Also, will these re-writable mini DVDs play on a normal DVD player? And finally, how easy are these mini DVDS to edit on a PC? Thx I know this isn't exactly what you asked for, but I would recommend going with a Mini-DVC camera. Mini DVD's just don't hold much, and a DVC will take more abuse, whereas mini DVD's tend to break or get scratched.
I personally have a Panasonic with a 3 ccd lens, I got it for under $400 and I am thrilled with the camera. I am a Photographer and work with high end DVC Pro cameras, and I have to say, my little camcorder often gives as good an image as the professional stuff.
I own the PV-GS300 mini-dv would b a better choice coz of the price , picture quality n recording length r the advantages over mini dvd. Get The The Canon Optura 60
The Canon Optura 60 has similar specifications to last year's Optura 40, but its featured optical image stabilization may not make up for its poor low light performance when compared to last year鈥檚 Opturas. We had high hopes for this year's ZRs, but sadly the Canon Optura 60's performance is disappointing. The camcorder does offer some additions, including more accessible manual controls and a bunch more preset features, but I鈥檓 not sure these additions can fill the absence of what was lost, especially when the camcorder is bracketed by two of Panasonic鈥檚 most relatively affordable 3 CCD camcorders.
(7.0)
The Optura 60 is equipped with the same 1/3.4 inch CCD as last year鈥檚 Canon Optura 40, though you might not be able to tell. While there are only subtle differences between these two camcorders鈥?results at 3000 lux, discrepancies are extremely noticeable in low light conditions.
Video Performance (7.0)
At 3000 lux, our equivalent of a bright light environment, the Optura 60 produced good accurate colors. While not as vibrant as many tones represented on the Optura 40, the Optura 60鈥檚 tones weren鈥檛 marred by some of the inconsistencies witnessed on last year鈥檚 model. Particularly, the poor, overly-orange yellow tile of the Optura 40 has been fixed. Additionally, though the Optura 60鈥檚 colors were slightly less vibrant than the 40鈥檚, they also appeared crisper and with less apparent noise. Both camcorders show good gray scales, though the Optura 40 shows slightly more brilliant whites. As said before the differences between these two camcorders become more apparent under low light levels.
Video Resolution (12.6)
Imatest Imaging Software reveals a camcorder鈥檚 true resolution by measuring the calibration to stills taken from video footage of a standard resolution chart. In 4:3 mode the Optura 60 gave us approximately 423.7 lines of horizontal resolution, with approximately 297.8 lines of vertical resolution, generating a real resolution of 126,177.86. This model鈥檚 widescreen mode gave us approximately 466 lines of horizontal resolution and approximately 265.9 lines of vertical resolution, producing a real resolution of 123,909.4 pixels.
The Front (9.0)
The front of the Canon Optura 60 includes some nice features, including the camcorder鈥檚 focus ring, video light, and camera flash. Canon has found room to include the camcorder鈥檚 S-Video and USB ports here as well. The front of the camcorder flaunts its very compact design; it really packs these features in. Oh, and did I mention the camcorder鈥檚 stereo microphone? It鈥檚 even in there too.
The Right Side (9.5)
The right side of the Optura 60 is gripped during handheld recording. The camcorder鈥檚 ersatz suede strap runs along the bottom edge of this side. Running along the right side of this area is a port cover which covers the camcorder鈥檚 Microphone input, A/V input/output/headphone terminal, and FireWire (DV Terminal) port. Opposite this port is the camcorder鈥檚 mode dial, which can switch between Network (computer connection), Play (VCR mode), Off, and Camera (both for recording to tape and card). Above this mode dial is a small port cover which hugs (and forms) the upper left corner of the camcorder鈥檚 right side. It conceals the camcorder鈥檚 DC input port.
The Left Side (8.0)
The left side of the Optura 60 features the camcorder鈥檚 2.5鈥?LCD screen, which rests within a panel which folds out to reveal a cluster of buttons. This cluster of buttons is primarily used for playback, but some key features are located here as well. For example, the camcorder鈥檚 menu system can only be accessed from here, though after access it is navigated with the jog dial located on the exterior of the camcorder. Also, audio levels, flash options, and the camcorder鈥檚 SD card are adjusted and accessed with these buttons. Above the LCD cavity are two buttons and a second mode dial, which switches between Auto, Program (manual), Tv (shutter priority), Av (aperture priority), Night mode, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Slow Shutter, and Special Scene mode (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, and Fireworks). The other buttons include a Focus/Data Code and an Exposure/End Search button. Towards the front of the camcorder, to the left of the LCD panel, are two controls: the camcorder鈥檚 jog dial and function button.
The Back (7.0)
The back of the Canon Optura 60 features the camcorder鈥檚 viewfinder and battery compartment. Above the battery compartment is a small button which turns on the video light, which is followed below by two LEDs that light depending on what the camcorder is doing (one for charge and one for power). Below these LEDs is the primary record button and mode dial.
The Top (8.0)
The top of the Canon Optura 60 contains its accessory shoe as well as the means to open the camcorder鈥檚 tape mechanism, adjust the zoom, take photos, and print them. Fortunately, the camcorder鈥檚 zoom toggle is located directly under the user鈥檚 index finger which makes adjustment easier. Closest to the edge of the top towards the back of the camcorder is a small switch which controls whether video is recorded to the card or the tape.
Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
Automatic controls are available on the Optura 60, in both Program mode (manual mode) and Auto mode, but in Auto mode these features are locked into place. Automatic adjustments are available for audio levels, shutter speed, iris, white balance, and focus. Automatic adjustments are okay. They鈥檙e accurate but there is a significant lag time between adjustments when zoomed in. Even at its widest setting, the camcorder takes a bit of time to adjust exposure and focus.
There is an Auto Slow Shutter control, available in the camcorder鈥檚 menu system. This function allows the camcorder to go down to 1/30 of a second in camcorder mode and 1/15 of a second in digital camera mode in order to compensate for lower light levels. Some trailing may appear. |
