Canon HR10 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Oct 25, 2007 10:00 AM
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Canon has been hitting home runs this year with its high definition camcorders. The HV20 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $903), a tape-based HDV model, is perhaps the best overall consumer HD camcorder available right now. There was some question as to whether Canon could repeat the success when forced to use the AVCHD compression for anything using non-tape media. The HG10 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $549.95), a hard disk drive model, proved they could. Now Canon is out with the HR10 ($1,199 MSRP), which is virtually identical to the HG10 but records to DVD. Will Canon make it a trifecta, or will the frustrations of the DVD medium upset the applecart?
The Front (7.75)
The HR10 is modeled after the standard definition DVD camcorder, the DC50 (Review, Specs, $649.99). Both camcorders have the same components on the front of the body, with the addition of the HR10’s Instant AF sensor (explained more thoroughly in Manual Controls). The HR10 sports a 10x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 6.1-61mm and the following 35mm equivalents:
-43.6-436mm (16:9 Movies)
-53.0-530mm (4:3 Movies)
-43.6-436mm (LW Still Images)
-40.0-400mm (L, M, S Still Images)
The lens has a 37mm filter diameter for attachments such as telephoto or wide angle lenses. If you opt for any such attachments, keep in mind the flash and video light (in some cases) will be blocked. However, this should not be such a detriment, as the video light is merely successful in casting a bluish, penlight-grade wash over the image. Since the video light is mounted to the left of the lens, more light is prominent on the right side of the screen and gradually trails off toward the left.
The flash is located above the video light, and the Instant AF sensor above the flash. At the bottom of the front is the HR10’s built-in stereo microphone, accented by two pentagonal speaker clusters that bookend the circular remote sensor.
The Right Side (3.5)
The right side of any DVD camcorder is far from enthralling, and the HR10 is a leading example. Like all of Canon’s DVD camcorders, the HR10 is shaped like a medieval door flopped on its side. Canon chose a sleek gunmetal, silver, and copper color scheme to dissuade the shooter from noticing the HR10’s cheap plastic construction. The disc hatch is designed more poorly than most DVD camcorders because the hand strap blocks its range of motion. Sony DVD camcorders include a swiveling grommet, which allows the hand strap to swing underneath the body so the hatch can open freely. Panasonic evades this issue by designing top-loading DVD hatches on its camcorders. We also prefer Sony’s and Panasonic’s hand straps over the HR10’s — they feature more padding and surface area to comfort the hand. The HR10’s hand strap is chunky, but does not provide enough padding along the inside. The round DC-in jack is located in the bottom right corner.
The Back (7.0)
By now you’re beginning to see that the HR10’s architecture is not much different than Canon’s standard definition DVD line, especially the DC50. In back, the HR10 exhibits a rather minimalist configuration. At the top lies the HR10’s sad, sad viewfinder. We’ve come down on Canon pretty hard for equipping its camcorders with the lamest viewfinders on the market, and the HR10 does not change our minds. The viewfinder does not telescope out or flip up, and is devoid of a rubberized eye cup. In addition, the viewfinder does not even extend an inch from the camcorder’s body. The dioptric adjuster is embedded along the bottom ridge of the eye cup.
Beneath the viewfinder is the Video/Photo switch, followed by the rear-mounted joystick. Panasonic and Canon (on select models) are the only manufacturers to employ rear-mounted joysticks, and they provide superior control and speed. However, Panasonic’s joysticks are smooth while Canon’s can be finicky. Below the joystick is the large mode switch for toggling between Power On/Off and Record mode/Playback mode. The mode switch is easy to operate and the camcorder’s response time is top notch. The last item in back is located to the right of the joystick; the HR10’s record start/stop button.
The Left Side (4.0)
The left side of the HR10 is where you’ll find most of the ports. First, let’s tackle the outside. With the 2.7-inch LCD screen closed, the HR10 features four buttons embedded in an arc shape along the top: Quick Start, Function, Display, and Direct Print. To the right of the LCD cavity is a tabbed hard plastic port cover that looks like half a shield. Underneath this cover you’ll find the HDMI and AV terminals. Once the LCD screen is flipped open, the HR10’s LCD cavity reveals a small rectangular battery. On first glance, this seems lame. Enclosed battery designs prevent the possibility of upgrading to a mega battery pack that will last hours. The only upgrade available for the HR10 offers 30% more battery life, which is good, but not great. To the right of the cell-phone sized battery are the Component-out and USB terminals. A MiniSD card slot is located beneath the battery, hidden behind an awkward plastic port cover. A number of controls line the bottom of the LCD screen: Zoom Out/Rewind, Zoom In/Fast Forward, Record Start/Stop/Play/Pause, and Playlist/Stop. It’s safe to say the left side of the HR10 is fairly lackluster.
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The Canon HR10's left side from the outside... |
and the LCD cavity. |
The Top (5.0)
Up top, the HR10 keeps it light. The minute disc eject button is located toward the lens end of the camcorder. You’ll have to dig your nails in just to get a good grip in the grooves of this tiny slider. Toward the back end is the P mode/Auto mode switch (P mode is equivalent to Manual mode), followed by the zoom toggle and photo button. The HR10’s zoom toggle has an odd design, like a chipped tooth. Overall, the top of the camcorder is thin, with just enough gripping surface for the shooting hand.
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