Still no hard-disk Canon camcorders

Canon prepares its latest conscripts for the camcorder wars but there's still no sign of any hard-disk or hybrid warriors.

Yesterday, CNET.com.au got a hands-on preview of the March additions to Canon's camcorder line-up. There are four new DVD models due in shops around March and all boast higher megapixel counts than the units they replace. Additionally there are two new miniDV cameras already in shops.

DVD camcorders
As previewed at CES 2007, three models -- the DC210, DC220 and DC230 -- replace the DC100. All three gain new streamlined controls, including a joystick for manual settings, QuickStart -- which promises 0.7-second start-up times from power-saving mode -- and support for dual-layer DVDs.

Replacing the DC40 is the DC51, which boasts an extra megapixel over its predecessor and optical image stabilisation, in addition to the new features found in the DC210, DC220 and D230.

miniDV camcorders
Two new miniDV camcorders have already found their way into Australian shops.

DC51	Price: AU$1,499 Available: TBA Recording medium: DVD-RW and DVD-R including dual-layer 10x Canon zoom lens 5.39 megapixel CCD 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD Optical image stabilisation Primary colour filter Real wide-screen mode LED night light Read our hands-on first take here
DC230	Price: AU$829 Available: mid-March Recording medium: DVD-RW and DVD-R including dual-layer 35x Canon zoom lens 1.07 megapixel CCD 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD Real wide-screen mode LED night light
DC220	Price: AU$779 Available: mid-March Recording medium: DVD-RW and DVD-R including dual-layer 35x Canon zoom lens 800,000 pixel CCD 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD Real wide-screen mode
DC210	Price: AU$729 Available: mid-March Recording medium: DVD-RW and DVD-R including dual-layer 35x Canon zoom lens 800,000 pixel CCD 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD Real wide-screen mode

MD160	Price: AU$699 Available: on sale 35x Canon zoom lens 1.07 megapixel CCD 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD Real wide-screen mode LED night light
MD120	Price: AU$549 Available: on sale Recording medium: miniDV 35x Canon zoom lens 1.07 megapixel CCD 2.7-inch widescreen LCD Real wide-screen mode