Canon Optura 20 Mini DV Camcorder
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- Recording System: NTSC
- Camcorder Type: Digital
- Recording Media: Mini DV
- Optical Zoom: 16x
- Weight: 1.4 lb.
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A high-end camera for a mid-range price!
Pros
Near-broadcast quality video, ease of use, accessory hot shoe, large LCD, excellent features.
Cons
Bottom-loading tape, non-extendable view finder, larger than pocket-size.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
A high-end camera at a mid-range price. With near broadcast-quality video and features you'd expect from a camera costing twice as much, this camera is an incredible value!
After having created my first home DVD movie with my Canon Optura 20, I can honestly say that I am extremely pleased with this camera's incredible value in terms of features, ease of use, feel, and especially the video quality.
Although slightly larger than some of the newer cameras, the Optura 20 fits securely in my hand which adds to steadier shots. After holding and manipulating several different cameras, I found I greatly prefer the longer Optura 20 style rather than the new vertical models; it just feels better when I hold it. Since this is a personal preference, I encourage buyers to take the time to actually hold various camera styles to see what works best for you.
Feature-wise, the Optura 20 comes with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from more expensive cameras including image stabilization, numerous special effects, fades, and a variety of special exposure and audio options. I especially like the "spot-light" mode which does an excellent job of recording fireworks! Focus can be done manually for the situations that demand it, but I have found the auto-focus feature to be all I need most of the time. It can record video and audio from TV or other video sources, and has a memory card slot for recording stills or short video segments for use on the Web or in E-mails. Easily accessible S-video, DV, and Firewire ports make export a snap.
By far the best feature of the Optura 20 is the video quality. Capable of over 500 lines of resolution, the video is strikingly sharp and near broadcast quality, and colors are bright and vivid. Using Adobe Premier, I am able to make professional-quality DVD movies that have left family and friends in awe. If image quality is a high priority to you, then the Optura 20 is the definite best choice in its price range.
Other nifty feature of the Optura 20 include a large LCD screen, and a built-in "advanced accessory shoe" for the addition of a video light or a professional-style directional microphone. The power for these comes directly from the camera so there are no wires to mess with.
Negative points for the Optura 20 are few, but are in fairness worth mentioning. As with virtually ALL digital video cameras in this price range, video quality becomes choppy in extremely low light (like candle light). The Optura 20 comes with its own low-power video light that comes on in "Super Night Mode" which helps some, but I personally found it easier to just spend the money on the Canon VL-3 video light for the accessory shoe. Another issue is that DV tapes must be inserted from the bottom of the camera which makes it necessary to remove it from a tripod in order to change the tape. Finally, as a person with a big nose, I also should note that the viewfinder is not extendable. For me, nose-to-camera contact is unavoidable.
In summary, however, the positives that the Optura 20 has to offer outweigh the negatives 100 to 1. This is a high-end video quality camera for a mid-range price, and I wouldn't trade mine for anything else in its class.
Although slightly larger than some of the newer cameras, the Optura 20 fits securely in my hand which adds to steadier shots. After holding and manipulating several different cameras, I found I greatly prefer the longer Optura 20 style rather than the new vertical models; it just feels better when I hold it. Since this is a personal preference, I encourage buyers to take the time to actually hold various camera styles to see what works best for you.
Feature-wise, the Optura 20 comes with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from more expensive cameras including image stabilization, numerous special effects, fades, and a variety of special exposure and audio options. I especially like the "spot-light" mode which does an excellent job of recording fireworks! Focus can be done manually for the situations that demand it, but I have found the auto-focus feature to be all I need most of the time. It can record video and audio from TV or other video sources, and has a memory card slot for recording stills or short video segments for use on the Web or in E-mails. Easily accessible S-video, DV, and Firewire ports make export a snap.
By far the best feature of the Optura 20 is the video quality. Capable of over 500 lines of resolution, the video is strikingly sharp and near broadcast quality, and colors are bright and vivid. Using Adobe Premier, I am able to make professional-quality DVD movies that have left family and friends in awe. If image quality is a high priority to you, then the Optura 20 is the definite best choice in its price range.
Other nifty feature of the Optura 20 include a large LCD screen, and a built-in "advanced accessory shoe" for the addition of a video light or a professional-style directional microphone. The power for these comes directly from the camera so there are no wires to mess with.
Negative points for the Optura 20 are few, but are in fairness worth mentioning. As with virtually ALL digital video cameras in this price range, video quality becomes choppy in extremely low light (like candle light). The Optura 20 comes with its own low-power video light that comes on in "Super Night Mode" which helps some, but I personally found it easier to just spend the money on the Canon VL-3 video light for the accessory shoe. Another issue is that DV tapes must be inserted from the bottom of the camera which makes it necessary to remove it from a tripod in order to change the tape. Finally, as a person with a big nose, I also should note that the viewfinder is not extendable. For me, nose-to-camera contact is unavoidable.
In summary, however, the positives that the Optura 20 has to offer outweigh the negatives 100 to 1. This is a high-end video quality camera for a mid-range price, and I wouldn't trade mine for anything else in its class.
