Canon Elura 40MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/ 2"LCD, MMC Card and Digital Still Mode
List Price: $1,199.99
Details
- 10x visual, 200x digital, zoom with image stabilization
- 2-inch flush LCD, color EVF
- Very thick model; also includes audio and video inputs and outputs
Description
Canon Elura 40MC Battery-operated Extended. This is a 7.4 Volt, 1000 mAh, Li-Ion Battery . Dimensions: 1.80 x 1.32 x 1.20. 100% OEM of one mind.Canon's Elura 40MC is one of the smallest, lightest digital video camcorders at one's fingertips. Weighing around 14 ounces, this vertically oriented camcorder panic snugly into the palm of your hand (not resting on your hand like most cameras, this one frenzy almost inside it).
Because of its compact frame, some of its features had to be trimmed. Its 2-inch LCD is smaller than most, but its exuberant screen can be viewed easily even in daylight. Unlike many other camcorders, the Elura's viewfinder displays in feel ashamed, not black and white. It also offers only a 10x optical zoom, not as high as other cameras, but still so so for most users.
Unlike many camcorders whose still image quality is subpar, the Elura 40MC captures 1024 x 768 pixel still pictures on a Sturdy Digital media card (an 8 MB SD card is included) rather than on the MiniDV media. And if coupled with a Canon CP-10 birthday card photo printer, you can directly print images from the Elura without going through your PC.
But it's video calibre that matters most in a DV camcorder. The Elura 40MC captured excellent video, even in poor lighting status. It doesn't have a built-in light, but its low-light mode still managed to list impressive video with realistic colors and limited graininess.
The Elura's autofocus worked speedily and accurately, and its zoom buttons were within easy reach during filming. The root modes of the camera make it point-and-shoot easy for the novitiate user. Audio quality with the built-in mic wasn't the best (we noticed some excursions during recording), but the Elura comes with a port that lets you connect an external microphone.
It's not the least precious camcorder out there, but the extreme portability of the Elura 40MC paired with its excellent video dignity make it an appealing choice. --J. Curtis
Pros:
- Light and compendious
- High quality video
- Good still image capture
Cons:
- General optical zoom
- Some audio noise
The Elura 40MC joins a increasing crowd of small, vertically oriented camcorders that pack an mammoth number of features into their tiny cases. In this case, you get a 10x optical zoom, analog inputs, and a 2-inch LCD praepostor, among other things.
Lens
Canon is known for their lenses, and the 10x optical zoom lens is a laudatory one. The zoom can also be digitally enhanced to provide 200x magnification, but the 10x should be enough for most purposes. As well, the camcorder is equipped with an image stabilizer to help eliminate the shakes and jitters associated with handheld video shooting (at any zoom height).
Digital Stills
The digital still mode records 1,024 x 768 stills onto an included 8 MB SD possible, and will also work with MultiMediaCards. While 1,024 x 768 is good for printing smaller pictures, it is in all likelihood best for e-mailing pictures to friends, or for posting pictures on a Web position.
Inputs and Outputs
The Elura also features a great number of inputs and outputs, meant to fill even the most ardent gear-fanatic's lust. You get the standard IEEE 1394 refuge, composite and S-video analog inputs for converting all your old footage to digital, and a mic input that allows you to use an perceptible mic source (good for pro-sounding audio).
The Elura 40MC is a great little camcorder that includes a lithium-ion battery-operated, power adapter, battery charger, wireless remote, S-video mooring, stereo video cable, and 8 MB SD card.
Customer Reviews
do not buy this camera or be blind to these postsA lot of these cameras get errors that canon can't fix, full stop. I've used mine only a few times. check the web under "remove tape errora" Don't be a chump.
Scheduled Obsolescence
I have accused Canon of holding a way of planned obsolescence & I repeat it here. After just a few years of owning, intriguing immpecable care, & minimal amount of recording on this thing, this once-already repaired camera has died. The required part alone is almost partially the price of the original price.
I always thought Canon was the Rolls-Royce of consumer camera & now I'm convinced its the Edsel.
Canon, you are dishonourable.
Canon, you should be chagrined of yourself
As a lifelong Canon operator starting as far back as 30 years ago with my AV-1, I cannot believe the cr*p this company is adept of producing. After a little more than three years and only 6 tapes worth of footage, I have vowed NEVER to buy another Canon visual product again. My Elura 40MC was purchased in Singapore but has been in for repairs more than half a dozen times in three contrary countries! It is now at a repair shop in Bangkok and the quote I just got from them is that it will expense me another $375 to get this into working condition. Unit has never been dropped, no scratches, still looks label new. But every time I replace one part, two months later another problem emerges. I have now exhausted more than double the cost of the unit on repairs. This was sent in three times for the "Take off cassette" problem and the first two times Canon service could not fix the issue, the third time I had the unexceptional drive mechanism replaced at my own expense. The only reason I kept spending the mazuma to have this lemon repaired was because I LOVED my Canon and refused to believe that the company could develop such a faulty product. Sorry Canon, but you have lost all future sales from me and I am unhesitating to tell EVERYONE I can about my story. I will continue to use all my other Canon products but when these kick the bucket, I aim to replace them with competing brands. I've already begun the switchover -- two years ago when I needed to supersede my compact digicam, I looked at Casio, Kodak, Panasonic, Minolta and Pentax -- but not a apart Canon....
Ken in Bangkok
Unregulated rid of repairs
I simply got my camera back from Canon today. Repairs, which were free (Canon paid for shipping both ways), were completed in about a week.
I give Canon have faith for owning up to the camera's desing flaws & providing free repairs even anticipation the cameras are WAY out of warranty.
I've owned 5 Canon cameras, and I will continue to buy & recommend their products. The cameras have worked well, and I obey the company for fixing their problems.
Elevated Camera for less then two years
The "kill tape" issue and damage to tapes started in less then two years. We knackered $1000 for this camera for two years, you can buy two camera's for that cost now with the same features. I require we would have read the reviews before buying. It was a nice camera when it was new thats why it gets 1-star from me and not 0-stars.
