It will do.
Pros:
Decent video and audio quality, ease of use.
Cons:
Annoying motor noise, absence of needed accessories, poor low light performance.
The Bottom Line:
Be patient and save your money, look into one of the more expensive models/brands. It will be worth it to you in the long run.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
By reading Canon's description of this new line of miniDV cameras, you would think you were getting a lot more than you actually are. Motor noise is once again an issue with this Canon. Not a problem in noisy situations, but definitely noticeable at home in quieter scenes.
I find the camera a bit awkward to hold and operate, due to the placement of some of the controls. My hand tends to cramp up because of it. The strap is on an angle, and is very thin, making the camera seem unstable in one's hand.
Before using, I charged the battery overnight. It lasted a big 25 minutes on the first use - only half of what Canon claims for typical use.
The absence of necessary accessories is also a problem. So far, I have had to purchase a firewire card for my computer (which was my problem), a firewire cable for the computer, a separate one for the DVD recorder, and an extra battery. Suddenly my lower-priced camera seems more expensive.
It's not all bad news, though. The video and audio quality (minus the motor whine)are fair enough. The menu and features are nice, and easy to use. It will do for basic home movies, but don't expect much more than that.
