Canon Optura 300 MiniDV Camcorder

by Canon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000C2W57
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,115 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 13, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer The Optura 300 makes having the best of everything a reality. Offering unparalleled expertise in video and digital photography, it puts cutting edge performance in the palm of your hand. Its sophisticated, streamlined design makes it compact enough to carry anywhere. Dreams materialize before your very eyes as two imaging worlds are seamlessly linked together with stunning detail and unprecedented realism. Sight and sound have been elevated to the pinnacle of perfection.

2.0 Megapixel CCD

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.

To deliver superior video and photo quality, the Optura 300 uses a powerful 2.0 Megapixel CCD. Combined with Genuine Canon Optics and Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer, the camcorder captures images with outstanding clarity.

Genuine Canon Optics: 10X Optical Zoom/200X Digital Zoom
Canon Genuine 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 10X optical zoom lets you capture your subject with razor-sharp detail even from a distance. The powerful 200X digital zoom takes you even closer, revealing details too small to see with the naked eye.

The 10X optical zoom gives you the same range of focal lengths as a 48.9-489 mm lens on a 35 mm still camera. Add an optional Wide Converter WD-H30.5 (Item Code: 9065A001) and you get the same wide view you'd get with a 34.2 mm lens on a 35 mm still camera. Add the Tele Converter TL-H30.5 (Item Code: 9064A001) and you have the same magnification power of a 929 mm telephoto lens on a 35 mm still camera. And, that's not the end of the Optura 300's optical versatility. When capturing digital photos to the memory card, the zoom ratio remains 10X zoom, the equivalent of a 38.3 - 383 mm lens on a 35mm photo camera.

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.

DIGIC DV
DIGIC DV is a system for achieving superior video and photographic quality images. Canon's expertise in imaging and electronics is flawlessly blended together, resulting in outstanding performance. It offers substantial benefits in color reproduction. DIGIC DV 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.

Advanced Photo Features
To fully complement the camcorder's superior video quality, it offers features to expand your photographic horizons.

Multi-image Screen You can divide your screen into four, nine or sixteen pictures with the Image Capture function.

• With the Simultaneous Photo Record feature, you can record high quality video to a Mini DV tape and e-mail ready (640 x 480) digital photos to a memory card at the same time.
• With the Optura Xi's Selectable AF Frames, you can choose one of three different Auto Focus points to automatically put the subject you want into sharp focus. Taking off-center subjects can add more impact and a new dimension to your photographs.
• Continuous Shooting Function: All it takes is a single press of a button, and your camera records 30 VGA (640 x 480) frames at a rate of 3 frames per second, or 10 SXGA (1280 X 960) frames at 2 frames per second.
• Built-in Flash
• Stitch Assist displays the previous photo on the right half of the LCD screen and a live image on the left. Just line things up and shoot. Repeat this process as many times as you like. You don't have to match things perfectly, because the included Canon PhotoStitch software lines up and pieces the individual images together into a seamless, magnificent photographic vista.

Faders and Special Effects The Elura camcorders come complete with a wide selection of faders and special effects that can add visual appeal and greater imaging variety. Choose from Fade Trigger, Wipe, Corner, Jump, Flip, Puzzle, Zigzag, Beam and Tide. For a more creative look, you can switch on the following digital effects during recording or playback: Art, Black & White, Sepia, Mosaic, Ball, Cube, Wave, Color Mask or Mirror.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars quality video only with enough light, 2MP stills, October 1, 2003

By 

jemaerca (River Forest, IL, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Optura 300 MiniDV Camcorder (Electronics)

the optura 300's selling points are its small size and ability to capture 2MP stills. but in my opinion, there are two hundred reasons ($$) to look elsewhere.

pros:
- ultra compact design (2.0 x 4.6 x 4.0 inches), very light weight at 15.9 oz.
- 10x optical zoom.
- very good video performance when you have enough light.
- analog-to-digital conversion.
- 2MP stills.
- ability to capture MPEG4 movies directly into SD card.
- allows a good deal of manual control.
- supports add-on lenses and lots of optional accessories.
- miniDV media is widely supported.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.
- very silent motor operation - you can't hear anything even in a quiet environment.
- built-in pop-up flash and AF assist lamp for taking stills.
- continuous shooting mode at 30 VGA images at 3 fps.
- bright LCD.
- as with most canon products, the printed manual is very good.

cons:
- high price, especially compared to sony's pc-105 and panasonic's gs-70.
- below average low light performance.
- no accessory shoe (it's really puzzling to me why canon didn't incorporate a hot shoe).
- lots of controls in the rear part of the camcorder - this will take getting used to.
- image stabilization could be better.
- below average battery life with included battery.
- video is pretty useless (very choppy) with low light modes, even with built-in LED lamp.
- this camcorder loads from the rear; depending on your tripod, you may or may not be able to replace your tape while mounted on a tripod.
- viewfinder does not extend.
- as with the Elura 50, mic placement is on top of camcorder (most vertical camcorders do) which means it picks up the videographer's voice more readily.
- higher capacity batteries are bigger than what was supplied (BP-407) and WILL protrude sideways from this camcorder's body, making holding this unit a bit awkward.
- even with 2MP stills on this camcorder, you can still do better with a stand-alone digital camera.
- it would have been nice to get a bigger 3.5" LCD.
- 8MB SD card provided is inadequate so add $$ to your budget to buy more memory.
- you'll definitely want to buy a spare battery so add a few more $$ to your budget.

the optura 300 is a solid camcorder when you have sufficient lighting with the hook of 2MP stills. but i believe that you can do better. if you want a matchbox style ultra-compact camcorder, you would be better off with sony's pc-105. or, you can get panasonic's gs-70 and move up to 3CCD video performance. either way, you'll end up with a camcorder with similar features as the optura 300 (except for the 2MP still capability) and have a couple of hundred bucks left over for more electronic toys!

i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good DV Camera, but MPEG digital below par, March 18, 2004

By 

regil (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Optura 300 MiniDV Camcorder (Electronics)

MiniDV
Okay, if you want a compact (hand-size) DV camera with excellent video, this is a great product for you.
The DV recording has many advanced options you can access by changing the configuration through menus. The default configuration is great for automatic recording without having to know what to configure and how to set up. Easy to use in auto mode.
The MiniDV tape loads to the back, but it will not fall out unless you try to make it fall out.
The resolution/picture is very sharp, and you get the necessary accessories to view video on the TV in high quality: Audio/Video and SVideo cables.

MPEG4 - really ASF (Microsoft Advanced Streaming Format)
So I was disapointed with this.
Perhaps the video cannot be written to the card fast enough to allow for higher resolution, so the resolution is half the size of what is recorded on MiniDV. AND when you play it back on the TV, it is only displayed in half size (half size view area than normal TV (and MiniDV Tape) viewing). However, this was not the biggest disapointment, as it was documented to be half the resolution in the manual you can download from http://www.canondv.com .
The biggest disapointment was the digital movie format the video is saved in. When the product specifications said MPEG4, I was expecting standard MPEG4 -- no, not the case! Instead of strict standard MPEG4, you get the Microsoft proprietary ASF format! Great if all you want to do is play back the clip in Windows Media Player. If you want to edit, you will need to get software. I use Apple iMovie, and that does not recognize ASF movie files. Apple iMovie supports MPEG4 though.
Best yet, if the file format were AVI or standard MPEG4 I would actually be able to use the movie clip in Linux - which was my original hope.
Look on the internet for Freeware file convertors and other movie tools, and you will see a lot for AVI and MPEG4, but not ASF (This is available in Shareware apps - but you must buy to get higher quality conversion beyond MPEG1).

I have the canon Powershot S200 which records video in AVI. I can import it into iMovie or Windows Movie Maker, and even save it on CD-R and play it back on my Philips DVD 724 DVD player (downfall is that canon powershot s200 records ony 4 seconds in 640x480, 2MP (They had a bad idea that all movie clips should fit on a floppy disk! - argh!)). Why did Canon not keep using AVI, or basic MPEG4? Storage is not an issue since these days you can purchase 1GB SD Cards - and they will be getting cheaper and bigger in the next year. (of course xD-picture cards would have been nice instead of SD cards)

Concerning the digital video, however, you can record a lot of that ASF formatted movie video on Memory Cards (200MB for 60 minutes of video). You'll need to pay $100 for Pinacle Studio or some other software if you want to actually do something with the footage you took.

Additional Advice:
You will want extra batteries. Look at Lenmar (www.lenmar.com) Batteries, to get equal quality and guaranteed compatibility for less than half the cost. (also look here for battery chargers)
You do not need the higher speed Ultra SD cards (higher speed) to record the highest resolution ASF video - so better to stick with less expensive regular speed (non-Ultra) SD Cards (unless you want Ultra just to transfer faster to Win/Mac/Linux).

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Plain Does The Job !, December 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Canon Optura 300 MiniDV Camcorder (Electronics)

Having read other reviews (one, here). I am compelled to write in praise of this little gem. I spent hours doing a spreadsheet analysis of the 5 or 6 contenders, using; size (in my hand), portability, video quality, ease of use (I am not a pro), and various tech numbers. Compared the Sony (PC 105, 330,) JVC and Panasonic to other Canon models. Well,..for MY use, this beauty does the Job. Hey, I throw it in my barn jacket and it's there (Very Important, why have one if you can't use it). I have 2 extra batteries (they are tiny) and a 256K SD card. What else? It takes great home movies, the stills (set to highest everything) are great "snapshots" I print out dozens(4X6) on a Canon i960 (dedicated just to pics). It works and it's a good deal (less than $900 delivered). So,.. it's not an XL-1, but heck, I wouldn't want lug that big thing around.