The DZ-MV730A is an entry-level model in Hitachi's lineup of DVD camcorders. It offers similar styling to the higher-end DZ-MV780A and DZ-MV750A, but it has a reduced feature set and a smaller CCD. Most importantly for budget consumers, the DZ-MV730A also offers a lower MSRP of about $470, making it an excellent value for a DVD camcorder.

There's no need to rewind or fast-forward a tape with a DVD camcorder, and the unit will automatically find blank space on a disc so there's no risk of accidentally recording over other material. With DVD-RAM, you can rerecord up to 100,000 times without any image degradation, instantly access any scene, and utilize an array of in-camera editing features. The DZ-MV730A also records to the more common (and inexpensive) write-once DVD-R format, which can play on virtually any home DVD player or computer.

The optical suite on the DZ-MV730A includes a 1/6-inch CCD that delivers 680,000 effective pixels for both video and stills. The 2-1/2-inch LCD monitor provides accurate framing of shots and easy reviewing of recorded material, while the 16X optical/240X digital zoom function works smoothly.

In good lighting conditions, the unit produces clean and crisp video images with accurate colors. The low-light performance isn't all that impressive, but the DZ-MV730A is aimed at budget buyers, and this is a compromise.

Automatic controls of exposure, shutter speed, and focus are quick and responsive. The DZ-MV730A features a number of Program AE functions with presets for situations such as sports, portrait, low light, and sand and snow. It also has a choice of three white balance settings.

For those seeking to take a bit more control over their shots, this camcorder also provides manual controls for exposure, white balance, and focus, but not shutter speed. As a digital still camera, the DZ-MV730A can capture photos to disc or memory card at a maximum resolution of 640X480.

The Hitachi DZ-MV730A is a budget DVD camcorder for consumers looking for a compact unit to shoot good-quality vacation videos and family gatherings, and it performs well in this role.

Warranty
90 days labor, 1 year parts