Customer Reviews

Canon Elura 90 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In researching digital camcorders I prefer to rely on the experts. Apparently there's a guy on this site who has it out for Canon for some reason, and has blasted this camcorder in particular. But... read all of his "other" reviews, and you'll see that he blasts the ENTIRE Canon line, as if he's actually bought each camera and found fault with each of them. Clearly impossible, and clearly a person with an agenda. Ignore him. For an honest review of the Canon Elura Digital Cameras, specifically the Elura 90, read the write-up on CNET.com... perhaps the best site for technical reviews and pricing information. Not only did they point me in the direction of a GREAT digital video camera, the CNET.com site also saved me over $200.00 from the big box retail prices! This camcorder does it all, and then some! True, you will need to be able to read in order to study the manual and unlock it's capabilities, and you will need to be able to independently manuever your fingers to operate it, and it's helpful if you can walk and talk at the same time... but if you can do all of those things... you can work this camcorder... and enjoy it! One recommendation though... don't buy a digital camcorder if you have no intention of truly utilizing its capabilities... or if you have no desire to network/connect it to your PC and either save and/or create your own movies/DVDs. THAT is the true innovation behind the technology. Using MicroSoft MovieMaker 2.1 I have been able to make incredible home movies... soundtrack... narration... effects... the works. With my old analog camcorder I could... save them and watch them as recorded... nothing more. But... if you DO want to enter the digital age... and you want the best camcorder possible at the best possible price... the Canon Elura 90 can't be beat! PLUS... it is one of the ONLY high quality camcorders that allows you to CONVERT your old analog tapes into a digital format... and it can also function as a WEBCAM! As I said, this one does it all![...]

This was my first comcorder purchase, and after thorough research using Consumer Reports as well as much satisfaction with my Canon 510 digital camera, I decided on this one.

Widescreen recording, even though it's not High-Definition, is essential as all future TV purchases for myself as well as most of my family and friends will be larger screen. Recording in the 16:9 mode prevents the picture from having to be stretched on such TVs to fill the entire screen.

Very easy to use. Microphone range is sufficient. Remote works well. Still pictures from the camera are good enough for websites, emails, and small prints. Switching from tape to memory card mode is easy.

The power switch is easily turned on, and does at times when storing your camcorder in a bag with other items. However, the camcorder shuts off automatically after a few minutes of unuse, so I have never noticed battery drain from such occurences.

Acquired free video software from an existing rebate program by Cannon & Pinnacle--shockingly, the installation CD took less than 2 weeks to be delivered. Note: you will need a 4-6 or 4-4 PIN firewire cable to transfer video to your computer (Make sure you order one from Amazon, or else face spending at least $20 more at Office Depot, CompUSA, etc.)

Have only had it a few months, so I cannot attest its durability. However, I am very pleased with its performance so far. (Note: I purchased this via one of Amazon.com's web merchants, J&R Music and Computer World, and was extremely satisfied with their speed.)

This is my first camcorder, and I have done a lot of research on which camcorder to buy. I bought it in August,2005, and used in extensively when I went to Rome and Barcelona. It was easy to use, and the video inside the cathedral came out clear even though it was very dark inside. I even saw details from the ceiling which I did not see when I was looking at it with my naked eye. I like the ability to take photos , only at times I forgot to switched between tape and card. I was in a panic when I was trying to chnage tape because I could not make the tape pop out, but after some practice I got it right. The videos were very steady, I am sure of it because after sometimes my arms gets tired and started shaking while taking videos or photos, but amazingly when I was watching the vidoe and reviewing the photo they all came out clear,and have no evidence that my arms were shaking. My only prolem is to figure out how to get a good video or photo with the sunlight facing the camera. This was a good buy.

I did my research. This is an excellent product. I was lucky to find it.
The person selling it was extremely helpful and nice. I would purchase from
them again.

When my Elura 80 died, I didn't want to purchase a new model HD camcorder. These may be HD, but require an extra step before you can edit your movies. There are a few HD mini DV models, but I could not afford one. So I hunted for another Elura model camcorder. I found a "gently used" Elura 90 which has two features my Elura 80 did not have. The Elura 90 has an external microphone jack and a low light assist lamp and a brighter light for shooting in very low light. The Elura 90 serves my purposes quite nicely. I enjoy making mini movies of my cats. The Elura 90 is light, fits nicely in my hand, and is easy to operate. It also has image stabilization so I can do all my shooting hand held. It is also fitted for tripod mounting. Although the Elura 90 is not HD, it can record in 16:9 which is the ratio for HD television monitors. So if you need a basic mini DV camcorder for simple projects and you find an Elura 90 in superior condition, you'll be very happy.

It is a shame that Canon has pretty much abandoned the consumer product mini DV market. This is a format found in the "big guns" professional video cameras, but no more in the consumer market. The Elura 80/85/90/100 was a great line of camcorders.

The Canon Elura 90 looks like your standard camcorder - its buttons are in easy-to-reach places, and the model is light-weight and fits well in the hand, even a smaller hand. Probably its best feature is its 20x zoom, which is powerful. The microphone is one the front, and at least so far I have not had any trouble with it picking up the zoom motor's noises, which was a problem I had with my last camcorder.

This camcorder is really nice, easy enough to use for the beginning videographer, and yet powerful enough and with enough features to please the experienced user. My advice is to get the tripod to stabilize your filming (there's nothing worse than jerky movement), and get this camcorder.

(Review of Canon Elura 90 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom)

This is one great camcorder I have. Its very simple to operate and best part is, I can do recording at night as It comes with built in flash. I haven't used all its features but surely like its design. Its small and cute but it's desplay is big enough. Very pleased with this purchase.