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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.
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.
Second, my acting classmates borrow the camcorder to review rehearsals. It's easy for a student to "point and shoot" without training. The viewscreen is big enough, and the built-in speaker loud enough, for two or three students to gather around and watch.
Third, I advise spending half (or less) of your video equipment budget on a camcorder. Budget plenty of money for audio gear, tripod, lights, computer and software for editing, etc. If this leaves only enough money for an Optura 200MC, buy it. You'll make better videos with an Optura 200MC and good accessories than with a GL2 or XL1S and no accessories.
The Optura 200MC has three shortcomings. First, the built-in microphones are awful. You hear mostly motor noise. The Optura 200MC lacks a microphone hotshoe for adding an external mike. I bought Canon's microphone mounting bracket, a Sony directional mike, an extension cable to use the mike for interviews, and two Sony wireless mikes. This totalled $400. I now get great audio, although the external mike and mounting bracket double the size of the camcorder.
Second, the FireWire chip has failed twice, and the exposure manual control has failed once. Each repair takes a month. If you need a dependable camcorder, consider buying a more expensive camcorder.
Third, the video quality is pretty good for a 1-chip camcorder. It has only two preset color balances, sunlight or incandescent light. On cloudy days, or with florescent lights, etc. the color balance is off unless you do a manual white balance. The color saturation is OK, not great. The lens sharpness is pretty good, and it handles low light better than you'd expect. The automatic exposure uses a spot meter in the center of the frame. If you have a bright patch of snow or clouds in the center, everything else is too dark. Like the color balance, you'll sometimes have to manually adjust the exposure.
--
Thomas David Kehoe, author of "Hearts and Minds: How Our Brains Are Hardwired for Relationships"
I've had it for a week and what caught my attention initially was the quality of the construction. This camera is solid. The controls are well laid out and anything you need is at your fingertips. I have tested the still picture and mpeg to memory card features. Downloading the images and mpegs to the computer was as easy as easy could be. Although I haven't printed any stills yet, I was surpised by the superior picture quality as it showed up on the monitor. The mpegs are a little weak, but if you need superior video on your computer, buy a firewall cable. It's not included, but at this price you should have plenty of money left over for accessories.
Of the two negative reviews of this product, one refers to it's high price tag, no longer a factor at over [%] off. The other isn't even reviewing this camera.
The only negative I can find is I wish they included a dv camera to computer focus regarding the video in the same way they include instructions and features for the memory card. I.E. I wish they included the firewire. I know, WAAAAAAAAAA. This camera is two cameras in one, and two compact cameras at that. If you want to take pictures and videos of travel or everyday life but don't want to be bogged down by two cameras or bulkier cameras, this is the one for you.
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.
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.
What got my attention was a string of reported problems with rewinding the tape. This is a major problem even if it exists in only 30% of the cameras.
My problem is that many of the reviews mention what I consider a "deal breaking" problem. The Optura 100MC eats tapes! It may be a great camera, but if it will eat my tapes, (and Murphy says it will only eat the really important tapes, like the birth of my child!), then what good is it?
So now my question is this; has anyone experienced the same problem with the Optura 200MC, or has Canon "fixed" the problem?
Please let us know by posting a follow up review.
Here is a reprint of a review that sums things up on the Optura 100MC:
"Caution - Tape Eating Problem, November 3, 2001
Reviewer: John Fallisgaard from Seattle, WA USA
I have owned the Optura 100MC for a few weeks now and in general (with one exception) I am pleased with it. However, I suspect there might be a design defect with this camera. I have had two of these now which have had to be returned (I am awaiting my third) due to the tape getting stretched or broken by the mechanism. It happens during a prolonged rewind. Not every time, but all it takes is once and the tape is ruined, particularly on these cameras which have a time code stamp. If the time code is lost, the camera stops and you get a "REMOVE TAPE" warning. Thus as soon as the tape is munged, you cannot rewind past it.
I have called Canon on this and they repeatedly have said that I am the only customer who has complained of this problem.
That would be fine if not for other bulletin boards where I am starting to hear about the same problem. I have read about 6 other people who have had the same experience, so so much for me being an isolated instance.
I think there is a design defect here which canon is not admitting to yet. I would wait to consider this camera until canon comes clean and guarantees they have fixed this problem."
For one, the 100MC came with an accessory shoe that made it much easier to attach a pro-level directional mic and light, which fed right off the camera battery and required no cables. Because of the 100MC's very compact size and adaptability, it was arguably more portable, versatile (and certainly cheaper) than the 3-CCD pro-level GL2, the next model up in Canon's line. (And despite having only one CCD, the 100MC's picture quality did not differ that significantly from the GL2 either.)
Alas, Canon has apparently decided to kill its own competition with the GL2 not by making the GL2 a better camera, but by stripping down the Optura series. With the 200MC revision, they've taken away the accessory shoe and added consumer features of debatable value, such as a blotchy, preprogrammed "Super Night Mode" and a useless, Windows-only DV messenger functionality. You can still attach accessories, but Canon makes it hard; you have to use an awkward bracket (sold separately) and the accessories must have their own power sources and cables. A fully loaded 200MC is an unwieldly and unpractical tangle.
You're better off with the Optura 100MC, a great little camera that can still be found from used or like-new sellers on Amazon for [price-info] less than the price of a new 200MC.
Or, if you can live with a digital (rather than optical) stabilizer, I'd recommend you save yourself [price info]and get a brand-new ZR50MC, which still has the accessory shoe that the new Optura has lost. Those are simple but decent cameras, and a bargain considering their price.
Es decir que con este equipo cualquier principiante puede parecer un experto y como ocupa poco espacio, a menudo voy a poder llevarla conmigo sin molestias y as’ registrar los momentos mas importantes.
El precio es algo mayor que otras, pero una c‡mara de video digital es algo que no se compra con frecuencia sino que esta compra dura muchos a–os y vale la pena que sea buena.
Fundamentally, there may be no basis for anything.
The grand leap of the whale up the Fall of Niagara is esteemed, by all
who have seen it, as one of the finest spectacles in nature.
-- Benjamin Franklin.
