Canon DC40 4.3MP DVD Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Other products by Canon

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000DZH5W8
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,832 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #41 in

  Camera & Photo > Camcorders > Digital DVD

• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 30, 2006

Product Description

Product Description

Like all of Canon's new camcorders, the DC40 is optimized for High Resolution true 16:9 widescreen recording, meaning the footage it records is suitable for playback on the very latest widescreen TV sets. The camcorder's High Resolution, wide color LCD screen and full color viewfinder ensure footage can be monitored during recording exactly as it would appear on a widescreen television. The Level Marker, provided on the LCD, is the best way to keep the horizon line perfectly in position, ensuring high impact panoramic shots every time. For playback on normal televisions, 4:3 shooting is available and easily selected with the push of a single button. Images recorded in widescreen can also be watched on a normal TV in letterbox format.The DC40's distinctive perpetual curve design reflects the natural ease-of-shooting that consumers have come to expect from DVD. To provide effortless handheld shooting, the body of the camcorder is conceived around a single, cylindrical shape. Ergonomically molded as a continuous and flowing curve, the DC40 is a natural fit in the hand, with controls clustered around the mode dial and positioned for intuitive and easy operation.The DIGIC DV image processor provides separate processing paths for video and still images, saved to ultra-compact MiniSD card. With DIGIC DV, the DC40 guarantees optimal color reproduction for each: together with a range of advanced digital photography functions, such as dedicated flash for stills and one-push direct printing, the camcorder is a high-capacity, multi-purpose digital imaging tool.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Camera, well-built. Limited editing, November 23, 2006

By	C. Stanley (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this camera for general use and like it a lot. Compared to other cameras ive owned this one has very good sound recording capability. It's ergonomics are good and its pleasant to use for the most part. Using the DVD options on the camera could be a little more refined but I imagine that will mature with future generations. I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a DVD camcorder to use for family or low end presentations.
The Bad: The editing software included with it is rubbish and requires shelling out more money right off the bat if you actually want to create anything reasonably professional with any footage. In my opinion its a technical support headache waiting to happen. I checked it out then threw it in the trash.
It also does not have firewire which is highly irritating and odd considering my older Canons/sonys all have firewire connectivity. MAC USERS: This means it will not work with iMovie or Final Cut Pro / Express.
Since my preference is for using OS X based editing suites I finish out the DVD and then put it in the computer directly. Rip the footage off the DVD and then import it into either FCP or iMovie. If only it had firewire...
In short: Great camera, very good sound, easy to use and pleasant to operate. Clunky, out-of-box-upgrade-requiring, low-end editing software and lack of firewire keep it from being the perfect little camera it should be.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic. Easy to Use. A+, July 21, 2006

By	Monique Sears (Burns, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excellent.
Easy to use. Easy to use instruction manual too. I tried out a SONY camcorder, and found the CANON much easier.

Switching between camcorder, and still photos is as easy as flipping a switch.

Photos are excellent! I have printed out 5X7s and 8X10s. I take a lot of photos, and they come out great. The flash is small and only reaches so far. Photos may be blurry or dark if the flash can not recharge in time, or you are too far away. Turning on a light helps this.

No firewire. However, you dont' really need one. It's dvd. After you finalize your dvd, you just slip it into your computer dvd drive, or put it into your dvd player. . .and there you go. You are ready to play your home movies.

Applause for the remote control! This remote works fast. I used to have a high-end digital camera, and the remote was always slow to respond. This remote takes photos great. Get a tripod, and let everyone be in the photo! It's away. It works with both video, and still photos.

Drawbacks: Price. (Ouch) It is the top of line, right now, however. I think it blows the SONY away.
You do have to pay for the upgrade on MYDVD, if you plan on editing a lot. However, you can use any DVD editing program that you like
Otherwise, I can see no drawbacks.. I love my CANON D40

Added 10/2007 :
be sure not to drop this camcorder. I have had other camcorders in the past and have dropped them with nothing breaking. However, I dropped this twice, a short drop onto carpet, and each time the unit broke. It locked up, and could not do anything. Same problem both times. That heavens, I only had to pay to have it repaired once.

Samantha

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars djm- solid choice, July 26, 2006

By	DM - See all my reviews

After looking into a camcorder with DVD capability and the flexibility of good still photos, I decided to go with the Canon DC40. It has everything I wanted and is easy to use, at least up until this point (I haven't transferred photos or movies to my computer). The only drawbacks that I have noticed is that battery must be charged by plugging in the camera so you're unable to use the camera while charging your second battery and the battery life if you take stills does not last very long. You can purchase a separate charger (approx $20). Photo quality is great and DVD quality is great. Indoor settings you have to remember to check lighting or use the flash. I don't have much of basis to compare it to, but I do love the camera. It beats carrying a camcorder and still camera and the picture quality is no comparison from older generation cameras. Definitely something to have with small children.