Product Reviews

It's difficult to see where the differences lie between Canon's new MV600 series of Mini DV camcorders and the MV500 series it supersedes. In fact, the MV600i looks and feels exactly like the MV500i model it replaces.

The four camcorders in the series - the DV/AV-out-only MV600, the MV600i, the MV630i and the top-of-the-range MV650i - share the same square, upright body styling that's both eye-catching and unusual.

What makes its shape so distinct is the positioning of the f1.6, 18x optical zoom lens at the top of the camcorder's front face. The 2.5in colour LCD nestles comfortably into the left side of the streamlined body, with large, accessible playback buttons. The latter is certainly a welcome feature in a world where such controls are often hidden away.

Control crews

The main menu button and selector thumbwheel are prominently featured where they can be easily reached - a step back from the LCD screen - and can be accessed whether the screen is in use or not. The right side of the body features a zoom toggle, photo button and the main power switch. The built-in audio speaker is featured on the outer body of the camcorder, too.

The 1/6in CCD gives a resolution of 800,000 pixels, which produces pleasing pictures in bright sunlight. There's full manual control over focus, exposure and white balance, together with access to a range of Program AE modes. Manual focus is activated by the dual-functioning Play button and adjusted by the menu thumbwheel. The camcorder also provides a range of other features, including 16:9 (though not anamorphic) widescreen, electronic image stabiliser and digital effects.

Most notable is the inclusion of six electronic shutter rates - from 1/50 up to 1/1000. We found this feature very useful for synchronising the scanning rate of a computer screen when featured in shot; other users will find uses in slow-motion analysis and where crystal-clear still frames are required from video footage.

The image stabiliser failed to enhance shot stability to any noticeable degree and appears to have been included in this device only as a sales gimmick. This is certainly the case with the inclusion

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of a digital zoom whose upper range reaches 360x magnification. With highly pixellated and near-useless images in the upper end of the digital zoom magnification range, it's difficult to understand why such a feature continues to be included at all. The optical zoom capabilities of the MV600i will be acceptable to most users, with image quality and zoom toggle operation being more than adequate.

In common with an ever-increasing number of camcorders, all 600-series models feature a bottom-loading tape compartment, so if the camcorder happens to be mounted on a tripod, you won't be able to change tapes. The MV600i features not only a microphone socket but also a headphone socket that doubles as the AV output and input socket. A flap on the nose of the camcorder opens to reveal the digital FireWire-in/out and S-Video-out sockets.

Designed to make the most of the camcorder's analogue input capability, the audio and video insert feature provides a useful way to insert external video (such as from another video source like a VHS player or analogue camcorder) into an existing DV recording in the camcorder, although a Mac user could carry this out more easily using iMovie and a FireWire connection. It's also doubtful whether many owners will use either the insert or the camera's built-in digital video effects beyond the first few uses of the model.

Whir's the catch?

The MV600i handles well and will suit many first-time users looking for a decent quality, easy-to-use camcorder. However, this model's not without its faults. For a start, we were unimpressed by its performance in low light; it doesn't compare with equivalent Sony or Panasonic models, with images being decidedly flat and grainy when corners of a dimly lit room are featured. While we like the general styling of the body, it doesn't dampen handling noise when recording.

The stereo electret condenser microphone tends to pick up the slightest vibration when used in quiet environments. What's worse is that the MV600i's tape transport system is very noisy, with the result that the distinct and audible whirring is picked up by the built-in microphone. Not only is this noise very apparent when recording in quiet surroundings, but it is, in fact, noticeable in other situations as well. This won't please those people who were dissuaded from buying camcorders in the MV500 range for this very reason, and should be a matter of great concern to Canon.

Given the low price, the Canon MV600i's feature set will attract many new DV users who will be impressed by its ability to accept analogue, as well as digital, sources. However, those who are seeking a higher degree of sound clarity and low-light resolution from a prospective camcorder should look elsewhere.