Canon's MVX2i digital camera doubles as both a digital still camera and a mini digital video recorder. See how it stacks up in our Australian review.
Compact in size, the 535 gram MCX2i is compact and rather stylish with a matte-silver finish. The camera´s layout is user friendly with controls and features that is relatively easy to learn and use.
The camera´s primary function is as a digital video recorder. You can record up to 9 different footage types for different recording situations. One feature that is especially nice is the super night mode to save power and a built in video light with a range of a few meters to capture images in darkness. The Canon also comes with a DV Messenger that can stream live video through the IEEE 1394(Firewire) port for videoconferencing.
In addition to recording digital video the MVX2i is also a 1.3 megapixel still digital camera. It records images in M-JPEG format to the included 8MB Secure Digital card that is included. Canon includes a USB port that was relatively fast when transferring images from the camera to a PC. You can capture still pictures at either 1,280x960 or 640x480 resolution.
The MVX2i MC´s auto focus system works reasonably fast and decisively, and the lens zooms quickly, smoothly, and quietly. You can control manual focus with a dial on the lens. Most higher end cameras will offer more in the way of manual focus controls, but for a camera in this price range it's acceptable. Our other main gripe is the optical stabiliser. It works at a reasonable level, but failed to eliminate all camera shake when the lens was zoomed.
The camera's 6cm LCD displays a reasonably sharp image with average visibility in bright outdoor light, and the color viewfinder is also fairly sharp. The cassette loading was a little clunky and is a feature that some users could find frustrating.
Our exposures in Digital Video format were also generally good. Transferring the digital video through the IEEE 1394 port was relatively simple, and comparable in speed to other digital video cameras. The Video Presenter softare that was supplied was easy to install and completed most base level video editing.
Our stills were satisfactory. As you'd expect, it can't match higher end dedicated still cameras; if you want that functionality you can get a better digital camera at a lower price than the MVX2i. If you already have a Canon CP-10 or CP-100 compatible printer you can connect the camera directly to the printer without the need for a PC.
Overall Canon's MVX2i provides a great a fun, easy to use still and DV camera. This camera would be suited to users who are after a fun Digital Video camera that happens to take still shots -- there's no shortage of still cameras that will capture small quantities of video, after all.
Canon MVX2i
Company: Canon Australia
Price: AU$2,999
Distributor: Selected resellers
Phone: 1800 021 167
