Canon Optura 100MC MiniDV 1-Megapixal Digital Camcorder w/ Built-in Digital Still Mode und 8MB SD/ MMC

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Manufacturer: Canon Video
Price at amazon.com: Used from $840.00

List price $1,499.99



Product Features:

• MiniDV
• MiniDV camcorder
• 10x optical, 200x digital, zoom with optical image stabilization
• 2.5-inch color LCD monitor and color EVF
• 1.33 megapixel still shot capability uses MMC or SD memory cards, 8 MB MMC card included
• Uses included lithium ion battery; includes wireless remote

Product Description:

The biggest knock on the Optura Pi was its lack of a high-resolution digital still mode. Sure, it took pictures, but with a resolution of only 640 x 480. With the Optura 100MC, Canon has addressed this issue by including a 1.3-megapixel still-shot mode, and created an outstanding product. Most of the features that made the original so compelling have returned, including the progressive scan CCD (perfect for recording and analyzing that golf swing), and optical image stabilization. The zoom lens is a beefy 10x, but using the digital zoom will push that number up to 200x. The LCD monitor is 2.5 inches, but the camcorder has taken a hearty step down in size itself, so those inches are well spent. The camcorder itself has joined the growing trend of vertically oriented design, making the Optura 100MC a true handheld model. As with all DV camcorders, the Optura 100MC includes an IEEE 1394 port to transfer video footage for editing or dubbing. Additionally, the new Optura includes S-video and composite input and output ports, making it possible to archive all your old analog footage in the pristine DV format. Also included in the kit are a battery, wireless remote, S-video cable, stereo video cable, and 8 MB MMC card.

Description from Manufacturer:The biggest knock on the Optura Pi was its lack of a high-resolution digital still mode. Sure, it took pictures, but with a resolution of only 640 x 480. With the Optura 100MC, Canon has addressed this issue by including a 1.3-megapixel still-shot mode, and created an outstanding product. Most of the features that made the original so compelling have returned, including the progressive scan CCD (perfect for recording and analyzing that golf swing), and optical image stabilization.

The zoom lens is a beefy 10x, but using the digital zoom will push that number up to 200x. The LCD monitor is 2.5 inches, but the camcorder has taken a hearty step down in size itself, so those inches are well spent. The camcorder itself has joined the growing trend of vertically oriented design, making the Optura 100MC a true handheld model.

As with all DV camcorders, the Optura 100MC includes an IEEE 1394 port to transfer video footage for editing or dubbing. Additionally, the new Optura includes S-video and composite input and output ports, making it possible to archive all your old analog footage in the pristine DV format.

Also included in the kit are a battery, wireless remote, S-video cable, stereo video cable, and 8 MB MMC card.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Great camera, terrific image quality. Rating:
I have worked with professional level Beta units, and prosumer DV cameras such as the Canon XL1. Although the Optura lacks some of their useful features, like zebra striping, it has fantastic image quality that rivals 3-CCD units, in a very compact package.

Having the flash is a must to make the still mode useful, if you ever want to use it. Exposure was good and image quality fairly good, considering it is only a 1.3 Mpx image.

I have larger hands but I found the camera very comfortable to hold. I have had problems with other Canon gear because I find they design for very small hands compared to Nikon.

I have not seen any of the rewinding problems reported in the other review of this product, after about 20 hours of use.

My only complaint is that low light performance can be weak. I would be concerned about trying to shoot good video in candlelight conditions (i.e. Thanksgiving Dinner) but those would be tough conditions for any camera. Nor would I ever consider using something like Sony NightShot -- I'm not interested in family video that looks like war footage.

A great camera, at a better price point than the comparable Sony PC-110.

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Comment: Tape Eater? Rating:
I bought my Canon 100MC in October and have been impressed with the quality of the recordings - both video and still (good for 1.3 megapixel) - and the ease of use for basic video recording. I have recorded at night in football stadiums, indoors day and night, by a large campfire and of course daylight outdoors. Last Sunday, 12-2, I recorded 21 minutes on a brand new tape right out of the wrapper. Took it home, rewound it, watched the recording, and started rewinding again. The exact same thing happened to my tape/camera that happened to John Fallisgaard. This was the start of my third full tape. I probably recorded over the first tape (all 60 min. SP) twice. I have used a head cleaner on the camcoder per the owner's manual and the instructions with the head cleaner since I bought it. I'll be watching this site for other reports.

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Comment: Good Family Camera Rating:
I had been "window shopping" the digital video format for about 2 years. My criteria were simple. I desired a quality picture, simple to operate (meaning I had a fighting chance), and a minimal digial still picture option. I narrowed my selections down to the Canon and a simular sony model. The fact sony uses the memory stick and my other devices use the Secure Disk helped me make my decision. The first test for the camera was a trip to Italy. I was extreemly happy with the video quality in both low light (nothing like the old church test) and bright sunlight. Too, the still pictures were very good in full sunlight, but indoor with flash (including my childrens' sporting events) I have been less happy. The truth is, I knew I needed greater still resolution, but I considered the still fuction more of a bonus. The size of the camera is also nice, given I have larger hands (the canon mc40 was just too small). Ease of use is great and there are clearly more options than I will ever desire. I am very happy with my value for money.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)