Canon Optura 10 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5-inch LCD and 16x Optical Zoom
By: Canon Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 4
More Information
 On: 2006-12-30
I couldnt find the optura 20, but since the only difference between the two was the lcd size, i dont think it matters.
I had done tons of research before finally coming to the Canon Optura 20. I had read that the reason for the bad ratings was the poor low light video option. Who cares, get a light. Yes it sucked, but what the heck are you doing videoing in low light anyway?
Other than that the camera was incredible. Great, easy to use menus, options, etc. Buttons were just the right size and right placement. Zoom toggle was easily moved, and was done smoothly. The still shots werent the best, but its a camcorder. They were great for just snapping something quick when you dont have a camera. People also complained about the hum of the tape heads rolling being heard through recording, but i didnt really care for it. Wasnt loud or annoying. Just a pleasent lil background hum.....
Unfortunatly, i used this camera a lot. Well over 100 hours. I bought it early 2004, so it is nearing its 3 yr mark. It started failing to playback a few weeks ago, but still taped fine. The colors on the LCD would go out. The screen was still blue, but the lil tapy thing turned green/black instead of the norm, and so did everything else. Also if the camera is pointed towards bright light, strong horizontal lines are seen, kinda in a rainbow color. Oh well, time for a new camera!!
Overall, i was very pleased with this camera.
On: 2004-12-01
I just bought this camera a month ago, refurbished, directly from Canon, and the motor noise can be heard, but it could be heard on regular Hi-8, Digi-8s, too. But theres software that can remove the motor whining noises (Studio v9.0 can, and thats just off the top of my head, so Im sure there are more). And from my experience, it wasnt even that loud (I usually record in situations where theres a lot of audio feedback, so I couldnt even hear it).
What Im having "trouble" with is the battery life. I thought maybe I got a refurbished battery, too, but it turns out I didnt. I read the manual, and my battery life is actually on par with Canons estimated shooting time. So Im seriously contemplating getting the fat battery (535?) for more life so I can shoot more, but for most of us, in many a shooting scenario, the best alternative will be a $1.50 extension cord so we can just use it without the battery and not have to worry about battery life, etc. Also, Im not too thrilled with where the scroller button is, because while the menu button is directly on top of it, the effects button is "inside" (where the lcd screen would be when it is closed), so there isnt a quick, easy way to access it, but I guess I cant really complain that much about it since Ive only had it for a week, and I will probably get adjusted to it.
This is my first MiniDV camcorder, and my first digital camcorder from my Hi-8. Ive used other brands and makes before, and found this very competent and user-friendly. There are other models and makes, within the same price range, that others might find useful. As for me, out of experience, what ever I have, I just get adjusted and used to, and I found it very promising so far. I only gave this a four because of the horrible battery life most Canon digital cameras and camcorders are notorious for, but we can all manage.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-04-17
except the motor noise heard on the tape, its really annoying
 On: 2003-05-31
I have purchased this product after checking no. of other makes and models like jvc,sony etc etc.Features I like the most are
1) 16x powerful optical zoom Sony has only 10x even in top models
2) 1/4 inch ccd, excellent indoor video quality.
3) Rock solid image stabilisation, no shaky videos.
4) Excellent point and shoot.
5) 1.33 megapixel still photos.
Features I dont like are
1) Little bigger and heavy, but good for stable video.
2) Motor noise is heard in recordings.
2) Video conferencing available only on windows xp.
|
|
