention as a fun function. It'll film in total darkness via infra red. What you use this for, i'll leave to your imagination.
As for which model you choose, this will depend on what you wish to do with it. The 18 variant does not have a DV-in, only an out. This means that if you wish to edit your movies on you PC, you won't be able to send the information back to the camera to save your editing to tape. This, however, is not an issue if your computer has a DVD-writer, which is a sensible addition to anyone wishing to edit their footage.
Further up the range, you get the option of a Sony Memory Stick, so you can record your still photos. This, to me, was not an issue as a seperate digital camera will always be a far better option than a camcorder that takes the occasional picture.
In the box you'll find a P series battery (the new type), USB 2.0 cable, Video/audio/S-Video leads and scart socket adapter for playback on your T.V and remote control. There's also software for installation on to your computer. However, Windows XP automatically detects the camera, and 3rd party video editing such as Adobe Premier or Pinnacle Studio will be better options.
What you don't get, as with most camcorders, is a DV cable (firewire). These you can purchase for about £20.
Overall then, the package offers fantastic value for money. The camera is stylish and will appeal to first time users, gadget geeks (I hold my hand up) point and shoot fanatics and keen home editors.
I'd highly recommend this camera to you. I'm sure you'll enjoy using it as much as I do. I guarentee your friends will want one when they see it!
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47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Camera!, 20 Nov 2004
By 
Dicko (North Yorkshire) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder (Electronics)
What a bargain! £289! I had to look twice!

This handycam is excellent for the beginner, it even has a simple 'easy' setting so even your kids can use it with ease.

The camera itself is very small, so it's ideal for travelling, shame it doesn't come with a case though (but I've just ordered one from Amazon for £17 which is ok).

Pro's:

Lens - Carl Zeiss - not many camcorders come with better lenses than these & for the price, it's excellent.
Ease of Use - even has a touch screen LCD so there isn't loads of buttons on the camera itself.
Size - V small, fits in the palm of your hand.
Night Shot - Film in complete darkness with the built in IR light to guide your way - V cool!
Battery life is pretty good too, but it's always good to have a spare battery charged up. You can buy larger capacity batteries than the one supplied & you can get upto 5 hours operation from them, but they are expensive (about £70).
Steady shot - takes a while for this to kick in, but when it does, you really notice the difference on zoom shots.

Cons:
Not a lot really.
Case would have been nice!
So would a tape! Beware, remember to order tapes if you buy this camera, you don't get one with the camera.
Little bit plasticy, but it is well made, don't get me wrong. Sony stuff made in Japan is top quality.

All in all, a very good camera for the money. Simple to use, very small & good quality movies. It's got everything you want and more if all you need is a simple camera to shoot family parties etc.

Get one before they run out!

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61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars sony dcr-hc18e, 5 July 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder (Electronics)
just bought this item. absolute sheer quality! i spent days and days deciding which model of the sony handycam to buy and decided to get the hc18e as i wasnt bothered about the memory stick capability. the screen on the hc18 is superb, the overall size of the camcorder is awsome (very small) and most importantly, the recording quality is superb! no motor noise is recorded which is a good feature. if u have the money, buy it, you will not be disappointed. please remember to buy some mini dv tapes when ordering.
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