Background and Identification

The Sony Handycam DCR-HC51 (product code DCR-HC51E, product name DCR-HC51) is a digital video (DV) camcorder with a touch LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen with a 40-times optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens. The camcorder features a 14-hour battery life designed for extended shooting.

The Sony Handycam DCR-HC51 camcorder includes Standard Definition video recording on digital videotape and an 800,000-pixel charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 40-times optical zoom and 2000-times digital zoom. The camcorder features Super SteadyShot that is designed to improve still image and video stability, particularly in low light. The 2.5-inch LCD touchscreen display includes a color viewfinder and Start/Stop and Zoom buttons on the frame. The viewfinder has a resolution of 123200 pixels. It also includes a digital video (i.LINK) connection for video editing with a connected PC. Sony’s Picture Motion Browser software includes a web upload assist function.

The Sony Handycam DCR-HC51 has an 8-megapixel lens with a 1.9-76 mm focal length range. The camcorder includes a built-in microphone and an S-Video output. It features autofocus, manual focus, Sports mode, Twilight mode, and Spotlight mode.

The Sony Handycam DCR-HC51 includes the name “Sony” in capital letters underneath the camera’s lens. The model name “DCR-HC51” in the upper right-hand corner of the touchscreen’s back plastic cover. The name “Handycam” is also printed on the touchscreen’s plastic backing.

Technical Specifications

Image sensor

  • Total megapixels: 8 MP
  • Optical sensor size: 25.4 / 6 mm (1 / 6")

Lens system

  • Focal length range: 1.9 - 76 mm
  • Focal length (35mm film equivalent): 36 - 1440 mm
  • Optical zoom: 40x
  • Digital zoom: 2000x

Storage

  • Camcorder tape type: Mini-DV

White balance

  • Outdoor white balance: Yes
  • Indoor white balance: Yes
  • One-push white balance: Yes

Display

  • Display diagonal: 6.35 cm (2.5")
  • Display: LCD

Viewfinder

  • Viewfinder resolution: 123200 pixels

Camera

  • Minimum illumination: 11 lx

Video

  • Video formats supported: DV

Audio

  • Built-in microphone: Yes

Ports & interfaces

  • Microphone in: No
  • S-Video in: No
  • S-Video out: Yes

Battery

  • Battery life (max): 14 h

Weight & dimensions

  • Width: 63 mm
  • Depth: 114 mm
  • Height: 85 mm
  • Weight: 380 g

Other features

  • Autofocus: Yes
  • Manual focus: Yes
  • Sports: Yes
  • Twilight: Yes
  • Spotlight: Yes

Additional Information