Canon Elura Digital Camcorder

by Canon

Product Details

Product Manual [2.49mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002JX0E
• Item model number: Elura
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,119 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Canon Elura packs a bevy of features into a small, lightweight package. In addition to offering a number of automatic and semiautomatic exposure modes, it allows for more creative or unusual shots by allowing manual control of focus, exposure, white balance, and shutter speed. Canon's optical image stabilization feature works well in conjunction with the flip-out LCD screen to allow shooting while walking or panning--without the familiar bounce and jiggle.

The LCD screen rotates 270 degrees, making it useful for the full range of camera motion. The screen also flips forward to allow for unmanned operation or to let the subjects see what's being recorded. Because it offers a color viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen, the Elura is very flexible. Its upright packaging takes some getting used to. In addition, the camera is geared to right-handed people, so lefties may have a tough time adjusting to the Elura; however, we became accustomed to it quickly.

The Elura offers seven autoexposure settings, including one low-light setting. While Canon recommends a minimum of 100 lux to operate the camera's normal modes, we found that the Elura performed well even in dim light. The low-light setting allowed the camera to operate at minimal light levels, with the expected degradation of picture quality. One remarkable thing about the Elura was its ability to focus quickly and accurately at extreme close range: the specifications say 3/8 inch, but we found that, with good lighting, it could get even closer than that without typical autofocus hunting.

The progressive scan CCD allows the Elura to offer an additional, progressive scan mode. This eliminates the flickering associated with interlaced NTSC signals and allows for higher image quality, especially on pans over high-contrast areas.

The Elura's digital effects are comparable to other cameras in its price range. One nice feature is that you can apply the digital effects during playback and keep the original recording clean. The Elura also offers a widescreen 16:9 mode, which adjusts the viewfinders to give an accurate representation of what playback on a 16:9 monitor will look like.

The Elura comes with a built-in stereo condenser microphone, and a jack allowing for a separate microphone. While there's no mount for an external light, the Elura does have a tripod mount.

This camcorder uses the MiniDV format, which lets you record digital video on an ultracompact tape. Digital video gives you extraordinary video and sound quality. The digital format allows you to take digital still pictures, just like a digital camera. If you want to download and edit your digital still images and video on a computer, however, you have to purchase a separate IEEE 1394 (Firewire) video capture card.

Pros:

• Progressive scan CCD
• Very lightweight
• Still photo capability
• High-quality digital format
• Color viewfinder
• Optical image stabilization

Cons:

• Smallish 2.5-inch display
• Somewhat awkward grip

Amazon.com Product Description

Capture the memories wherever life takes you. The new Canon Elura Mini Digital Video Camcorder is your personal imaging companion. Functioning as both a video camcorder and a digital still camera, the Elura's MiniDV features technology that delivers the highest possible digital image quality in a compact design.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Compromise, December 22, 1999

By 

David W. Brown (Lenexa, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Elura Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

I had intended to buy a 3 chip Sony VX 1000, but budget forced me to buy something a little less pricey. My reasoning was that I would use this as a back up after I get a 3 chip high end XL-1 or GL-1 or possibly a Sony TRV900 when I can afford it. However I was able to find this camera at about 3 $ under list, and it is a great compromise. The quality of output is far superior to anything I ever used by way of VHS-C or Digital 8, and I have found it to be pretty good in low light. Moreover, the sound I have captured has been very acceptable. I bought the attachment for the external mike ($) and it also can be used for a headset. I have used this camera to capture VHS tapes onto digital video with fantastic resolution, and virtually no degradation. Once in digital form, it is very easy to use the camera as a tape deck on my Macintosh, controlling the camera from the computer and editing directly into my computer. It has a few limitations, but is overall a spectacular advance over the cheaper Digital 8 and VHS cameras available. There is just no comparison when it comes to resolution, color fidelity and overall quality - and it is easily $1000 to $1500 cheaper than the 3 chippers, and I defy anyone but the most critical expert to tell the difference. One important feature is the screen that lets you look at your shot as you are taping. It makes for really good consistent framing, and my eyesight and glasses make using a scope sight quite difficult. I am very pleased with this little machine. It is big stuff in a small but powerful package.

109 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it, great value, December 17, 1999

By 

David L. Beckwith (Wheaton, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Elura Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

I won't bore you with the good things since my review is five starred. I'll let you know it's drawbacks (in my opinion).

The microphone is on the top and not in the front so I've found myself accidently covering it with my hand especially when videoing my 2 year old son at knee level.

It doesn't have a microphone port, you have to purchase a separate option. You can slightly hear the tape mechanism, so if clean sound is important, you should get the option and an external mike. My old Sony HI8 was noisier, though, especially when zooming which the Canon is silent.

It tends to pick up wind noise even when the wind suppression is on.

Low light is not nearly as good as my old Sony Hi8. I found it is better if you remove image stablization in low light (which they don't mention in the manual). The low light mode they have results in grainy jerky output. It would be nice to have a light, but this is not even an option (I guess you can't have everything).

One tape was eaten (I've used 12 60 minute tapes). At one time, tapes I kept inserting were rejected. After many attempts of recycling power and reinserting, it took them again. I haven't had a problem since.

The controls are a slight bit awkwardly placed. It is somewhat the nature of a vertical oriented camera versus horizontal. The horizontal are more comfortable (in my opinion) like holding a football instead of a cup. Thus almost all controls are operated only with the thumb if you want to use just one hand.

Progressive scan results in 15 frames a second noninterlaced. The literature is a little confusing on this and makes it sound like 30 frames (it repeats every other one). It makes it clear this will be jerky but doesn't explain why. Think of the progressive scan as 15 photos a second. I've used it for photos but still prefer my 35mm film camera to any digital still. Anyway, it doesn't have flash capability, which also limits it for stills.

It is a little heavier than you would think but seems sturdy. If you have a large pants pocket, you can squeeze it in but you walk crooked from the weight.

I wish it had a smart battery like the new Sonys so you can tell exactly how much is left. But it is much better than my old HI8 which used NiCad. You probably want to get additional batteries. I bought two extra standard size batteries which are quite compact.

If you leave the battery in the camera and the camera is off, it still drains rather quickly (a week?). They warn you not to leave it in the camera when off, but if you don't read the manual you may think you have a fully charged battery inserted. I've read others complain about battery life. I bet in reality, they got burned by this and didn't realize it.

A feature I feel would be real handy is locating the next open area on the tape. After videoing, I often replay and find it awkward repositioning it to the end. I think I saw a JVC with this feature, though I don't know how well the implemented it.

It doesn't use HI8 eight tapes like some of the new Sonys. But, even though I have a lot of old HI8 tapes, I actually prefer the smaller dv tapes. I can carry quite a few in my camera case and some in my pockets. And anyway, there are too many limitations in the digital 8 camcorders.

The remote is confusing, but then again almost all remotes are. The remote is better than my old Sony HI8, though.

Consumer Reports thought it was pricey but in reality it is a great value. I suspect they tested it wrong because they made a dopey comment about progressive scan. They compared the digital cameras as if they were analog. I.e. they compared apples to apples but using an orange criteria. Or to use another metaphor, they compared two sports cars on family car criteria; gas milage, interior space instead of speed and handling. It is probably the best 1 CCD digital video camera available. It is a significant jump higher in price to get a 3 CCD camera.

I didn't use their software for capturing and instead used what came with my firewire card. The bundle was no deal since you had to pay full price to turn capturing on.

Though capturing may seem straight forward, you use quite a lot of disk space and need to think about your final desired output at capture time for best results. But this is an issue with any digital video camera.

Let me add one positive that I haven't seen others mention... it seems to be real smart where it focuses. I can video my son walking past a bush where he is just barely visible and it keeps the focus on him instead of the close up bush.

And another,... it transfers quite well to VHS. It looks better than the first generation from a VHS camera. This could be because they don't make high quality VHS cameras since it is limited so much by the tape and price is king in the VHS market. Does anyone buy VHS camcorders any more? Well, I guess my point is, since VHS is a prolific format every relative of yours has, copying it from a digital camera is much better than from an 8 or HI8 camera.

55 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Canon Elura Easy to use, December 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Canon Elura Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

Fabulous. The first day I was making movies, transferring them to my iMac and my TV. Uploaded one to an Internet site. Great picture quality, good sound, good manual. Very easy to use and well worth the price. Very light weight for travelers. Many fancy extras such as special editing effects.