Canon DC100 Camcorder Review

The Front (6.0)
A 25x optical zoom lens is set slightly into the body of the Canon DC100. The lens has a manually operated cover that is activated via a switch located on the camcorder’s left side. It has a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and a focal range of 2.6 mm to 65 mm, with a lens configuration which positions ten elements in eight groups. Audio recording is accomplished via the stereo microphone positioned beneath the lens of the camcorder, which is fairly well-placed. The chances of a stray pinky rubbing against it and ruining the audio track are not great, nor is it ruled out (so be aware!). There are no other features on the front face of the Canon DC100.

The Right Side (9.0)
The right side of the Canon DC100 has a hand strap which slants downward from back to front along the side of the camcorder. Users will likely find the strap too slender to really provide a confident one-handed shooting experience. Straps on Sony camcorders are thicker and have better padding, which hugs the back of the user’s hand. The primary feature on the right side of the DC100 is the DVD compartment, which is opened by activating a switch located on the rounded transition between the back and bottom of the camcorder. This compartment has a vertical hinge that connects near the front face of the Canon DC100. It opens easily, and the hand strap swings out of the way to allow for easy access to DVDs. The DC in port is in an inconspicuous position beneath the front edge of the right side, in a cutaway directly in front of the right hand strap. Users can expect to spend several moments searching for this port whenever it is needed.

The Back (5.5)
The pointless electronic viewfinder is located at the top of the DC100’s back left side, with a dioptric adjustment lever on the underside of its hard plastic eyepiece. Its absurdly small size, poor design and stationary nature make using this secondary viewing device nearly impossible and definitely undesirable. Under the viewfinder, the user will find an operating mode LED labeled with symbols for video, still, and playback modes in addition to an embossed POWER label. Beneath this mode LED is a switch which enables the user to turn the camcorder on and move between video, still and playback modes by sliding it downward while pressing a small green button in the center of the slider. This control is large, labeled with full text information, and should be simple to locate and use regardless of camcorder experience. To the right of the power switch is the record start/stop button. This essential control is the only button that isn’t labeled, which seems like an absurd omission since it’s obviously important. Above the record start/stop button is another LED, this one indicating the Disc access/charge indicator. Below the record start/stop button is a connection point for the right hand strap. Under the right hand strap, on the transition plane between the back and bottom of the Canon DC100, is a switch that opens the DVD compartment on the right side of the camcorder.

The Left Side (7.0)
A 2.7 inch LCD screen with 112,000 pixel resolution is the predominant feature on the left side of the Canon DC100. This LCD display opens along either its bottom edge or via a scalloped indentation located along its back edge. The screen swivels outward; it can rotate 270 degrees and be returned to the camcorder body facing either in or out. When the LCD is open, four controls are located on its frame, beneath the monitor. These controls allow users to engage the record review/fast reverse/index screen – button, the fast forward/index + button, the digital effects/play/pause button, and the stop button. The internal battery for the DC100 is located in the LCD cavity and can be released via a battery release tab beside it. It’s important to make sure that the battery snaps completely into the camcorder body, since the battery pack tended to not lock completely when loaded quickly. When the battery pack is removed, the user will notice a small inset Reset button located along the bottom edge of this second cavity. This button will set the camcorder setup and controls back to their default status if engaged. At the front of the LCD is the manual switch, which opens and closes the lens cover for the DC100. Behind the LCD screen is a port cover composed of the same plastic used on the rest of the camcorder body. This cover snaps open easily along its front edge and swivels neatly away to reveal the AV out port beneath. Above this port is the widescreen/playlist button for the DC100.

Near the back of the camcorder body, above the LCD screen, is a four way controller with a set button in the center of it. The up arrow doubles as an exposure/display button, while the down arrow functions as the access point for the manual focus. In front of the four-way controller are two controls which initiate the function and administrative menu.

The Top (7.0)
The top of the Canon DC100 is distinctly split in half, with the dark silver right side housing the DVD compartment while the light silver left side houses the camcorder lens. A mode switch, located in the cusp between the left and right halves, allows the user to move between Program, Auto, and Scene modes quickly and efficiently without entering a menu. Towards the back of the camera body, still on the right half, is a zoom toggle that is slightly raised from the camcorder body. This zoom control is well sized and designed for ultimate functionality and the ability to function at a number of transition speeds. On the top of the viewfinder eyepiece on the left side of the camcorder is a playback speaker for audio monitoring.