Sony With a 3 chip Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) system, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T optics and a progressive shutter, the DCR-HC1000 MiniDV Handycam camcorder provides outstanding digital video time after time. It features an amazingly compact design and a multi-angle grip that, when combined with Sony’s SteadyShot Image Stabilization system and 2.5" Hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD display, makes videotaping a snap.

Specifications

3-1/4.7" Advanced HAD CCD Imagers 1070K Pixels Gross
3-1/4.7" Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD imagers with 690K effective (video) pixels provides excellent detail and clarity with exceptional digital video performance. Realize unprecedented digital still images with 1000K (effective) pixels. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos (530 lines of horizontal resolution) and digital photography performance.

3 CCD
Using a 3 chip Advanced HAD CCD system and dichroic prism to separate color information, colors are extremely accurate, and color "bleeding" and "smearing" are greatly reduced.

12X Optical/150X Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action up close from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media
Capture digital still images at 1152 x 864 or 640 x 480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo media for easy transfer to PC’s for emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

4 Channel Audio Recording Capability
By using the optional 4 channel capable microphone (ECMCQP1) you have the ability to record in surround sound. By using the optional Click to DVD 2.0 software you can convert to 5.1 surround sound and burn your home videos to DVD.

Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabililization System
An advanced form of Sony’s SteadyShot Image Stabilization system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.

Progressive Shutter
Mechanical shutter system that provides Progressive Scan performance while utilizing an interlace scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.

Analog To Digital Conversion with Pass-Through
Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.

InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System
Charge the battery at any time because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries Sony’s rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "memory effect". Sony’s exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in the viewfinder or the LCD screen.

Expanded Focus Indicator
While using the manual focus ring, the camera automatically adjusts to 2X magnification, allowing for extremely accurate focus adjustment.

Enhanced 16:9 Mode
By utilizing more area of the oversized CCD, a 16:9 image is created with a 14% wider angle field of view and 30% more pixels than a standard 4:3 image.

Multi-Angle Grip
The hand grip swivels forward 90 degrees allowing the user to control the camcorder in different angles, allowing the hand to be ergonomically placed close to the controls.

i.LINK2 DV Interface (IEEE1394)
A high speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VTRs and PCs.

12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo
16-Bit offers the same outstanding sound quality as compact disc. 12-Bit recording enables you to add an additional audio track with compatible audio dubbing equipment or i.LINK* interface compatible computers.

  
Review

This is the best quality you can get in a semi-pro camcorder from Sony prior to the 1080i release, which has not been released prior to this writing. You just can't bet the 3 ccd quality. Just recently I shot a lunar eclipse with this little cam and as I was getting the cam out, I remarked that it probably wouldn't show-up, I was very wrong. At just the 12x optical zoom, the detail even on the 3.5 inch monitor was better then the naked eye. Amazing!

Source: http://www.amazon.com