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MEGA-TEST
HEAD
SMALL
SCREEN GEMS...
INTRO
Is size
important? We think so; here's a selection of half a dozen of the smallest and
lightest camcorders around, and as you will see small doesn't necessarily mean
expensive
COPY
Six camcorders, costing from £700 to £1200, but what have they got in
common? It's size, or rather the lack of it, because these six are amongst the
smallest and lightest machines on the market. But is that an important issue
anymore, with the average weight of a compact camcorder now little more than a
kilogram? The lightest machine in this round-up has an all-up weight of just under 800 grams, so there's only 200 or
so grams in it -- about as much as a large apple -- so it would seem not, but weight isn't the only consideration.
The difference in size between these machines and the rest of the pack
is quite considerable, the smallest of them will fit comfortably into a coat
pocket, stow easily in weekend luggage or slip into a briefcase. That's the
dividing line between a real go-anywhere sort of camcorder, that you're happy
to take with you wherever you go, and one that spends most of its time
gathering dust in the bottom of a cupboard, because it's just a bit too large
drag about, except on special occasions. As you can see the traditional link
between size and price has been broken, and the smallest machines are not
necessarily the dearest anymore, though it has to be said that if you want to
combine small size and performance then you can expect to pay over the odds,
but if it means you're going to get more use out it, it has to be money well
spent.
By the way, you may be wondering why we haven't included the smallest
and lightest camcorder of all, the Panasonic NV-CS1; that's because it's a
nasty, overpriced record-only machine and we don't like it; ignore it and pay
the extra for a proper camcorder!
CANON
UC40Hi, Hi8, £1200
One of Canon's instantly recognisable 'upright' machines, a close
relative of the UC5 which has an optical image stabiliser and costs a further
£200. Above average performance with its Hi8 and stereo sound recording systems
but otherwise fairly modestly equipped for a machine costing the better part
of £1200. The main features include a
5-mode program AE system, covering most routine shooting conditions, manual
shutter, 16:9 widescreen recording mode and a Control L editing terminal. The
optical zoom is supplemented by a 2x electronic zoom, taking the maximum
magnification up to 24x, though the picture starts to look a little ragged once
you get past 15x.
It's reasonably easy to use, with all of the important controls close
at hand. The limited number of creative facilities and manual controls means
this machine is better suited to straightforward recording work; the
auto-systems cope well with the unexpected, though the autofocus can sometimes
be indecisive if there is a lot of movement within the scene. On-screen
performance is fine, horizontal resolution is a little over 380-lines, when
viewed on a TV or monitor equipped with an S-Video input, even on an ordinary
TV the picture still looks sharper and more detailed than an ordinary 8mm or
VHS-C camcorder. Fairly expensive but a well-engineered machine, capable of
very good results in relatively undemanding situations.
SPECIFICATION
OPTICS
Zoom/lens 12x optical/24x
electronic, f/1.8, 5.4-65mm
Filter
diameter 46mm
CCD 0.3in
Min. illum.
(lux) 3
Size
(mm) 73 x 134 x
195
Weight 0.8kg (inc. tape and
battery)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec.
time 240mins
(LP mode)
IR remote
control ? yes
Edit
terminal? yes (control L)
MAIN
FACILITIES
Manual
iris no
Programmed
AE? yes (5-mode)
Manual
white balance? no
Manual
zoom? no
Backlight
compensation yes
Insert
edit? no
Character
generator? no
Digital
Superimposer? no
Video
light? optional
Fader? yes
AUDIO
Audio Dub? no
Stereo? yes
Mic socket? yes
PERFORMANCE
Resolution 380-lines
Colour
fidelity very good
Picture
stability average
Colour
bleed negligible
White
balance average
Exposure good
Autofocus lively
Audio
performance good
Insert
edit manual
inserts clean
Playback
thru adaptor N/A
VC RATINGS
Value for
money 8
Ease of
use 8
Performance 8
Features 7
HITACHI
VM-H37, Hi8, £900
Reaching the end of the line now, so you may have to hunt around for
this machine, but it's worth the effort, taking into account the price,
specification and very low shooting weight. It's showing its age just a little
by not having a programmed auto-exposure system, and manual camera controls are
rather thin on the ground but to make up for that it has a two-mode digital zoom
(20x and 64x) three-mode fader, digital filter (sunset, sepia and monochrome)
and digital effects which include slim and wide recording modes. It has a
stereo recording system but the microphone doesn't create a very wide image,
and there's no external mic. socket, which is a disadvantage.
Layout and handling are both quite good, though we're not very
impressed with the viewfinder extension tube which has a rather feeble latch
and tends to collapse back to the stowage position if too much pressure is applied.
It's very simple to use, mostly because it has so few controls, but the auto
focus and exposure systems do a reasonably good job, most of the time. Picture
quality is adequate, our sample managed to resolve around 370-lines, (S-Video),
which still looks a great deal better than most ordinary camcorders, but isn't
going to break any records when compared with other high-band machines. Almost
a classic in its day but now mostly of interest to those looking for a very
small, light and easy to use high-band machine, that's not going to break the
bank.
SPECIFICATION
OPTICS
Zoom/lens 8x optical/64x
electronic, f/1.4, 6-48mm
Filter
diameter 34mm
CCD z0.3in
Min. illum.
(lux) 2
Size
(mm) 80.5 x 104 x
238
Weight 0.78kg (inc. tape
and battery)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes/no
Max. rec.
time 240mins
(LP mode)
IR remote
control ? yes
Edit
terminal? no
MAIN
FACILITIES
Manual iris no
Programmed
AE? no
Manual
white balance? no
Manual
zoom? no
Backlight
compensation yes
Insert
edit? yes
Character
generator? yes
Digital
Superimposer? no
Video
light? no
Fader? yes
AUDIO
Audio Dub? no
Stereo? yes
Mic socket? no
PERFORMANCE
Resolution 370-lines
Colour
fidelity good
Picture
stability good
Colour
bleed none
White
balance average
Exposure good
Autofocus average
Audio
performance good
Insert
edit good
Playback
thru adaptor N/A
VC RATINGS
Value for
money 9
Ease of
use 9
Performance 8
Features 8
JVC
GR-AX35/55, VHS-C, £600/750
Two for the price of one; the JVC GR-AX35 and AX55 are so closely
related that we can include them both in this selection of smallest and
lightest machines. On the surface they're unremarkable-looking VHS-C
palmcorders with 6-mode program AE systems, a fair sprinkling of creative and
convenience features, and a built-in video light, in the case of the AX55.
However, what makes both machines so special is the RM-V704 remote control ,
which comes as standard with the AX55, or as an optional extra on the AX35, for
£60. It contains the business end of a sophisticated but simple to use
assemble-editing system that will work with a wide variety of VCRs. Up to eight
scenes can be automatically transferred from the AX35/55 to a VCR, handy for
cutting out all the mistakes and tedious bits, turning a commonplace home video
into a watchable mini production.
Although the picture isn't as sharp or detailed as a high-band machine
it is nonetheless very good, with horizontal resolution for both machines a
little above 240-lines. The AE system
covers most shooting situations; colour accuracy is, or should be near perfect
with no less than nine white balance presets, covering just about every type of
natural and artificial light. It has a few rough edges; manual focus is
cumbersome, there's no external mic socket, and several important facilities
can only be accessed by a second optional remote control, otherwise they're
ideal for movie-makers who want to take their hobby just a little bit further.
By the way, the AX35 is by far the better deal, even taking into account the extra
cost of the remote control handset.
SPECIFICATION
OPTICS
Zoom/lens 10x, f/1.8, 6-60mm
Filter
diameter 43mm
CCD 0.3in
Min. illum.
(lux) 4
Size
(mm) 184 x 120 x
111
Weight 0.9kg (inc. tape and
battery)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec.
time 90mins
(LP mode)
IR remote
control ? no
(optional)
Edit
terminal? yes (see text)
MAIN
FACILITIES
Manual iris no
Programmed
AE? yes (6-mode)
Manual
white balance? yes
Manual
zoom? no
Backlight
compensation yes
Insert
edit? yes
(see text)
Character
generator? no
Digital
Superimposer? no
Video
light? no/yes
(see text)
Fader? yes
AUDIO
Audio Dub? yes (see text)
Stereo? no
Mic socket? no
PERFORMANCE
Resolution 240-lines
Colour
fidelity good
Picture
stability good
Colour
bleed none
White
balance very good
Exposure good
Autofocus average
Audio
performance average
Insert
edit see text
Playback
thru adaptor good
VC RATINGS
Value for
money 9/8
Ease of
use 8
Performance 9
Features 7
PANASONIC
NV-R50, VHS-C, £900
As if to demonstrate that Panasonic can still design and build
top-notch camcorders the NV-R50 almost makes up for the horrible little CS1
record-only machine. In fact the two look quite similar, however, the only
possible thing they have in common is a colour viewfinder. The CS1 has an
optical system, the R50 uses a tiny LCD colour display, built into a hinged
podule at the back of the machine. The feature list is most impressive, it has
a 3-mode program AE and six digital effects. They include gain-up, strobe,
zoom, image stabiliser, wipe and mix, the last two being a very eye-catching
way of easing the transition, from one scene to another. In addition it has a
still or 'snapshot recording mode, and best of all, an RMC or '5-pin' editing
terminal, so it can be used as a source deck with a wide range of edit
controllers and VCRs.
The R50 was one of the first machines to use the new quarter-inch CCD
image sensors, this has enabled the designers to save weight by using smaller,
more compact lens assemblies. The R50 is powered by a 4.8-volt battery, instead
of the larger and heavier 6-volt pack. Neither innovation has any significant
impact on running times or performance, though low-light sensitivity is 10 lux.
which is the upper end of the range for most of today's machines. Horizontal
resolution at 240 lines is approaching the limits of the VHS-C system, and
colour accuracy is also very good. The LCD viewfinder is an acquired taste, and
manual focusing can be difficult, especially in poor light, but they're
comparatively small niggles and this is a most agreeable machine that you
definitely won't want to leave at home.
SPECIFICATION
OPTICS
Zoom/lens 10x optical/15x digital,
f/1.8, 4.6-46mm
Filter
diameter 37mm
CCD 0.25in
Min. illum.
(lux) 10
Size
(mm) 76 x 118 x
233
Weight 0.9kg (inc. tape and
battery)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec.
time 90mins
(LP mode)
IR remote
control ? no
Edit
terminal? yes (5-pin RMC)
MAIN
FACILITIES
Manual iris no
Programmed
AE? yes (3-mode)
Manual
white balance? yes
Manual
zoom? no
Backlight
compensation yes
Insert
edit? no
Character
generator? no
Digital
Superimposer? no
Video
light? no
Fader? yes
AUDIO
Audio Dub? no
Stereo? no
Mic socket? yes
PERFORMANCE
Resolution >240-lines
Colour
fidelity very good
Picture
stability very good
Colour
bleed none
White
balance good
Exposure good
Autofocus good
Audio
performance average
Insert
edit manual inserts
clean
Playback
thru adaptor good
VC RATINGS
Value for
money 8
Ease of
use 9
Performance 9
Features 9
SAMSUNG
VP-405, 8mm, £700
This Korean-made machine has broken through a number of important barriers, not least the fact that
it is now the cheapest 8mm machine with stereo sound; that's all the more
remarkable at a time when camcorder prices have been steadily rising. Although
at first glance the design appears a little dated -- it resembles palmcorders
of a year or two ago -- the specification wouldn't shame most recent mid-market
sub-compacts. It has a 5-mode program AE system, title superimposer, manual
shutter, self/interval timers and inner-focus lens, though the manual focus
control is nothing to write home about. Fortunately the rest of the controls
are fairly well placed, and easy to get at.
Although the E405 isn't especially small it is very light. We suspect
this may, in part at least, be a result
of the thinner panels and less rigid construction, compared with some other
palmcorders, though we have to say that as far as we're aware this hasn't
affected the machine's reliability or survivability. Compared with rival
machines, costing between £700 and £900 the E405 gives a very good account of
itself and there's little or no sign of cost-cutting when it comes to picture
quality. The program AE system isn't especially effective, and one or two modes
didn't seem to do much at all, however, with horizontal resolution approaching
240 lines recorded images look crisp and detailed, with natural-looking
colours.
SPECIFICATION
OPTICS
Zoom/lens 8x, f/1.8, 6-48mm
Filter
diameter 37mm
CCD 0.3in
Min. illum.
(lux) 3
Size
(mm) 106 x 109 x
175
Weight 0.9kg (inc. tape and
battery)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec.
time 240mins
(LP mode)
IR remote
control ? yes
Edit
terminal? no
MAIN
FACILITIES
Manual iris no
Programmed
AE? yes (5-mode)
Manual
white balance? yes
Manual
zoom? no
Backlight
compensation yes
Insert
edit? no
Character
generator? no
Digital
Superimposer? yes
Video
light? no
Fader? yes
AUDIO
Audio Dub? no
Stereo? yes
Mic socket? yes
PERFORMANCE
Resolution 240-lines
Colour
fidelity good
Picture
stability average
Colour
bleed none
White
balance good
Exposure average
Autofocus fair
Audio
performance fair
Insert
edit good
Playback
thru adaptor N/A
VC RATINGS
Value for
money 9
Ease of
use 8
Performance 7
Features 9
SONY
CCD-TR1 Hi8, £1200
This is the colour viewfinder version of the mould-breaking, and
recently discontinued, Sony TR8. One of the reasons this camcorder is so small
and light is its compact but high-power lithium-ion battery, which fits inside
the body of the machine, it can also be charged in-situ. Lithium-ion batteries
are immune to energy-sapping effects such as cell imbalance and charge memory,
which means they should have a significantly longer life. In addition to the
Hi8 recording system, and stereo sound, the TR1 has both manual and programmed
(3-mode) exposure controls, a half-decent colour LCD viewfinder and a Control L
editing terminal. Altogether a very well thought out design with its clever
'Handycam Station' power adaptor/charger and AV converter. The machine 'docks'
with the station, cutting out the need for extra cables and boxes.
In spite of its very small size and shape the controls are all
reasonably accessible and very easy to use. A most attractive looking machine
in its unusual sliver-grey livery, it's unmistakably Sony. Picture quality is
very good with horizontal resolution a little over 380-lines, making it one of
the top performers in its class. We noted some slight intolerance to knocks and
bumps on one of our samples but in normal use it delivers crisp, bright picture
with lifelike colours. The smallest machine in this selection by quite a
margin, and that, combined with better than average performance and facilities,
puts it at the top of our list. Recommended.
SPECIFICATION
OPTICS
Zoom/lens 8x, f/1.4, 5.9-47.2mm
Filter
diameter 37mm
CCD 0.3in
Min. illum.
(lux) 3
Size
(mm) 92 x 102 x
173
Weight 0.86 kg (inc. tape
and battery)
VIDEO DECK
Long Play (LP) yes
Max. rec.
time 240mins
(LP mode)
IR remote
control ? yes
Edit
terminal? yes (Control L)
MAIN
FACILITIES
Manual
iris yes
Programmed
AE? yes (3-mode)
Manual
white balance? no
Manual
zoom? no
Backlight
compensation no
Insert
edit? no
Character
generator? no
Digital
Superimposer? no
Video
light? no
Fader? no
AUDIO
Audio Dub? no
Stereo? yes
Mic socket? yes
PERFORMANCE
Resolution 380-lines
Colour
fidelity very good
Picture
stability average
Colour
bleed none
White
balance fair
Exposure very good
Autofocus good
Audio
performance good
Insert
edit manual inserts
clean
Playback
thru adaptor N/A
VC RATINGS
Value for
money 8
Ease of
use 8
Performance 9
Features 8
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