Canon Elura 20MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & SD Card

by Canon

Product Details

Product Manual [3.98mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005QEYE
• Item model number: ELURA20MC
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,525 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 17, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Elura 20MC joins a growing crowd of small, vertically oriented camcorders that pack an enormous number of features into their tiny cases. In this case, you get a 10x optical zoom, progressive scan CCD, analog inputs, and a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, among other things.

Canon is known for their lenses, and the 10x optical zoom lens is a good one. The zoom can also be digitally enhanced to provide 40x magnification, but the 10x should be enough for most purposes. Additionally, the camcorder is equipped with an image stabilizer to help eliminate the shakes and jitters associated with handheld video shooting (at any zoom level). Also of note is the progressive scan CCD, which provides a full screen of video information for every frame, as opposed to the standard (interlaced) CCD, which provides a half a screen of information for every frame. This type of CCD is a good choice for those who need to analyze things in slow motion (like golf swings).

The digital still mode records 640 x 480 stills onto an included 8 MB MMC card, although you can also use SD memory cards. While the images aren't the highest resolution, they're still great for pictures you want to post on the Web, or e-mail to friends and family. Also, the Elura has a feature Canon calls the Digital Motor Drive, which captures 30 full-frame images a second onto the included memory card.

The Elura also features a great number of inputs and outputs, meant to satisfy even the most ardent gear-fanatic's lust. You get the standard IEEE 1394 port, composite and S-video analog inputs for converting all your old footage to digital, and a mic input that allows you to use an external mic source (good for pro-sounding audio).

The Elura 20MC is a great little camcorder that includes a lithium-ion battery, power adapter, battery charger, docking unit, S-video cable, stereo video cable, and 8 MB MMC card.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

185 of 187 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great camcorder but has some shortcomings, February 18, 2002

By 

R. Kodama (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon Elura 20MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & SD Card (Electronics)

I originally did extensive research on the "vertical palm size" mini-DV camcorders and narrowed my decision down to the Sony DCR-PC9, the Canon Elura 20MC and the JVC GR-DVM75. Let me tell you that this was an extremely difficult evaluation because all three cameras have their strengths and weaknesses and there was no clear choice. To make a long story short, I ended up purchasing all 3 camcorders and performed side by side comparisons which was the only effective way to full assess the cameras.

Although you can make arguments that one camera had slightly sharper images or another one handled colors well, all three cameras produced crisp, accurate colored images in outdoor sunlight settings. Cannon claims about 400 lines of resolution, Sony states up to 500 and JVC claims 520 lines. Unless you are viewing on a high definition TV or computer monitors, you could not distinguish between the resolutions and even then, the differences are subtle. Under outdoor overcast conditions, the colors for all 3 cameras were on the dull side but the video still was of decent quality. All three camcorders did not perform well under low light conditions. The low light video taping was indoors at night with single or double lamp lighting with light bulbs between 60 and 100 watts. The Cannon Elura produced the poorest quality video (even with the low light setting) - very dark and grainy. The Sony and JVC with standard auto-shutter settings produced about the same level of video quality which was less grainy but still on the dark side. The lower shutter speed settings on the JVC and Sony improves the image but the video becomes very choppy. As stated in other reviews, the Sony Night Shot (IR based) feature is impressive and works relatively well under "no light" conditions but creates the greenish monotone image. FYI, I find the Lux rating of each camera to be somewhat meaningless since there is no standard for this specification.

Sound quality is good on all 3 cameras but I do agree with the other reviewers who have commented on the problems associated with having the microphone located on the top of the camera. All the camcorders pick up some motor noise but the noise seemed to be more prevalent on the Canon. I also thought the sound was a little muffled on the Canon when compared to the other two camcorders. The Canon and JVC have wind screen options but I found them to be of limited value.

Not surprisingly, the digital stills from all 3 cameras were extremely poor. Even with the XGA resolution and built-in flash, the JVC stills were only marginally better than that of the other cameras. The best field stills (captured from video) came from the Canon and then the JVC. If you want to produce "print quality" digital stills, my recommendation is to purchase a separate dedicated digital camera instead of spending extra money on a higher CCD count.

You can read about specific features and functions in other reviews for the 3 camcorders but here is a summary of my side by side comparison:

For the Canon Elura 20MC
Pros: Quality Video, Progressive Scan, extended Recording Modes, good ergonomics and design, well constructed, the smallest of the 3 camcorders, manual exposure and shutter speed settings
Cons: Poor low light quality, short battery life, too small for large hands, microphone picks up the most motor noise of the 3 cameras, poor stills, no software, requires an attachment for external microphone and head phone, no USB support, the least features/functions of the 3 cameras

For the Sony DCR-PC9
Pros: Quality Video, NightShot, the most features/functions of the 3 cameras, battery life was about 30% better than the other camcorders, lens ring for manual focus, 30 mm lens - a little easier to find filters and attachments
Cons: Construction feels cheap, Poor Ergonomics, poor stills, cumbersome menu system, uses Sony's proprietary memory stick, limited remote controller functions

For the JVC GR-DVM75
Pros: Quality Video, High Band Processor emulates progressive scan, Built In Flash, well designed remote controller, good number of features/settings
Cons: Construction feels cheap, Poor stills, short battery life, poor viewfinder resolution, requires a docking station for USB connection,

Here are a couple of general observations for purchasing a camcorder. Most sales people only know the specs of each camera but have limited (if any) "actual use" experience outside the store. The image quality on the LCD screen is not a good indicator of the actual quality of the recorded video - you really need to view the video image on a TV screen. Finally, you cannot fully assess the quality of a camcorder within the confines of a store.

Because I enjoy the special functions and am planning to do quite a bit of indoor video taping I decided to keep the Sony. I really hated to give up the Canon progressive scan. I originally thought I would keep the Canon but the poor quality video in low light eventually prompted me to evaluate the Sony. Based on other reviews, I also had some concerns with the quality of the JVC hardware but the construction seemed to be on par with that of the Sony camcorder. The bottom line is that each camcorder is an excellent product and the best camera for you is dependent on your needs. If you are on a budget, the JVC offers the best overall value, performance, and features for your money. If you are primarily video taping under good lighting conditions and want to capture stills from video, then I would recommend the Cannon. The Elura was also the most compact, most comfortable and best designed. If you need a camera with many digital effects, options and special functions and are video taping in lower light/night conditions then I would purchase the Sony. Good luck!

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best little camcorder I researched, November 19, 2001

By 

David Rosenthal (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Elura 20MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & SD Card (Electronics)

I wanted a small camcorder that does a lot. My thinking was that the smaller it is, the more likely I would take it places. I looked at similar Sonys and JVCs, but the Canon proved the best for me. I've always had Canon SLR cameras, so I expected high quality in a camcorder. This one seemed to fit in my hand the best. The Sony was too hard to hold without hitting buttons or covering the lens. The JVC just didn't impress me as far as lens quality and overall features.

I've played with the Canon for a week now, and can honestly say I have not a single complaint. I've transferred video to my computer, edited it and added text, graphics, etc., then transferred it back to the camera, then transferred it again to a VHS tape. Even after all that the resolution was great! The camcorder's sound is awesome, and it even has a built-in speaker so you can listen as well as watch what you've recorded right from the camera.

Definitely get a stronger battery because the standard battery drains quickly (okay, there's my one complaint).

There are lots of digital effects to add to your movies. The Sony has none!

Hope you find this helpful...

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars owned for 2 months, November 16, 2001

By 

Jeff Chavez (california, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Elura 20MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & SD Card (Electronics)

I find this camera to be very exciting, and extremely versatile.

The best feature is definetly its size, small and compact and

extremely light weight. The only drawback of this camera is

it has no night shot. Other models I have used such as some

sony's I do like more for that reason. All in all this is still

best camcorder I have ever owned!!!!