10 Camcorder Roundup : Canon DC230
By
Digital Versus,
published on April 16, 2009
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2. Canon DC230
While its only equipped with a 1 megapixel sensor, the DC230 has other assets to attract and help the amateur video movie maker in recording on DVD : 35x optical zoom, a 16/9 compatible LCD screen, a new generation DIGIC DV II image processor, and recording on dual layer DVD.
Design
Design
This Canon DVD model is very compact and easily fits in your hand. The reduced size is due in part to integration of the battery to the LCD screen housing. Unfortunately, it's impossible to extend capacity with a larger battery. The DC230 is robust and even has an electronic viewfinder (non-rotating). Most commands are found on the back of the camera and are easily adjusted with the thumb. We especially liked the joystick, which allows you rapid access to menus, as well as a switch on the underside that allows you to go between manual and automatic modes in a single move. The rotating LCD screen is of good quality and displays colors correctly. Buttons along the edges allow you to control the zoom and are especially handy for reviewing video. For an entry level camera, the DC230 has several manual adjustments that are very appreciable, such as shutter speed for filming in low light conditions. Focus, exposure, and colors can also be manually adjusted, and of course there are different scene modes. The finalization of a DVD requires plugging in to a power source and this varies for 3 to 10 minutes depending on the amount recorded.
Image quality
Canon’s technical data for the DC230 specifies that the camera has a "real" 16/9 mode. Our tests show, however, that it’s a 16/9 which vertically increases the size of the video and then is stretched horizontally. The DC230’s MPEG-2 compression slightly degrades the image precision. The DIGIC DV II image processor strongly accentuates video. The result is that colors are very saturated and images very contrasted. Whether indoors or out-, white balance is just right. Stabilization, although digital, is quite good and allows proper use of the 29. We did, however, notice a few jumps in images while playing videos. In the dark the DC230 isn’t at ease, sensitivity is very low and the image has a lot of noise. In this case, avoid the automatic mode and opt for a manual adjustment of shutter speed. The photo mode doesn’t create any miracles, but with a 1 mega pixel sensor, we couldn’t expect much more.
| Canon DC230 | |
|---|---|
| Pluses | Minuses |
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Practical and easy to use, the Canon DC230 is a good starting DVD camcorder to gradually introduce you to the joys of digital video. Compatible with dual layer DVDs, the DC230 is not limited by the support during recording and only the photo mode will disappoint those who want a versatile product.
It's a troubling trend that nearly all consumer/prosumer camcorders are ditching the EVF in favor of the LCD, which is useless outdoors. I really liked the Canons, given their feature set and quality, but the lack of EVF was killer (the only model with EVF was the HG21, and that was impossible to find), and so I got a Sony SR12 instead. Great features are useless if you can't see what you're filming, unless you're doing all your work indoors.
I am only part way through the article, but I have to say that comparing the Vado (about $100) with even the Canon DC210 (about $400) just doesn't wash. If you had at least mentioned the price disparity, it might have been acceptable, but the Vado isn't aimed at the same market. Plus, the VADO HD is available, yet the article says, "but we're still waiting for the HD version of the Vado."
For me, this weakens the journalism and therefore weakens the reviews in general. It makes me wonder, did you really do due diligence in the review. Maybe your article lead time is too long, but that's where an editor can add notes, like, The Vado HD was released just after this review was completed.
Just my two cents worth.
I'll stick with my Canon HG10, EVF , 40GB HD, hotshoe, Mic input, perfect HD image....None of these compare.
At first I thought this was an old article that had slipt through RSS a second time, but no it was recent.
The reason is because I would not know for any reason to still review the Panasonic HDC-SD1. It's multiple generations old and you might be hard pressed to even find it. The four generations younger HDC-SD9 would be a lot better candidate even if it is not the latest generation, but it is still a reference with regards to value for money.
I haven't red it entirely, buy giving a '+' for a microphone (7.Panasonic HDC-SD1) is (imho) a joke. You can give a minus for no-audio recording, but giving a plus for a microphone is just too much!
2) You give a minus to Sony HDR-UX3 for lacking Image Stabilisation, and how about Sony HDR-SR11E - does it have IS or doesn't? JVC GZ-HD40 for example got a minus for medicore IS ...
I'd rewrite this article ... to some exent ..
I like digital camcorder very much , this unit looks very nice , how much it is?
Panasonic HDC-SD1 is too old. There were SD5, SD9, and now SD100. The last one is a way better than SD9. So, what is the need to review HDC-SD1?