Canon DC22 Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on Nov 29, 2006 12:00 PM
|
Advertisement
|
||||||||||||
Comparisons
For a little more cash than the $699 DC22 (Review, Specs, $409), the Canon DC40 ($899 MSRP) offers the kinds of enhancements we expect to see in a top-of-the-line consumer camcorder – with the exception of an external microphone jack (also absent on the DC22). The DC40 sensor is the largest we’ve seen on a standard definition consumer DVD camcorder, measuring 1/2.8” compared to the 1/3.9” sensor on the DC22, and video performance and resolution were better. The DC40 also boasts a higher maximum still resolution of 2304 x 1736 versus 1632 x 1224 for the DC22. In other respects, the camcorders are nearly identical with similar manual controls and a similar feature set overall that establishes these Canons as nicely equipped camcorders. The two areas where the DC22 edges its big sister are in portability – it’s a touch smaller – and in its control interface, which is a bit less cluttered. Given the roughly $200 price spread, its tough to call a winner here. But, cost difference aside, the DC40 is a stronger performer.
The Canon DC100 is the company’s entry-level camcorder. It serves up a smaller 1/6” sensor and poorer overall video performance than the DC22. The DC100 also lacks still image capability, which is a significant drawback for some users. Given its smaller sensor, the DC100 also manages to turn in a heftier optical zoom power of 25x versus the DC22's 10x – but we’ll take a larger imager over a big zoom any day. All in all, the DC22 is a better camcorder, even with a price spread of over $200. At the entry-level, there are better DVD camcorders than the DC100, like the Panasonic VDR-D100 (Review, Specs, $299.95) but the DC22 holds its own amongst mid-weight contenders.
The Sony DCR-DVD305 has a 1/5.5” sensor that’s larger than a run-of-the-mill 1/6” but a good deal smaller than the DC22’s 1/3.9” CCD. The DVD305 also adds some extra image processing firepower with its Advanced HAD CCD technology, which reduces noise levels in bright light – but its video performance falls a bit short of the Canon. Also, the Advanced HAD seemed powerless to erase the blotchy blue noise plaguing the DVD305’s images. In its favor, the Sony includes an Advanced Interface Shoe, and ships the ECM-L100 surround sound microphone. This proprietary hot shoe can also accommodate a range of Sony accessories for expanded audio and flash options, though an non-proprietary microphone input would have been better still. In the end, we have to return to picture quality to make the call, and the DC22 prevails as both a video and still camera.
The Canon DC22’s widescreen 1/3.9” CCD is much larger than the 1/6” chip on Panasonic’s VDR-D200, and that adds up to stronger overall video performance. The DC22 also brings decent still performance to the ring, producing nice1632x1224 images. The VDR-D200 tops out at a measly 640x480 in still mode. In keeping with Panasonic’s strengths, the D200 comes out on top in terms of its manual control feature set, offering full manual control over shutter speed, aperture, and gain. Despite the DC22’s long list of presets, it falls short of the Panasonic in terms of total picture control. Unfortunately, a plethora of manual controls can’t overcome the Panasonic’s inferior sensor, making the DC22 a better performer, and therefore better buy overall.Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (5.0)
The Canon DC22 is a solid choice for point-and-shooters, and compared to the step-up DC40, it features a simpler control layout. Setting the DC22 in auto mode is as simple as setting the mode switch to its center position, at which point you’re ready to rock and roll, or point and shoot as the case may be. The only drawback of the DC22 for point-and-shooters may be a menu that’s a little more difficult to navigate than others, especially Sonys. Sony’s touch screen menus are as simple as they come, but they are cursed by drawbacks such as fingerprints on the LCD and the fact that as image control interfaces, they are barely usable.
Budget Consumers (4.5)
For true budget consumers – those buyers who count low price as their number one concern –DVD camcorders simply cannot offer as much value as tape-based DV devices. Across the board, DV camcorders typically outperform DVD camcorders at the same price point. However, for “budget DVD camcorder buyers,” Cannon’s DC22 offers a reasonable option. It’s not the cheapest DVD camcorder on the market, but in the middle range, it offers a good value/performance ratio, and street prices will be lower than the $699 MSRP. At the entry level, Panasonic’s VDR-D100 is probably the best DVD model on the market, and it retails for under $400 on the street.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (5.0)
For a better still photo/DVD camcorder hybrid, you’ll need to drop more moolah than the $699 MSRP Canon charges for the DC22. The Panasonic VDR-D300 (Review, Specs, $534.89) and Sony DCR-DVD505 (Review, Specs, $664) are both strong contenders with maximum still resolutions of 2048x1512 and 2304 x 1728 respectively. JVC’s GZ-MG505 (Review, Specs, $829.95) HDD camcorder does even better, maxing out at 2560x1920. Yet all these hybrid powerhouses cost a good deal more than the DC22, and if you just want the ability to take a nice photo from time to time, its 1632 x 1224 stills should serve you well.
Gadget Freaks (3.0)
There are lots of camcorders that offer the gadget freak more to get excited about, from new format camcorders such as the Sony’s HDR-UX1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $729.95) to the petite Canon’s HV10 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $814). This mid-range DVD cam doesn’t do much that’s new, unique, or unusual. Then again, if you’re a gadget freak, you already know this and wouldn’t be caught dead reading a review of a camcorder made for the masses…
Manual Control Freaks (6.0)
Canon has opted for a middle ground between the two poles in the battle for the hearts and minds of the camcorder public, and the DC22 reflects their unique approach to consumer camcorder design. This camcorder is no Panasonic when it comes to independent manual control but it is far more versatile than a Sony. What the DC22 does offer is an impressive suite of image control options (spot focus, shutter priority mode, etc.) that amount to “training wheels” for those who venture beyond auto mode. Although these options don’t amount to fully independent manual control, many users will appreciate settings like color depth and sharpness that aren’t found on most other consumer camcorders.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (2.5)
The Canon DC22 has little to offer pros or serious hobbyists who have traditionally eschewed DVD camcorders due to their inferior video performance relative to tape-based formats. This camcorder is a consumer-oriented product, pure and simple, and these are the folks who should be looking at the DC22.
Conclusion
The Canon DC22 may be a sign of hopeful things to come. In the past few years, DVD camcorders have struggled to prove themselves worthy successors to MiniDV, at least in terms of performance. And while the medium still has a ways to go, this mid-2006 introduction into the Canon DVD line was better than we were anticipating. It easily topped the comparatively priced DVD camcorders from other manufacturers in bright light video testing. Low light proved to be a problem area – an important flaw to consider for any consumer. But the small form factor of the DC22 and relative simplicity of the DVD medium will be a big draw for some people.
Our big complaints are as follows. DVD camcorders still fail to record as long as MiniDV tapes in highest quality. A single-layer disc can only capture about 20 minutes, and a dual-layer can only capture 36 minutes compared to a 60-minute tape. Secondly, the DC22 has no mic input, and the built-in mic will not cut it for high-quality home movies. Third, the viewfinder is so small and uncomfortable; it’s hard to understand why they included it. The LCD is widescreen, but a 123K resolution is pretty low. The still card media is MiniSD, which is less common than the standard SD. And, as mentioned above, the low light performance was less than satisfying.
The upsides: good bright light performance, a decent manual control array, good still photo quality, and a high degree of portability. We wouldn’t be surprised if this became a very popular model for Canon this holiday season.
|
Advertisement
|