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Itīs now possible to pick up a MiniDV camcorder equipped with FireWire for Ģ300 or less and still record acceptable DV footage for PC video editing. And, cheap (DV-in enabled) MiniDV camcorders also offer low-cost alternatives to pricey DV decks, with the added bonus that they can shoot footage and some can act as analogue-to-digital pass-through converters for getting analogue footage into a computer.
Canon has replaced its MV500i and MV600i ranges of budget, single-CCD camcorders with the three-strong MV700i series - all with DV-in/out and all nearly 20 per cent smaller than the models they replace. The CCD imager also has more effective pixels for video footage - 528K instead of 400K - and prices are keen. The best deals we could find were at Pixmania.co.uk, where the MV700i was Ģ338 (inc VAT), the mid-range MV730i was Ģ412, and the top spec MV750i (reviewed here) was, surprisingly, just Ģ408.
The 750i scores over the 730i in a number of ways. It offers a built-in video LED light (for use in total darkness), an S-video output, a longer optical zoom - 22x, rather than 20x (thatīs longer than on some high-end three-chip cams) - and is supplied with a 0.6x wide-angle attachment lens (WA-30.5) for wide-angle filming.
Both feature still-image recording to tape or SD memory card, and use a Progressive Photo System. This allows them to simultaneously capture stills to the card as JPEGs - at 640x480 resolution - while shooting video. Video can also be recorded to card as Motion-JPEG.
Conclusion
At just Ģ408, the MV750i is great value and stands out in more ways than price - general design, good quality lens (with impressive 22x optical zoom) and DV/analogue inputs and outputs.
On the downside, there are no obvious improvements in low-light filming or sound recording or in tape-access - the bottom-loading design grates as much as always.
But, the 750i is certain to appeal to budding videographers (especially those on a tight budget), and anyone needing an all-round, compact camcorder for holidays. |
