Product Description

The Optura 20 has a personality all its own. It is highly intelligent, yet it's remarkably easy to use. Its sleek, cutting edge design totally meshes with you and your lifestyle. Versatility is at its core. It produces video which blurs the line between reality and your TV screen. Camera-inspired features open the door to a photographic world filled with flexibility, control, and excitement. Connectivity is as simple as it is extensive. New imaging opportunities are not only possible, they are yours for the taking.The Optura 20 camcorders are equipped with a full range of sophisticated features to capture outstanding video and digital photos. Genuine Canon Optics, Image Stabilization, a high-quality 1.33 Megapixel CCD and Advanced Photo Features guarantee a success every time. Superior connectivity means you can share your memories quickly and easily - without jumping through hoops.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64713 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Canon
• Model: 20
• Dimensions: 6.50 pounds
• Display size: 3.5

Features

• MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 1.33-megapixel CCD
• 16x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 320x) and image stabilizer
• 3.5-inch LCD with 180-degree rotation
• Capture low-light recordings with Super Night Mode
• Record for up to 1 hour and 50 minutes on one battery charge

Amazon.com Product Description
The Canon Optura 20 camcorder is equipped with a full range of sophisticated features to capture outstanding video and digital photos. It features high-quality Canon optics with a 16x optical zoom, image stabilization, a 1.33 megapixel CCD, and advanced photo capabilities. The Optura 20 improves on its counterpart, the Optura 20, with Super Night Shooting mode, a larger 3.5-inch LCD, and higher capacity battery.

Lens and Optics
The powerful 16x optical zoom lets you capture your subject with razor-sharp detail even from a distance, while the 320x digital zoom takes you even closer, revealing details too small to see with the naked eye. When capturing digital still images, the lens provides a 15x optical zoom--the equivalent of a 41-620 mm lens on a 35mm photo camera. The Optura 20 also features a 1.33-megapixel CCD and an image stabilization system that compensates for camcorder shake, even while panning and zooming.

Canon's DIGIC DV system makes it possible to achieve accurate color for both video and digital photos. Since video and 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.

Digital Stills
With its 1.33-megapixel resolution, you can capture digital stills up to 1280 by 960 pixels (for 4 x 6-inch prints). Additionally, the Optura 20's Simultaneous Photo Record featureenables you to record high-quality video to a MiniDV tape and e-mail-ready digital photos (640 x 480 pixels) to a memory card at the same time. You can also capture a rapid succession of photos just like the motor drive on a camera. With a single press of a button, the Opture 20 records 30 VGA (640 x 480) frames at a rate of 3 frames per second or 20 SXGA (1280 x 960) frames at 2 frames per second.

Images are stored on the included 8 MB Secure Digital memory card; the camcorder is also compatible with MultiMedia (MMC) cards.

More Features
The Optura 20 also offers a Super Night mode and Low Light Plus mode, allowing for continued recording even in virtual darkness. An assist lamp in the front of the camera illuminates the subject just enough to allow excellent image quality while retaining the desired mood or effect. The Optura 20 is also bundled with a higher capacity battery, the BP-512, for longer continuous shooting.

Other features include:

• The Advanced Accessory Shoe allows you to add optional lights, flashes, and microphones.
• Manual controls include focus, AE shift, shutter speeds, and white balance.
• Direct print feature with optional Canon Card Photo Printers CP-200 and CP-20 and select Canon Bubble Jet Printers.

Inputs and Outputs
The Optura 20 standard DV IEEE1394 port (also referred to as Firewire), which provides a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. It also features USB 1.1 connectivity for transferring still photos

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Size and Contents
The camcorder measures 3 x 7.3 x 3.6 inches and weighs 1.4 pounds (625 grams). This package includes the Optura 20 camcorder, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, battery (BP-512), power adapter (CA-570), wireless controller, shoulder strap, stereo video cable, USB cable, Digital Video Solution CD-ROM, and DV Messenger software CD-ROM.

From the Manufacturer
The Optura 20 MiniDV camcorder helps capture life’s moments with creativity and flexibility. Beyond its ability to capture high quality digital video, this DV camcorder offers numerous advanced still photo capabilities, providing users with tremendous versatility. The Optura 20 features a 16x Genuine Canon Optical Zoom Lens and a 1.33 Megapixel CCD image sensor for creating high-quality digital still images directly onto the camcorders’ memory card. In addition, it offers selectable focusing points to capture sharp images of off-center subjects; the ability to simultaneously record video and digital photos with the push of a button and Direct Print capabilities. Enjoy a large 3.5-inch bright LCD viewfinder, making it easier to compose video segments. It can be rotated for high or low-angle shots and swivel 180 degrees. The Optura 20 also offers a Super Night Mode and Low Light Plus Mode, allowing for continued recording even in virtual darkness. An assist lamp in the! front of the camera illuminates the subject just enough to allow excellent image quality while retaining the desired mood or effect. The Optura 20 is also bundled with a high capacity battery, the BP-512, for longer continuous shooting.

Genuine Canon Optics: 16x Optical Zoom/ 320x Digital Zoom

Canon Optics are unparalleled in the industry. The same Canon experience and expertise that goes into precision lenses for 35mm and broadcast TV cameras goes into every camcorder lens we manufacture. At Canon, we never compromise. The result is a lens with superb definition and exceptional contrast.

The powerful 16x optical zoom lets you capture your subject with razor-sharp detail even from a distance. The powerful 320x digital zoom takes you even closer, revealing details too small to see with the naked eye.

Color Viewfinder and 3.5" LCD Screen

The Optura 20's extra-large 3.5" viewscreen always make you feel like part of the action. Tilt the screen for high or low-angle shots. You can even turn it 180 degrees so you can record and see yourself at the same time. And, once you've finished recording, the big, bright screen offers you a clear view of the results.

Image Stabilizer

Don't miss a shot -- even if you're shooting hand-held, at full telephoto, or while you're on the move. Canon's superb Image Stabilization system compensates for camcorder shake instantly, making your videos look steady and natural. Unlike other brands, Canon's Image Stabilization is effective even while panning and zooming.

Shooting Modes

The Optura 20 allows you to record both video and digital photos to tape. You can also save XGA High Resolution Photos and Motion JPEG movies to a MultiMediaCard or SD Memory Card.

Video Mode

Video Mode delivers smooth, full-motion video for playback on your TV. You also can transfer the video onto your computer to view, edit, post on the Internet, or send to friends.

1.33 Megapixel Photos

The Optura 20 's Megapixel CCD means the camcorder offers megapixel digital photo capture. The Optura 20 uses a 1.33 Megapixel CCD to capture high-resolution photos for saving on the removable storage card. Aiding the capture of high-quality digital photos is a lens with digital still camera-based elements. The picture size in this mode goes up to 1280 x 960 pixels.

Photo Mode

Just press the photo button to capture more than 1,000 still pictures, each with 6 seconds of sound, on a single 80 minute videocassette.

Motion JPEG Movie

It's easy to record Motion JPEG video clips that are perfect for sending to friends and family via e-mail, or for posting on the Web. Using the Optura 20's memory card, you can record up to 10 seconds at 320 x 240 pixels or up to 30 seconds at 160 x 120 pixels.

MultiMediaCard/SD Memory Card Capability

For the storage of digital photos and Motion JPEG Movie clips, you can use either MultiMediaCards or SD Memory cards. An 8MB SD memory card is provided with the Optura 20.

The memory card also comes with sample images that you can use when recording video. Use these images and the Card Mix Effects to add another dimension to your video memories with picture frames, backgrounds, and animations.

Programmed Auto Exposure

The Optura 20 offers the versatility to meet every exposure challenge, as well as amazing ease of use, when you'd like to let the camera make all the choices. Amazingly sophisticated circuitry delivers proper exposure automatically under almost any lighting condition. But you also can easily adjust the exposure in any one of several creative ways to meet your specific need. Selecting a different exposure mode lets you control how you want the video to look.

Firewire / IEEE 1394 / DV Terminal (input / output)

Connect your Optura 20 camcorder to your DV-compatible computer and discover a world of digital, multimedia possibilities. Effortlessly transfer your digital movies to your computer's hard drive, edit your scenes, then use them to create movies that everyone will want to watch. You can also create high-impact Web sites, video e-mail, or interactive CDs and DVDs.

USB Terminal

Transfer Motion JPEG movies and digital photos from your SD Memory Card or MultiMediaCard to your computer quickly and easily. Simply use the USB cable with the software provided and let the creativity begin.

The software that comes with the Optura 20 lets you edit and manage your images with ease. ZoomBrowser EX for Windows and ImageBrowser for Macintosh let you download, browse, archive, and retouch your photos. Resize images. Attach them to e-mail. Arrange them for printing. Add text. Everything you need is at your fingertips.

Customer Reviews

nice value mid-level camcorder
canon has a very nice camocorder in the optura 20. it's a very nice value and at a street price of less than six hundred bucks, you get a lot:

pros:
- very good video quality.
- 1.3 megapixel still capability.
- miniDV media is widely supported.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.
- allows some degree of manual control.
- ability to record mpeg videos directly to SD card.
- the 3.5" LCD screen is great.
- as with most canon products, the printed manual is very good.
- optical zoom: 16x!
- autolight for supernight shooting mode (although the video is still choppy).
- hot accessory shoe with a boatload of accessories available from canon.
- digital image stabilization works well.

cons:
- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.
- you could do better on the still photo department. for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 and panasonic's PVDV953 have 2-3 megapixel capability but those camcorders are much more expensive.
- don't expect miracles from 1.3 megapixel stills.
- video too choppy with low light modes, even with built-in LED lamp.
- viewfinder tilts but does not extend.
- motor noise can be heard when recording a very quiet room.
- bottom loading cassette - can't remove tape while camcorder is on a tripod
- not as compact as i would like. dimensions are 3.0"W x 3.6"H x 7.3"D and it weighs 1 lb 7 oz without tape and battery.
- the included 8MB SD card is unacceptable. be prepared to shell out more money for for more memory (at least 32MB).

why only four stars? the two most important things for me in a camcorder are video quality and size. the optura is bigger than i would like and in my opinion, there are several camcorders out with better video quality at roughly the same price point (panasonic gs70 which has 3CCDs, and to a lesser extent, sony's trv33 and pc-105). don't get me wrong; this is a very nice camcorder - i just have a few other models higher on my "best camcorder list." i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.

Tested many, but the Canon Optura 20 was best
I reserched Sony, JVC, and Canon. I previously owned a JVC DVL-300, and had good experience with that camera, but wanted to move up to the Canon for its superior features and image quality. My decision came down between the Canon ZR70 and the Optura 20. For the extra ... in price between these two, the Optura is definatly worth the extra money. The image stabilization was excellent on the Optura, even when zoomed in. The ZR70 was still shaky and was not that stable, especially on zoom. I've read other reviews complaining about poor low light recording and motor noise (mostly with the ZR series). I have not experienced either of these problems with the Optura. Image quality for video indoors, even with low light, was great. The super night mode does look like a choppy web cam movie, BUT, even though the video is slow in Super Night mode, the COLOR quality was good... even with NO light. I prefer the color night video rather than the green Sony night video. It makes your video look more like home video instead of making your family look like an amateur military unit. I also like the 16x optical zoom (Sony only goes up to 10x optical, even on their best camcorder). Digital photos with the Optura are excellent (for 4x6 prints). But I never expext my camcorder to replace my digital camera (a Canon S330 - which is fantastic). But with the Optura, those few still photos I decide to snap with the camcorder are great (The ZR70 is not as good... another reason the Optura is worth the extra money). Battery life is excellent with the standard battery. My only complaint would be that the batter must be attached to the camera and plugged in to be charged. I wish they had a seperate charger for the battery, so as not to pull out the whole camera when it needs to be charged.

I've owned various Canon products and have always been impressed with their quality. The Optura is no exception. I would definatly recommend this camera to anyone who is concerned with capturing quality video for everyday indoor/outdoor recording. For those concerned with night or VERY low light recording, I would suggest investing in one of the optional light accessories.

Great Camcorder in its Price Range
I've owned this camera for almost a year now. I also was looking at the Canon ZR series (the high end of that series) and some Panasonics available at the time. I wanted MiniDV and wasn't happy with what any other manufacturer offered at the time.

My main concern is video quality, and so far I've been very pleased with this camera's performance. I use a firewire cable/card (purchased seperately) to transfer the video to my PC for editing. However, even playing back using the outputs on the camera to plug into a TV revealed excellent quality.

I do notice some camera noise when using the built in microphone, but it is widely known that the microphones they put in these cameras are of a lower quality. I have the ability to clean that up during editing, so it's not a big deal to me. To get even better quality source audio, I would suggest an external microphone.

Finally, if you haven't already, take a look at jemaer_rf's review (September 13, 2003) . I agree with everything in that review except that the size is too big. My preference is to have a "larger" camera so that there's something to hold on to. I played with a few of the tiny cameras at a local electronics store and they were too small for me. If you're happy with the size, then consider buying this camera.