I was browsing the latest crop of Sony MiniDV cams and I ran up on the recently released DCR-HC42 and DCR-HC90. At first glance nothing caught my attention but then I saw what appeared to be a 16:9 LCD and sure enough it was. Its about time!

Has anyone had the chance to play with one of these yet?

Click here for photo of DCR-HC90 (http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/650x650/DCRHC90.jpg)

Looks pretty cool, I hope to god that those zoom controls on the LCD aren't the only zoom controls on the camera.

Knowing Sony, they very well could be!

I hope to god that those zoom controls on the LCD aren't the only zoom controls on the camera.

One step forward and two steps backward. I have yet to see any other zoom controls on the HC90.

Just looking at the specs , the hc90 only has 690k pixels while the pc350 has 2048k for video even though they both have 3mp 1/3" chips - the screen is nice though- kurth

Kurth, doesn't the PDX10 also use 690k video actual? I don't know how much stock you can put into the PC350's 2048k video actual compartively.

Also check out the new 3CCD PC1000 also with the widescreen LCD!

Click here (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=DCRPC1000)

The only resolution spec which Sony published on the PDX-10 was specifically for 4:3 mode. My own tests indicated that about 750k pixels are used for 16:9 video: http://www.greenmist.com/dv/16x9/10.JPG

Boyd - and isn't that times 3 on the pdx10 ? Tommy - the pc350 has gotten great reviews on it's image quality and has a 1/3 " ccd chip versus the pc1000 3 x 1/6" new cmos chips. Whose to know , but I do love the lcd.

Kurth, a 3CCD cam uses each CCD independently for video and remains 1070k (gross) on the PDX10.

With 4:3 and 16:9 video only requiring 340k or 410k pixels it would be interesting to compare footage between a cam like the PC350 and the HC90 for both aspect ratios.

Well , I just learned 2 things of interest about the HC90 - one it has the same sensor as the pc350 and two, the most interesting , is I read on another forum that it does 30p with 16:9 - does anyone have any more info on this ? thanks

Kurth, as far as I can tell the manual only mentions a cinema effect under digital effects that combines both 16:9 and what they call progressive picture (30p). It unfortunately locks out both manual sharpness and exposure. Would be nice to see some video/frames from this unique cam.

Below are two screenshots from the HC90 manual on Cinema Effect and Progressive Recording.

Click here (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/74415/hc90_prog.JPG)

Click here (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/74415/hc90_cine.JPG)

Tommy - thanks - I found this thread that has some good info about the HC90
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t113491.html
sorry , I can't remember if i can post threads to other forums - delete me if necessary- Kurth

Tommy - I just downloaded the manual for the HC90 and it appears you can lock shutter at 1/30 with 16:9 and 30p set- sounds interesting- Kurth