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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews
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Product summary
The good: Manual focus ring; cameralike mode wheel; shutter- and aperture-priority modes available for video; optical image stabilization; excellent LCD and microphone; takes decent snapshots.
The bad: Poor low-light video quality; microphone picks up motor noise.
The bottom line: Canon's feature-packed camcorder shoots very good daylight footage but has reason to be scared of the dark.
Specifications: Video input type: Camcorder ; Optical sensor type: CCD ; Optical zoom: 10 x ; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 05/11/2005
- Released on: 02/17/2005
Although the Optura offers impressive features such as manual exposure controls, optical image stabilization, and cameralike still-photo features, its low-light shooting capabilities will likely disappoint the home moviemaker. If you're going to remain outside, we recommend this model over its more expensive sibling, the Optura 60, which has a slightly greater zoom range but is otherwise almost identical. The extra Ben Franklin nets you exactly three upgrades: a 14X optical zoom (the Canon Optura 50's tops out at 10X), a built-in white LED (which helps with low-light shooting but not by much), and an accessory hotshoe. The latter is compatible with only a few Canon add-ons, one of which is a shotgun microphone. But because the Optura has a separate microphone input, you can use any third-party mic. In other words, all the important features are still present in the Optura 50, so we think most buyers will be better off saving the $100.
That said, the two models share the same problems, most notably poor low-light performance. But for enthusiasts looking to make amateur movies or even corporate videos, both Opturas are worth considering.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
"If you are looking for a camera and camcorder combo this is the one for its price."
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