Canon camcorder DC420 User Manual

							
Video • 31
Selecting the Zoom Type
Options
 Default value
 
[  MENU]   
[  CAMERA SETUP]   
[ZOOM TYPE]   Desired option 
NOTES
• The range of the advanced zoom will  change depending on the aspect ratio of 
the scene 
( 30).
•  Advanced zoom cannot be  selected if [WIDESCREEN] is set to 
[ OFF]. 
Using the Zoom
Move the zoom lever toward  W to 
zoom out (wide-angle). Move it 
toward  T to zoom in (telephoto).
Press gently for slower zooms; press 
harder for faster zooms. You can also 
set [ZOOM SPEED] ( 68) to one of 
three constant speeds (3 is the fastest, 1 
the slowest).
NOTES
• Keep at least 1 m (3.3 ft.) away from the  subject. At full wide-angle, you can focus 
on a subject as close as 1 cm (0.39 in.).
• When [ZOOM SPEED] is set to  [ VARIABLE], the zoom speed will be 
faster in record pause mode than when 
actually recording.
( 21)
[OPTICAL] (37x) 
The zoom range is limited to the optical 
magnification ratio of the lens.
[ADVANCED] (Advanced Zoom)
In addition to the optical zoom range, the 
camcorder processes the image digitally to obtain 
a larger zoom range without any deterioration in 
image quality. When recording movies with a 
16:9 aspect ratio, the angle of view will change. 
Refer to the table in the NOTES section.
[DIGITAL] (2000x)
When this option is selected, the camcorder will 
switch to digital zoom (light blue area on the 
zoom indicator) when you zoom in beyond the 
optical zoom range (white area on the zoom 
indicator). With the digital zoom the image is 
processed digitally so image quality will 
deteriorate the more you zoom in.
FUNC.
FUNC.
[WIDESCREEN] set to [  ON] (16:9)   48x* 
 41x**
* The angle of view will be wider at both full telephoto and full wide-angle.
** The angle of view will be wider at full  wide-angle.
[WIDESCREEN] set to [  OFF] (4:3)
 55x 
 Not available
( 21)
W  Zoom out
Zoom in
T   
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32 • Video
Quick Start Function
When you close the LCD panel with the 
camcorder set to a recording mode, the 
camcorder enters the standby mode. In 
standby mode the camcorder consumes 
only about half the power used when 
recording, saving energy when you are 
using a battery pack. Additionally, when 
you open the LCD panel, the camcorder 
is ready to start recording in 
approximately 1 second*, ensuring you 
do not miss important shooting 
opportunities.
* The actual time required varies depending on the shooting conditions.
1With the camcorder on and the 
CAMERA indicator lit up in green, 
close the LCD panel.
• If you are using the viewfinder and 
the LCD panel is closed, press   to enter the standby 
mode.
• A beep will sound and the  CAMERA indicator will change to 
orange to indicate the camcorder 
entered the standby mode.
2When you wish to resume 
recording, open the LCD panel.
• The CAMERA indicator turns back green and the camcorder is ready 
to record.
• You can also press   to  resume recording using the 
viewfinder with the LCD panel 
closed.
IMPORTANT
Do not disconnect the power source while 
the camcorder is in standby mode 
(
CAMERA indicator is lit in orange). 
NOTES
• If you close the LCD panel under some 
circumstances (for example, while the 
DISC access indicator is flashing or a 
menu is being displayed), the camcorder 
may not enter standby mode. Check that 
the 
CAMERA indicator changes to 
orange.
• The camcorder will shut off if left in  standby mode for 10 minutes, regardless 
of the [POWER SAVE] setting ( 71). To 
restore the power if the camcorder shut 
off, turn the   switch toward MODE 
and release it, or turn the camcorder off 
and then on again.
• You can select the length of time until  shut-off or turn off the Quick Start 
function altogether with the [QUICK 
START] setting ( 71).
• Performing any of the following actions  while the camcorder is in standby mode 
will reactivate the camcorder.
- Opening the disc compartment cover.
- Changing the position of the  /  switch.
- Turning the   switch toward  MODE.
Reviewing and Deleting the Last Scene 
Recorded
Even in   mode you can play 
back the last scene recorded in order to 
check it. If you are using a DVD-RW 
disc, you can also delete the scene 
while reviewing it.
( 21)
VIEWFINDER
VIEWFINDER
( 21)
NEXT
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Video • 33
1Press   to display the joystick 
guide.
If   does not appear on the joystick 
guide, repeatedly push the joystick 
( ) toward [NEXT] to display it.
2Push the joystick ( ) toward  .
The camcorder plays back the last 
scene (but without sound) and 
returns to record pause mode.
Deleting a Scene After Recording It
POINTS TO CHECK
Disc type:  DVD-RW
After recording a scene:
1Review the scene as described in 
the previous section.
2While reviewing the scene, select 
( )   and press  .
3Select ( ) [YES] and press  .
NOTES
• Avoid any other operations on the  camcorder while the scene is being 
deleted.
• You will not be able to delete the last  scene if after the scene was recorded 
you changed the operating mode, turned 
off the camcorder or removed the disc.
Basic Playback
Playing Back the Video
1Move the  /  switch to   
(movies).
2Turn the   switch to ON, then 
turn it toward MODE and release it 
to set the camcorder in PLAY 
mode.
• The green PLAY indicator will turn on.
• The scene index screen appears.
3Move ( ,  ) the selection 
frame to the scene you want to 
play back. 
4Press   to begin the playback.
• Playback will start from the scene  selected and continue until the end 
of the last scene recorded.
• Push the joystick ( ) toward  /  to pause the playback.
Basic Playback
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34 • Video
• Push the joystick ( ) toward   to 
stop the playback and return to the 
scene index screen.
During the playback of a scene:  
[
 SPEAKER VOL.] 
Adjust ( ) the volume 
NOTES
• Depending on the recording conditions,  you may notice brief stops in video or 
sound playback between scenes.
• This camcorder can play back discs  recorded with this camcorder. You may 
not be able to correctly play back discs 
recorded with other camcorders or discs 
created with a computer.
• When playing back a finalized disc,  depending on the number of scenes, it 
may take a few seconds before the index 
screen appears.
• Sound from the speaker will be muted  when the LCD panel is closed in order to 
use the viewfinder for playback.
Special playback modes
Use the joystick guide to enter the 
special playback modes. There is no 
sound during the special playback 
modes.
Fast playback
During normal playback, push the 
joystick ( ) toward   or ( ) toward  . Push it in the same direction again 
to increase the playback speed.
Slow playback
In playback pause mode, push the 
joystick ( ) toward   or ( ) toward  . 
Push it in the same direction again to 
increase the playback speed 1/8 
→ 1/4 
the normal speed.
Ending special playback modes
During any special playback mode, push 
the joystick ( ) toward  / .
NOTES
During some special playback modes, you 
may notice some anomalies (blocky video 
artifacts, banding, etc.) in the playback 
picture.
TO ADJUST THE VOLUME
FUNC.
FUNC.
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Video • 35
Deleting Scenes
If you are using a DVD-RW disc, you can 
delete those scenes that you are not 
interested in keeping.
Deleting a Single Scene
POINTS TO CHECK
Disc type:   DVD-RW • VR mode
From the original index screen, select 
( ,  ) the scene to delete.
 
[ DELETE] 
 [YES]
Deleting All Scenes
POINTS TO CHECK
Disc type:   DVD-RW • VR mode
To delete all the scenes from the original 
index screen, perform the following 
procedure. This will delete also the 
entire playlist.
 
[  MENU]
 
[ DISC OPERATIONS] 
[DEL.ALL MOVIES] 
 [YES] 
IMPORTANT
Be careful when deleting original 
recordings. Once deleted, original scenes 
cannot be recovered.
NOTES
• You may not be able to delete scenes  shorter than 5 seconds. To delete such 
scenes you must initialize the disc 
( 47), in the process deleting all the 
recordings on the disc.
• Do not change the position of the    switch or the  /  switch while the 
scene is being deleted (while the DISC 
access indicator is on or flashing).
( 21)
( 21)
FUNC.
FUNC.
FUNC.
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36 • Video
Addition al Fu nction s
: Special Scene Recording Programs
Recording in a very bright ski resort or 
capturing the full colors of a sunset or a 
fireworks display becomes as easy as 
selecting a Special Scene recording 
program. For details about the available 
options, refer to the sidebar on page 37.
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch:
 
[  PROGRAM AE] 
[ PORTRAIT]  Press  to 
display the Special Scene (SCN) 
recording programs 
Desired recording program 
NOTES
• [ PORTRAIT]/[  SPORTS]/ [ BEACH]/[  SNOW]
- The picture may not appear smooth during playback.
• [ PORTRAIT] - The blur effect of the background increases the more you zoom in ( T).
•[  NIGHT] - Moving subjects may leave a trailing afterimage.
- Picture quality may not be as good as  in other modes.
- White points may appear on the  screen.
- Autofocus may not work as well as in  other modes. In such case, adjust the 
focus manually.
• [ SNOW]/[ BEACH] - The subject may become overexposed on cloudy days or in shaded places. 
Check the image on the screen.
•[ FIREWORKS] - To avoid camcorder shake, we recommend using a tripod. Make sure 
to use a tripod especially in   mode, as the shutter 
speed slows down.
• Do not set the mode switch to    during the actual recording of a scene; 
the brightness of the picture may change 
abruptly.
Additional Functions
( 21)
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Video • 37
[  PORTRAIT]
The camcorder 
uses a large 
aperture, achieving 
a focus on the 
subject while blurring other distracting 
details.[ SPORTS]
Use this mode to 
record sports 
scenes such as 
tennis or golf.
[  NIGHT]
Use this mode to 
record in dimly lit 
places. [ SNOW]
Use this mode to 
record in bright ski 
resorts. It prevents 
the subject from 
being underexposed.
[  BEACH]
Use this mode to 
record on a sunny 
beach. It prevents 
the subject from 
being underexposed. [ SUNSET]
Use this mode to 
record sunsets in 
vibrant colors.
[  SPOTLIGHT]
Use this mode to 
record spotlit 
scenes. [  FIREWORKS]
Use this mode to 
record fireworks.
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38 • Video
Flexible Recording: Changing the 
Shutter Speed 
Select the [ PROGRAM AE] recording 
program to use functions like the white 
balance or image effects, or use  
[ SHUTTER-PRIO.AE] to give priority 
to the shutter speed.
Use faster shutter speeds to record 
subjects moving quickly; use slower 
shutter speeds to add motion blur, 
emphasizing the feel of movement.
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch:
Options Default value
 
[  PROGRAM AE] 
Desired recording program 
When you select [ SHUTTER-
PRIO.AE], a numeric value will appear 
next to the recording program icon.
1 If the joystick guide appears on the  screen, press   to hide it. 2 Adjust ( ) the shutter speed to 
the desired value.
Shutter speed guidelines
Note that on screen only the 
denominator is displayed – [ 250] 
indicates a shutter speed of 1/250 
second, etc.
* m od e o nly .
**  mode only.
NOTES
• [ SHUTTER-PRIO.AE]
- When setting the shutter speed, the number displayed will flash if the 
shutter speed selected is not 
appropriate for the recording 
conditions. In such case, select a 
different value.
- If you use a slow shutter speed in dark  places, you can obtain a brighter 
image, but the image quality may be 
lower, and the autofocus may not work 
well.
- The image may flicker when recording  with fast shutter speeds.
( 21)
[  PROGRAM AE]
The camcorder automatically adjusts the 
aperture and shutter speed to obtain the 
optimal exposure for the subject.
[  SHUTTER-PRIO.AE]
Set the shutter speed value. The camcorder 
automatically sets the appropriate aperture 
value.
TO SET THE SHUTTER SPEED
FUNC.
FUNC.
1/2*, 1/4*, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30
To record in dimly lit places.
1/60
To record under most ordinary conditions.
1/100
To record indoor sports scenes.
1/250, 1/500, 1/1000**
To record from within a moving car or train or to 
shoot fast-moving subjects such as roller 
coasters.
1/2000**
To record outdoor sports scenes on sunny days.
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Video • 39
-Recording movies under fluorescent lights: 
If the screen starts to flicker, select 
[ SHUTTER-PRIO.AE] and set the 
shutter speed to 1/100.
• Do not set the mode switch to    during the actual recording of a scene; 
the brightness of the picture may change 
abruptly.
LCD Video Light
You can use the brightness of the LCD 
screen (LCD video light) to record in 
completely dark places. For a brighter 
picture, we recommend keeping a 
distance of about 20 cm – 60 cm (8 in. – 
2 ft.) from the subject and/or using the 
[
 NIGHT] recording program.
1Turn on the LCD video light.
 
[  LCD LIGHT OFF]   
[  LCD LIGHT ON]   
Press  
2Rotate the LCD panel toward the 
lens and point it in the direction of 
the subject.
3Press   to turn on the 
viewfinder.
Use the viewfinder to continue 
recording.
1Using the viewfinder, repeat step 1 
above, selecting [  LCD LIGHT 
OFF] instead.
Closing the LCD panel will also turn 
off the LCD video light.
2Press   to turn off the 
viewfinder's display.
Self Timer
1Activate the self timer.
  [  MENU]   
[  CAMERA SETUP]   
[SELF TIMER]   [  ON  ] 
• Set [SELF TIMER] to [  OFF] to  cancel the self timer. 
2Press   to close the menu.
 appears.
3Press   on the camcorder to 
start recording.
The camcorder starts recording video 
(  mode) or records a still 
image (  mode) after a 
10-second countdown. The 
countdown appears on the screen.
NOTES
Once the countdown has begun, you can 
press   again or turn off the 
camcorder to cancel the self timer.
( 21)
FUNC.
FUNC.
VIEWFINDER
TO TURN OFF THE LCD VIDEO LIGHT
( 21)
VIEWFINDER
FUNC.
FUNC.
Start/Stop
Start/Stop
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40 • Video
Manual Exposure Adjustment
At times, backlit subjects may appear 
too dark (underexposed) or subjects 
under very strong lights may appear too 
bright or glaring (overexposed). To 
correct this, you can manually adjust the 
exposure.
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch: (except for the 
[ FIREWORKS] recording program).
1Press   to display the joystick 
guide.
If [EXP] does not appear on the 
joystick guide, repeatedly push the 
joystick ( ) toward [NEXT] to display 
it.
2Push the joystick ( ) toward 
[EXP].
• The exposure adjustment indicator   and the neutral value “±0” 
appear on the screen.
• The adjustment range and the  length of the exposure adjustment 
indicator will vary depending on the 
initial brightness of the picture.
• If you operate the zoom, the  brightness of the image may 
change.
3Adjust ( ) the brightness of the 
image as necessary and press  .
• The exposure adjustment indicator 
will change to white and the 
exposure will be locked. • During exposure lock, press   
and push the joystick ( ) toward 
[EXP] again to return the camcorder 
to automatic exposure.
Manual Focus Adjustment
Autofocus may not work well on the 
following subjects. In such case, focus 
manually.
• Reflective surfaces
• Subjects with low contrast or without vertical lines
• Fast moving subjects
• Through wet windows
• Night scenes
POINTS TO CHECK
Adjust the zoom before you start the 
procedure.
Mode switch:
1Press   to display the joystick 
guide.
If [FOCUS] does not appear on the 
joystick guide, repeatedly push the 
joystick ( ) toward [NEXT] to display 
it.
2Push the joystick ( ) toward 
[FOCUS]. 
“MF” appears.
3Adjust ( ) the focus as 
necessary and press  .
• The focus will be locked.
( 21)
NEXT
EXP
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NEXT
FOCUS
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