Rating: 
Summary: Tested many, but the Canon Optura 20 was best
Review: I reserched Sony, JVC, and Canon. I previously owned a JVC DVL-300, and had good experience with that camera, but wanted to move up to the Canon for its superior features and image quality. My decision came down between the Canon ZR70 and the Optura 20. For the extra ... in price between these two, the Optura is definatly worth the extra money. The image stabilization was excellent on the Optura, even when zoomed in. The ZR70 was still shaky and was not that stable, especially on zoom. I've read other reviews complaining about poor low light recording and motor noise (mostly with the ZR series). I have not experienced either of these problems with the Optura. Image quality for video indoors, even with low light, was great. The super night mode does look like a choppy web cam movie, BUT, even though the video is slow in Super Night mode, the COLOR quality was good... even with NO light. I prefer the color night video rather than the green Sony night video. It makes your video look more like home video instead of making your family look like an amateur military unit. I also like the 16x optical zoom (Sony only goes up to 10x optical, even on their best camcorder). Digital photos with the Optura are excellent (for 4x6 prints). But I never expext my camcorder to replace my digital camera (a Canon S330 - which is fantastic). But with the Optura, those few still photos I decide to snap with the camcorder are great (The ZR70 is not as good... another reason the Optura is worth the extra money). Battery life is excellent with the standard battery. My only complaint would be that the batter must be attached to the camera and plugged in to be charged. I wish they had a seperate charger for the battery, so as not to pull out the whole camera when it needs to be charged. I've owned various Canon products and have always been impressed with their quality. The Optura is no exception. I would definatly recommend this camera to anyone who is concerned with capturing quality video for everyday indoor/outdoor recording. For those concerned with night or VERY low light recording, I would suggest investing in one of the optional light accessories.
Rating: 
Summary: A decent buy
Review: I was a little uneasy about buying this camera because of some negative reviews (although overall, the reviews seem to be pretty positive). It's the best one I could find with respect to the raw specs and price, though, so I decided to give it a try anyway. I have to say that the footage comes out just fine. I tried it at dusk outdoors, typical indoor lighting at night, and bright and early in the morning when the contrasts (sun and shadow) are at their sharpest. The color reproduction is okay. I love the LCD because of the size and clarity. Importing the footage into my iMac was a breeze (Apple yeah!), although the picture is a little darker compared to the LCD's. I do agree that the supernight light mode is bad, but is there really a camera that can take a great picture at near total darkness and doesn't cost a fortune? As for the noise, there is a hum that is discernible when you turn the playback volume way up and the footage is of a fairly silent space. Just to see how prevalent this noise is, I tried a Canon MC ZR50 that I had lying around, and the Optura is as quiet as a mouse compared to that. I should experiment with a Sony when I get a chance just to see how that really stacks up. I think that for the price, this is a pretty good buy.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camcorder in its Price Range
Review: I've owned this camera for almost a year now. I also was looking at the Canon ZR series (the high end of that series) and some Panasonics available at the time. I wanted MiniDV and wasn't happy with what any other manufacturer offered at the time. My main concern is video quality, and so far I've been very pleased with this camera's performance. I use a firewire cable/card (purchased seperately) to transfer the video to my PC for editing. However, even playing back using the outputs on the camera to plug into a TV revealed excellent quality. I do notice some camera noise when using the built in microphone, but it is widely known that the microphones they put in these cameras are of a lower quality. I have the ability to clean that up during editing, so it's not a big deal to me. To get even better quality source audio, I would suggest an external microphone. Finally, if you haven't already, take a look at jemaer_rf's review (September 13, 2003) . I agree with everything in that review except that the size is too big. My preference is to have a "larger" camera so that there's something to hold on to. I played with a few of the tiny cameras at a local electronics store and they were too small for me. If you're happy with the size, then consider buying this camera.
Rating:
Summary: Don't expect any help from Canon if you have a problem
Review: Oh, the Optura 20 -- I love what it does!! I'm very impressed with all of the features, when I can find my way thru the beforementioned confusing menus and incomplete manual. However, Canon provided me with a very negative experience that I mentally relive every time I pick up my camera to use it. I bought this camcorder because I wanted to digitally edit on a computer... I have to say, it works fine on iMacs, which I have access to at work, but let's face it - iMovie isn't the be-all and end-all of editing programs, and I hate spending late nights alone at work just editing my stuff. On my home PC... well, I've yet to get it to work thru the 1394 (firewire) card that DID work excellently with a grumpy JVC minidv cam. I plug it in, and it crashes my PC immediately. I called Canon to ask for help with the firewire connection setup nd the person I spoke with gleefully walked me thru the USB setup, which I'd already done. Then he became abusive and demeaning and said the problem is all my computer's fault, and that I should upgrade it to Windows XP because it's a miracle operating system. He treated me as if I'm an idiot who can't even run a PC, and not the decently-intelligent person who had a big part in personally BUILDING this PC. Oh, and he took issue with my calling it a firewire card because this is a PC and not an iMac. (Is that REALLY important to point out to me?) Who knows if he was right or not? He didn't really listen to me, and seemed bent on putting me down over the phone, instead of trying to help me make it connect. I wound up reporting him to Canon when they emailed back days later asking how much I liked my call to technical support. I was honest - I'll probably never buy another Canon product because of their customer abuse - I mean support - staff. It doesn't really matter so much about the camcorder, because I remember how bad he made me feel every time I pick up my Optura 20. I regret purchasing the camcorder, but only because of how Canon treated me when I needed assistance. The camera's good, and if you figure it out but never need help, you'll love it. Just pray you don't ever have a question that's not answered thru the manual. You won't get the answer.
Rating: 
Summary: Piece of Junk, do not buy!!!!!
Review: This camera is a piece of junk, do not buy it. I had 3, yes, 3 defective ones, or maybe Canon just doesn't care about the loud grinding motor noise when recording and during playback. Yes, some cameras have a little motor noise, but this one was horrible, and picked up on the recording, ruining a few of my projects. I had nothing but problems with this camera, the construction leaves a bit to be desired, not to mention the motor buzz and noise. It is easy to use, and the picture quality is ok, but don't buy it. Spend a bit more, and go with a Sony. I did not want to buy a Sony, but they are better cameras. After much bickering with Best Buy, (that is another bad review altogether), I got them to return the camera so I could buy a different brand. I went with the Sony DCR-TRV38, which is a far better quality camera for a little more. I am so glad to be rid of the Canon, I will never buy anything Canon again, I am surprised they let this model go out the door, especially after all of the hype surrounding it. DON'T BUY IT.
Rating:
Summary: Canon Optura 20 or Sony TRV 38?
Review: This is my first camcorder and although I am by no means a dummy, this is making me feel a little bit like one. I immediately took it from the box and started using it. Most products I can pick up on like that, not this one. I have been looking over the owners manual and am now finding it pretty easy to operate. I purchased this to film my son and family outings. It has alot of features for video editing etc.. I will probably never use but they are there. Overall I would say it was a good purchase. The image quality is great and if you want a 4x6 still it is great for that too. The night shot is unlike Sony which is what I am used to. There is some sort of delay so when you move the camera it takes a second for the image on the screen to catch up. I don't know if that is from me not using it correctly or what. There is a built in light so you can't be sneaky with it in low light conditions. I would spend the extra money for the 20 over the 10 for the color view finder and other options. I ultimately didn't go with the Sony TRV 38 because of canon quality and recent things I have heard regarding Sony service and the lack of aftermarket support products. All in all a good camera.
Rating:
Summary: Good One
Review: This is my first camcorder. I am satisfied with the quality in comparision with the money that I spent on it.
| 
