Although it's hardly the polar opposite, the Canon DC100 DVD camcorder is a very different beast from the Canon DC40 that we like so much. In addition to the obvious dissimilarities -- the DC100's longer 25X zoom lens, lower-resolution 680,000-pixel sensor, and slightly flimsier-feeling body -- Canon cut corners in some subtle but noticeable ways as well. Toss in its middling video, and the DC100 delivers a much less pleasant shooting experience -- just like all its budget DVD competitors. Only its handful of semimanual exposure controls and surprisingly fast focus provide notable bright spots.
Light for a camcorder at just over 400 grams, the DC100 fits comfortably into medium-size hands, with thumb and forefinger falling naturally into position atop the most important controls.
Canon's budget cuts in the design include an uncovered DC-input jack, a manually operated built-in lens cover, and a smooth plastic grip strip atop the drive, rather than a rubberised one. It also lacks a video light. However, in addition to the handful of scene modes, the DC100 also includes shutter- and aperture-priority modes -- they're a rarity in this price class.
The DC100 takes 3-inch Mini DVD-R/RW discs, and like most of its competitors, can fit about 20 minutes of best-quality video on one. If you choose to initialise a disc for playing in a standalone player, the camcorder writes standard VOB files; if you initialise for future editability, it records in the VRO format. Windows Media Player can play the latter if you rename the file with an MPG extension, however the aspect-ratio information gets lost -- that info is encoded into a separate file -- so 16:9 video will get squashed into 4:3. Because you must plug into an outlet in order to finalise a disc, the DC100 is probably not the best choice for outdoor vacations.
On the upside, the DC100 has a very solid, fast autofocus, which also works better than most in low light. The zoom switch is responsive enough to mange steady, slow zooms throughout the range, and the image stabilisation worked impressively well, even out to the full 25x.
Unfortunately, the actual video never rises above adequate. At its best -- shot outdoors in bright or diffuse light -- it's relatively crisp and properly exposed with accurate, if desaturated colour. In general, the DC100's white balance looks good for both daylight and indoor illumination. Even under those conditions, however, there's still some image noise, as well as significant fringing on high-contrast edges and severe blooming on saturated reds. The dynamic range is also a bit compressed, which results in washed-out skies, flat white highlights, and greyish blacks. Video shot in dim light isn't as noisy as what we're used to seeing from low-end Canon camcorders, but the DC100 has trouble resolving details when the lights are low. And the less said about the low-resolution, noisy still photos, the better.
With some shopping around, you can find significantly better models, such as the DC40 or the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405, for about AU$500 more. But if your budget won't stretch even that far, the Canon DC100 should satisfy your YouTube requirements, if little else.
luis
22/12/2007, 01:56 AM
rating
7/10
i dont understand the manual in english but i do my best i find it atractive is not the best camera in the word but is nice
Pros: thumbs up
Cons: is hard to understand for a mexican jajajaja
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Jane Benge
02/08/2007, 04:23 AM
rating
7/10
No complaints with the quality for the money I paid but wish it had a firewire connection. I have an apple mac so had to record to a large DVD using the avi lead to dvd recorder. Used Handbrake free software to convert for use in imovie.
Pros: Fairly intuitive for instant filming.
Cons: Manual too complicated
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bruce
22/07/2007, 09:39 AM
rating
5/10
Easy to use once you have worked out how book is hard to understand terminology is confusing for a novice
Pros: seems to work well pictures are a not great
Cons: can,t get it to edit on pc with a new program after seven months
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waymarks
31/03/2007, 04:37 AM
rating
8/10
A very good entry model.
Pros: Easy to hold and shoot. Controls are not too difficult if you take time to read the manual.
Cons: Transferring to pc is a little bit tricky.
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mending_ftw
10/03/2007, 05:41 PM
rating
9/10
If you want to Initialize and finalize the disc make sure the camcorder is plugged into the battery charger or it will not work. TOOK ME FOREVER TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
Pros: small, microphone works great on this camcorder, sounds good, easy to use once you figure it out.
Cons: manual doesn't even makes sense. Had to figure it out on my own and took forever. Still havnt found out how to save the still pictures on the mini dvd.
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Locky Steve
28/02/2007, 10:51 PM
rating
7/10
Tip: Set recording mode to XP (highest quality). On 'AUTO' setting this will give you excellent quality recordings, although recording to DVD will be cut back to about 20 min. The DOLBY stereo sound on this model is truly EXCELLENT. I picked up my unit from Target for $539 on special, so I sure can't complain !.
Pros: Great quality picture in XP mode. Also terrific sound reproduction, it picks up every tiny background sound very clearly. Fits into your hand nicely, and after some practice, is easy & quick to work with.
Cons: The instruction book must have been written by a Chinese Irishman. It is all over the place. Also, I beleive Canon should include a second battery in the kit. Recording time is only 45 min in XP mode.
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mahendraji
19/02/2007, 05:05 PM
rating
10/10
wonderful always
Pros: CANON all pros
Cons: CANON - no cons
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Anne
31/12/2006, 01:48 AM
rating
7/10
I didn't have any problem using the manual. You just have to read it instead of glancing at it.
Pros: Video is very stable, zoom is awsome.
Cons: I wish the quality of the video was a smidge better but for the price, you can't go wrong.
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newownerdc100
18/11/2006, 07:00 AM
rating
8/10
Extra features are awkward, but for straight shooting its easy. Good quality video and much better than average audio.
Pros: Size, mini dvd-s are cheaper than mini dv, decent features.
Cons: Menu system is poorly coordinated, confusing, and changes based on situation.
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david
15/11/2006, 09:19 AM
rating
4/10
The manual is terrible, the terms in the book are not the same as on the camera. The finalization of the disc is a drama and I cant even find the yes button
Pros: Small and its cool looking, my wife gave it to me for the birthday, so I have to like it
Cons: Stupid strap and controls.
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