Progressive Scan, RGB color filtering (produces warmer, truer colors than others I''ve used), Optical Image Stabilization, Large LCD, Nice form factor, easy to hold, buttons are convieniently laid out, doesn''t have overkill on effects, features you will never use, or digital zoom (which is useless after a certain point) If you are lazy, it has preset auto exposure settings for certain lighting conditions. S-video in-out (newer TVs/VCRs now have S-video in addition to regular AV inputs) 16:9 Wide Screen TV Effect for those of you with wide-screen TVs. Has record search and retrieval very handy for recording, reviewing what you shot, then finding the spot in the tape where you left off recording.

Not many. Hard to find filters for this size lense (30.5mm)in stores. You will have to search long and hard online for filters. Doesn''t have a separate media storage for pictures, but this is a video camera. I still would rather use a normal 35mm for pictures.

Stylish, well laid out, easy to use digital camcorder that wou''t overwhelm you with bloat features and useless effects that many of the other brands have. I love the back loading tape bay vs. the bottom loading of the Sonys. This allows you to change tapes without removing the camcorder from a tripod. Colors with the Optura PI seemed warmer than the Sonys I used, which tend to have more of a bluish cast. The Optura had higher Optical Zoom, 12X, than other comparable models. Digital Zoom is only good up to a certain point, after that it just makes pixelated, blocky video. Other brands will try to fool you with up to 200X digital zoom. At least Canon was honest and kept it to 48X. The Optura PI is nice and light, and fits my hand well. I used a Sony-TRV900 3CCD, which took very clear video, but the camera was large and heavy. My wrist ached after about 5 min. of shooting. The Optura PI is a very good MiniDV camcorder that has all the features you will use, and none that you won''t need. Easy to learn with quality features that are/were ahead of it''s time. I have now seen it online for less than $800. But you can''t wait forever to enjoy a camera of this quality.

Customer Service

Haven''t needed any from Canon. Bought it from Etronics > they had excellent service and shipped it out in an expedient manner.

Similar Products Used:

Sony-TVR9, Sony-TVR11, Sony-TVR900