Canon Optura 200MC MiniDV 1.3 Megapixel Camcorder

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Manufacturer: Canon Video
Price at amazon.com: $1,699.99
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Product Features:

• Part camera, part camcorder--MiniDV camcorder with digital still photo capability
• 10x optical, 200x digital, zoom with Canon's optical image stabilization
• 2.5 inch color flip-out LCD and tilting viewfinder
• 1.3 megapixel CCD captures 1280 x 960 digital stills--records onto both tape or MMC/SD card
• Includes 8 MB MMC card and wireless remote control

Product Description:

Part Camcorder, Part Camera, Part of Your Life! The Optura 200MC from Canon is brilliantly designed and exceptionally equipped with features that cater to even the most discerning videomaker or digital photographer.At the heart of the Optura 200MC is a CCD image sensor containing an astounding 1.33 million pixels. This puts the Optura 200MC into the very rarified atmosphere of the highest-resolution consumer camcorders on the market today.The Optura 200MC offers both a color viewfinder and a 2.5" color flip-out LCD screen with 200,000 pixels.The Optura 200MC also offers a tilting viewfinder. Not only does this make for more flexible shooting, but having a viewfinder is a benefit when shooting in the daytime when it may get too bright to see the LCD display clearly. Note, though, that the Optura 200MC's LCD screen is designed to deliver clear images even under bright sunlight.The Optura 200MC incorporates a bright zoom lens, specifically designed to handle the demands placed on it by the camcorder's high-resolution image sensor for both video and still picture applications. The zoom uses a special glass originally used in Canon digital still cameras, guaranteeing high picture quality.The 10x optical zoom lens (4.2 -- 42 mm) is the 35 mm focal length equivalent of 48 -- 480 mm. Add an optional WD-34 Wide-converter to increase the field of view to the equivalent of 34 mm for indoor shots or panoramic views, or add the TL-34 Tele-converter



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Description from Manufacturer:Canon has taken the features of the highly successful Optura 100MC and expanded them on the Optura 200MC, adding digital still-photo capabilities to this MiniDV digital video camcorder. Some of the new features are video streaming with Windows XP, extended range of digital special effects and fades, and the ability to record video to a memory card. The camcorder itself has joined the growing trend of vertically oriented design, making the Optura 200MC a true handheld model.

Lens
At the heart of the Optura 200MC is a CCD image sensor containing 1.33 million pixels. The Optura 200MC incorporates a bright zoom lens that uses a special glass originally used in Canon digital still cameras. The 10x optical zoom lens (4.2-42mm) is the 35mm focal length equivalent of 48-480mm. The digital zoom, which works by electronically enhancing the optical image, has 200x capability.

More Features
For storage of digital still images, you can use either MultiMediaCard (MMC) or Secure Digital (SD) memory cards in the Optura 200MC. An 8 MB MMC comes with the Optura 200MC, which stores up to 17 fine-quality still pictures or 32 standard-quality images. You can save both video and digital still images to the Optura 200MC's tape cassette, and high-resolution still images as well as motion JPEG to the memory card.

The Optura 200MC has a built-in, pop-up flash for taking digital stills. The Optura 200MC will fire one flash (a preflash) to check the exposure, then fire a second time to make the correct exposure. The flash has four modes: auto, on, off, and red-eye reduction.

For greater imaging variety, you can switch on one of several digital effects: negative picture, art, black and white, sepia, mosaic.

Inputs and Outputs
The standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also called FireWire) is present for a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. The common RCA AV connections are used for direct viewing on a television or VHS dubbing. You can also plug in an external microphone via the mic jack for better quality sound.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV digital technology delivers clear, sharp video with up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution--far superior to the 240 lines of resolution offered by 8mm camcorders. You'll get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture. You'll also get excellent sound quality, recorded in either 12-bit or 16-bit audio recording modes.

Specifications and Contents
The Optura 200MC measures 2.4 by 4.63 by 4.6 inches and weighs just under 19 ounces. This package contains the Optura 200MC camcorder, power adapter (model CA-560), battery pack (model BP-512), wireless controller, S-video cable, stereo video cable, 8 MB MMC memory card, and USB cable.

Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Great DV camcorder, excellent image quality Rating:
I have had this camera for over a month now, and have been using it in a variety of conditions, from candle-lit Christmas dinners to scenic outdoor settings, some of which from a moving vehicle. The Optura 200MC has been holding up quite well and pleasantly surprised me in many ways.

The sharp and clear video is very impressive, even under less than optimal lighting conditions such as typical indoor settings. Although the image becomes somewhat grainy when lighting conditions deteriorate, remember that no camera performs well with poor lighting. The camera's automatic settings do an excellent job most of the times but fortunately the Optura leaves you with plenty of manual control to experiment and enjoy creative freedom. I was also impressed with the still image quality, especially for a camcorder. Mind you, many dedicated digital still cameras will take better pictures but I really appreciate the convenience of being able to take both high quality videos and decent stills, and only have to carry one compact machine.

The sound from the built-in mic is good and comparable to other camcorders. As with most other up-rights, the mic tends to pick up some motor noise when filming in very quiet environments, but creating some "white background noise" such as a radio or TV playing softly, or adding an external mic should alleviate this problem.

I really like the way the Optura 200MC feels in my hand, not in the least because of the comfortable grip belt which can angle to accommodate your grip on the camera. It definitely lacks the awkward feel so many other up-right camcorders possess. The camera is neither too heavy to hold it up for a long time, or too light to keep it stable. Buttons for manual functions (such as exposure, focus) are located on the back of the camera, which makes them easy to locate while recording. The camera body is made of magnesium except for a few plastic covers, and seems well built.

Is there anything I didn't like? Well the Optura 200MC isn't cheap for starters, and I wish the powerful white LED to illuminate your objects could be turned on in any shooting mode to add that last little bit of manual control, but then I'm being pretty picky. Personally I don't really miss the accessory shoe on the Optura 200MC, as adding accessories to a small camera such as the Optura makes it too bulky for my taste. Also note that many video lights have a limited reach and just turning on an extra lamp when filming inside usually gives a much better result, not to mention less drain on your battery!

Overall, I have been very happy with this camera, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality digital camcorder.

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Comment: Amazon.com reviews do this great camera no justice Rating:
I have tried several other DV camcorders (e.g. Sony DCR-PC101, Sony DCR-TRV27, Canon Elura 40MC) but finally settled for the Canon Optura 200MC because of superior picture quality, manual options, and handling.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the Sony's are bad camcorders but for starters, their picture, albeit sharp, seems too saturated in color (reds almost look magenta, whites have a blueish tint to them). Low-light sensitivity with the Optura is also better than for instance the Sony DCR-PC101. I also prefer to have a full control of the camera's options. The Sony's for instance don't allow you to set the camera's shutter speed, which then can only be manipulated via workarounds. Another reason why I liked the Optura better is that to me, it just feels more comfortable to hold.

A final point of consideration is the 12-month warranty from Canon versus the 3-month warranty from Sony. Sure you can buy extended warranty but to me is an indication of Sony's eroding quality. This has already been evident in other Sony products I have bought before (e.g. Wega TV with blue streaks, DVD player which skips with even a tiny scratch on a disc, which my PC's DVD player has no problems with).

I really don't understand the negative reviews this camcorder has gotten on Amazon.com, and since none of the negative reviews are clear about what they think is wrong with the Optura, they provide little value to the potential buyer. I suggest you try the Optura yourself and compare it the other models out there. Between the DV camcorders I have tested, I wholeheartedly recommend the Optura 200MC and think it's the best DV camcorder in its class.

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Comment: Excellent, especially at today's price Rating:
The price you see now on Amazon and other Amazon providers is way out of whack for what this camera is available for from other sources. I considered the Optura 300 and the Elura 50, but I already had a major investment in BP-500 series batteries and chargers. I also use an Optura Pi and a Rebel Digital. Be aware that the 300 and the 50 use other model batteries that are much less available and less robust than the 500 series batteries. I am a big believer in optical stabilization but that is becoming less important nowadays due to excellent electronic circuits.

Getting to the camera, I also do not miss the accessory shoe as I bought this camera for two reasons. The battery compatibility as I mentioned and its small sized ergonomics. As other reviewers have mentioned, the rotating hand strap makes the camera comfy and very handy. My wife can throw it in a purse or I can keep it in the same bag as my digital rebel. And that's the point. Along with the Optura 300 and Elura series, this is a go virtually anywhere miniDV cam. The person that is comparing (and comparing poorly) the GL2 to this cam misses the entire point. 2 different cams for different purposes. I doubt that if you are considering a GL you are even looking at a compact cam. The GL and XL series cams are much much better than any of these.

If you want a compact camera with optical image stabilization, with typical Canon engineering, optics and quality, this would be an excellent choice. But shop around for a deal because the Optura 300 is also very good (some would say better) and the Elura 50 is a budget minded compromise if that's what you need.

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