|
Canon's newest pair of digital aces—the Optura 30 and
Optura 40 Mini DV 2.2, Canon megapixel
camcorders—unite
the worlds of digital video and digital photography using
DV Photo Plus technology. The versatile new Optura 30 and
Optura 40 camcorders optimize natural color quality, enhance
low light image capture and provide a powerful array of Canon's
digital camera "can do's."
Whether capturing—even simultaneously—the magical
motion of exhilarating events or the deep emotion of a moment
frozen in time, these two versatile DV camcorders combine
such innovative Canon video capabilities as an RGB Primary
Color Filter for superior color rendition, improved audio
processing for crisp, clean sound recording, a high resolution,
true 16:9 widescreen mode along with many of the most sought
after digital still camera features including a built-in
automatic flash, selectable focus points, auto exposure bracketing,
continuous shooting for up to five frames per second, streamlined
downloading with the print/share button and PictBridge printer
compatibility.
"The Optura 30 and Optura 40 Mini DV camcorders are firmly
rooted in Canon's tradition of digital imaging innovation
and many of their features are outgrowths of the technological
advances originally achieved in the professional and prosumer
video and photo realms," explained Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior
vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging
group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE:
CAJ). "The end result is a versatile high-quality camcorder
that captures brilliant digital camera quality photos in
a compact, lightweight and easy to use package."
The Optura 30 and Optura 40 Mini DV camcorders feature a
12x Optical Zoom/240x Digital Zoom and 14x Optical Zoom/280x
Digital Zoom respectively as well as Canon's Image Stabilizer
that instantly reduces camcorder shake even when the user
is shooting handheld with the zoom fully extended. Among
the camcorders' other top-tier video functions are the new
Advanced Color Control System that optimizes color according
to the shooting situations and an RGB Primary Color Filter
that separates light passing through the lens into red, green
and blue color components in much the same way as professional
camcorders process color, yielding truer more natural looking
colors. What's more the camcorders' High Resolution 16:9
Widescreen mode utilizes the entire width of the CCD (unlike
some systems that electronically stretch the picture vertically)
retaining image quality and providing a wider horizontal
angle of view that is ideal for widescreen TVs.
Low light shooting capabilities are also enhanced thanks
to Canon's new low noise signal processing IC and a user
selectable Auto Slow Shutter setting (which provides additional
noise reduction when switched on). Adding to their ease of
use, both the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders support
the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) that enables data transfer
with a Windows XP or Mac OS X (version 10.1) without installing
dedicated driver software. This direct link enables the computer
to access the camcorder as if it was an external card reader.
Program AE settings for easy optimal results. Settings offered
are: Easy Recording, Full Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight,
Sand & Snow, Low light and Night.
DV Photo Plus Technology
At the core of the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders' imaging
excellence is Canon's DV Photo Plus. Encompassing the company's
core imaging essentials, DV Photo Plus integrates Canon's
renowned optics; a 2.2-megapixel CCD image sensor, the exclusive
DIGIC DV Image Processor, and the Print and Share that makes
it easy to print photos directly from a printer at the touch
of a button.
Optura 40 Camcorder Exclusives
In addition to its more powerful 14x Optical/280x Digital
zoom lens, the Optura 40 camcorder features a Manual Audio
Level Control, previously found only on prosumer camcorder
models. The Manual Audio Level Meter is conveniently located
in the viewfinder and 2.5" LCD screen. The model also includes
Canon's Super Night Mode/Night Plus functions that offer
users the option of adding light as needed by automatically
turning on and off an unobtrusive white LED light positioned
on the front of the camera. In the Night Plus mode, the white
LED light remains on until the user opts to shut it.
Photo Features
Equipped with a 2.2 megapixel CCD Image Sensor, both the
Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders are capable of capturing
sharp, high-quality two megapixel (1632 x 1224) photo images
as well as 1280 x 960 and e-mail ready, 640 x 480 resolution
images. With the simultaneous photo-recording feature, 640
x 480 photos are captured to a multimedia card or SD Memory
Card while high-quality video is captured to the camcorders'
Mini DV cassette at the same time. Both camcorders are also
PictBridge Compatible enabling them to transfer images to
Canon's CP line of Compact Photo Printers, Canon Photo Direct
Bubble Jet Printers and any other manufacturers' printers,
which supports the PictBridge standard.
• Continuous shooting mode (which emulates a traditional
camera motor driven film-advance) permitting rapid capture
of up to 3 frames per second at 1632 x 1224 and 1280 x 960
resolution and up to five frames per second at 640 x 480
resolution;
• Selectable focus points which offers three focusing
points to automatically put the subject into sharp focus
even when that subject is not in the center of the frame;
• Auto Exposure Bracketing that, when engaged, automatically
captures three photos when the photo button is pressed once.
Image exposure ranges from normal, underexposed (darker)
and overexposed (lighter), enabling the user to select the
best shot;
• Horizontal & Vertical Trimming permitting the
user to customize the image right in the camera (ideal for
turning a horizontal image into a vertical portrait) and,
• Photo Review that permits the user to review the just
captured photo for up to ten second simply by holding the
shutter button down.
Canon's dynamic Mini DV duo will debut on dealers' shelves
beginning in late May, ready to record Memorial Day parades
and picnics and well-timed for Father's Day and graduation
gift giving, making mementos of June wedding (and honeymoon)
memories, saving (and savoring) scenes of summer vacations
and impromptu excursions. The Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders
carry an estimated selling price of $899 and $999 respectively*.
|
Daniel Del Aqua is a contributing
author to www.digital-camcorders-reviews.net. A guide
that offers reviews, ratings & info on where to find
the best mini dvd camcorders, Handycam video cameras,
batteries & accessories.
|
|
