We are surprised to see what were previously pro-level features appear in such a small camcorder. Color bars, built-in spot meter, manual control of all basic functions, super slow-motion, zebras, external mic jack and manual control of audio levels and lens filter threads are just some of the many powerful options crammed into the HC7. Along with shooting in HD, that certainly makes it a camcorder worth your consideration.

The HC7 is an excellent camcorder for anyone looking for comprehensive connectivity and ease of use, not to mention very good full-spec HD shooting. However, the lack of 25P will deter those users wishing to maximise the potential of large-screen LCD displays.

It’s impossible for us to conclude our review of the HDR-HC7 without thinking about what could have been. This is an excellent consumer camcorder that has the performance and features to make it a reasonable option as a backup for pros who need an inexpensive fallback or second cam, or a low-profile unit for tight spaces situations where a larger camcorder would attract too much attention.