Canon Optura 30 MiniDV Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom

Product Description

Canon's new OPTURA 30 Megapixel camcorders unite the world of video and photography like never before. Featuring DV Photo Plus, Canon's one-of-a-kind system for achieving premium image quality, and fueled by a 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor, they capture video and photos with stunning clarity. An RGB Primary Color Filter adds dynamic realism, making colors come alive. Experience the ultimate in picture quality, while still enjoying unbeatable style and performance. Imagine a camcorder, digital camera, and webcam seamlessly combined, and fitting in the palm of your hand. Compromise is a thing of the past; the OPTURA 30 delivers the best of both worlds, giving you the freedom to capture exceptional quality video and breathtaking photos.

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether shooting up-close or from a distance, the Optura 30 delivers video and photos with exceptional definition and contrast, making every shot you take a potential award-winner. Featuring Genuine Canon Optics, the Optura 30 combines a powerful 12x Optical Zoom with a 240x Digital Zoom, ensuring that you always get the shot you want.

Auto-Exposure Bracketing

In uncertain lighting conditions, the Auto-Exposure Bracketing feature will make sure your bases are covered: With a single press of the PHOTO button, the camcorder records three photos with different exposures. Later, you can choose which photo is best for printing or storing.

Enjoy stunning video and photos
The secret behind the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders' incredible video and photos is Canon's DIGIC DV technology. Since videos and photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV uses special color optimization techniques when processing an image for output to a TV or printer. The result is accurate, life-like color reproduction in all your videos and photos.

Catch all the action without the shake
Life rarely sits still for a shot, that's why the Optura 30 and Optura 40 feature Canon's advanced Image Stabilization system. Now you can keep images smooth and steady, even at full telephoto and while panning or zooming. The large 2.5" LCD and Color Viewfinder further helps to compose sensational shots from any angle.

Dazzle on-lookers with vibrant color shots
Now you can relive those precious moments with all their true vibrant colors. While traditional camcorders process color with a standard CMYG filter (resulting in duller colors), the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders use Canon's RGB Primary Color Filter, which separates light passing through the lens into their true red, green and blue color components. The result is professional-quality images that deliver natural-looking tones and superior color rendition.

Get the full picture on your wide-screen TV
Unlike camcorders which only record a vertically stretched picture, the Optura 30 and Optura 40 both feature a High-Resolution 16:9 Mode that records video in true 16:9 ("letterbox") format for playback on wide-screen TVs. When shooting in the 16:9 Mode, the entire width of the 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor is used to capture your footage. The result is wide-screen quality videos that are certain to impress even the biggest "big screen" fan.

Canon's Megapixel CCD
Canon's Megapixel CCD Image Sensor delivers crisp images with life-like detail. Whether you are shooting video or photos with the camcorder, you will get the best results. The CCD works like film -- when light is captured by the sensor, it registers an image and advanced processing converts the pixels into digital data creating your video or photos.

Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV
DIGIC DV, our exclusive signal processing circuit, makes it possible to achieve accurate color for both video and digital photos. Since video and digital photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV utilizes two different color techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image quality for print or computer display.

Take it from sight to website at a moment's notice
Thanks to the Optura's improved Motion JPEG feature, you can shoot video ready for streaming over the Internet or for e-mailing. The Motion JPEG Mode records your footage onto the Secure Digital memory card at 15 frames/second, giving you up to 60 minutes of recording time on a 512MB card. You can then quickly and easily transfer your movies to your computer using the USB cable.

Make incredible panoramas and portraits
The Optura line of camcorders gives you the power to edit your still images in a variety of exciting ways. The Stitch Assist feature allows you to capture and create breathtaking 360-degree panoramas, while the Skin Detail Mode helps you take complimentary close-ups of people by softening details and reducing skin imperfections.

Turn your camcorder into a webcam
Exclusive to Canon, the Optura camcorders feature a Network Mode that enables you to remotely control your camcorder through the DV Messenger2 software application. Control the focus and zoom of your camcorder from a computer while streaming the video via its IEEE 1394 terminal

Explore your creativity with the supplied software
Included in your Optura Kit are Pinnacle Studio 9SE and Pinnacle Instant Photo Album, two powerful editing programs that can help turn your videos and photos into lasting memories.

What's in the Box

Optura 40/Optura 30
NB-2LH Battery Pack
CA-570 Compact Power Adapter
STV-250N Stereo Video Cable
SS-900 Shoulder Strap
WL-D83 Wireless Controller
SDC-8M SD Memory Card
IFC-300PCU USB Cable
DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Windows
DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Macintosh

Customer Reviews:

Very good camera if you have a lot of light.......2006-09-28

We have owned this camera for over a year and our feelings are mixed:

For outdoor filming, this camera is outstanding. The color and picture quality are top notch.

Unfortunately, indoor filming is very poor (even during the daytime with all of our windows open and lights on). We bought the camera to film our young children and find ourselves not turning the camera on as much as we should because there is not enough light (and we have a very bright house).

The manual settings on the camera are nice (one of the primary reasons we chose the optura30), but the menu is not very intuitive and the manual is not very helpful.

Field of view is also quite small - recommend using a wide angle lense. We also recommend trying out any camera in person in an average lighted room, not an overlighted show room.

Fantastic outdoor camera.......2005-08-26

I shot over twenty hours of footage on this camera with brilliant results. The 2.2 megapixel ccd makes for outstanding video quality outdoors. Because my video is shot in widescreen, my friends often tell me my home movies look like independent feature films. When there is enough lighting, you will be impressed with this camera.

Unfortunately, when the lighting goes down, this camera has pretty poor results. For instance, you will often see ghosting of video because the automatic shutter kicks in to open the aperature more. Don't bother with the night mode because it has a terrible strobe like effect making video look completely unacceptable.

So far, so good.... and a little word to the Canon-hater!.......2005-03-22

First, about the camera. I've only had the Optura for about two weeks. I've only used it indoors and the quality is acceptable under moderate indoor lighting. Is it great? No, but it's also not a pro camera. The quality seems to be a little better than the Sony it replaced, as far as I can tell. That's about all I can say at this point. I did notice the battery going down pretty quickly, but at this point for my family, a battery that needs to be charged often isn't a big deal. If and when it is, I suppose we will purchase another battery. Considering we paid $425 including s/h and after the rebate (from MPSuperstore) I can't complain too much.

Normally I wouldn't post a review without using the camera more, but I just have to respond to the guy who posted about his ZR10. First, buddy, if you aren't reviewing the Optura 30, why are you here? Second, after my experience with a Sony MiniDV -- with less than 10 hours of record time I've got a malfunction that could cost more to fix than to replace it -- I could say the same thing about Sony. Yeah, I'm pissed as hell. And I surely won't be buying another Sony camcorder. But I'm not about to make a blanket statement that all Sony camcorders suck b/c I'm not exactly qualified to say that. And to say that all Sony products stink just b/c my $500 camcorder prematurely kicked the bucket, well, that's just foolery.

Awesome little camcorder packed with features........2005-01-25

The Pro's

1. I don't see what all the fuss is about with the low light? From what I was reading I think Canon made some changes around July of 2004 to improve this feature. I was worried about this so I did a test in the basement with minimal lighting. The result was a little bit grainy but if I you are shooting video footage in the dark what do you expect? Compared to my other JVC it was 3 times better in the low light performance.

2. The next best thing is the WIDE ANGLE!!!! My JVC stretches and distorts the image like most other camcorders but the Canon was AWESOME!!!! Turn off the image stabilizer and you get an even wider angle. I have a big screen HDTV and this feature is a must for Widescreen HDTV owners. Truly one of the best features.

3. Color and Resolution - Near perfect. I do a lot of landscape and outdoor shooting so I was going to go with the Panasonic 3 CCD for the color rendition. To my surprise the resolution and color clarity on this camcorder was damn near perfect. The Blues were great, greens good, reds a tad off, yellows a tad off but overall the 1.3 MP sensor and color filter do a superb job, I could not ask for more from a non 3 CCD camera.

4. The next best thing I loved about this camera was the stabilization. I often shoot while driving and with my JVC sometimes I would get car sick just watching some of the footage I took! I zoomed in 12X and purposefully shook the camera, then I turned off the stabilization and did the same thing. The results 10 times better with the stabilization. It also did not chop the frames like some other camcorders do.

5. The Miscellaneous Features, I like the feel of this camera, small compact and light. I liked the Output and input jacks. Firewire, USB, S-Video, etc etc this baby has it all.

6. Last but not least the price. $450 after [...]!!! I'm a penny pincher and this camera more than met my expectations

7. Comes with Pinnacle Studio 9 SE, great software for the average video editor.

The Cons

1.The battery has a short life. Take a hint go to E-bay buy a cheap knock off or 2, I got 2 NB-2LH batteries for $25!!

2. As with all digital stills from a camcorder. If you haven't read any other reviews yet they all say the same thing and it is true with all camcorders, The CCD is meant for live moving pictures, not stills, They are OK but cannot compete with my 3 MP Kodak

Bad Indoor performance kills an otherwise 5 star camera........2004-06-16

2 1/2 stars.. Good feel and Features saves it from a 2 star rating. With minimal low light performance, this camera would have been 5 stars.

I tried both this camera and the Elura 65/70 side by side. While I prefered the feel and overall features of the Optura, the low light is so bad on the Optura, that I ended up selecting the Elura 70. Overall, the Elura has better video performance for less money. And isn't video performance the top reason to buy a camcorder?

Low light is relative.. I'm talking regular indoor lighting, not near dark stuff. I tested it with 300 watts of artificial light ins a 25x15 room and the colors were dull/drab and noticably darker and less colorful than the elura. What's worse, as you lower the light, movement/pans of the camera leave echos of objects! Below 60 lux, the camera is pretty much useless without an accesory light. I find this unacceptable in a $899 camera. I will say that nantural sunlight does wonders for performance, but this only helps when filming near windows or in a sunroom and does nothing at night.

Don't even consider the night modes, they slow down the frame rate and look worse anything you would film in standard mode. And to those that may ask, yes, auto slow shutter is off(which i recommend for any Canon camcorder).

I think the cultrip is the RGB filter... which produces more accurate colors but decreases luminance levels. This is why single CCD cameras genreally use Complementary filters... and why if you want RGB, yuo should get a 3 CCD Camera. I suppose that Canon thought that the 2mp CCD would make up for this weakness. It doesn't. I would have loved this camera with a Complentary filter. I'll sacrifice a negligable amount of color accuracy in bright light for tolerable indoor performance anything. The truth it's hard to tell the difference in the colors, but it's easy to tell the difference indoors.. and indoors, it's brightness and Color that are so bad! The Elura 65/70 performs MUCH better indoors producing reasonably well at normal lighing conditions.. and even as low as 15 lux.

Still Performance is OK, but the overall quality isn't much better than the 1mp elura.. except that the pictures are 1623x1224 rather than 1280x960... While good for a camcorder, they are still no substitute for a digital camera. Don't buy either for stills! The Elura takes suprisingly good photos without a flash, but an external flash is available.

After trying both cameras, I loved the 30.. and it was difficult to part with it. I ran the same tests over and over, and even tried a different Optura, thinking that mine may have been defective.
The bottom line is: If these cameras were the same price, I would have taken the Elura... with the Elura being cheaper, it's a no brainer.

Good Luck

Optura Likes: Excellent auto focus, focus ring, overall feel of Camera is the best that I've felt. Integrated flash, 2mp CCD, Top Loader, Exposure setting.

Dislikes: INDOOR PERFORMANCE IS VERY POOR. Menu Dial is in awkward position. Price.

NOTE: Canon was SO close with this camera. I'm not saying it's not a good camera.. it's feel and performance are great.. it just performs at the bottom of the bell curve on indoor performance... even when compared to cameras half the price.

Product Description

Let the Linksys USB VPN and Firewall Adapter protect your PC and your communications wherever you go. This easy-to-pack, lightweight, network interface with advanced safety and security features connects you to the Internet through any broadband connection (cable, DSL, or your hotel's fast Internet service), and protects your PC from most known Internet attacks with a powerful Stateful Packet Inspection firewall. You can also optionally block Java, Active X, and Cookies - known points of entry for hackers.The Adapter connects to virtually any PC through the USB port, and requires no external power supply. Once you're connected, you can establish a Virtual Private Network tunnel from your PC to a corporate network using the popular IPSec VPN standard, and your transmitted data will be protected by government-spec DES or Triple-DES encryption.It's also a perfect traveling companion to the Linksys Firewall Router (BEFSX41) or VPN Router (BEFVP41) on your home or small office network. You can securely connect to your home resources to retrieve files, or check your local email. Once you're connected over VPN, it's just like being attached to the local network.With the Linksys USB VPN and Firewall Adapter protecting your PC and communications, you'll have one less thing to worry about when you're traveling.

Customer Reviews:

Linksys USBVPN1 USB BPN and Firewall Adapter.......2007-01-11

Easy to setup, personal firewall. Tunnel was easy to setup and utilize. Works with the older and newer Linksys VPN products.

Would like to see the device made smaller but still easy to port.

Product Description

Microline 184 Turbo 9-Pin Impact Printer. 300 cps, 5-part forms. 90 columns
Microline Emulation
Serial Connectivity

Product Description

Nu-kote International produces more than 3, 000 products for use in over 30, 000 types of imaging devices. As the world shrinks and printing technology expands, count on Nu-kote to keep its edge. The company will do it through a commitment to quality, value, innovation, financial strength and superior service.Nu-kote offers nylon black ribbon compatible with IBM 4201 proprinter.

Product Description

The Panasonic KXL-600A makes taking high quality digital pictures a snap. It is as easy to use as a traditional camera, but unlike traditional cameras, it connects to your PC and lets you store, edit, enhance, and even E-Mail your photos. The KXL-600A comes with image editing software that gives you complete control of your images. It has a powerful removable memory and stores up to 192 pictures with an optional memory card.

Product Description

Macally PCI to FireWire adapter is surely a unique card money can buy. It provides six FireWire ports, supports hot swap and Plug-and-Play, allows to easily download video from high-resolution digital camcorders and set up a DV editing studio on computer. With this card you can add virtually unlimited storage with multiple 1394 external hard drives and CD-RW drives. It allows connection of up to 63 devices, and features automatic configuration with no device IDs or terminators required.

Product Description

You've asked for an optical storage with fast speed and unmatched reliability and that's exactly what you'll get with this drive. The GCC-4521B combines the 52x32x52 CD-RW drive with a 16x DVD-ROM drive. Complete with SuperLink for Buffer Underrun error protection, high speed media support and standard connection, this internal CD-RW+ DVD-ROM drive will bring you up to speed and beyond - its LG technology leading the way - again.

Average customer rating:
Lancast 100M TX TO DUAL FX/SM-SC-ELH SONAR CARD ( R732-1J )

Manufacturer: Lancast Inc.
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Networking Kits | Wireless | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B0000C5FN8

Product Description

Metrobility's "redundant twister" interface provides redundant data paths for path protection and restoration. An essential connectivity tool for high priority and mission-critical applications, it provides fully redundant data paths as well as power supply redundancy, for Ethernet or Fast Ethernet devices. If the primary connection fails due to a cable or hardware failure, the "redundant twister" interface switches the device's traffic to the secondary connections within 200 microseconds.Intelligent "redundant twister" models also deliver Managed Network-on-Demand capability for mission-critical applications. Managed Network-on-Demand allows the "redundant twister" media converter to be configured to operate in either Dynamic Recovery Mode (DRM) to ensure session integrity and increase uptime, or in Network Select Mode (NSM) to redirect traffic and add security through link isolation. And with SONAR, or Switch on No Activity Received, the interface not only monitors for loss of link on the active port, but will also monitor for traffic. With SONAR, if the active port remains idle for a given amount of time (configurable for 2-4 seconds) the resilient technology of the redundant interface will verify activity on the secondary port, and switch traffic to that port once traffic is detected. This prevents a switch or switch port failure from bringing down the network or any part of it.

Average customer rating:
Maxell 3.5 1.44MB IBM MF2HD High Density Preformatted Disk (10-Pack, Assorted Colors)

Manufacturer: Maxell
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Floppy Diskettes | Computer | Blank Media | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics
Maxell | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Product Features:

Genuine Maxell Diskettes

New Product

ASIN: B00004Z5EA

Product Description

Besides being the industry standard for performance and reliability, Maxell floppy disks offer technological advances for improved data protection. Maxell 3.5" disk features include the patented Dual-Interlocking Flex Shutter , a self-cleaning, multi-layer disk liner to keep the magnetic surface clean and error free, an innovative multi-binding system to help extend laptop battery life and a disk shell that withstands extreme conditions even at temperatures as high as 140 degree F.

Average customer rating:

Great Player

still going and works just fine

nice and inexpensive player without the frills

Nice but alot of technical difficulties

Definantly The best in its class!

Rio S10 64 MB MP3 Player

Manufacturer: Rio
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

CD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | CD Players | CD Recorders | DJ CD Players | Portable CD Players
Up to 64 MB | Flash Drive-Based | MP3 Players | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
MP3 Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

Sennheiser HD433 Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones

Viking 64 MB MultiMedia Card

Aiwa HP-JS30S Stereo Headphones (Silver)

Linksys USBHUB4C ProConnect Compact USB 4-Port Hub

Product Features:

64 MB on-board memory; expandable up to 192 MB via MMC cards

Supports MP3 or WMA files; upgradeable for future music formats; PC and Mac compatible

USB connection for fast file transfers

Up to 30 hours' playback on one AA battery; accepts NiMH rechargeables

Includes earbuds, carry case with clip, AA battery, USB cable, and music management software

ASIN: B00006HYJ3

Product Description

You shouldn't have to leave your favorite music at home. The Rio S10 gives you enough room for up to 2 hours of skip-free digital music. The Rio Music Manager software makes it easy to transfer all your songs. You can add more memory to pack in all the MP3 and WMA music files you can handle, and you'll get an amazing 35 hours of battery life on a single AA alkaline battery. So go anywhere you want, and take your music with you.

Customer Reviews:

Great Player.......2007-01-10

I just put in a 1GB SD card and works!!! (I used to have a 512 MB Card) Great upgrade at the time I was thinking of getting another player with greater capacity.

still going and works just fine.......2006-12-27

I thought this could use another fairly recent review (happened to come across the page when I was checking to see if there is another case i can buy for mine...there's not).

I got this at least 2 years ago, maybe 3. It still works great. The only problem I have is that I lost the original software disc, and the one i downloaded from the manufacturer site (after a windows reformat) is a major downgrade from the original one i had. I have a 512MB card in mine and have had no problems, and I'm tempted to try a 1GB based on a review I just read.

I don't use the playlists (you have to create them on the player, I believe, which is much too tedious for me), and have not used bookmarks (although this is a nice feature for audiobooks). I primarily use mine at the gym and sometimes in the car with an iRock fm transmitter. I have had no problems. I use rechargable batteries and have to switch the battery out every few weeks or so, so battery life isn't super (about 12 hours?), but it does just take one AA.

All in all, it's been a great player. I boughy my hsuband an ipod for xmas, but at this point i have no real reason to upgrade to one myself, as this little baby still does the job. comes with a ghetto padded belt clip (my original reason for coming to amazon today).

4 stars because it works great but lacks many features of many other players.

**NOTE: after reading another review, I purchased a 1GB memory card from Amazon for like $12 to see if it would work in here. It does! Now I can hang onto this one happily for a little while longer before upgrading.**

nice and inexpensive player without the frills.......2006-02-14

after reading many of the reviews here before buying, i'd like to correct a couple of out of date info that were posted before:

1. the s10 can definately take a 1gb secure digital card and recognize the card's full capacity. didn't encounter any problems with playback.
2. it does support playlists, which can be setup w/ rio music manager software.
3. rio music manager software is very easy to use, if you goto the company's website and download the latest version. it's not as full featured as musicmatch but it does upload music just fine.
4. it does offer bookmarks, great for audio books.

the first thing you should do after buying this is update the firmware and software to the latest version from the company's website: www(dot)digitalnetworksna(dot)com(slash)support(slash)rio(slash)product.asp?prodID=71
sorry about the (dot) (slashes), it wouldn't let me post the url in its original form.

Nice but alot of technical difficulties.......2005-12-31

I like this little thing but the play button went wack and turned into the fast forward button so i had to pop the plastic button thing out and touch the sensors it looks so weird. When i bought it i thought that 64mg would be enough memory but it wasnt i always had to delete my songs all the time just to get another song on it. But i love the software that comes with it, its so easy to use, but i reccomend that you bye something better.

Definantly The best in its class!.......2005-10-04

This can take extreme punishment and it still works like a charm! i suggest getting a gig chip with it and you wont be dissapointed!

SONICblue Rio S10 64 MB Digital Music Player

Average customer rating:

SONICblue Rio S10 64 MB Digital Music Player

Manufacturer: SONICblue
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics