We are going tomorrow to look at camcorders for my birthday. I am seriously leaning towards the Sony DCR-HC32. <br>I want one that will also function as an analog to digital bridge. It has to be under or around $500. Does anyone have a Sony? I have spent hours reading reviews. Yikes! This looks like a very nice camera.<br><br>

Sony makes nice DV cameras. I had a bad experience with a cheap Canon DV camera. <br><br>Here are some reviews:<br><br>First impressions<br><br>Best camcorders under $400, best camcorders under $600<br><br>

I don't know why but as much as I like taking pictures I have never become interested in camcorders.<br>The only thing I know about camcorders is you normally can not go wrong with either Sony or Panasonic.<br><br>I just checked e-opinion but nobody has given a review of the Sony DCR-HC32.<br>I checked Consumer Reports and they seem to prefer Panasonic.<br><br><br><br>

I have the TRV33 which has a nice Carl Zeiss lens and I have no complaints. I also love the way it fits in the hand. The controls are right were they should be. I also use it often for converting video to DV.<br><br>

That makes sense. I have a Sony digital camera and the quality of the Carl Zeiss lens is outstanding.<br><br>

I just recently bought a Canon Elura 65. I went through the whole review thing and looked at the Sony you are currently looking at too, HEAVILY. After a couple days I ended up going with the Canon. I have had no problems with Canons so far. I had a Canon Ultura before I got married that I loved. The Elura 65 definitely tops that Camcorder and for about half the price I paid. <br><br>The Elura 65 sells in stores for $599, but I got mine at BuyDig.com for $399 (free shipping and no tax). I would definitely recommend it.<br><br>

We have the Elura 50 and I like it a lot. <br><br>My brother has a Sony TRV120 I think and it's in the shop..yet again.<br><br>

Is the Elura 50 one of the vertical models? My 65 is quite a bit smaller than my old Ultura too. <br><br>Oh, and iRock, it does have an Analog to Digital converter built into it too. I've used mine a couple times already.<br><br>

The Sony DCR-HC32 is a little too new for reviews but...<br>I found some interesting reviews at CNET.<br>The DCR-HC32 is similar to the Sony DCR-HC30. <br>CNET likes the DCR-HC30 but here is what they also way about it, "The DCR-HC30 makes a decent and very compact choice for a budget camcorder, but if you can afford to spend another $100, the DCR-HC40 will give you better video quality.<br>I think the same can be said for the DCR-HC32. It too only has a 340,000 pixel sensor. <br>You may want to think about upgrading to a DCR-HC40 or HC42 for the better sensor.<br>LINKY<br><br>By the way, when you look at the specs, look at the actual video pixels not the gross number of pixels.<br><br><br><br>

The Sony has a 1/6" CCD. From what I've read the 1/4" CCD's are much better in low light. Regular indoor lighting is referred to as low light, so you have to make sure that you use extra light if doing a lot of indoor shooting.<br><br>Check out some reviews concerning CCD size. I'm no expert at all but like I said from what I read it's a factor.<br><br>