This is a top of the range DV camera that packs a ton of features into a camera half the size of many of its competitors without compromising on quality at all.
The 1.33-megapixel CCD delivers excellent images and the 10x optical zoom works well, producing clear images even at full zoom. The MVX2i uses the more reliable optical image stabiliser (rather than an electronic one) to keep things steady during shooting, however at full optical zoom it's best to use a tripod.
It records 1.33-megapixel still images direct to the 8MB SD memory card that comes standard with a package of pre-recorded sample images. While it is not as small as the MV5i it is a handy size for fitting into a handbag or backpack. The simple menu navigation system does away with the need to cover the camera with buttons and puts most of the controls at your thumb tip.
A host of software is packaged with the MVX2i including Canon's standard suite of still image software such as ZoomBrowser, PhotoRecord and PhotoStitch, as well as the new Video Presenter and videoconference software that hooks into Windows Messenger.
While still images can be transferred to your PC over a USB link you'll need a FireWire connection to transfer your video because Canon has yet to add USB streaming support to its cameras.
Overall, this is a quality combo camera packed full of features that's going to have the enthusiast queuing up for it.