Customer Reviews
Great camcorder depending on what you want to do with it. 
2006-11-10
I just got this camera the other day. And so far, I'm in love with it. I am a photographer and a video artist, and I had a nicer Sony camera that broke, and I was seeking out a replacement. The DCR-HC36 has a much lower quality image than my old camera, however its exactly what i've been looking for. Small, portable, and grainy. I still would like to get a nicer video camera to replace the old one. But I think that this camera is what the Holga is when talking about medium format film cameras. It has its charm and you definatly get a certain look to what you record.
This camera seems like it would be good for someone who just wants to film their kids or family events. However, if you want something with better image quality, spend the money and take a step up. However, i would also recomend this camera for a video production student, its got plenty of manual features and the 20x optical zoom is great.
I love this item. 
2006-11-05
I did tons of research on this item before purchasing it.(Amazon had the best price.) It has many great features and has helped us capture tons of memories in the short time that we've had it. You can just turn it on and use it, but I suggest reading the manual to make use of its full potential.
Nice features, poor play-back video quality... 
2006-10-30
All,
This camera is packed with features, almost too many. If you've worked with other hitech devices the menu is very logical. The play-back video quality is kind of grainy and my older chunky Sony Camcorder has better picture quality, I expected better from this newer model. Camera is not for the beginner. This model comes with all the cables. The model below this (HC-32) comes without some of the cables and the features of this one. So better to spend the extra money and get this one than go searching on e-bay for all the obscure connectors. Being able to record onto Memory Stick Duo Pro is neat, but quality is even lower and they don't give you a starter stick. You need a real steady hand with this camera. The camera is incredibly compact.
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Brian
poor video, stills too small 
2006-10-02
I have promised myself to stop buying Sony. This camera has broken the camel's back so to speak. The pictures are grainy. The stills are useless. There was no reason to make and sell this product except to fool some people (me) into buying outdated technology with a good brand name. They ripped me off with their DVD player before and now with this. It is the last time I let them do this to me though. Goodbye Sony.
DANGER! PICTURE PACKAGE! 2006-09-16
The camera works great but ...Neither Sony nor Pixela, the makers of the Picture Package software that comes with some Sony camcorders with mini-disks tells you that the software IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS XP, SERVICE PACK 2! It will crash your computer or not work properly. DO NOT install the Picture Package software if you have run Windows XP. If you have a DVD player on your computer, you can download the photos from the mini-disk without this dangerous software. Shame on Sony and Pixela for selling the software to Windows XP users or including it with the camera without a warning.
Sony DCR-HC36...Buyer beware!!! 
2008-05-19
I purchased the Sony DCR-HC36 last December(2006) and while the picture quality was just 'okay' for us, we were content for a year. Recently though when we try to capture the video on any one of our computers (via USB)the picture is broken-down into digital squares and unlegible as well as there is no sound. I downloaded fresh drivers and installed them but nothing worked. We have only used the camera a total of 25 times and it has never been dropped or banged around but it is putting garbage now and we can't seem to figure out why. The Sony site does NOT have a troubleshooting link to help figure this out and we refuse to put a dime into getting it repaiered since it really is not that good of a deal anyway. We do NOT recommend this camera to anyone. Do your research.
a little disappointed 2007-03-02
The image quality is good (just as any DV camera). Connecting the cables directly to the camera with no need of any base or cradle is also very good. With USB connection you can use this camera also as webcam when at home, and you can even show recorded images on your tapes through as if it is a live image. The audio quality of the microfone rocks! (really really good) And it can also be used as USB microfone with the webcam.
Perhaps, I got disappointed with some important features:
- It does not have any led light that shows if the camera is recording of not (VERY BAD!).
- It can not take shots if you are recording in widescreen mode.
- If you don't want to mess up your battery, you have to take it off from the camera, because it does not detect that the battery is already charged. This is terrible when you are using the camera at home with the AC adapter: always remeber to remove the battery.
- Night vision is badly placed, so when you attach an extenal lens, the light is covered. Also, when not using an external lens, it only works when very close to the subject.
The last point i think is a general DV cams problem: don't waste your money with a 1GB or 512MB memory stick to store pictures. The picture quality is terrible, it's only 0.3 megapixel (640x480). An old 64MB memory stick is enough, unless you want to store videos on it, but why you'll want to do that if you have DV tapes???
It's ok ... nothing special. And the night vision is useless 2007-01-30
I just bought this because my panasonic minidv broke (tape insert would not open). I thought this would be cool, because of the built in night vision. However, this is a totally useless feature. It turns everything into black & white, and makes everyone's eyes look like big white dots like a deer staring into a headlight of the car. Certainly not a way you want to remember family events, which is what I purchased this for. If I can do it over again, I would buy something that has a light mounted on the front of the camera. This nightvision feature is useless. Overall, the camera records moview, so I guess it works fine.
Nice Camcorder with Great Features 2007-01-09
We replaced an older JVC miniDV camcorder with this one. I'm impressed with the Carl Zeiss Lens it comes with. It is pretty small but I'm getting used to that. I'll get another Sony when I'm ready to upgrade this one but it won't be for awhile because this one is more than adequate for what we're using it for. (Family movies).
Incredibly bad 2006-11-25
Shortly after I purchased this camcorder (within hours), I returned it to Best Buy. I think my old Hi8 Sony camcorder had better picture quality then this one. It has good features, and I liked the sleek design, but in the end, the quality of the video is ultimately what I am looking for. The video it recorded was very pixelated and grainy. I have been told there is other options to make the picture better by a best buy customer service rep, but there is none. I had reservations about buying another Sony product, but everyone was telling me Sony leads the pack with their camcorders. Those folks were wrong. I bought the Canon Elura 100 and is much happier with that products video capabilities. I think my experience with this Sony product was the final nail in the coffin, I won't be buying anymore Sony products. My advice is, stay away from this unit. You will regret it, just read all the other customer feed back on CNET and you will understand.
