The Canon ES270 is a late 1980s 8mm analog helical scan magnetic tape video camera recorder and player. It features 16x zoom and SP record.
I was kind of annoyed not finding much information about it, like a manual,
even from Canon's website.
| Feature | Canon ES270 | Compared to Sony TRV68 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 8mm hand held camcorder | 8mm/Hi8 hand held camcorder |
| Lens Cover | built in | Tethered |
| Video tape | 8mm SP (2hrs on P120) | 8mm or Hi8, SP or LP |
| Viewfinder | LCD color eyepiece | B&W CRT eyepiece |
| Monitor | none, RCA output | LCD side swivel monitor, Svideo |
| Audio | Stereo | Mono |
| Optical Zoom | 16x | 20x, also digital zoom to 480x |
| Minimum focus distance | ~1cm (lighting limited) | ~2cm |
| Fill Lighting | None | Halogen, Infrared ("night shot") |
| Image Stabilization | None | Yes |
| Video preprocess | Normal, Art, Sepia, B&W, Negative | <-Same |
| Video modes | Auto, Program, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Snow&Sand | Manual/Program |
| Remote Control | Record, Presentation | None |
| Battery | 6V 1.1AH NiMH | 7.4V 1.6AH Li-Ion with fuel gauge |
| Battery Life | 2 hours? | 4 hours? |
Most of the standard features should be self-explanatory and work similar
to any other zoom camcorder. Here I'll document
what I think are not self explanatory:
1. Camera record mode. When sliding the front camera switch to "Camera" from
"off" or "VCR", this will open the lens cover. The camera will remain off
unless the thumb record (red button) protector switch is slid out of the way
to STANDBY mode. The easiest way to remember is that this thing is blocking
the record button. If it's not blocking the record button, it's in STANDBY
mode, else it will be turned OFF and appear dead. I thought it was weird when
I first was working with it without a manual, thought VCR mode worked but
no power to the camera. My really old Sony Handycam CCD-V99 was like this
too I suppose, but not the Sony TRV68.
2. Using the back panel buttons: These buttons are completely dead when in
Auto video mode (the round selector in front/top of the camera). The video mode
select contains of several modes:
Auto (green rectangle) - This locks out most of the special effects on the back panel!
Program (orange rectangle with arrows) - This lets you use the joystick on the back to select where to focus, and also use the "Digital Effects" such as Sepia, Black&White, and color negative modes.
It enables using the Flexizone AE button where it will lock exposure rating to where the box is pointing to
Sports (running person) - I suppose this will turn on ISO to stop blur
Portrait (woman's head) - I suppose this will turn down ISO to reduce graininess
Spotlight (the thing that looks like a cone of light with a person standing in it) - this will change AE to keep only the bright spot auto exposed
Snow and sand (box with a sun in it with a person) - opposite of spotlight, will look for a slightly darkened region to keep auto exposure locked on (so on a sunny day at the beach or on snow, people and objects don't end up too dark and underexposed.)
3. Setting the date: First make sure the backup battery, a CR2025, is good. A
bad backup battery will show up as a blinking little trapezoid in the
viewfinder. The backup battery door is underneath the main battery pack along
the side. Eject the main battery by depressing the button - when looking at
the side of the camera with the battery, push the button away from you. Open
the battery door by pushing the tab carefully to the back and lifting the
plastic up. Battery is underneath.
Once the battery is good, set the date by first setting the camera in CAMCORDER
mode. Set the camera into STANDBY by sliding the record button protector to
the right. Then press and hold the DATE button (PAUSE) for 5 seconds.
At this point the date will show up on the viewfinder and blink a field. Use
the joystick on the back to change the date/time (left-right will select field,
up-down will change the value.) Press the DATE button (PAUSE) again to save.
Use the DATE button to turn on recording the date into the video.
4. TITLE screen: works similar to the date setting, except you can change letters where there's a dot.
5. BLC - I have no idea what this is yet. Seems to be "Back Light Correction".
6. AV ports - they're on the back covered by a rubber cap.
7. Eject: this is much like most mini camcorders, it will slide up and then away/open. Make sure your fingers are not holding the door shut.
Overall thoughts: Well since I had the Sony TRV68 and Sony CCD-V99, comparing them is easy. Verdict is: The TRV68, though not having stereo support, trounces the ES270. The main features I like about the TRV68 are the lighting (specifically nightshot/infrared) though the halogen is (a) nice (battery hog). The TRV68 also has image stabilization which is really noticeable, at full optical zoom the picture still looked somewhat stable. Also the Sony isn't too dumbed down. I hate the round control with all sorts of different pictures sort of indicating what you want it to do. I guess I am familiar enough with shutter speed, ISO, aperture, etc. that I'd rather have full control.