Canon Optura PI MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode
List Price: $1,799.00
Details
- 12x visual, 48x digital zoom
- MiniDV camcorder
- 3.5-inch go red LCD swivel monitor
Description
In view of enough to become part of your hand, the Optura Pi will become your personal imaging companion. Built tough with Canon Conscious-How and Canon technology inside it, the Optura Pi gives you surprising features and unsurpassed digital video (DV) grandeur. The Optura Pi is easy to use and that makes it easy to get results you've never seen before from any camcorder.A proper Canon 12x zoom lens with 48x digital zoom allows you to get clear closeups. It features three modes: Standard Movie (full-motion video) Mode, Digital Photo Mode and Digital Motor Impel Mode (takes 30 still frames a second). Optical duplicate stabilization filters out the jitters and bumps to capture crisp, sane images every time. Look into the world that awaits you when you get into CANON DV, with the Optura Pi digital camcorder.In spite of its compact size, Canon's Optura Pi is a full-featured MiniDV camcorder. A 12x optical (48x digital) zoom Canon lens gets you licence in the action, while optical image stabilization helps prevent unwanted shakes and jitters from creeping into your notable footage. The flip-out LCD screen is a large 3.5 inches.
A expert word about image stabilization. Most camcorders with image stabilization use digital spitting image stabilization, which is a software-based method of correcting handheld wobbles and shakes. Though digital twin stabilization works well, it does so at the expense of image quality, reducing the entire number of pixels used to capture an image. In contrast, the Optura Pi uses visual image stabilization, which continuously detects motion and adjusts elements favoured the lens to compensate, resulting in a shudder-free image without any privation in image resolution.
A number of different programmed auto baring modes (including sand and snow, sports, portrait, and low deplane) automatically adjust settings to take the worry out of shooting in challenging state of affairs. Besides the different programmed auto-exposure modes, the Optura Pi also offers three contrasting shooting modes. You'll probably leave the camera set to normal motion picture mode a majority of the time. Digital photo mode lets you use the Optura Pi as a digital camera, recording a still fetish for six seconds on the miniDV tape, and allowing audio commentary. There's a lot of flexibility here: you can deviate between movie and digital photo modes and create a unique collage of stills and video. For all, the digital motor drive mode uses the progressive-scan CCD to apprehension a full noninterlaced 30 frames per second. This means you can use the footage as a series of unconnected photographs.
As a DV camcorder, the Optura Pi has an IEEE 1394 port for digital editing, or for transferring footage between IEEE 1394 in compliance devices, such as computers or other DV camcorders. The Optura also features S-Video input and result. The analog inputs allow you to transfer old footage to DV for archiving. Built-in effects encompass art and sepia. Various faders ease scene transitions.
Customer Reviews
Pitiable Quality, Costly RepairHonourable passed one year warrant period, the eye piece viewfinder didn't vocation anymore. It seems that the sensor for the foldable screen went bad. Sent back to California Canon navy center, and was charged for [money]. The customer service agent was very pompous about Canon quality, and showed no sign of concern for my problem.
Recently partially of screen became distorted during replay. Don't want to waste another [money], so tried lots of organization and changed the tape from TDK to Sony. The problem seems to be under control.
If it goes bad again, I will rubbish this junk, and buy a Sony.
Features Don't Mention for Reliability
This outcome worked fine for a few months of light use. Then, during playback, the Optura Pi started adding semblance and audio noise to the tapes. One treasured video partially ruined.
Picure greatness defined!!!
The Optura Pi is one strange video camera! I had never purchased a Canon product before, but I am very impressed with the Optura Pi. You buy a camcorder mostly to shoot moving video. This is one machine that doesn't disappoint. Most talented features: optical image stabilization(a high end feature almost always found only on the most expensive models); superb canon lense(second to none in the industry); munificent 3.5' LCD with high end resolution(200k pixels); excellent detail and flush reproduction( RGB filter); manual overrides for controls ( useful for more well-informed videographers); solid construction (many Sony and Panasonic models in the same worth range have a cheap, plastic feel); amazing low light engagement(although the jarring motion inherent in the low light setting may turn some residents off). Cons: no manual focus ring(just a non mechanical way out ring); overly touchy zoom control(be careful!); under par ergonomics for the zoom control( you have to reach back with your pointer finger to stimulate the zoom); low pixel count(360k for the CCD-all the better models are prevalent mega pixel, but then, you pay for it too); blank tape is expensive( but this applies to all digital form camcorders). If you want to take digital stills, buy a dedicated still camera.You'll get way better superiority for way less money. Progressive scan is not a significant feature for most people-reputation in "movie" mode( the Pi's successor 100MC is without Prog Scan). In synopsis, the Pi delivers excellent detail and color reproduction in all kinds of lighting situations. It feels like a important end camera and performs like one too.Unless you are willing to pay for the performance of a 3CCD camera, this is the one to get. Act fleet; the PI has been discontinued. If you're lucky enough to find it at a vendor who made a special factory purchase, you'll get a unbelievable deal!
Exceptional DV camera for the money.
My chief draw to the Canon Optura Pi was the optical (rather than digital) image stabilization. Canon is the only camcorder manufacturer that offers this article in this price range. The image quality is excellent, although the camera calibration can take some getting toughened to. Experiment with white balance settings, etc. until you find something that works well. The LCD screen is a youthful too bright, but otherwise looks good. This camera integrates flawlessly with my Macintosh G4 and iMac DV computers. My only grumble about this camera is that occasionally the picture can become blocky and behave erratically. However, I have discovered that this is a facer with ALL DV camercorders and is due to flaky DV cassettes. So, choose your tapes wisely! In every in the event of picture glitches, the problem has corrected itself within a matter of minutes. As I said, this is undoubtedly the best camcorder you can get in without spending $2500 or more
Horrifying DIGICAM - PERIOD!! Could be the best?!?!?
This camera works so well, feels so well-thought-of in my hand, has so many cool features that I can't belive that I finally have it! I did an exhaustive amount of up on before getting this camera but ALL signs kept pointing to this cam. The optical stabilization is make-believe - it's the best stabilizer out there! The PROSCAN mode looks like steam - pretty cool. Considering I'm going to be shooting some 'shorts' with this cam, that fade away look is always a nice effect. It's real lightweight and the ergonomics are very nicely laid out. The zoom is Truthful fast - great!
Basically, this is a GREAT cam. The advanced shoe allows for hookups such as lights and mic's! Get a more safely a improved battery though, 511 is worthless! I'm looking forward to shooting more with this cam. Looking at that I've had it for relatively 'no time at all,' I LOVE IT!!
