The Canon MV890's £189 list price suggests a bare-bones MiniDV camcorder, but the opposite is true -- it's a surprisingly well-appointed model, one that shares impressive core specs -- including a widescreen LCD, plenty of manual controls -- with
The MV890 doesn't capture still photos, though we'd hardly call that a catch, unless you're dying for grainy, 0.7-megapixel basic images. In fact, the MV890 has one desirable feature its costlier siblings lack -- a microphone jack. Unfortunately, there's no accessory shoe on which to mount an external mic, so you'll either have to hold it or get fancy with rubber bands.
In exchange for the microphone jack, you have to give up the wireless remote that comes with the MV930 and the MV960. Other than that, the MV890 is virtually identical to those two models, right down to the 4mm CCD, the simplistic joystick-driven menus and the palm-friendly design. You can find out more about the camcorder's capabilities, performance and image quality by reading our review of the
One of our favourite new features in the MV series is the selectable zoom speed: 1x, 2x, 3x and variable. The last option operates like most zoom controls, tying the speed of the zoom to the amount of pressure on the rocker. The fixed speeds provide a consistent zoom to prevent tell-tale amateur jerkiness, although we just wish you didn't have to dig into the menu system each time you want to change the setting.
As with other MV models, Canon includes eight autoexposure modes, three white-balance options and six shutter-speed settings, as well as the full auto Easy mode. You also get nine digital image effects, along with a nifty level marker that overlays a horizon line on the LCD to help you shoot even, centred images. That's a lot of manual controls for an entry-level camcorder. Plus, you can add a handful of lens converters and filters.
We generally liked the video from the MV890, which captured crisp, colourful video under optimal lighting. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the MV890 has the same problem as the other MVs when it comes to low-light video -- it produces noisy, washed-out images. But that's to be expected from a camcorder with a smallish image sensor and bargain-basement price.
These complaints aside, most low-budget shooters will enjoy the Canon MV890. At this price, it's hard to find a small camcorder with so many features. And given its laudable video quality under most conditions, it's a bargain, even at its full list price.
Edited by Philip Ryan
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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Paul Joyce 20 July 2007
Good: Ease of use
Bad: Nothing - yet
Comment: Based on a number of reviews I took the plunge and bought the Canon MV890. I got it for a really good price at a well known catalogue shop!
Basically, the brief was for a camcorder that was easy to use, not too big and that I could download the movies to my Mac laptop to edit and record onto DVD.
Compared to my old Hi-8 camcorder the MV890 is tiny and fits into my hand quite snuggly once the strap had been adjusted. Controls are very easy to use and the screen view was good even in sunlight. You can find more indepth detail in other reviews.
Playback was very easy to setup through the TV - did highlight how careful you must be when filming to avoid camera wobble! When plugged into the Mac, iMovie recognised the camcorder no problem and it was a cinch to download the movies.
So far I have been very impressed with the MV890, it may be termed an entry level camcorder but for an amateur who just wants to take some basic movies and jazz them up a bit on the computer and then burn them onto DVD for posterity [future blackmail of the kids when they are older!] then for the price this camcorder is definitely worth considering.
The only gripes were that it didn't come with a tape in the box, there was no neck strap and if you want to use it with a computer you will have to buy a firewire cable.
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