Canon Optura 600 4.3MP MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
cheap wireless cameras, digital camcorders for sale
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List Price: $1,199.00
Features
• 1/2.8-inch CCD sensor with 4.3-megapixel resolution
• 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 200x) and Advanced Image Stabilization
• Captures video in 16:9 widescreen format
• 2.5-inch TFT color LCD
• Nine-point auto intelligent autofocus (AiAF) |
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Canon Optura 600 4.3MP MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥
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Worth the upgrade
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I've been using a Canon Elura 2 for several years now, and have been amazed that it has taken so long to produce a better camcorder in the same small package. For a long time, the smallest camcorders have been bigger than the Elura 2. Finally, the Optura 600 is a worthwhile upgrade. Better video quality, better lens, better semi-pro features (exposure, etc.), full anamorphic 16:9, external mic input, and a great still camera mode.
I've always liked the smallest camcorder available on the theory that if you don't have it with you, you can't take the videos. The Optura 600 is small, and really packs in the features.
I did some extensive still photo comparisons with the Optura 600 still camera and my Canon Elph 500 (5 megapixels). Other than a slightly different color balance, it was nearly impossible to tell any significant difference. I also compared Super Fine vs. Fine mode, and actually thought the Fine mode had slightly better image quality. Just because the file size is bigger doesn't mean that the resultant photo is any better. I'd recommend you try the comparison yourself, but my choice is to keep it in Fine mode and not use the full SuperFine mode. This is a really great feature of the Optura 600 because you can really leave your digital still camera behind (which usually only have 3x or 4x optical zoom) and use the very nice 10x optical zoom.
For anyone who has any intent of editing, miniDV tape is much better than miniDVD. The quality (and bitrate) is far better, and most editing software works much better with this format. And shoot your videos in 16:9. Even if you don't have a widescreen TV now, you will before you know it, and you'll appreciate the fact your videos are in the modern format. The Optura 600 uses the whole image sensor for 16:9, so you aren't losing any image quality.
My main complaint is the lack of an external battery charger, but this seems to be the trend these days. It is amazing that they can fit the battery charging logic into the camcorder body, but I really like to have an external charger to charge one battery while I use a second. You can get one for under $30, but they really ought to give you one in the package.
(All the comments about it being uncomfortable to hold seem to fail to take into account that this is a small camera. The hand hold design is the same as the old Elura 2 - you hold it at an angle with your thumb on the record button, and your index or middle finger on the zoom. Your ring and little finger wrap around the front. With the great new still camera mode, I find it better to use the middle finger for zoom and the index finger for the shutter release. But the design works as well as you could hope for in such a small camera. Left handed folks may have a bit more trouble, but that is true for most camcorders.)
If you've been waiting to upgrade your camcorder, this is a good choice. You'll get great MiniDV quality (suitable for editing to high quality DVD) and a really great still camera in one package. The video will look good on HD widescreen TVs. Maybe in a few years high def camcorders will be small, cheap, and easy to edit and produce to HD-DVD, but for now, this is much more practical, and will give you very good quality video. And it is so small, you might actually take it with you.
Update: I just took this camera on vacation, and I love it even more. I carried only this camera most of the time, and could take both video and photos as needed. While the still camera takes great pictures, it is a bit slow on startup and between picture cycle time. Also, there is a noticible lag between pushing the button and taking the photo, so it is critical to use the "push the button down half-way" feature to pre-focus. If you do this, then there is no delay. But it was just fantastic to have the 10x lens, and a great photo and video camera in one small unit. |
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Canon Optura 600 4.3MP MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom digital cameras, camcorders for sale