Canon V75Hi

Author's product rating:   

Ease of use	Excellent
Recording quality	Good
Picture quality	Good
Sound quality	Excellent
Value for money	Excellent

Advantages:	Great size, shape and performance !
Disadvantages:	not digital, but who cares? its super without being digital !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I have owned this camcorder for a couple of months and am thrilled to bits by it. It is amazing value for money!

Where should i start?

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Size: The canon v75hi is very small ( for a non-digital camcorder ). The camcorder could be easily stored anywhere and could be placed inside any size backpack for a plane / boat journey. I find that the Canon v75hi is perfect size-wise, not to small yet not too big.

Shape: The canon v75hi has a great shape to it, it fits well into any size hands. The casing is nicely rounded and also looks good.

Strength: This camcorder has a sturdy feel to it. When you hold it you feel as if it is built to last, unlike so many modern electronics. The majority of the casing is plastic, with metal bits here and there. The straps ( hand + neck straps ) feel strong and secure.

----------------------------Performance-----------------------------------

Screens: The canon v75hi has a 2" LCD screen ( full Colour ) as well as the viewfinder ( black + white ). Both of the viewfinders work very well. The option of using the screen or viewfinder is nice, as different conditions require you to use a different one, for example, in sunlight. The fold out screen turns 180 degrees allowing you to record yourself, if thats what you like doing! personally i don't.

Image quality: The canon v75hi is a Hi8mm Camcorder, meaning that it uses hi8 tapes. Hi8 tapes are better quality than the older 8mm tapes. The image quality depends on your environment and light. During the day while filming outside the quality is excellent. During the day while filming inside the quality is also excellent. The camcorder is not able to film in total darkness or extreamly low light, for example, a dark room lit with a torch.

Photo button: Yes, this camcorder can take still pictures, that are saved on to the hi8 tape. This is handy for adding effect to the start of a video

Buttons and features: Have you noticed all of the features that the expensive camcorders have? Well, you don't need them all. However, the canon v75hi has all of the functions you DO need. These include, fade, focus, backlight compensation, exposure, zoom and all the buttons required to playback and edit videos, such as adding titles.

Zoom: The canon v75hi has 2 types of zoom, optical and digital. Optical x22 and digital x 880. However the only zoom i use is optical, as using it results in no loss of quality.

Focus and exposure: The canon v75hi has auto/manual focus and exposure. Keep them on auto, because you dont need to use manual.

Modes: there are several different filming modes. Auto, sports, etc..... i always stay in auto.

Battery life: WOW! The battery life is amazing, compared to my previous camcorder. If you are careful, and turn it off when your not using it, you will get hours out of it. Plenty for a wedding, school play etc... Although i would always bring an extra battery, because you never know what might need filming!

Tapes: Use Hi8 tapes, you will get 90mins recording time from each!

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The camcorder charges in around 3 hours.

You get a remote control and all required cables with the camcorder.

Conclusion: I am being totally honest in saying " I wouldn't change mine for the world"

If i had to record a very important event, and i only had one shot at it, I would completely trust thin little canon!

A bargin for under £200. Why pay £500+ when this is perfect?

I hope this review helps!