Canon Optura 600 4.3MP MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom & Coach Case
By: Canon Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 9
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 On: 2006-03-22
I have owned this camera for a couple of weeks. I purchased it to videotape dance concerts, and I was ecstatic over the quality of the video I took at my universitys recent annual concert. By manually adjusting the exposure, I was able to avoid the ghosting that usually happens under the lights. I was worried about the low light capability, but the picture was stunning in a dark theater with stage lighting, even on darkly lit pieces. The widescreen capability made for a really beautiful shot of the stage. I also took some absolutely amazing stills from back stage, the quality of which are every bit as good if not better than what I could have taken on my Elph.
I have owned several Canon cameras and Ive always been pleased with the quality of the pictures Ive taken with them. They are always easy to use and have lots of options to make photographs more interesting. This camcorder is no exception. I couldnt be happier.
The lens cover is a downside, it would be better if it were retractable, but I think the camera is just too small to accommodate it. I would also suggest purchasing the separate battery charger. Without it you have to charge the battery on the camera. I also chose to purchase an extra battery and an upgraded memory card. Outside of the cover and the battery charger, this camera is everything I hoped it would be and more.
On: 2006-03-06
Ive 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.
Ive always liked the smallest camcorder available on the theory that if you dont have it with you, you cant 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 doesnt mean that the resultant photo is any better. Id 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 dont have a widescreen TV now, you will before you know it, and youll appreciate the fact your videos are in the modern format. The Optura 600 uses the whole image sensor for 16:9, so you arent 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 youve been waiting to upgrade your camcorder, this is a good choice. Youll 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.
On: 2006-03-03
I just got the Optura 600 yesterday and am shocked at how small it really is, I saw videos and photos online, but it doesnt do it justice till you see it in person. I am a big guy 63", it has taken a little getting use to compared to my old mini dv camera which was quite a bit bigger. I adjusted the hand strap and now it fits comfortable in my hand and I also feel like it is more stable than the other camera which has a traditional hold. I can operate all of the buttons that i need while shooting with 1 hand, but to change modes I must use my other hand, which is no big deal to me.
I was mainly looking for a camcorder that took high quality video and high quality still photos and this camcorder delivers in both areas. I figured that the video was going to be great just from the reviews that I had read and it would be better than my old camcorder. I wasnt sure about the stills, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed that such a small device can do both functions so well. I also have a small canon elph 4.0 mega pixels that I have been extremely happy with. I would have to say the the stills taken with the Optura 600 are just as good if not better. I also love the fact that it is so easy and simple to switch between camcorder and digital camera mode, you just flip 1 switch and you are straight into high quality still mode.
I really love the fact that it is such a small device, portability was another big deal to me. I wanted something that I could put in my cargo pocket and take with me to take video and photos of my kids when we are out. I can say that this will fit easily into my cargo pockets. I am so excited about being able to carry this camcorder with me just about anywhere and it not be a pain to carry. Anyone looking for a great hybrid camcorder this is without a doubt one of the best on the market if not the best. You wont be disappointed!!
 On: 2006-02-06
I purchased this video camera after looking at my old Sony Handycam (video 8!)CCD-F501 that looks like a cannon compared to this lil pistol (awkward pun intended.) I finally decided that enough time had elapsed and it was time to get a decent camcorder. Around mid-December 2005 I was salivating at the recently released hard drive cameras but after some search found out that that was just the only innovation, the other features were just standard or less than par for the course, and for the kind of money they were asking? I would be darned if I went to my Paris trip w/o a decent camera. What sold me on the Optura was the combo video/camera features and all the technical stuff you can read above. I wont repeat them here.
The Optura is surprisingly small and, as others have commented, if you have a hand shaped like a ham, this camera aint for ya. I am 57", medium sized hand, the strap that wraps around the hand does not provide the best support when using the zoom. You can get used to it, but use both hands to steady the camera when zooming. Last week I went to J&R and bought a small tripod that when the legs are folded, it serves as a monopod, I intend to use it when I want to shoot without much camera shaking as I use the zoom.
I havent had the camera for too long, theres lots of features in this camera for the video and photo functions, you gotta read them fully to truly appreciate this jewel. At night, while taping around Notre Dame, I noticed light streaks emananting from every lampost in the neighborhood, and I was using the automatic setting, I gotta try a couple of other settings to get that right. At the Louvre, the guards now wont let you take pictures or tape inside the museum. Well, as long as you dont use the flash option for pictures, you can snap away unless they catch you. But at the Mona Lisas new abode, man, those hounds are circling around making darn sure you are not taking pics or filming. Ha! Enter I & my Optura. Them Clouseaus never seen an Optura, I turned it on, partially obscured by my hand, held it close to my chest, they did not have a clue! If you want hundreds of feet (exaggerating . . .a bit) of mini-DV tape of La Gioconda, talk to me. That, right there, made it worth the $850 plus I paid for it. great picture, small package. And, of course, with a flick of a switch, presto, now you can take pictures! and not grainy, melting pics, no sir, great resolution pics if you want 8x10s of every darn pigeon from every piazza from here to Ulan Bator.
I gave it a 4 outta 5 because of the awkward strap designed to steady ones hand. Must have been an afterthought.
On: 2005-12-18
I have used this camera only for a day or two. Picture quality is really good. The photo quality is great, almost as good as a stand alone digital camera.
This camera is ideal for someone with small hand size. Otherwise please try it before you buy. The hand strap can be VERY uncomfortable. I have already felt it on the first day of use.
Not a great feel to hold it. Other than that no major complaints so far.
Please do not buy the SC 2000 case from Canon. That case is way too big for this tiny camera.
On: 2005-11-15
In wanting to replace my old (JVC GRDVM90U) camera/camcorder combo, I looked at the Canon Optura 600 and the Sony DCR-PC1000. Consumer Reports claimed high return/defect rates for JVC models, so I steered clear away from purchasing another JVC -- especially since my old camcorder exhibited many of the same issues multiple people have documented in the GRDVM90Us reviews. Besides wanting to stick with MiniDV (for my old tapes sake), what was most important to me in a replacement camcorder was 1) size, 2) still picture quality, 3) low-light ability, and 4) overall versatility. The Optura 600 delivered impeccably on all fronts. Size-wise, it is the smallest MiniDV camcorder Ive seen on the market yet, although the Sony DCR-PC1000 appears to be a close second. What I liked about the Optura more than the Sony, however, was the overall design -- it felt more solid and compact as opposed to small, but long and narrow. I wanted to be able to tote something around fairly easily and unnoticably, and the Optura delivered. It was so small it fit easily in a small purse (along with other small gadgets, ie. phone and Ipod), and large pockets also made for a comfortable home for it. The still picture quality was probably the clincher in my final decision to go with the Optura over the Sony. One thing to note, however, is that the Optura 600 is 4.0MP, *not* 4.3MP. Regardless, its 4.0MP beats Sonys 2.7MP hands-down. Because it was important for me to purchase a camcorder that would also serve the purpose of a digital camera (why have one of each when you can have something that can do both well?), I went for the higher-end Optura. Also, Canons Elph Series digital cameras have always appeared to deliver consistent, great-quality digital images (practically everyone I know owns some version of the Elph), and I felt more comfortable knowing that Canons still-camera expertise would translate better to a camcorder combo than Sonys (last I heard Canon didnt manufacture TVs, amplifiers, and PCs, as well). In addition to having a more than adequate low-light function (sometimes, surprisingly, it makes dark shots brighter than desired), it has all the basic functions and features one would expect from a camera of this caliber (ie. special effects, video/picture transfer software, numerous manual and automatic settings, widescreen functionality, all the cables and connectors needed to hook up to your TV and PC, 10x optical zoom, etc.). The one and only thing that I did like better in the Sony was its built-in, retractable lens cover -- I found myself constantly fiddling with the plastic lens cover of the Optura whenever I unexpectedly came across a shot I just *had* to have. Other than that, Im quite thrilled with my purchase and have not been disappointed yet. Design-wise, yes, it is a bit awkward (depends on the size of your hand and the dexterity of your fingers, really) -- but this thing is tiny, so there has to be some compromise in ergonomics. Ive found this to be a minor point, as the Opturas style, design, and overall look more than compromise for the slight awkwardness that really only takes a little getting used to. I often get many comments from strangers in awe of it whenever I take it out to capture a moment, and that alone is almost enough to overlook its minor faults.
by: Anonymous On: 2005-10-29
To the guy having problems with ergonomics.
I think youre not holding it properly. You are suppose to use index finger for zooming and snapshots not your fourth finger. This way your small finger will not go in fron of lenses and you will have much better control of the camera.
On: 2005-10-20
This is a great versatile camera. It takes fantastic video and fantastic stills. Its features are easy to use and convenient. Its size is perfect and I do not have a problem accessing all of the buttons with my hand throught the strap. I purchased this camera the first day it was available not waiting for anyone elses opinions or reviews and I am glad I did. A camera this small is a pleasure to take with me wherever I go.
On: 2005-10-13
I just got the 600 today. I was surprised at how small it really was. I thought that was cool except my hand is almost too big for it (Im a big guy at 62). The ergonomica and the weird angle for the hand strap make it feel uncomforable.
The zoom button is right over the lens and hard to move with my fourth finger. My little finger keeps wanting to go in front of the lens... My thumb is uncomfortable pressing the record button. The photo button really needs to be pressed down to shoot a shot...
OK, so much for the ergonomics.
Picture quality for photos is awesome for something thats a hybrid. Video quality and stabilization is stunning too. But I expect that from a Canon (I already own a GL2 and an XL2 and wanted a little camcorder just to carry around). The display is sharp and clear.
Back to ergonomics... The buttons dont feel right. The camera doesnt feel right. Im torn right now. I already sent back the Handycam 403 for so-so video quality and no 1394 port. This one is technically great but feels very uncomfortable...
Sigh... Ill play with it some more and determine if its right for me or not. Size is great, feel isnt...
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