Sony's DCR-HC32 MiniDV Handycam camcorder stands out with high-end digital imaging features at an affordable price. Super NightShot infrared system enables you to capture natural-looking video in low light conditions. The Super SteadyShot picture stabilization system uses motion sensors to detect and correct camera shake for smoother video recording. Tele Macro Mode zooms in for close-up shots to bring out the subject in vivid imagery--making it stand out from the background.

Specifications

1/6-Inch Advanced HAD CCD Imager, 680K Pixels Gross
1/6-inch advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 340K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance.

MiniDV Recording
Offers up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution, three times the color bandwidth and a significantly higher signal/noise ratio to provide spectacular video performance.

20x Optical/800x Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than with previous types of digital zooms.

Super SteadyShot Picture-Stabilization System
Picture-stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera shake without compromising picture quality, as some other digital stabilization systems do.

i.LINK DV Interface
A digital high-speed bidirectional interface provides Audio/Video communication between two compatible devices. This connection allows for pure digital transfer between devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, such as camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards, and PCs

InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System
Charge the battery at anytime 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 either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media
Capture still images at 640 x 480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy transfer to PCs for e-mailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Super NightShot Plus Infrared System
With Sony's Super NightShot Infrared System you can capture natural-looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 20 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems.

Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes
Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight, and Sunset & Moon modes.

Picture Package Software
Easily organize still images and video, and turn them into stunning music videos using the supplied software.

Battery Information
At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging or when the camcorder is turned off. The display will show how much the battery is charged in 10-percent increments and the recordable time left when using the LCD screen or in the viewfinder

Easy Handycam Button
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out," leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens
Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multilayer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

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 in real time through the digital Handycam Camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK interface for easy PC editing of your analog footage

2.5-Inch Touch Panel SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels)
Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high-resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.

Stamina Battery Power Management System
Using the optional NP-FP90 InfoLithium Battery, the DCR-HC32 can continuously record for up to 8 hours on a single full charge, providing extra-long battery life.

Tele Macro Function
Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocused so that the subject stands out.

Handycam Station
The supplied Handycam Station provides quick and easy connections to a TV for viewing or to a PC for editing and sharing video. Just placing the camcorder on the Handycam Station instantly makes the connections. No need to search for cables or wires when charging or playing back.

USB Streaming
Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the Internet using the USB interface. You can even play back your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder's tape. It's like having your own video-conferencing system

End Search
Automatically advances the videotape to the last five seconds of the recorded scene. This prevents accidentally recording over previously recorded videos.

Fader Effects
Enhance your personal videos by adding professional-looking fader effects. Choose from Black, Mosaic, White, Monotone, and Stripe.

Manual Focus
Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations in which either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's autofocus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment

Picture Effects
Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone, Solarize, Pastel, and Mosaic. Effects available in Playback mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone, and Solarize.

Review

The sony dcr hc32 is one of the sleekest cameras for it's price. However, I find the little touchscreen to be a tad difficult to use without a stylus (wonder why Sony couldn't include one). If you have stubby fingers like me, it takes a while to get used to the tiny menu buttons. Inevitably, the screen gets covered with thumbprints. I started using the top-eraser of a small pencil.
Source: http://www.amazon.com/