Casio EX-Z400 - EXILIM Digital Camera Instruction Manual download pdf (Page 3)

20 Which? Right Choice September 2009 September 2009 Which? Right Choice 21

CAMCORDERS

www.whichrightchoice.com www.whichrightchoice.com

HOW WE TEST

Our exclusive precision tests use

state-of-the-art equipment, rating

each of the camcorders for video

quality, ease of use and more.

Here, we take a look at how we

test video quality and battery life.

VIDEO QUALITY

We examine video quality under

different light conditions and

different settings, using test

charts, real-life recordings and

specially configured scenes.

Image sharpness, colour fidelity

and absence of noise (random

speckles of colour) are three of

the things we look for in good

video. To assess quality, we use a

projector to blow up each video

to about 2.2 metres wide. At this

size, even the smallest flaws are

visible.

We also measure how quickly

and how reliably the camcorder

autofocuses on different scenes

and objects. We measure at

different zoom settings, and in

various light conditions (dim

lighting and a fully zoomed-in

lens can cause many camcorders

problems when autofocusing).

We test the image

stabilisation system using a

specially set-up camcorder shaker

that mimics the tiny, barely

noticeable movements that a

hand makes, even when you’re

trying to keep still.

BATTERY LIFE

Before testing battery life, we

‘condition’the camcorder’s

battery to make it a fair test. We

fully charge it, then discharge it,

then charge it again.

We then put the camcorder

on a rotating turntable, with

various objects of different sizes

at different distances from the

camcorder. With autofocus, image

stabilisation and the LCD on, we

measure how long the camcorder

records on a single charge. We do

this indoors, under consistent

lighting conditions.

Right Choice camcorders

For outstanding video quality

Rs58,995

Sony’s HDR-SR11 is a fantastic high-definition camcorder that captures

superb footage in various conditions. It is very quick to focus, offers good

sound quality, and you can record to either a memory card or the 60GB hard

disk (giving you about 430 minutes of recording time at the highest quality).

It has a 12x optical zoom. There’s very little noise disturbance from the zoom

and other operational buttons when recording, but the wind filter is

relatively ineffective. The zoom microphone works well in picking up distant

sound, though. Battery life is decent, the monitor is clear and the remote

control works well, though it is pretty heavy.

Recording format

Hard disk (60GB),

memory card

Size 7.5x9.5x14cm

Weight 640g

Optical zoom 12

For a compact hard-disk model

Rs49,995

The HDC-HS9 captures great movies in high definition, storing them on its

large 60GB hard disk (460 minutes at top recording quality). We found that

the quality of the picture is wonderful, both indoors and out, with the only

minor criticism being that the focus isn’t so sharp when zooming in dim

light. It picks up sound well, with very little disturbance from any of the

mechanisms. The wind filter noticeably reduces the whistling of the wind,

which is particularly useful, as an external microphone can’t be attached to

this model. The zoom microphone, which is tied in with the 10x optical

zoom, isn’t as effective as some of the other models we’ve tested.

Recording format

Hard disk (60GB)

Size 7.5x8.5x12.5cm

Weight 440g

Optical zoom 10

For a quick, lightweight HD model

Rs45,785

The SD9 is very similar to the HS9 (left), but footage is recorded to an SD

memory card instead of an internal hard disk. As with most memory-card

models, no card is included in the box, so you’ll need to buy one separately.

This is reflected in the SD9’s lower price. Video and sound quality are

virtually identical to the HS9, although the SD9 is quicker to start up. From a

completely off position, it is ready to shoot in 4.2 seconds, versus 6.5

seconds for the HS9. In fact, the SD9 is the quickest camcorder we tested to

start up, making it a great choice for spontaneous shooting. The SD9 lasts

119 minutes on a single charge. It is also the lightest HD model we tested.

Recording format

Memory card

Size 6.5x7.5x12.5cm

Weight 330g

Optical zoom 10

For still photos

Rs70,400

Weighing 430g, the Canon HF10 is heavier than many standard-definition

models, yet is one of the lighter HD camcorders available. The optical zoom

is 12x . The similarly proportioned standard-definition Canon FS10 (10) and

FS100 (11) both incorporate a 37x optical zoom. The HF10 truly shines over

the FS10 and FS100, however, with its crisp, vivid image quality. Even in

panning shots images stay sharp and clearly defined. Colour definition is

very good. It’s unfortunate, then, that the HF10 doesn’t boast better sound.

Bass is rather thin, and overall sound is underwhelming. It comes with an

internal flash memory of 16GB, though it also takes SD memory cards.

For still photos

Rs69,300

If you like the sound of the Canon HF10 (opposite) , the HF100

may also be worth considering. The two models are virtually

identical, but the HF100 has no internal flash memory — just a

memory-card slot for SD memory cards. None is included, so

you’ll need to buy one separately. They are cheap, though —

a 16GB SD card costs around Rs1,950. However, the HF10, with

its 16GB internal memory, costs Rs850 less than the HF100

with a 16GB SD card — and it has the convenience of internal

memory.

Recording format

Memory card, flash

memory

Size 6.5x8x13cm

Weight 430g

Optical zoom 12

For recording footage straight to DVD

Rs74,350

Canon’s HR10 is a great choice if you’re after a DVD camcorder.

Video quality is high, both indoors and out, and still images are

very good for a camcorder. The sound quality is also impressive

and the autofocus is great in dim light, when most camcorders

struggle. It records to DVD-RW or DVD-R. It’s very versatile, and

provides more manual functions for still photography than

many entry-level digital cameras. There’s also a remote control,

which is easy to use and operable over a reasonable distance,

and a built-in video lamp to illuminate dark scenes. A charged

battery will give you 101 minutes of recording time. Like most

DVD camcorders, however, it’s quite slow to start recording

after being switched on — more than 10 seconds.

For a very good HD camcorder without

spending too much

Rs49,900

This relatively compact Samsung is reasonably affordable

and delivers crisp image quality and very good colour

reproduction. It’s not light (500g), but it still fits neatly into

your hand. The impressive image quality is a real draw. In

broad daylight it gives excellent results, coping well with

complex shadow contrasts and subtle colour distinctions.

Even indoors in dim light, it acquits itself well. Sound is good

without being first class. Crucially, you don’t hear the workings

of the camcorder itself. It has an internal flash memory of 8GB,

which is a good start, but for long filming sessions, you’ll

definitely want to buy extra SD memory cards.

SAMSUNG VP-HMX20C

CANON HR10

CANON HF100

CANON HF1079

SONY HDR-SR11

PANASONIC HDC-HS9 76

PANASONIC HDC-SD9

Recording format

Memory card/Flash memory

Size 7x8x14cm

Weight 500g

Optical zoom 10

Recording format DVD

Size 9.5x8x13.5cm

Weight 600g

Optical zoom 10

Recording format

Memory card

Size 6.5x8x13cm

Weight 430g

Optical zoom 12

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Casio EX-Z400 - EXILIM Digital Camera Instruction Manual Page 3

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