Canon announces new SD and HD digital camcorders for 2008

Canon announced its 2008 camcorder line up this morning - there are nine new models that offer a mix of SD and HD recording, with a mix of tape, DVD and solid-state storage.

The entry-level MD205 and MD235 MiniDV SD camcorders use Canon's new Advanced Zoom that combines a genuine Canon video lens with the DIGIC DV processor to a give a digital zoom range of up to 45x. Prices start from around £190 for the MD205 and £220 for the MD235.

MD Series key features:

• 1/6" Interlaced CCD with DIGIC DV image processor
• Optical zoom 32x (MD205), 37x (MD235)
• Sub one second power-up
• LCD Video Light for filming close-up in poorly lit environments
• MD205 total pixels 800,000 (540,000 effective)
• MD235 total pixels 1.07 (710,000 effective)
• MD205 size: 68 x 82 x 127mm; weight: 380g
• MD235 size: 66 x 90 x 126mm; weight 430g

Available: February 2008

Details on the rest of the new line-up after the cut.

The direct-to-DVD DC301 and DC330 SD camcorders use the same Advanced Zoom system and can record in true 16:9 to DVD Dual Layer (DVD-R DL) media. Prices start from around £290 for the DC301 and £250 for the DC330.

DC Series key features:

• 32x optical zoom (MD205), 37x (MD235)
• 1/6"iInterlaced CCD with DIGIC DV II processor
• Still image capture to SD or SDHC memory card
• Multiangle remote control allows for flexible shootin
• LCD Video Light for close-up filming in low-light environments
• DC301 total pixels 800,000 (540,000 effective movie, 530000 effective still)
• DC330 total pixels 1.07 (710,000 effective movie, 800,000 effective still)
• Size: 66 x 90 x 126mm
• Weight: 430g

Available: March 2008

The FS11 and FS100 are SD camcorders that record to solid-state storage - 16Gb of flash memory in the FS11 and SD Card in the FS100. Prices start from around £429 for the FS11 and £299 for the FS100.

FS Series key features:

• FS11: Dual Flash Memory recording to SD/SDHC and internal 16Gb memory (FS11)
• FS100: Direct to SD/SDHC recording
• 37x optical zoom
• 1/6" Interlaced 1.07 megapixel CCD
• 710,000 effective pixels (movie)
• 800,000 effective pixels (still image)
• 37x optical zoom
• W x H x D 58 x 60 x 124mm
• Weight 260g

Available: April 2008

On the HD side are the HV30 and HF Series. The HV30 is an update to the HV20 ('2007 'Camcorder of the Year') and improves upon many of its features. The two new models in the HF Series are both flash memory-based, recording to either internal memory in the case of the HF10 or memory card with the HF100. The HV30 costs around £729, the HF 10 £999 and the HF100 £879.

HV30 key features:

• 1/2.7" 2.96 megapixel HD CMOS with HD-optimised DIGIC DV II processor
• 2.07 effective megapixels (HDV); 2.07 megapixels (DV 16:9), 1.55 megapixels (DV 4:3)
• 2.76 effective megapixels (still image)
• Canon HD video lens
• 10x optical zoom
• Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS)
• Instant AF with manual Focus Assist tool
• 2.7" LCD screen
• 25fps progressive shooting and dedicated CINE image mode
• HDMI or component output; DV in/out
• Size: 88 x 82 x 138mm
• Weight: 535g

Available: February 2008

FR Series key features:

• HF10: Dual Flash Memory: HF10 records to either 16GB internal memory or SD/SDHC memory card
• HF100: records to SD/SDHC memory card
• 1/3.2" 3.31 megapixel CMOS with DIGIC DV II image processor
• 2.07 effective megapixels (movie), 2.76 effective megapixels (4:3 still)
• 12x optical zoom
• Canon HD Video Lens with
• Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer
• Instant AF
• Size: 73 x 64 x 129mm
• Weight: 380g

Available: April 2008