Canon Optura 200MC Mini DV Camcorder

Canon Optura 200MC MiniDV 1.3 Megapixel Camcorder

Canon has taken the features of the highly successful Optura 100MC and expanded them on the Optura 200MC, adding digital still-photo capabilities to this MiniDV digital video camcorder. Some of the new features are video streaming with Windows XP, extended range of digital special effects and fades, and the ability to record video to a memory card. The camcorder itself has joined the growing trend of vertically oriented design, making the Optura 200MC a true handheld model. Lens At the heart of the Optura 200MC is a CCD image sensor containing 1.33 million pixels. The Optura 200MC incorporates a bright zoom lens that uses a special glass originally used in Canon digital still cameras. The 10x optical zoom lens (4.2-42mm) is the 35mm focal length equivalent of 48-480mm. The digital zoom, which works by electronically enhancing the optical image, has 200x capability. More Features For storage of digital still images, you can use either MultiMediaCard (MMC) or Secure Digital (SD) memory cards in the Optura 200MC. An 8 MB MMC comes with the Optura 200MC, which stores up to 17 fine-quality still pictures or 32 standard-quality images. You can save both video and digital still images to the Optura 200MC's tape cassette, and high-resolution still images as well as motion JPEG to the memory card. The Optura 200MC has a built-in, pop-up flash for taking digital stills. The Optura 200MC will fire one flash (a preflash) to check the exposure, then fire a second time to make the correct exposure. The flash has four modes: auto, on, off, and red-eye reduction. For greater imaging variety, you can switch on one of several digital effects: negative picture, art, black and white, sepia, mosaic. Inputs and Outputs The standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also called FireWire) is present for a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. The common RCA AV connections are used for direct viewing on a television or VHS dubbing. You can also plug in an external microphone via the mic jack for better quality sound. MiniDV Format MiniDV digital technology delivers clear, sharp video with up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution--far superior to the 240 lines of resolution offered by 8mm camcorders. You'll get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture. You'll also get excellent sound quality, recorded in either 12-bit or 16-bit audio recording modes. Specifications and Contents The Optura 200MC measures 2.4 by 4.63 by 4.6 inches and weighs just under 19 ounces. This package contains the Optura 200MC camcorder, power adapter (model CA-560), battery pack (model BP-512), wireless controller, S-video cable, stereo video cable, 8 MB MMC memory card, and USB cable.