Canon Optura 40 MiniDV Camcorder w/14x Optical Zoom

Other products by Canon

Product Details

Product Manual [4.36mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 18 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00023CDIW
• Item model number: Optura 40
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,107 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 28, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether shooting up-close or from a distance, the Optura 40 delivers video and photos with exceptional definition and contrast, making every shot you take a potential award-winner. Featuring Genuine Canon Optics, the Optura 40 expands on this range with a 14x Optical Zoom and 280x Digital Zoom. Both models allow you to cover all the angles, be it wide or telephoto, ensuring that you always get the shot you want.

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.

Enjoy stunning video and photos
The secret behind the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders' incredible video and photos is Canon's DIGIC DV technology. Since videos and photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV uses special color optimization techniques when processing an image for output to a TV or printer. The result is accurate, life-like color reproduction in all your videos and photos.

Catch all the action without the shake
Life rarely sits still for a shot, that's why the Optura 30 and Optura 40 feature Canon's advanced Image Stabilization system. Now you can keep images smooth and steady, even at full telephoto and while panning or zooming. The large 2.5" LCD and Color Viewfinder further helps to compose sensational shots from any angle.

Dazzle on-lookers with vibrant color shots
Now you can relive those precious moments with all their true vibrant colors. While traditional camcorders process color with a standard CMYG filter (resulting in duller colors), the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders use Canon's RGB Primary Color Filter, which separates light passing through the lens into their true red, green and blue color components. The result is professional-quality images that deliver natural-looking tones and superior color rendition.

Get the full picture on your wide-screen TV
Unlike camcorders which only record a vertically stretched picture, the Optura 30 and Optura 40 both feature a High-Resolution 16:9 Mode that records video in true 16:9 ("letterbox") format for playback on wide-screen TVs. When shooting in the 16:9 Mode, the entire width of the 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor is used to capture your footage. The result is wide-screen quality videos that are certain to impress even the biggest "big screen" fan.

Canon's Megapixel CCD
Canon's Megapixel CCD Image Sensor delivers crisp images with life-like detail. Whether you are shooting video or photos with the camcorder, you will get the best results. The CCD works like film -- when light is captured by the sensor, it registers an image and advanced processing converts the pixels into digital data creating your video or photos.

Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV
DIGIC DV, our exclusive signal processing circuit, makes it possible to achieve accurate color for both video and digital photos. Since video and digital 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.

Take it from sight to website at a moment's notice
Thanks to the Optura's improved Motion JPEG feature, you can shoot video ready for streaming over the Internet or for e-mailing. The Motion JPEG Mode records your footage onto the Secure Digital memory card at 15 frames/second, giving you up to 60 minutes of recording time on a 512MB card. You can then quickly and easily transfer your movies to your computer using the USB cable.

Make incredible panoramas and portraits
The Optura line of camcorders gives you the power to edit your still images in a variety of exciting ways. The Stitch Assist feature allows you to capture and create breathtaking 360-degree panoramas, while the Skin Detail Mode helps you take complimentary close-ups of people by softening details and reducing skin imperfections.

Turn your camcorder into a webcam
Exclusive to Canon, the Optura camcorders feature a Network Mode that enables you to remotely control your camcorder through the DV Messenger2 software application. Control the focus and zoom of your camcorder from a computer while streaming the video via its IEEE 1394 terminal

Explore your creativity with the supplied software
Included in your Optura Kit are Pinnacle Studio 9SE and Pinnacle Instant Photo Album, two powerful editing programs that can help turn your videos and photos into lasting memories.

What's in the Box

Optura 40/Optura 30 NB-2LH Battery Pack CA-570 Compact Power Adapter STV-250N Stereo Video Cable SS-900 Shoulder Strap WL-D83 Wireless Controller SDC-8M SD Memory Card IFC-300PCU USB Cable DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Windows DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Macintosh

Product Description

Canon's new OPTURA 40 Megapixel camcorders unite the world of video and photography like never before. Featuring DV Photo Plus, Canon's one-of-a-kind system for achieving premium image quality, and fueled by a 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor, they capture video and photos with stunning clarity. An RGB Primary Color Filter adds dynamic realism, making colors come alive. Experience the ultimate in picture quality, while still enjoying unbeatable style and performance. Imagine a camcorder, digital camera, and webcam seamlessly combined, and fitting in the palm of your hand. Compromise is a thing of the past; the OPTURA 40 delivers the best of both worlds, giving you the freedom to capture exceptional quality video and breathtaking photos.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars the jury has returned with a verdict, May 25, 2004

By	Michael Hoyt "SanDiegoSeahawk" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I pre-ordered this camera and got it the day it was "released" (5/20), thank you Amazon. Overall the feature content is pretty slick but I have a few issues I need to investigate before I declare that I am in love with this camera or that I am disappointed.

My big concern is that I see a very strange effect when I am mildly zoomed on a subject and the subject is moving around. I see a "fluttery" effect as though the shutter is too slow for the action. It gets really bad at times and is really annoying. I am not sure if the camera (in its "auto-everything" mode) is attempting to adjust to the change in the subject but whatever it is its not good. I will follow up with Canon to determine what the issue is to see if this is a feature of the camera, if my camera is defective or if I am not using it correctly.

I did a side by side comparison with my old Sony DCR-TRV20. The Canon's image at times shows off the 3x more effective pixels and is generally brighter than the Sony but again I am not totally blown out of the room with improvements with the Canon. Low light is a problem and it generates grainy pictures.

Update: june 13, 2004

I noticed the review where the guy mentions the "auto slow shutter" control. BINGO. Barring this strangeness that is now solved, this camera is excellent. In my opinion the video quality is more film-like than video. I assume this is due to the high number of pixels.

As far as the still image feature goes, I've taken really good and really bad shots. Its all about holding the camera still and in my opinion its a little challenging considering the location of straps and buttons on this camera for still shots. None-the-less, if you take your time and think about it, you can get some great stills.

Great Camera.

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After small Adjusts, the 40 Rocks!, June 8, 2004

By A Customer

The Optura 30/40 has two default settings that need to be changed. The first is that in Easy and Auto modes, shutter speed can be a slow as 1/30 second. This causes video to blur, ghosts with fast movement, and blur (grain?) in low light. Go to Auto Slow Shutter (A.SL.Shutter and turn it OFF). The shutter speed will be no slower than 1/60, creating much sharper video.

The second is that audio is defauted to 12 bit. Change this to 16 bit for better audio.

I am extrememly pleased with my Optura 40. It's great in low light, is user friendly, stabilization works well in both 5:4 and 16:9 modes, and the 14X optical is all I'll ever need. The quality of the video and audio is great. It's comfortable in my hand and feels "solid". I like it being a top loader since I use both a monopod and tripod when I can.

Negatives include: In 5:4 mode, tele isn't wide enough (but is fine in 16:9), the cover for the S-video jack seems cheap, and I wish it had optical stabilization. However, it does have better stabilization than my Nikon Hi8 camcorder that has optical stabilization--so it has excellent electronic image stabilization. Also, the 34mm filter/adapter size is unusual. However, step up rings are available (e.g. 34mm to 37mm)and with the fast selling Opturas 30/40 and Eluras 60/65/70 having 34mm filters, I suspect that they're be plenty of 34mm filters available shortly.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great video and digital pictures from Optura 40, July 21, 2004

By	D. Sato (Grapevine, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I originally wanted a Sony because that is what all my co-workers recommened, however, I had to agree with the sales person who suggested the Canon. After comparing the Canon Optura 40 to several Sony models I believe I made the right choice.

It didn't take long for me to read the manual and familiarize myself with the camera. I found it very easy to use and intuitive. It does have many features but the camera is not cluttered with them. I started taking pictures and video in Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and Yosemite but I wasn't sure how they were coming out because I couldn't connect it to a TV until I got to San Francisco.

When I finally hooked up the video to the TV I was stunned. The video clarity and colors were just amazing! Everything was so natural, clear and vivid. I felt like I was reliving the whole experience again. I'm not sure if it's because of the Canon lens or the digital chip but whatever it is the Optura 40 does a super job. I also learned I need to move my hand more slowly! The image stablizer did a great job of correcting my jitters without any loss of video quality. I understand that Canon has one of the best image stabilizers and I believe it. I later found out why the video looks so great on the Canon. Part of the reason is a 2.2 megapixel CCD and their own RGB color filter which sharpens the colors much like the new 3 CCD camcorders.

The digital pictures also came out great. My brother-in-law purchased an Olympus 3 mega-pixel digital camera on the trip and the color and detail of my photos were just as clear if not even better. It's also very easy to switch between video and pictures with a quick flip of the switch with your right hand which is comfortably positioned on the camera. Also the 14X zoom is great. We couldn't see the climbers in Yosemite but with the zoom it was possible.

On the downside, I was a little disappointed with video in low light conditions. The video gets grainy and unclear. But thank goodness for the other reviewer who suggested to turn off the auto slow shutter setting and for using the indoor mode. Much better video quality thank you! The night light really only works for close ups and still motion. I thought I could take video of the Las Vegas strip with the light but it creates a trailing effect. Also the battery doesn't last very long. I got just under an hour.

The Canon is a great camcorder/camera: easy to use, briliant colors, and high build quality. A great value. And with the quality digital photos I don't think I'll need a separate camera.

Last, thanks for reading my review and thanks to all of you for contributing your own reviews. This is my first review and I appreciate all of you taking the time to write which really helps average consumers like me make more informed decisions. Thanks!