Canon Elura 60 MiniDV Camcorder

Rating:
Summary: Stopped working the first day
Review: After doing extensive research I decided to go with the Elura 60 versus the Sony HC30. I received the Elura and filmed my kids playing for about two minutes. The kids wanted to see themselves on the LCD screen. I switched the camcorder to VCR mode and rewound the tape. After rewinding the tape it gave me an error saying "Remove the Tape". I removed and then reinsterted the tape. The automatic loading mechanism wouldn't accept the tape. I then tried a brand new tape and had the same problem.

This all occurred on Thanksgiving, so I was unable to talk with Canon about the problem. I did some research and found that many other Canon users had the same exact issue. Most had to return them to Canon for repairs that sometimes still didn't fix the problem. Not to mention you are without the camcorder for two weeks.

After having the camera for one day I returned it very disappointed. Today I bought a Sony HC30 and I'm hoping for better things.

Good luck if you decide to go with Canon.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to use, poor at low light and night.
Review: So our Sony HI8 died after only about 20 hours of use :(

We decided to give a canon a shot. The ejection door for the mini tape seems less "mechanical" so fewer things to go wrong.

This camcorder is very easy to use. you are able to take decent pictures while taping video and it does not interfere with the video.

Some people complain about "motor sounds". I don't here it, even in my kid's room at night when it is silent.

At low light, the colors are not all that great, kind of surprised. At night the "night shot" is terrible. I would recommend getting the attached light for $60.00.

The things I like:
Size.
ease of use.
Zoom works fast and decent.
Focusing is fast and accurate.
When you turn the camera on, it is ready in about 2 seconds.
When it is on and you hit record, it is ready in about half a second(fast).
In decent lighting, takes pretty good pictures, I was surprised.

The things I don't like.

A lot of these camcorders don't have lense caps or covers that are permanent? They snap on and off, hang from a strap.
I don't have really big hands, but my fingers are too big for the buttons, or should I say that the buttons are very small.
As I mentioned, the low light use is not too good, make sure the room is bright.
Comes wit a 8 mb card with some stupid graphics on it (I erased it all).
No mike input.
No light?

All in all, for the price (when on sale) I highly recommend this camera. Now that I have used it for a while, for a little more money, I probably would have bought the model (Elura80?) with the light.

Like buying a pair of shoes, try several different camcorders, "feel" them at the store. you will see big differences.

Enjoy!

John