It was around about a year before the HC3 came out. My guess is they took some consumer comments on the HC1 and turned it into the HC3 (bottom loading tape on HC1; top loading tape on HC3).
I have owned Canon cameras before this and really like them (though they were not HD). You brought up the only two real differences I could come up with on the machines... the Sony HC3 has an HDMI connection - which is fine if the TV you are connecting to has that same connection. The other interesting item you mentioned is focus.
As with nearly all Sony camcorders (I recently found out), the HC3 uses a touch screen. One of the features in my HC1 (which I believe carried to the HC3) is Spot focus - that is, you get into that mode through the menu and when you want to focus on something in particular, touch the area on the LCD screen.
I also believe that the HC3 has manual focus and zoom - and I do not believe the Canon has either... and I am fairly certain it does not have the spot focus capability either.
Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either camera - it will be WAY better than what your friends/neighbors/acquaintances have... and even when the video is redered down to standard def, the source was so clear, the SD output will still be awesome.
Going HiDef but Canon HV10 or Sony HDR HC3? Which is truly better?
_____________________________________________________
Got to a local store!
Was all set to order today from an online place as it would allow me to save a bit of money...enough to possibly purchase an extended warranty. (which I'm still considering even tho' usually I run from them like the plague!) If I do get an extended warranty, would only do 2 yrs.
Anyway, walked in thinking my decision would be between the Hard Drive Sony 100 vs. the Hi Def Sony HC3. I hadn't seen nor tried the HiDef one before, so wanted to see if ergonimically I could take its extra heft, etc. (smallish hands)
(This store didn't happen to have the Hard Drive one there to try, but I saw it yesterday.)
Instead, this store had the new Canon HiDef which is a very different shape then Sony's and probably actually works a bit better in my hands. (and I can't get over how much smaller it seems as far as placing all the same stuff on it but more compactly)
But I do realize this comes at a cost sometimes as they can be more sensitive to shakes if too small.
Anyway, I ended up ''blinking'' and unable to make the call by the deadline today that I had set for ordering online! :-\
And I never dreamed I do that!! :-{
Total bummer, but I think can still do it tomorrow, just will have even less time to try things.
Anyone out there try both of these Hi Def camcorders before?
I realize Sony has many, many fans & many more reviews too on places like Amazon, etc. So I guess I should take 'comfort' in that.
However, the Canon is newer, so that might explain the fewer reviews and Sony just being so popular, in general.
I'm wondering...do the Sony fans say the HiDef is so wonderful & crisp, having never seen a Canon yet? I try not to get swayed by the LCD screens, as Canon always seem to excel w/them...just blows AWAY the clarity and colors of the Sony one.
BUT...this place actually had only the Sony hooked up to a HiDef computer monitor...with touch & go connections unfortunately.
But with that, it sure didn't look particularly clear, nor colors one half as good as Canon's on the small LCD.
Granted, a smaller screen will look sharper than any enlarged thing but...I have to wonder.
When camcorderinfo.com calls them a draw and gives the slight advantage to Sony due to ergonomics...and auto features which make operation easier, if that comes at a cost?
Or I should say Sony's reported ''better low light'' operation perhaps comes at a great cost in clarity and colors?
I couldn't help but see things in the store (w/what should have been pretty bright looking) as being exceedingly ''noisy'' from the Sony.
So what gives? Are fans of Sony like Mac fans...? Just sometimes so in love w/the company that it makes it hard to see things as clearly? (just kidding, I love Macs, too, btw...like both options!) 
But I wonder? Naturally most Sony HC3 users will never have had the opportunity to compare like this, so I don't mean to sound critical at ALL. Just wondering, if *anyone* out here HAS tried both in a way that permitted probably more fair viewing than my darn store had set up! Would save me here as I waste more hours tonight pouring over things.
The colors on the Canon just seemed far superior. (again might only be LCD that has that) And, more importantly, it seemed to somehow
focus more quickly & readily overall in the store. And yet...it's the Sonys which are supposed to be better indoors, I thought???
So I do NOT get that.
Please...if anyone has tried out both...share your wisdom.
The sole factor that the Sony comes w/an outlet for HDMI cable was going to decide it for me almost. UNTIL...I started noticing what seemed like subpar imagery.
And then I thought...what good does that capability DO really, IF,
IF...somehow its HiDef isn't as accurate or spot-on w/focusing?
Thanks for being patient with me, but I guess I never should have considered a camcorder, as maybe I'm just expecting too much. And once I went over 1k in money...truly expected a LOT.
Thanks for 'listening.' 
Share any thoughts.
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