As we all know, technology stands still for no man (or woman) and just as the early analogue camcorders gave way to the digital revolution, now the supremacy of MiniDV has been seriously challenged by the rise of the DVD and hard disk drive formats that are geared towards ease of transfer.
The DC230 camera uses DVD storage and is designed for physical comfort and instant accessibility. It's compact, lightweight and slim and its smooth contours are intended to slide effortlessly into the palm of your hand.
The central controller is an intuitive joystick that is sandwiched between the video/photo switch and the power switch. In addition, just to the left of the viewfinder is a convenient Quick Start button which is an innovation for this season and guarantees you're up and running almost instantly. Part of the same assembly is the Function button which sets up the menus that the joystick will then scroll through.
Canon has taken its DIGIC DV II processor, with advanced noise reduction technology, from its High Definition range and transplanted it into the DC230. The DIGIC DV II uses split path processing that allows you to simultaneously capture video and stills via separate signals, resulting in optimal colour reproduction for both media.
High quality images are captured via the 1-megapixel CCD, recording direct to three-inch DVD (-R/-RW/-R DL) discs with a maximum of 60 minutes video on a single layer disc and up to 108 minutes on a DVD-R Dual Layer. Digital photos can reach a resolution of 1,152 x 864 pixels and are saved to MiniSD memory cards which are unique to Canon camcorders. So make sure you stock up with plenty before you go on holiday.
The DC230 is optimised for true 16:9 recording, so your default setting for movies is cinematic widescreen. Images can be previewed in widescreen too: the camcorder features a 2.7-inch, 16:9, 123,000-pixel LCD and a wide 0.27-inch EVF (Electronic Viewfinder). The only major grumble is about the decision to have the record command (as well as the playback controls) built into the base of the LCD screen. It's fiddly and awkward, takes your mind off the subject and should have been given a more conventional, useful position near the zoom controls.
Talking of the zoom, you're provided with a more powerful 35x optical zoom lens than in the previous series and you can further activate a whopping and highly over-optimistic 1,000x digital zoom. An Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS) significantly reduces camera shake and Canon's Smooth Zoom feature enhances this process by selecting from one of three pre-set zoom speeds. You're also aided in keeping the picture on an even keel and focused on the specific areas you want by the incorporation of a level marker and a new grid marker.
