Canon Optura Xi Mini DV Camcorder
- Recording System: NTSC
- Camcorder Type: Digital
- Recording Media: Mini DV
- Optical Zoom: 11x
- Weight: 1.6 lb.
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Excellent DV Camcorder (Mac OS X User)
Pros
Mac compatible, excellent video quality and zoom control
Cons
Extreme low-light situations does result in video degradation
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
For those wanting a Mac compatible, with potentially near 3CCD quality camcorder in a fairly compact unit, one cannot go wrong with the optura xi.
This is the first video camcorder I have ever owned which I've been using for about 2 months. Thus, I can't give much input in terms of personal comparisons to other camcorders currently out. However, I have extensively researched DV camcorders over the internet before settling on this camcorder. The top contenders for me were the Canon GL2, Panasonic DV953, and Sony TRV950. For exact specifications, please go to www.canondv.com.
Looks and Basics
It is a horizontally oriented miniDV camcorder that in my hand subjectively weighs about what a Pringles can half-filled with water would weigh. It is almost the same shape and size as a Pringles can too (a bit smaller in length, but a bit wider in diameter than one actually). It fits comfortably and feels solid in my hand with record, pause, and zoom buttons easily reached for my small fingers. The digital stereotactic microphone is located in the front of the camera below the lens and picks up minimal (if any) tape mechanism noises. In fact, the tape mechanism is pretty darn quiet to my ears. The tape is loaded from the bottom and uses miniDV tapes. There is a pop-up automatic flash and a hot accessory shoe on top. The camera shutter button is also located on top behind the zoom. Behind the 3.5" LCD screen are the VCR controls to playback video/photos taken. The SD card used to store images is located in this area below the VCR controls. LCD is not a touchscreen. One controls the menu elements using a menu button and a jog-dial on the back of the camera.
Almost all camera functions can also be controlled via wireless remote control (included).
Video
I feel the that the video quality is excellent, and just as good as some broadcast television. Even at normal indoor lighting conditions, the video is excellent. However, the darker the environment, the more the images tend to streak if you move quickly and more grainy. However under most normal conditions, it really isn't an issue. I suppose the excellent video quality may have something to do with a new CCD filter that supposedly splits light into the primary colors which canon touts is the reason how it is able to record such excellent video (essentially enabling one CCD to do what 3CCD camcorders do).
Depending on what setting you choose, you can have the camcorder automatically choose the best settings or one can adjust quite a number of settings manually (exposure, shutter speed, focus, audio levels, etc). I have generally used the auto settings depending on where I'm shooting film (outdoors, indoors, spotlight, night-time). There is even a button (called CSTM KEY) located on the side of the lens in front of the LCD screen that one can customize its function.
The zoom is fantastic. I've store-tested the zoom controls on several other models which I've found to be super-overly responsive and hard to control. In the optura xi, the zoom speed is slow and easily controlled. The image stabilization is based on optics (opposed to electronics). All I can say is that it works. How much better, I really can't say. The viewfinder itself is in color and turns off when you open the LCD to use the screen. A neat feature is a zebra pattern (which you can turn off) that appears in over-exposed areas of filmed scenes while recording, but does not appear in the video.
Ports
In the front behind the microphone, there is a DC in for the supplied power cord, AV I/O, and external mic port. I use an external mic which takes advantage of the hot accessory shoe (able to use the camcorder's own energy and connects directly to camera without requiring use of external mic port). On the side of the camera where your hand would hold the camera is a port for S-Video, USB, and Firewire. I was able to flawlessly use iMovie and Final Cut to control the camcorder and import video into my Mac via Firewire. I was also able to import video from the TV to my computer directly using the camcorder as an analog-digital video converter. Needless to say, I am also able to record video from my TV much like a VCR using the AV I/O port with the supplied cord (standard RCA ports to TV).
Who is this camera for?
I think any video enthusiast would be quite happy with this camera along with point-and-shooters. It can auto-do everything, auto-do some things, and be almost completely manual depending on the video settings one chooses. It is a bit pricey, but reasonably cheap compared to 3CCD camcorders which I believe it is competing against. Panasonic does sell cheaper 3CCD models however. I can't say what difference in quality may exist in direct comparisons. Best of all, it is Mac compatible (as all Canon DV camcorders are). A small bit of info I learned along the way shopping around is that generally speaking, if a DV camcorder has a firewire port, it PROBABLY is Mac-compatible. BUT, without this port, it most definitely is NOT Mac compatible.
Bottom Line
The optura xi is a way solid camcorder. The zoom speed is easily controlled, it can be as manual or automatic as one would like, very quiet tape mechanism, superb video, hot accessory shoe, and flawless Mac compatibility make this camcorder a winner in my eyes.
If I had to complain, I wish it came supplied with a Firewire cable included. As it stands, you actually have to go out and buy one in order to connect it to the Mac (or any computer via Firewire).
Looks and Basics
It is a horizontally oriented miniDV camcorder that in my hand subjectively weighs about what a Pringles can half-filled with water would weigh. It is almost the same shape and size as a Pringles can too (a bit smaller in length, but a bit wider in diameter than one actually). It fits comfortably and feels solid in my hand with record, pause, and zoom buttons easily reached for my small fingers. The digital stereotactic microphone is located in the front of the camera below the lens and picks up minimal (if any) tape mechanism noises. In fact, the tape mechanism is pretty darn quiet to my ears. The tape is loaded from the bottom and uses miniDV tapes. There is a pop-up automatic flash and a hot accessory shoe on top. The camera shutter button is also located on top behind the zoom. Behind the 3.5" LCD screen are the VCR controls to playback video/photos taken. The SD card used to store images is located in this area below the VCR controls. LCD is not a touchscreen. One controls the menu elements using a menu button and a jog-dial on the back of the camera.
Almost all camera functions can also be controlled via wireless remote control (included).
Video
I feel the that the video quality is excellent, and just as good as some broadcast television. Even at normal indoor lighting conditions, the video is excellent. However, the darker the environment, the more the images tend to streak if you move quickly and more grainy. However under most normal conditions, it really isn't an issue. I suppose the excellent video quality may have something to do with a new CCD filter that supposedly splits light into the primary colors which canon touts is the reason how it is able to record such excellent video (essentially enabling one CCD to do what 3CCD camcorders do).
Depending on what setting you choose, you can have the camcorder automatically choose the best settings or one can adjust quite a number of settings manually (exposure, shutter speed, focus, audio levels, etc). I have generally used the auto settings depending on where I'm shooting film (outdoors, indoors, spotlight, night-time). There is even a button (called CSTM KEY) located on the side of the lens in front of the LCD screen that one can customize its function.
The zoom is fantastic. I've store-tested the zoom controls on several other models which I've found to be super-overly responsive and hard to control. In the optura xi, the zoom speed is slow and easily controlled. The image stabilization is based on optics (opposed to electronics). All I can say is that it works. How much better, I really can't say. The viewfinder itself is in color and turns off when you open the LCD to use the screen. A neat feature is a zebra pattern (which you can turn off) that appears in over-exposed areas of filmed scenes while recording, but does not appear in the video.
Ports
In the front behind the microphone, there is a DC in for the supplied power cord, AV I/O, and external mic port. I use an external mic which takes advantage of the hot accessory shoe (able to use the camcorder's own energy and connects directly to camera without requiring use of external mic port). On the side of the camera where your hand would hold the camera is a port for S-Video, USB, and Firewire. I was able to flawlessly use iMovie and Final Cut to control the camcorder and import video into my Mac via Firewire. I was also able to import video from the TV to my computer directly using the camcorder as an analog-digital video converter. Needless to say, I am also able to record video from my TV much like a VCR using the AV I/O port with the supplied cord (standard RCA ports to TV).
Who is this camera for?
I think any video enthusiast would be quite happy with this camera along with point-and-shooters. It can auto-do everything, auto-do some things, and be almost completely manual depending on the video settings one chooses. It is a bit pricey, but reasonably cheap compared to 3CCD camcorders which I believe it is competing against. Panasonic does sell cheaper 3CCD models however. I can't say what difference in quality may exist in direct comparisons. Best of all, it is Mac compatible (as all Canon DV camcorders are). A small bit of info I learned along the way shopping around is that generally speaking, if a DV camcorder has a firewire port, it PROBABLY is Mac-compatible. BUT, without this port, it most definitely is NOT Mac compatible.
Bottom Line
The optura xi is a way solid camcorder. The zoom speed is easily controlled, it can be as manual or automatic as one would like, very quiet tape mechanism, superb video, hot accessory shoe, and flawless Mac compatibility make this camcorder a winner in my eyes.
If I had to complain, I wish it came supplied with a Firewire cable included. As it stands, you actually have to go out and buy one in order to connect it to the Mac (or any computer via Firewire).
