TEric 0 #1 November 9, 2004 I'm looking at the following two cameras, and wondering what exactly the difference is between the them. These specs are taken directly from sonystyle.com There appears to be very little difference, except: HC is 1 oz heavier, 1/4" shorter, and 5/8" longer PC has a "handycam station", which although small, seems to me to be an extra piece of hardware to cart around/lose, plus have to go find in order to firewire from camera to camera. HC claims 7hrs battery operation, vs only 4.5 for the PC Sony DCR-HC40 Specifications • Imaging Device: 1/5" 1070K Pixel Advanced HAD™ CCD • Video Actual: 690K Pixels • Still Actual: 1000K Pixels • F: 1.8 – 2.3 • Focal Distance: 3.2 – 32mm • 35mm Conversion: 46 – 460mm (Camera mode); 38 – 380mm (Memory mode) • Filter Diameter: 25mm • Optical Zoom: 10X • Digital Zoom: 120X • Focusing: Full Range Auto/Manual (Touch Screen) • Minimum Illumination: 7 lux (0 lux with Super NightShot® Plus Infrared System) • NightShot Infrared System: Super NightShot® Plus • Shutter Speed: 1/4 – 1/4000 (AE Mode) • Viewfinder: Color, 123K Pixels • LCD: 2.5" (123K) Hybrid Color1 • Accessory Shoe: Intelligent • Video Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Multi A/V, Special) • Audio Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Stereo, Special) • i.LINK®2 DV Interface (IEEE1394): Yes • USB: Yes • Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media Compatibility3: Tested to support up to 512MB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function • USB Streaming: Yes • LANC (Accessory) Terminal: Yes (Stereo, Mini) • Headphone Jack: N/A • Mic. Input: Yes (Stereo) • White Balance: Auto/Outdoor/Indoor/One Push • Exposure: Manual, Touch Panel (24 Steps) • Power Consumption (VF/LCD/VF+LCD): 2.9W/3.2W/3.3W • Software OS Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000 Professional, XP Home and Pro; Macintosh® OS X (10.1.5 or later)4 • Dimensions (WHD): 2" x 3 5⁄8" x 4 1⁄2" (50 x 92 x 112mm) • Weight: 14 oz (400g) without Tape and Battery Sony DCR-PC109 Specifications • Imaging Device: 1/5" 1070K Pixel Advanced HAD™ CCD • Video Actual: 690K Pixels • Still Actual: 1000K Pixels • F: 1.8 – 2.3 • Focal Distance: 3.2 – 32mm • 35mm Conversion: 46 – 460mm (Camera Mode); 38 – 380mm (Memory Mode) • Filter Diameter: 25mm • Optical Zoom: 10X • Digital Zoom: 120X • Focusing: Full Range Auto/Manual (Touch Panel) • Minimum Illumination: 7 lux (0 lux with Super NightShot Plus Infrared System) • NightShot® Infrared System: Super NightShot Plus • Shutter Speed: 1/4 – 1/4,000 (AE Mode) • Viewfinder: Color, 123K Pixels • LCD: 2.5" (123K) Hybrid Color1 • Accessory Shoe: Intelligent • Video Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Mini, and S-Video (Handycam Station) • Audio Input/Output: Yes/Yes (Stereo, Special) • i.LINK®2 DV Interface (IEEE1394): Yes • USB: Yes • Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media Compatibility3: Tested to support up to 512MB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function • USB Streaming: Yes • LANC (Accessory) Terminal: Yes (Stereo, Mini) • Headphone Jack: N/A • Mic. Input: Yes (Stereo/Mini) • White Balance: Auto/Outdoor/Indoor/One Push • Exposure: Manual, Touch Panel (24 Steps) • Power Consumption (VF/LCD/VF+LCD): 2.9W/3.2W/3.3W • Software OS Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000 Professional, XP Home and Pro; Macintosh® OS X (10.1.5 or later)4 • Dimensions (WHD): 2" x 3 7⁄8" x 3 7⁄8" (50 x 98 x 97mm) • Weight: 13 oz. (385g) without Tape and Battery I would be using the camera for outside tandem video, coaching students, and freefly fun jumps. I think that for the very slight difference in weight I would go for the HC over the PC, simply for the added convenience of no 'docking station', and the extra battery time. I've found the PC109 for $429, and the HC40 for $379, so the price difference is negligable. Anyone who is using these cameras, or has info to share please jump in with your opinions. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #2 November 9, 2004 That sounds a little too cheap for the HC40. From where? -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEric 0 #3 November 9, 2004 HC40 $379 http://www.starlightcamera.com/shopping/ProductDetails.asp?Catid=14&Sku=sndcrhc40 PC109 $429 http://www.amphotoworld.com/product.asp?id=sndcrpc109&l=ShopCartUSA Of course - I know nothing about either of these companies - just found them while surfing, could be big fat scams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #4 November 9, 2004 I'm in the market for something along the lines of a PC109 myself. I just checked that website because the price looked excellent. Note that it does not come with anything. You have to buy a battery charger, remote, nicer lense, etc etc etc. So by the time you are fully stocked with what you need, the price has just gone up by $200-$300. Guess it depends on yoru needs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
colossus 0 #5 November 9, 2004 I know that I am not ready to jump with one, but I am interested in getting one to EVENTUALLY jump with. I think that I have come down to the same conclusions that you have. From my research, there is not much difference between the two. What I have found though is the d-box for the HC40 is not as common as those for the PC109. Now, many manufacturers do have it, but as far as I have found, there are more opttions for the 109. Does that justify the price difference? I dunno. Lemme know what you buy... and WHERE you buy, then I will get mine :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #6 November 9, 2004 Always check on www.resellerratings.com before ordering online. In this case, I would suggest you do business elsewhere. http://www.resellerratings.com/seller4099.html Many people here have had good experiences with www.dbuys.com _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #7 November 9, 2004 I found a awesome buy on an HC40 from B & H video a little while back... They were very fast on delivery and outstanding service... Cant complain at all about them! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #8 November 9, 2004 "I think that for the very slight difference in weight I would go for the HC over the PC, simply for the added convenience of no 'docking station', and the extra battery time." From what I gather, the Lanc port (Cameye connection) on the HC series is in the wrong place for side mounting, maybe an issue, may not be. Dunno. Not sure about where the video ports are either, it would be a pisser to have to demount the cam every time you need to dub. Again, I think it just affects the side mounters amongst us. Is anyone here using a side mounted HC series and can confirm or otherwise these assumptions? Oh, I don't like docking strations either.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StefB 0 #9 November 9, 2004 The Handycam Station on the PC109 (PC109E for EU countries) has additional connection ports. Most ports are on the camera itself too. The only "advantage" of the Handycam Station is: You don't have to search the ports all over the camera under these little rubber plugs... And you have to demount the camera from your helmet, when you dub with the Handycam Station because the camera is standing in the Handycam Station and the connection is on the camera bottom. Edit: At least the HC40 has a special A/V cable and this might led to stress on multiperson edit stations e.g. on competitions. The plug on the camera end is multipurpose for A/V and S-Video. You have to use your own HC40 A/V cable between camera and dubbing VCR or video mixer. It seems the PC109 A/V outlet is for a conventional 3.5mm A/V connector. I couldn't find a S-Video outlet on the PC109 body in the manual. Seems S-Video is on the Handycam Station only. Stefan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zoter 0 #10 November 9, 2004 QuoteThe Handycam Station on the PC109 (PC109E for EU countries) has additional connection ports. All ports are on the camera itself too. Wrong.... The PC109 camera only has a LANC , MIC , A/V and DC in connectors. All the other connectors ( USB, DVin/Out,S-Video, a second A/V port and a second DC in port) are on the docking station which is supplied with the camera. I had a look at both cams and it appears the 109 is more 'side mount' friendly and has more options when it comes to finding of the shelf D-Boxes or mounts. I may be wrong but I thought the effective CCD capture for video was just over 1 Meg.Pixel on the 109....dunno about the HC series. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEric 0 #11 November 9, 2004 Thanks Andyman for the Resellers web link - great site! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StefB 0 #12 November 10, 2004 Thank you for the details. Changed 'All' to 'Most'. Stefan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEric 0 #13 November 10, 2004 It appears from the diagrams that the LANC ports for both cameras (as well as all the other connections) are on the right hand side of the camera. Check out the thread 'skypimp helmets' in this forum http://www.dropzone.com/forum/Skydiving_Disciplines_C3/Photography_and_Video_F7/Sky_Pimp_Helmets_P744395/ I'd like to hear what your opinions are about rightsidemounting, noting that both of these camera use a touch screen menu system. I presume that the menu could be 'set and left alone', does anyone know if you have to access the screen to dub?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfc 1 #14 November 11, 2004 QuoteFrom what I gather, the Lanc port (Cameye connection) on the HC series is in the wrong place for side mounting, maybe an issue, may not be. Dunno. Not sure about where the video ports are either, it would be a pisser to have to demount the cam every time you need to dub. Again, I think it just affects the side mounters amongst us. Is anyone here using a side mounted HC series and can confirm or otherwise these assumptions? I have an HC and the port (A/V, lanc and firewire) are all on the "wrong" side. You could probably cut a hole in your helmet for the cables, I use an L bracket for the mount and I just undo the camera screw to remove it from the helmet for dubbing, not a big deal really. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #15 November 11, 2004 Cool, not ideal, but not a big deal. Thanks for clearing that up..-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #16 November 17, 2004 This past summer I closely examined both the HC40 and PC 109. I bought the HC 40 because it had the same resolution for CAN$300 less. My HC 40 worked great for 200+ hand-mounted videos. A PC 109 might be slightly more comfortable for TIs with smaller hands, but I doubt if it is "$300 more comfortable." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
