Canon Optura 60 MiniDV Camcorder w/14x Optical Zoom

Other products by Canon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.5 x 9 inches ; 3.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007W2H48
• Item model number: 0329B001
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,245 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 22, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
Take control and capture your video and photographic memories the way you want to remember them - all with a single camera. The Optura 60 combines extraordinary 2.2 megapixel performance with advanced controls for your digital photography. The camcorder also lets you take as much or as little control over your video as you want with a wide range of automatic settings. With these advanced controls and automatic settings - along with an advanced, 9-point auto intelligent autofocus - there are no limits to your creativity. You always get the shot you want.

Not only that, the Optura 60 makes it easy for you to share your great shots. The camcorder connects with your computer effortlessly, letting you manage, stream and e-mail your memories for all to enjoy.

Features of the Canon Optura 60

Camcorder and Digital Camera in One
You have them both without compromising the quality of your video or digital photography. That's because Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing circuit processes video and still images differently. The two signals have different color requirements and DIGIC DV technology processes the two signals accordingly, giving you uncompromised results. That means video images that are maximized for viewing on TV, and digital photographs that look brilliant on computer displays or as prints. DIGIC DV is just one of Canon's DV Photo Plus technologies that help to unleash the performance potential of the Optura 60.

Unsurpassed Optical Quality
A part of every Canon product are genuine Canon optics, and the Optura 60 is no exception. You get the same clarity, brilliance and vivid color that advanced amateurs and professionals have come to expect from the Genuine Canon Optics in 35mm film cameras and broadcast TV cameras. Genuine Canon Optics is just one of the DV Photo Plus technologies that make the Optura 60 such a stand-out performer.

The Optura 60 comes with a 14x optical zoom which is enhanced by the camcorder's 280x digital zoom, giving you an impressive zoom range found on more expensive cameras.

2.2 Megapixel Performance
One of the reasons the Optura 60 delivers stunningly vivid and sharp video and still (up to 1632 x 1224) images is its 2.2 megapixel CCD. It's one of the DV Photo Plus technologies that ensure outstanding results.

In the Optura 60, this performance is combined with Canon's advanced RGB primary color filter. Other camcorders process color using a standard CMYG filter, resulting in duller colors. Canon's RGB filter separates light into its red, green and blue components, resulting in professional-quality images with natural-looking tones and vivid hues.

Together, the 2.2 megapixel CCD and RGB color filter deliver uncompromisingly brilliant results.

One Touch Photo Downloading and Printing
Print and Share, one of the powerful Canon DV Photo Plus technologies, makes possible downloading and printing in a snap.

Print and Share does just that - with the touch of a single button, you can print digital photographs from your Optura camcorder, directly to a Canon CP-series photo printer, or Canon Bubble Jet direct printer (or any Pictbridge-compatible printer). Simply connect your Optura camcorder to your printer using the supplied USB cable (USB 2.0 full speed). Wait for the button to light up, press it, and you've got a print to share with family and friends.

With Print and Share, your Optura has all the controls you need for reviewing and rotating images, cropping, or selecting borderless prints. And, because your Optura tags each photo with Exif 2.2 information, poor lighting and other mistakes are corrected in the printer automatically.

You can also share your photos by quickly and easily downloading them to your computer - with the same touch of a button - for archiving and e-mailing. Your Optura also supports Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP). That means your computer can access your camcorder as if it were an external card reader - without installing additional software. (minimum system requirements: Windows XP, or Mac OS X, version 10.1) With the Optura 60, it's easy to share the memories.

More Control for Perfect Photos
Not only does the Opturas' DIGIC DV technology help you take great photos from your camcorder, a wide array of advanced photo controls ensure beautiful results.

Controls include:

• Auto exposure bracketing gives you 3 shots automatically: one normal, one over-exposed, and one under-exposed.
• 3 metering modes for the advanced photographer shooting under a variety of lighting conditions:
• Evaluative, Center-weighted Average, Spot.
• 4 image settings to match your subject: vivid, neutral, low sharpening, soft skin detail.
• Built-in flash for low light and interior photography.
• Continuous shooting mode for sports, action, or kids just having fun: 3 frames per second (1632 x 1224), 5 frames per second (1280 x 960).
• Photo review button so you know if you got the shot or not.

A Shooting Mode for Every Situation
You can get the help you need for the perfect video or photo. The Optura 60 gives you different settings that automatically give you the best exposure settings for different conditions, or gives you control so you get the exact image you're after. Shooting modes include 6 new scene modes: foliage, fireworks, beach, snow, sunset and spotlight. Each adjusts your camcorder's settings to compensate for different lighting conditions and different subjects.

And, when you want to be in control of depth of field, the Optura 60 gives you an AV (aperture priority) setting so you can select the aperture of the lens. And, the TV (shutter priority) setting lets you select a faster shutter speed so you get sharp, crisp images of fast-moving action.

Low light levels won't stop you either. With the Optura's night mode, the sensitivity of the camera's CCD is automatically boosted and the shutter speed is lowered to give you better performance in dim conditions. And for when things get really dark, you've got the Optura 60's mini video light to light up the night.

From Camera to Computer with Ease
Show and share your memories that much faster by storing your digital photographs on the MultiMediaCard connected to your camera's built-in memory card slot. Then, transfer the images to your computer for archiving, editing and printing. In the same card slot, you can also use an SD (Secure Digital) memory card.

You can also record motion JPEG movie clips to your memory cards, transfer them to your computer, and e-mail or stream them over the web. When using an SD memory card, you can record for the full length of the card. That's a 60 minute movie with a 512MB card. (With MultiMediaCards, movie clips are limited to 10 seconds in 320 X 240 resolution, and 30 seconds in 160 X 120.)

Say Goodbye to Unsteady, Out of Focus Images
Image stabilization lets you capture the shot, whether you're taping or photographing sports, fun and games at your child's birthday party, or shooting at a long focal length. Your shot will also be in focus - even if your subject isn't in the center of the frame - because there are 9 autofocus points to lock on to your subject.

Give Your Shots the Widescreen Look
With the Optura's high resolution, 16:9 widescreen mode - a feature typically found on more expensive camera systems, you can have it whenever you need it. And in widescreen mode, the LCD viewscreen gives you a letterbox-style display for accurate composition.

What's in the Box

Items included with the Optura 60

• Optura 60 body
• Battery pack NB-2LH
• Compact power adapter CA-570
• Stereo video cable STV-250N
• Wireless controller WL-D85
• MultiMediaCard MMC-16
• USB cable IFC-300PCU
• Shoulder strap SS-900
• Digital video solution disk for Windows and Macintosh

Product Description
The Optura 60 Digital Camcorder offers all the tools that made Canon a stand-out performer. Clarity, brilliance and vivid color are just a click away, while the wide range of automatic settings and effortless shot management & transfer tools make it simple to share pictures. The advanced new RGB filter separates light into more natural-looking tones and vivid hues. Record and play back in high resolution, 16:9 Widescreen Mode, and multiple shooting modes give you the perfect shot in any situation. Built-in Flash for low light & interior photography Continuous Shooting Mode Auto Exposure Bracketing Shutter Priority for choosing shutter speed 16 - 9 Widescreen Mode Aperture Priority controls depth of field Image stabilization Stereo mic Inputs - DV, S-Video, A/V Outputs - Audio out Accepts SD and MMC memory cards for still digital-camera mode PCM digital sound - 16 bit (48 kHz/2 ch); 12 bit (32 kHz/4 ch) Number of Recording Pixels - Still image - 1632 x 1224, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 pixels / Movie - 320 x 240, 160 x 120 pixels, 15 frames/sec. Special 4-pin connector IEEE 1394 compliant DV Port Color Viewfinder and 2.5 LCD Monitor Dimensions(WxHxD) - 2.8 x 3.2 x 5.2 (70 x 82 x 133 mm) Weight - 1.2 lb. (530 g)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent., April 13, 2005

By	Kevin (Media, PA USA) - See all my reviews

After some reasearch on the different camcorders available on the market, I had no doubt that the Canon Optura 60 was the superior choice. After receiving the unit I had no problem getting set up and was snapping pictures and making videos in no time.

One feature that sets this camcorder apart from others is it's ability to take high quality 2 mega-pixel still shots, recording them to a Secure-Digital card. From my previous experience with Canon cameras it seems that they really know what they are doing in terms of digital photography and the Optura 60 continues to amaze. The camera has produced still shots that are equal or better in quality to my Olympus C-740UZ.

The video quality is excellent and it is very easy to copy your still shots and videos using USB 2.0 OR Firewire to your Windows XP PC.

Despite a complicated array of features, the camera can be very simple to use for those who just want to set everything to "AUTO", then point and shoot.

Goods:
* High res 2 mega-pixel stills stored on SD card
* Built-in flash and 14x optical zoom
* Optical image stabilization to ensure minimized "shaky hand" effect
* Easy to dump videos and stills to XP PC
* Amazingly wide array of features packed into a small sized unit
* Excellent still picture quality
* Good performance for shooting 'on the fly'
* Continuous mode for quick sequential still shots
* Can snap 640x480 still shots to SD card while recording video to tape
* More...

Bads:
* Package does not include a DV tape
* Included 16MB MMC card is far too small
* Included battery is a little short-lived
* Firewire DV cable not included

Additional items I bought:
* Pack of DV tapes
* 512MB SD Card
* High-capacity BP2L14 battery
* CB2LT battery charger, enabling charging of both batteries at once (one in camera, one in charger)

You'll also need a carrying case that snugly fits the Optura 60 and the above items.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little camera!, September 28, 2005

By	Amy Y. "Tell me, what is it you plan to do wi... (FREMONT, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

So, my main criteria for choosing a camera was compatibility with my iMac. I am a photographer, so I also like decent picture quality. Ease of operation is another plus. This camera meets all my specs.

Set up was relatively simple. Attach the strap and lens cap, pop in the memory card, attach the battery, plug it in to charge for a bit and you are ready to go.

The kit is missing a couple of things: a bigger memory card would be nice(as always is the case), and a tape would be nice. As it is, you need to go out and buy a tape before you can record. Minor detail, but slightly annoying if you were already anxiously awaiting the UPS guy so you could get started recording, a firewire would be a nice inclusion, as well.

You'll need the manual to program the time and date. The menu operation is funky and poorly designed(teeny tiny button that you push up or down to scroll and have to hit center-on to select). This is my fifth video camera in ten years, tho, and I've never spent too much time using the menu, so... I can live with it.

Software was easily installed and no problems getting video to my computer. Plug and play.

The video and sound are great. I paid a couple hundred more for my Sony DVD300 and the quality is TERRIBLE. I like that it has a night light- it isn't the most powerful, but it's something. There is a mode for low-light recording that doesn't ruin the color(you don't get that green night-vision look that all my other cameras have).

I'm not big on taking digital still photos with a video camera- I use my Nikon D70 for that, so I can't say much about that. All in all, I think this camera is a great deal for what you get. Relatively easy to use and Mac friendly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice little Camcorder with lots of features, January 24, 2006

By	Vikram Kalyanaraman "V-Drummer" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Video Quality: 5 (16:9 on 42" plasma = approx DVD quality)
Audio Quality: 3.5 (no complaints yet)
Image Stabilizer: 3
Stills: 2 (would not use this for stills)
Expandability: 5
Included Battery: 3 (will not out last a cassette)
Features: 4

I chose this because I needed a camcorder with good video resolution in 16:9 mode. Most camcorders suffer in the 16:9 mode when compared to their 4:3 performance. Also the Optura 60 has an Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) which is superior to Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) in that it does not degrade image quality as much as EIS. However OIS does not make the picture as steady as some EIS based ones.
The audio seems fine - some have complained that motor noise surfaces in quiet conditions. The set and func button are badly placed as you can't see them when the LCD is open. Top Loading cassette system is always a winner compared to bottom loading for when you use a tripod.
Connectivity is excellent - IEEE, USB, Mic-in, A/V out, s-video out. The camcorder also does Analog-to-Digital pass through. So you can use this to convert your VHS stuff to MiniDV or directly to a computer. Works well with Mac; iMovie controls the camcorder just fine and importing video was easy. The accessory hot shoe is also an added bonus for expanding - external mics, video lamps - and the camcorder can communicate with these add-ons.
Overall, excellent value in a market where each new model year of camcorders seems to be reducing feature and functionality. Best value when you consider the $100 MIR that Canon is offering