Canon DC40 Camcorder Review

The Front (8.5)
The front of the Canon DC40 positions the 10x optical zoom lens in the upper right corner of the camcorder face. This lens has a 37 mm diameter, a focal length of 6.1 mm to 61.0 mm, and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 in wide angle. The Canon Video Lens rests directly above the in-camcorder microphone, which competently recorded not only the chirruping and sighing noises of the DVD but also the general noise of the camcorder. The DC in port is located slightly to the left and beneath the stereo microphone, in a somewhat awkward position. Above the DC in port, along the left side of the front face, are the Mini video light and the Remote sensor for the DC40. A vertical in-camcorder flash above these two features will cast a shadow across the front of the subject and cause uneven lighting. Camcorders like the Sony DCR-DVD405 DVD camcorder place the flash directly above the lens to overcome this problem.

The Right Side (7.0)
The right side of the Canon DC40 has one primary purpose: to contain the DVD compartment, which opens via a switch on the back of the camcorder body. The other feature on the right side is a strap for the right hand. This strap is undersized and uncomfortable, and has a tendency to allow the camcorder to flop in the user’s hand when shooting is hurried or the grip is momentarily lost. Straps on Sony camcorders are thick and plush, and allow for both steadier handling and confident shooting.

The Back (7.5)
The back of the Canon DC40 is so covered with controls and features that beginning users may be overwhelmed. A non-extendable, undersized electronic color viewfinder is positioned in the upper left corner of the back face, and a Dioptric adjustment lever is located directly under the hard plastic eyepiece. Beneath the viewfinder is an LED which will indicate the accessibility to card and the charge indicator. The Function button is located under the LED and above the Menu button. A third button, located beneath the Menu button, allows users to quickly print/share images without entering menu structures. To the right of these controls is a Power switch for the camcorder, which has LED indicators for camera and playback modes above it. A switch under these buttons moves the camcorder between movie and still image modes.

On the transition between the back and bottom of the camcorder, a USB port cover opens via a tab on its left edge. To the right of the USB cover is the switch for opening the DVD compartment. Above this switch is the connection point for the right hand strap. Moving up and slightly to the left is a long, unlabeled vertical button of polished silver. The lack of a label is confusing, particularly since this essential control is responsible for starting and stopping recording. Above this control, on the transition between the back and top of the camcorder, is another port cover which, when open, will reveal an AV out port.

The Left Side (8.5)
A 2.7 inch LCD is set into the left side of the DC40. This LCD has a resolution of 123,000 pixels and, once opened, will reveal three controls located along the bottom edge of the frame. These controls allow the user to alter the display information, backlight, and widescreen / play-list. In the cavity are several important features: the battery, which slides into its internal position neatly, the battery release button directly behind it in the lower back corner, the well-labeled finalize button above the battery release button, and a small inset button beneath the battery center that resets the controls and structure to the default state.

On the back of the LCD is a four-way controller, which has dual exposure and focus controls for the up and down arrows when the camcorder is not in a menu structure or playback mode. Above it is a cover which opens along its back edge. The memory card slot underneath can accept only MiniSD memory cards which, while space-saving, are extremely fragile. A mode dial on the back edge allows the user to move through shooting modes without having to enter an internal memory structure. Finally, on the transition between the left and top of the lens barrel are four controls for navigating footage in playback mode. These four buttons control play/pause, stop, rewind, and fast-forward. When not in playback mode, these controls allow users to activate the following settings: Digital Effects, Light, Flash/record review, and Drive mode.

The Top (7.0)
Features on top of the Canon DC40 are limited and located on the right side of the camcorder body. Near the back of camcorder body, in reach of the index finger of the right hand, are the zoom toggle and the photo button for the camcorder. Near the front, in the crease formed between the lens barrel and the right half of the camcorder, is the in-camcorder audio speaker for monitoring audio levels during playback.