Canon Camcorder MV650i
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The MV650i is a mid size unit with 22x optical zoom with it's digital zoom this can become up to 440x. It is 16x10x5cm and weights around 650grams. It comes with power adapter, USB lead, stereo video cable, SCART socket, hand strap, neck strap, wireless controller (remote control), manuals, CD's and 8MB SD card. What have I missed, nothing, I checked in the manual. NO TAPE.
It has two different modes, one for using the supplied SD card and one for using conventional tape. As with most camcorders you can view what you have taken on it's 5x4cm screen that folds out from the left side. All the controls are clear but I had to read the manual to find out what certain '*' marks meant.
I have always only thought of camcorders as tape machines and it took me a while to overcome my surprise at only getting an SD card. To begin with it is only 8MB not even enough for a minute of images. Secondly you can only take up to 10 seconds of action in a single shoot. When replaying on the screen you cannot hear any soundtrack. You can use it as a conventional camera taking 1024x768 image single shots and I suppose this may be of use to some.
Once I acquired a tape things improved as it was now my idea of a camcorder, shots are no longer time limited and can be replayed almost immediately on it's screen togeather with any sound.
As with so many digital cameras you are assumed to be right handed, with the hand strap and controls all only usable with the right hand. I am left handed but long ago got used to being a minority and have adapted.
After several weeks of use I still find it hard to come to terms with a camcorder sold without a tape. I am also less than happy with the SD card being only 8MB - I am not even happy about digital cameras being supplied with only 16MB cards - and think that a larger card should be supplied.
The idea of taking single images is slowly growing but I still think a camcorder is for moving images, still images - to me anyway - on a camcorder are a novelty. I prefer a digital camera to take still images, but in fairness, most digital cameras can take short moving image sequences so maybe this is the camcorder fighting back.
As a camcorder using a tape this was an acceptable piece of kit, the 'Super Night Mode' was a plus. However using a card and or taking still images, I remain to be convinced. The price (with DABS) is just under £500.
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