Canon DC330 Camcorder Review

Conclusion
As a sign of how far DVD camcorders have fallen, the DC330's retail price of $379.99 is actually $70 less than last year's DC230. Now, Canon didn't provide many updates to the new model, but this price drop conveys that DVD camcorders are losing their appeal and will soon be taken over by the influx of internal memory, hard drive, and memory card devices. For a DVD camcorder to truly pique our interests, it must have something special or unique that impresses us—something the DC330 was unable to do.

The fact that the DC330 records video solely to DVD is a bad sign, and it tremendously limits the camcorder's functionality. Since the DC330 already has an SD/SDHC card slot (for still images), it would have been easy for Canon to implement a system where the cards could also capture video. Alas, Canon did not, and because of this it's difficult to recommend the DC330 over the Sony DCR-DVD810. The Sony offers three media options for capturing video—DVD, 8GB of internal memory, and Memory Stick PRO duo cards—which not only make the camcorder easier to use, but also improve its portability and usefulness as a hybrid photo/video device.

The Canon DC330 does produce quality video, and its test footage looked better than the competition from Sony. However, if your main concern is video performance, there are still better options to be had and you could always spring for an entry-level HD camcorder (like the Canon HF100. With standard definition camcorders, video will never look pristine, so we think handling issues, media features, portability, and ease of use are more important aspects than the quality of the recorded video.

Comparisons

	Canon DC220 and DC230 Canon's improvements over last year's models weren't tremendous, but they were acceptable. The best body design upgrade was the implementation of a non-enclosed battery compartment, which means you can use longer-lasting battery packs with the DC330. Other than that, there weren't too many differences over the previous models and the video performance of the camcorders was relatively unchanged. If you find a good deal on an old DC220 or DC230, it may be an option to spring for.
	Sony DCR-DVD810 The DCR-DVD810 is the big challenger to the DC330 if you're set on going with a DVD camcorder. Let's be clear: the DC330 produces a better video image and has a better low light performance than the Sony. It's also roughly $70 cheaper. The DVD810, however, is a far more versatile device, and it has three different media options for storing video (DVD, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and 8GB of internal flash memory). This makes the Sony more portable, easier to use, and an overall better product. It's also better built and has more connectivity options than the DC330. The real question is, with DVD-based camcorders heading towards extinction, do you want to be stuck with a device that only records to DVD?
	Canon DC320 The DC320 is nearly identical to the DC330, except it doesn't have a USB port or a remote control. Also, it's only $10 cheaper. It's somewhat strange Canon decided to release two nearly identical models like this and the absence of a USB port is a very odd choice to remove. Since only $10 separates the two camcorders, it is hard to believe why anyone would go with the DC320—you'll probably run into at least one situation where a USB port will be handy.
	JVC GZ-MG330 If you don't want to buy a DVD camcorder, there are many other options in the standard definition market. To us, the JVC GZ-MG330 stands out as the best overall standard def camcorder. It is easy to use, has good video quality, is portable, and sports a 30GB internal hard drive. Of course, it doesn't record to DVD, so you must ask yourself if you're ready to leave disc-technology behind. Canon also has the FS10, FS11, and FS100—all are standard def camcorders that record to SD/SDHC cards or internal flash memory. Sony offers the SR85 and Panasonic has the SDR-H60, which both record to 60GB internal hard drives.

Who It’s For

Point-and-Shooters
The Canon DC330 is geared towards beginners and it does a decent job courting them. The Easy button gives novice users a simple way to put the camcorder into an entirely automated mode, which is perfect for point-and-shooting. The awkward design and general quirks the DVD format brings to the table may frustrate some video neophytes.

Budget Consumers
With a retail price of $379 and with many deals putting the camcorder closer to $320-$350 range, the DC330 is a good buy. It isn't quite as cheap as the Canon FS100, but as far as DVD camcorders go, it has a reasonable price tag. Do remember take into account the extra cost of an SD/SDHC card if you want to take still photos. If you have no use for a USB port or remote control, you can save $10 and go with the Canon DC320.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
The DC330 isn't a strong hybrid device. For one, you can't capture still images to DVD, so you'll need to purchase a separate SD/SDHC card if you want to take photos. Combine this with the fact that the still image quality is generally unimpressive and it's easy to see why the DC330 won't be on anyone's list of the best photo/video hybrid devices.

Gadget Freaks
Unless DVD is your thing, there isn't anything "gadgety" about the DC330.

Manual Control Freaks
The DC330 has a good set of manual controls, but the joystick interface can be annoying. The camcorder does have more manual options than the Sony DCR-DVD810, but it isn't a hugely significant difference. Overall, this isn't the product for manual control enthusiasts, but it has enough options to keep inquisitive videographers happy.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists
Nothing about the DC330 will interest pros or serious users.