For most, Canon’s big announcement today will be the new HDV Canon HV10, but for some Canon fans the new Canon DC22 will also be worthy of noting. The Canon DC22 looks like it will replace the DC10 and DC20 models. The DC22 has many of the same features as the old camcorders, but adds some important new ones, too.
First and foremost, the Canon DC22 will be able to use new dual-layer MiniDVDs, which will effectively double the recording time possible. On the highest quality mode this will allow for 36 minutes of recording time. Set the quality down and you can get 54 minutes in SP mode and 108 minutes in LP mode. Happy days for consumers who are sick of 20-30 minute recording limits.
The Canon DC22 features a 1/3.9″ CCD, which has 2,200,000 gross pixels with 1,380,000 effective pixels in 16:9 mode with IS on. The DC22 improves on its predecessors with a 2.7″ widescreen LCD.
More new features include a “Smooth Zoom Control” feature, which lets you choose among three choices for a fixed zoom speed or turn it off and be touch-sensitive, and Canon’s “Level Shot Control,” useful for centering and leveling your shot.
The DC22 will be available the end of this month, August, for the price of $699.
