Very sharp stills (in still mode) and obviously very sharp video. It works well in low light and the touch screen is very cool. I thought it would show a lot of finger prints from touching it but they're not that noticeable. The ability to do a still capture while shooting video is nice but the resolution is only 640x480 & is kind of lousy (haven't figured out how to change that one's resolution...or even if you can). As for still captures, it has all of your typical controls (red eye, forced flash, etc). I also like that the lense size is the same size as my old camera so I can use my old filters & wide-angle lense. There are a lot of capabilities & features which almost feels somewhat overwhelming when you're trying to capture images so I'm not so sure about the various modes & usefulness. I do like that it has the ability to take in an analog input and convert to digital so I'll be transferring my old hi-8 stuff to digital for storage on DVDs.

As for any weaknesses, I haven't found it yet, and I look forward to several years of use. Some items to note: It is twice the size of the PC line but then again you get a better lense & more features. The memory stick w/ it is useless (8mb) as well as the battery (it has a 1 hr & I have done several recharges already). These last two items are why I'm only giving 4 stars instead of 5. I don't even know why they give you an 8mb stick when they know it'll be tossed as soon as you open the box!? It can only hold 8 pictures @ max resolution!

Good luck & enjoy.

Hits the right price point... (Rating: 5.00)
Review : I'm quite impressed with the new Sony DCR-HC85. I had been looking at some of the Panasonic 3CCD cameras in this price range as well as the Canon Optura Xi (which is a little more expensive). In the end I chose this camera for the following features:
* very large (and sharp) CCD for the price
* 0lux night shot mode, though somewhat gimmicky. grainy, and green in practice, is very effective for taking sleeping baby shots
* reputedly much higher reliability and better repair services (vs the Panasonic)
* large reflective/transmissive LCD that's highly visible in both dark and light
* many videophile-oriented features (more on that below).
* can operate as a webcam

Upsides:
* Though many online reviews have questioned whether or not the touchscreen-based interface is a good thing, I found it to be more than adequate for my needs. One of the first things I did was rearrange the menus with my favorite features up front. Very easy to do and makes the camera feel "customized". If the camera weren't capable of these customized personal menus, however, I'd imagine the somewhat slow and bulky interface would get pretty annoying.
* True anamorphic 16:9 widescreen functionality works great and is easily understood by video importing tools.
* Nice shape, easy to hold. I have shaky hands and prefer a slightly larger camera to hold onto.
* Its optical image stabilization is amazing. Once again, I have shaky hands and was worried about getting steady video. Exceeded my expectations on this point.
* Setting it up as a webcam was straightforward and the quality was great.
* Nightshot Plus is eerily effective. The video ain't gorgeous, but it sure does do the trick. I'd imagine that the accessory shoe-based IR light that Sony offers would improve the functionality of this feature even more.

Downsides:
* Camera comes with an 8MB card that can only realistically hold 8 photos. Kinda pointless unless one is just test-driving the feature.

* Camera comes with just a single FP50 lithium battery which doesn't hold enough power to record an entire 60min DV tape (unless, possibly, you turn off the LCD, use just the viewfinder, don't use anything on the accessory shoe, and film straight through without stopping). I guess that's what keeps the price down.
* Camera doesn't come with a FireWire cable. I was not able to use Windows Movie Maker 2 using just the included USB cable (although USB streaming with MSN Messenger worked great with that). I had plenty of FireWire cables in my bin of extra computer parts, but just don't see how you can get professional results without one.
* Though the camera supports both progressive scan and true anamorphic 16:9 widescreen (both features helpful in acheiving a film look with a digital video camera), you can't use them both at the same time.
* Some default settings are questionable (but easily changed). Why default to 4-track 12bit audio vs 2-track 16bit? Why default to beeping melodies on key presses? Some odd buttons on the default Personal Menu (which is what you customize).

Overall, I'm a big fan of this camera and would recommend it highly.

I'm very happy I took the time to find a camcorder, so fine! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : My mother had decided to buy a new camcorder, and gave me the privilege of finding it. After consulting not only Consumer Reports, but INFINITE reviews on INFINITE camcorders on INFINITE sites, I took a plethora of information and I found myself at a sound conclusion.

I had discovered that Canon camcorders have the best picture, bar none. Also, they are also the only camcorders that you can use still picture WITHOUT interrupting the video, unfortunately Canon's repair percentage is one of the largest. On the other hand, Sony proved itself to be the most durable and reliable camcorders (according to Consumer Reports, multiple reviews, and of course, my own experiences.)

Going from a Digital8 (1 mega pixel) to a MiniDV (2 mega pixel, 1.92 for actual recording) was UTOPIA. If your looking at TRVs (30, 40, etc.) as I was, you will discover that they tend to have a washed out picture and you pay more for less features e.g., 2.5 LCD. Moreover, the DCRHC85 has a gorgeous (and crisp) 3.5 LCD, and a cornucopia of creative controls.

Sony's new camcorder is impressively very light in weight as well, but is no indication of poor material nor construction. I do however, rarely have an issue of closing the LCD, but I chop this up to my virgin experiences with this new design. The touch screen is something to get use to as well, nevertheless its organization is superb, and is also quite responsive. The camcorder even has an "EASY" button so you can disable the "pro" buttons, leaving the standard function buttons (record, playback, etc.) which are still real (analog) buttons too. This camcorder is quiet and does NOT pick up the motor as some Sony's (and others) in similar classes seem to do. The new fancy Carlos lenses are more than just a name, they improve the picture filming and quality a lot! The sun and glare off metal, snow, and water are reduced immensely. The audio is also very clear, but does seem to pick up less than the TRV78 (mom's older Sony, which is still working just fine.) However, this camcorder has yet to miss any desirable audio.

I am an individual with large hands, hands which have a little trouble squeezing in between the camcorder and strap, but they manage just fine. Night shot and Steady Shot are a vast improvement too, I was recording at my little sisters school dance, and in a dark gym with a disco ball going... and it did not miss a beat (pun intended.) Furthermore, not only can it go in and out of Night Shot with sensors, the picture remains AMAZINGLY seemless!

I have seen this camcorder's effective (recording) pixel amount differ from site to site, but according to the manual, it records in 1.92 mega pixels, and I believe it!! ONE THOUSAND may seem like a lot to pay, but it is the best deal I found for a camcorder of this caliber.

I literally spent over a month checking camcorders out for my dear old ma', which in turn found itself to be extremely educational.

In conclusion, I do nearly *ALL* the camera/camcorder art in my family, and thus I am proud, and confident, in saying that this is the !BEST CAMCORDER ON THE MARKET under 1000!

Good luck with any decision you end up making.

-IvoryCrane