Canon DC10 Review:

The Canon DC10 digital camcorder represents Canon’s first offering of DVD camcorder. Canon DC10 is eye-catching with their distinctive and attractive rounded design and slim, lightweight body. Canon DC10 also boasts superior operability and hand-held comfort, supporting easy accessibility for the 8cm DVD-R/RW media. Canon DC10 camcorder makes possible the high-performance recording of video and still images with the incorporation of a 10x optical zoom lens and Canon’s DIGIC DV image processor.

The Photo DV-enabled Canon DC10 offers a complementary color filter and a 1.3-megapixel CCD; the CCD utilizes 690,000 pixels when recording video images on DVD, and 1.23-million pixels when recording still images on card media. In addition to featuring a 2-way still-photo function, which supports the capture of images onto either a miniSD card or a DVD, the DC 10 DVD camcorder offers a DVD Random Access function, allowing users to start filming or replay video without having to fast forward or rewind, and a Finalize button, which enables users to easily “close” their video for viewing with standard DVD players or DVD-drive-equipped computers.

Canon DC10 digital camcorder feature outstanding design and operation enhancements, offering a variety of convenient and practical functions, including a backlight button for the LCD monitor, which allows users to view images in bright conditions, and an easy-to-use menu screen. In addition, users can enjoy Direct Print features incorporated into the PictBridge-compatible camcorders in a variety of ways, such as with the Print/Share button, which allows them to easily print still photos with just the touch of a button.

Canon DC10 User Said:

Canon DC10 is my 4th camcorder, and it is also the best one I have had so fare. It’s the easiest to use hands down, the smallest, takes great video, I think just as good as my DV tapes camcorder but easier to copy.

All in all Canon DC10 digital camcorder does what I have all ways wanted a camcorder to do and to be.

It’s true the software is not that great but it will get you though. If you want to do editing you will want some other software. I use Magix Video Pro with great results. Just put the dvd into your computers dvd player/writer (once the dvd is finalized) and drag and drop to Magix and it does the rest, and you can edit as you desire. Much better then running though hours of DV tape with a fire wire. warning, not all editing programs will work with mpeg format so check first.

A 30 minute tape took about 10 minutes to copy over to the hard drive and for Magix to read, plus mpeg, dvd, is a much more manageable format then AVI, dv tape, with is huge and a computer resource hog. Editing isn’t quite as clean with mpeg but AVI has many more problem then mpeg such as size.

Or if you just want to make a copy of the dvd then use a dvd copy program like 1 Click DVD Copy and you’ll have an exact copy in just a few minutes. Use rewritable dvd in the camcorder and you have a winning combo. Again much better and easier then paying back DV tape with a fire wire or burning to a set top dvd recorder. Two thing I never have to do again.

Now for a global perspective, I have always loved movies and home movies. I was fascinated with the idea of movie making on my computer but my hopes where dashed with DV tape and AVI files. Plain and simple I just gave up, it was to much trouble, but my interest and enjoyment have been reclaimed with this dvd camcorder.

Ok, ok now the bad news, things I don’t care for to be balanced, tape length could be longer 20, 30 and 60 minute setting is all you get with a dvd. Yes longer record means lower quality. I’ve been using 30 minute setting with great footage quality. And all in all 30 minutes really isn’t that bad. 1 or 2 hours can get to be to much on a tape or dvd of our kids playing in the yard.

Second the Canon DC10’s batters take 2.5 or more hours to charge. That’s a long time. But they do last a while. You’ll fill up a disk with a full charge no problem. My advice, You will wont at least 2 batteries.

Third, 10 zoom seems a bit small but it is workable and not a deal killer in my opinion. What I would really like to see is a nice wide angle for in doors. I’m using a wide angle attachment, 0.5X, with a 27mm adapter ring. Makes a big difference but is like adding a half sized Dixie cup to the front of the camera. It’s not pretty but it works.

So yes, narrow wide angle but not any worst then my Sony TR65 from 1990 which come with an on board wide angle diopter that made the same difference as the wide angle lens attachment or my Canon ZR60 from 2003 which was what I original bought the attachment for.

That’s about it. All in all a great easy to use camera that is the camcorder I’ve been waiting for except the wide angle.
—– By Van

Canon DC10 Features:

• Digital video camera that records straight to 8cm DVD-R/RW media
• 10x optical zoom and Canon’s DIGIC DV image processor
• Shoot 1.3 megapixel photos straight to a MiniSD memory card or to DVD
• Built-in lens cap; PictBridge compatibility allows you print stills directly to compatible printers
• Slender design with lightweight body

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