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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PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!!!!! BUY SOMETHING ELSE
Pros
NONE
Cons
That I trusted Canon as a name and bought it.
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Don't but it. Spend a little more and buy a Sony, it is worth it. With the Sony, you will get better picture quality all around.
This camera is a piece of junk, do not buy it. I had 3, yes, 3 defective ones, or maybe Canon just doesn't care about the loud grinding motor noise when recording and during playback. Yes, some cameras have a little motor noise, but this one was horrible, and picked up on the recording, ruining a few of my projects. I had nothing but problems with this camera, the construction leaves a bit to be desired, (on initial inspection it seems to be solid, but after a week or so, it did not quite seem so), not to mention the motor buzz and noise.
The first Optura20 that I purchased went completely dead on me for no apparent reason (even with the power cord). The second one had a grinding motor noise that did not exist on the first one that I had purchased, that was completely unacceptable and an obvious defect. The 3rd Optura 20 that I got, had the grinding motor noise twice as bad as the second, and then just quit recording onto the mini dv tape altogether for no apparent reason. The motor noise is unacceptable, I am not talking about a healthy whirring, I am talking about a crunching noise during recording and playback that is way too loud (it was even picked up on tape in louder situations). Some people seem to be shocked that I find this unacceptable, not for the money, not from Canon, hold these companies to a higher standard and the product will be better.
The Camera body was not balanced very well for it's size. Since getting my Sony, I have noticed that difference, the Sony has a better balance, seems to be constructed better, and seems that it will last longer.
The Optura 20 is easy to use, and the picture quality is ok, but the picture quality from the Sony is far better, more crisp, better color, better focus, better steady shot, better night vision, better menu and lcd display, etc.... Spend a bit more, and go with a Sony. I did not want to buy a Sony, but they are far better cameras.
After much bickering with Best Buy, (that is another bad review altogether), I got them to return the camera so I could buy a different brand. I went with the Sony DCR-TRV38, which is a far better quality camera for a little more. The picture quality on the Sony is far better, the camera stays in focus better in varying light, and no annoying motor noise. I am so glad to be rid of the Canon, I will never buy anything Canon again, I am surprised they let this model go out the door, especially after all of the hype surrounding it. You can't tell me that a multi-million dollar company can't eliminate motor noise and make a better quality camera. Hold these companies to a higher standard, and they will be forced to comply. DON'T BUY IT.
The first Optura20 that I purchased went completely dead on me for no apparent reason (even with the power cord). The second one had a grinding motor noise that did not exist on the first one that I had purchased, that was completely unacceptable and an obvious defect. The 3rd Optura 20 that I got, had the grinding motor noise twice as bad as the second, and then just quit recording onto the mini dv tape altogether for no apparent reason. The motor noise is unacceptable, I am not talking about a healthy whirring, I am talking about a crunching noise during recording and playback that is way too loud (it was even picked up on tape in louder situations). Some people seem to be shocked that I find this unacceptable, not for the money, not from Canon, hold these companies to a higher standard and the product will be better.
The Camera body was not balanced very well for it's size. Since getting my Sony, I have noticed that difference, the Sony has a better balance, seems to be constructed better, and seems that it will last longer.
The Optura 20 is easy to use, and the picture quality is ok, but the picture quality from the Sony is far better, more crisp, better color, better focus, better steady shot, better night vision, better menu and lcd display, etc.... Spend a bit more, and go with a Sony. I did not want to buy a Sony, but they are far better cameras.
After much bickering with Best Buy, (that is another bad review altogether), I got them to return the camera so I could buy a different brand. I went with the Sony DCR-TRV38, which is a far better quality camera for a little more. The picture quality on the Sony is far better, the camera stays in focus better in varying light, and no annoying motor noise. I am so glad to be rid of the Canon, I will never buy anything Canon again, I am surprised they let this model go out the door, especially after all of the hype surrounding it. You can't tell me that a multi-million dollar company can't eliminate motor noise and make a better quality camera. Hold these companies to a higher standard, and they will be forced to comply. DON'T BUY IT.
