Canon Elura Digital Camcorder
Details
- Availability:
- No longer available through SilverGelatin.net
- List Price:
- $1,599.99
- Average Customer Rating:
- 4.0 out of 5
- Manufacturer:
- Canon
Features
- Fits easily in 1 hand
- 12x optical, 48x digital zoom
- Optical image stabilizer
- Stereo PCM recording
- 2.5-inch swivel LCD screen
Description
The Elura's 12X Optical/ 48X Digital Zoom lens brings details too distant to be seen by the naked eye into clear focus. Created to fit in the palm of your hand, the Elura lets you capture and combine high-resolution video and still photos onto Mini DV videocassettes. Its 2.5" rotating view screen is perfect for capturing almost any conceivable angle or for immediate playback viewing.The Elura's three shooting modes accommodate any of your needs. Besides, the Elura uses a Progressive Scan CCD image sensor that delivers a significant improvement in performance and image quality. Each and every light gathering pixel on the CCD is used to produce a full frame video image 60 times per second. Recordings of subjects moving at high speed can be viewed on a television with superior resolution. The CCD integrates an RGB Primary Color Filter which separates light passing through the lens into individual red, green and blue color components, similar to professional camcorders. The Elura utilizes the finest method of image stabilization available. It also offers 16-bit and 12-bit audio modes, and is equipped with a DV IN/OUT terminal that conforms to IEEE 1394. In addition to being fully automatic, the Elura offers a complete range of manual controls.
The Canon Elura packs a bevy of features into a small, lightweight package. In addition to offering a number of automatic and semiautomatic exposure modes, it allows for more creative or unusual shots by allowing manual control of focus, exposure, white balance, and shutter speed. Canon's optical image stabilization feature works well in conjunction with the flip-out LCD screen to allow shooting while walking or panning--without the familiar bounce and jiggle.
The LCD screen rotates 270 degrees, making it useful for the full range of camera motion. The screen also flips forward to allow for unmanned operation or to let the subjects see what's being recorded. Because it offers a color viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen, the Elura is very flexible. Its upright packaging takes some getting used to. In addition, the camera is geared to right-handed people, so lefties may have a tough time adjusting to the Elura; however, we became accustomed to it quickly.
The Elura offers seven autoexposure settings, including one low-light setting. While Canon recommends a minimum of 100 lux to operate the camera's normal modes, we found that the Elura performed well even in dim light. The low-light setting allowed the camera to operate at minimal light levels, with the expected degradation of picture quality. One remarkable thing about the Elura was its ability to focus quickly and accurately at extreme close range: the specifications say 3/8 inch, but we found that, with good lighting, it could get even closer than that without typical autofocus hunting.
The progressive scan CCD allows the Elura to offer an additional, progressive scan mode. This eliminates the flickering associated with interlaced NTSC signals and allows for higher image quality, especially on pans over high-contrast areas.
The Elura's digital effects are comparable to other cameras in its price range. One nice feature is that you can apply the digital effects during playback and keep the original recording clean. The Elura also offers a widescreen 16:9 mode, which adjusts the viewfinders to give an accurate representation of what playback on a 16:9 monitor will look like.
The Elura comes with a built-in stereo condenser microphone, and a jack allowing for a separate microphone. While there's no mount for an external light, the Elura does have a tripod mount.
This camcorder uses the MiniDV format, which lets you record digital video on an ultracompact tape. Digital video gives you extraordinary video and sound quality. The digital format allows you to take digital still pictures, just like a digital camera. If you want to download and edit your digital still images and video on a computer, however, you have to purchase a separate IEEE 1394 (Firewire) video capture card.
Pros:
- Progressive scan CCD
- Very lightweight
- Still photo capability
- High-quality digital format
- Color viewfinder
- Optical image stabilization
Cons:
- Smallish 2.5-inch display
- Somewhat awkward grip
Capture the memories wherever life takes you. The new Canon Elura Mini Digital Video Camcorder is your personal imaging companion. Functioning as both a video camcorder and a digital still camera, the Elura's MiniDV features technology that delivers the highest possible digital image quality in a compact design.
Spotlight customer reviews
Elura 2 problems
[ Posted: 2003-12-01 ]
This has been one of the greatest cameras until...problems...And I have two of them! On fast re-wind they will sometimes destroy the tape. On both, I only re-wind on slow rewind. Now one will not accept a tape at all. I think someone rewound on fast and hurt the mechanism somehow. A call to Cannon did not admit that they have problems. Still trying to determine cost to fix...if possible. I am reading others on internet with Elura 40 which is similar and they are having problems with totally destroying the tape and $600 to repair??????
To be somewhat fair, I use mine with a helmet camera, carrying the camcorder on my chest. I have not crashed on it but it is not a perfect lifestyle. As a back-up, I bought another... Almost out of the box I had the rewind problems. I could live with those...until now! Changing brands of tapes made no difference.
I use the picture MMC side alot, but remember that it is only 2.0 megpixles and can't take much blowing up. But the pictures are e-mail friendly. The digital zoom is AWSOME!
Other than Tape problems, where you can loose everything, a great camera! 5 stars and falling fast!
Has been the best 1 CCD camera.
[ Posted: 2002-02-23 ]
I do corporate & personal video production & have found the Elura to be the best 1 CCD chip video camera I have ever used.
I have used about 8 1 CCD hand held cameras & the Elura's picture quality has been the best. I have been able to flawlessly edit the Elura's video in to the video taken by my Sony VX1000, which is a 3 CCD camera.
Canon changed the construction & parts on later models, I've tried a couple, & the picture quality is not as good as the Elura's.
My latest try is the Sony DCR-PC120BT. This is the latest 1 CCD camera with the new HAD CCD. It is a good camera, the claim that the HAD CCD reduces video noise is true but the color is not as rich as the Elura's. In my experience with what people look for in video color always wins.
It's interesting that the Elura was the first to use a mechanical focusing/shutter system, others like Sony & newer models from Canon use digital, & the claim that this would improve picture quality seems to hold true in my experience. Now the new Sony 120 is using a mechanical system.
The option of taking stills with the video camera is worthless. First of all the image quality is not good. The new Sony DCR-PC120BT has a number of new features to supposedly make the pictures good but they have terrible distortion when taken inside. Outside pics are okay but the end result is a pic that will only make a okay 4x5 print. If you go larger you loose sharpness & color. Leave the still picture taking to a still picture camera.
The Elura has proven to me to be a really good hand held video camera & worth the price. Yes it doesn't have all the features like new ones but how many people use them? When I video tape I want the focus on my subject not some strange color filter or digitized effect. I have had a couple cameras with the night vision & I have used it about 2 times.
If you want a good picture with good color the Elura is the way to go, if you want features to play with a couple of times get something newer.
Old Camera?
[ Posted: 2002-01-04 ]
I bought this camera in 1999 - I thought it had been superceded by newer models but it looks like they are still selling it. You may want to check out the Canon site for details.
Newer models have the ability to take hi quality still pictures as well, some with "hard" (memory stick etc.) memory so that you don't have to wait five seconds for the image to record to tape as you do with the Elura.
You may also want to consider a camera with digital output other than Firewire - perhaps one with a USB connection and editing software included.
The camera does take great pictures; autofocus, light sensitivity etc. are good.
But I did have some possible quality issues: the lithium batteries gave out after about 1 1/2 years and it required a ... repair around the same time. I can't say the camera was subjected to hard use and my experience is similar to others who bought Canon DV cameras when they first came out.
Perhaps they've worked out the kinks by now .
Not a single snag......
[ Posted: 2000-10-16 ]
This camera is small, but the optics are great and it does everything. All the controls are very intuitive, and I'm still discovering new things it does. I've used it snow boarding, on the beach, at a dim wedding reception and downloaded the footage/images right onto my computer. (Premiere is good) And best of all, no snags- amazing for such a complex device. Unless you absolutely must be able to change lenses (sheesh), this camera is great.
joe
Excellent on the go cam
[ Posted: 2000-10-14 ]
The Elura has been an excellent camcorder in my experience for hiking, climbing, horse packing and other on the go videotaping. Other sites on the web contend that the use of an RGB filter gives the Elura an almost 3 chip picture quality in good lighting. I myself have been pleased with the picture and color ( so pleased I have two ). Buy extra batteries and the docking unit for more versatility ( external microphone ).