Canon DC330 Camcorder Review

by Jeremy Stamas
Published on Dec 18, 2008 11:00 AM

 
Intro Performance
Format Auto / Manual Controls
Still Features Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity
 Other Features
Conclusion & Comparisons Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings


Audio (3.00)
Just like last year's DC220 and DC230, the Canon DC330 doesn't offer an accessory shoe, external microphone port, or headphone jack, so for all audio recording the front-mounted internal mic will have to do all the work. It's understandable that most users of the DC330 will probably never even think of attaching an external mic to the camcorder, but the option is still a good feature to have. The Sony DCR-DVD810 does offer an accessory shoe for extra audio connectivity, but it only works with Sony-brand products. The Canon FS100, on the other hand, has a small microphone jack.

Audio levels cannot be adjusted on the DC330 and the only microphone control feature is a Wind Screen, which attempts to digitally limit the amount of noise created by heavy gusts of wind.

Playback (4.25)
Viewing your videos and images is a relatively simple process on the DC330. Flicking the on/off switch up to "mode" puts the camcorder into playback mode. Now, your clips are arranged as thumbnails and are selected using the navigation joystick on the LCD panel. While playing clips, the joystick is also utilized to manipulate VCR controls (a little box appears in the lower right showing you what direction does what). This isn't quite as good as the strip of dedicated VCR buttons on last year's DC220 or this year's Canon FS100, but it's a serviceable arrangement.


Videos appear as thumbnails
in playback mode...
... and VCR controls are manipulated
using the joystick.

The Video Playback Menu is accessed the same way you get to the Administrative Menu in video mode. There are a few different features when you're in Playback mode, however. The new options are mainly Disc Operations, which are settings for initializing, finalizing, and managing your DVDs.

 


The Video Playback Menu


The Video Playback Menu contains the following options:

Video Playback Menu
Disc Operations Disc Info, Initialize Disc, Finalize, Unfinalize, Del. All Movies, Disc Title
Display Setup Brightness, Data Code, Language
System Setup WL. Remote, Speaker Vol., Beep, Power Save, TV Type
Date/Time Setup T. Zone/DST, Date/Time, Date Format

Connectivity (4.00)
The Canon DC330 truly has the bare bones when it comes to connectivity. Only three ports are found on the camcorder—DC-input, A/V-out, and USB—and there is no accessory shoe or docking station to provide additional connectivity options. There is an SD/SDHC card slot at the bottom of the camcorder and the DC330 also comes with a remote control.


The exposed DC-input
The A/V-out and USB port

 


The SD/SDHC card slot is on the bottom of the DC330.

The ports on the DC330 are generally uncovered and unprotected, with the exception of the SD/SDHC card slot on the bottom that has a rubberized door. The DC input is fully exposed on the back of the camcorder, which leaves it vulnerable to weather damage. The A/V-out and USB ports are inside the LCD cavity, which gives them some cover and protection.

Interestingly, the only difference between the DC330 and DC320 is the DC320 lacks a USB port and a remote control (and it's $10 cheaper). In comparison, the Canon FS100, which is similarly priced to the DC330, has a microphone jack and a swiveling port cover on the DC-input.



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