THIS CAMERA DOES IT ALL!
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![...]
|
Excellent little camcorder
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.)
|
Very good digital camcorder
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.
|