Samsung SC-D353 is packed with features and value. The camcorder sports a streamlined body for easy carrying, and plenty of value-enhancing features. A 680K CCD and 20x Optical / 900x Digital zoom provide excellent picture clarity and high recording flexibility. A viewfinder and 2.5" LCD screen let users plan their shots, edit scenes, and playback video. The camera also features Enhanced Image Quality with DSP6 Digital Signal Processing technology, and upgraded USB streaming capabilities (VGA, 30fps). With USB 2.0 and IEEE1394 connectivity ports, your computer may be used to download images for storage, editing, enhancement, e-mailing, and printing still images. Net Dimensions - 2.52(W) x 3.62(H) x 4.62(D)
This review is from: Samsung SCD353 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom (Electronics)
Pros - Nice and small and easy to carry. Software fairly easy to use. Middle of the road performance from an inexpensive camcorder. Cons - The lack of a video light makes the camera performance poor in low light. Still captures are low quality. Major Con - Battery life leaves a lot to be desired and additional batteries are very difficult to locate. This Camcorder has the smallest camcorder battery I've ever seen (SB-LSM80). I can only get between 40 minutes to an hour record time out of it, far short of what the manual claims. Then, it takes an hour and a half to fully re-charge which must be done in the camera since an external charger is not available. It also appears the battery only charges while the camera is off. I searched around and accessories are simply not available for this camera. Amazon.Com incorrectly lists the Samsung SB-L110 & Samsung SBL-220 batteries as accessories for this camcorder but the site is incorrect and the batteries are not... Read more
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This review is from: Samsung SCD353 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom (Electronics)
So I got this item and the first thing I did was charged the battery. After the battery was charged, I started to play with it to get used to the functions. So I played with the item for 15-20 minutes and turned it off. The next day, I took the camera to the motocross to watch my daughter race and when I went to start filming, the battery was dead. So I went home to charge the battery and to read the manual to see if I was missing something. Come to find out, it states in the manual that if you leave the battery connected to the camera, the camera will use the battery's energy even with it off. So if you get this camera, remove the battery from the camera when you are not using it and the battery will stay charged. I have tested this and it works but its really not something that the consumer should worry about. Other than that, the camera is easy to use, great in size and weight and fits very well even in my large hand.
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This review is from: Samsung SCD353 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom (Electronics)
Sure, this camcorder is not perfect, but for the price I couldn't ask for much more. I think the availability of any MiniDV camcorder for little more money (after rebate) than today's VHS-C models is reason to celebrate. I have had the SCD353 for a few days and have done some testing. Even without changing the original settings, things look pretty good. In brightly lit scenes, colors are vibrant and fairly accurate. Granted, the focus is sometimes a little off. You might also see a digital artifact or two. But for casual video recording, these issues are not a big deal.
My main complaints are that the LCD could be a little more clear, the black and white viewfinder emits a weird kind of bluish halo around the edges, the camera is a little awkward to hold and some of the controls are inconveniently placed (at least for my hand), and I question the long-term durability of the plastic casing. But on the other hand, the 20X zoom is a major plus, the camera is loaded... Read more
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MODEL- GL2 VENDOR- CANON FEATURES- GL2 Digital Camcorder With the GL2, Canon has created a camcorder with a wealth of features, each selected to elevate further the standard against which other camcorders are judged. The GL2 is a must-have for the person looking for the very best video-making experience. The GL2's excellence begins with its outstanding Fluorite lens and include
Amazon.com Product Description
The Canon GL1 (and its big brother, the XL1) are helping to blur the line between consumer and professional video equipment. This camcorder borrows most of the professional-quality components from the XL1 and puts them into a more compact, affordable camera. Though it's small enough to carry around and doesn't cost much more than a top-of-the-line consumer camcorder, the GL1 produces such high-quality results that it could be used as a broadcast video camera.
Great movies start with great CCD sensors, and Canon cuts no corners here. For the best possible picture quality, they use three separate 270,000-pixel CCDs (one for each primary color). To further improve image detail, Canon has intentionally shifted the green CCD half a pixel horizontally and vertically. This shift allows more accurate interpolation, resulting in an image that Canon claims rivals those from cameras with 410,000-pixel CCDs. Each pixel is 72 square microns, which is about 1.5 times the size as those in competing camcorders. This increased size increases light sensitivity, allowing you to shoot in lower-light situations. Ultimately, the larger pixel size results in an improvement of 4 dB loss budget in sensitivity.
For great optical quality, the GL1 uses a fixed (nonremovable) 20x optical (100x digital) zoom L-series fluorite lens. The fluorite element in the lens increases sharpness and contrast, as well as helping to preserve color fidelity.
Audio is recorded through the built-in microphone, which features two pairs of pickup elements. Audio can be recorded in 16-bit mode on two channels on one track. Alternatively, audio can be record in 12-bit mode, where the audio track is divided into two, and two channels of audio are recorded onto one track, with the other left over for audio dubbing.
The electronics of the GL1 have many advanced features, including a number of programmed AE modes, as well as both shutter and aperture priority modes. There are two different auto modes, one of which allows you to adjust any setting manually, if you want, and the other, which adjusts every setting automatically and lets you adjust nothing. A spotlight mode automatically compensates for lighting difficulties when shooting a subject bathed in a spotlight. Finally, a sand-and-snow mode is designed to prevent dark, underexposed subjects in situations with bright backgrounds--commonly found in sandy and snowy areas. There are also three different shooting modes: normal movie mode, digital photo mode, and frame movie mode. Normal movie mode is for any time you want to shoot video footage. Digital photo mode records a still image for six seconds on the miniDV tape, and also captures any audio, such as a commentary. The frame movie mode records 30 still images per second, but it isn't intended to be used for shooting video. Rather, frame movie mode should be used as burst or continuous shooting mode, as you'd find on a still camera.
The GL1 uses an IEEE 1394 port for digital editing and for transferring footage to and from other IEEE 1394-compliant devices. The camcorder also has RCA (composite) audio and video ports, and an S-Video out. The analog inputs allow you to transfer old footage to DV for archiving. Built-in effects include a fader for transitions, black and white, slim, stretch, and strobe. Picture adjustment is also possible; you can adjust camera sharpness, softening or sharpening your subject, as well as the color tone and how dark or light the camera sets the auto-exposure level.
MiniDV camcorder with 3 CCD technology
20x optical, 100x digital, zoom with optical image stabilization
2.5 inch color LCD and color EVF
Records digital stills onto MiniDV tape
Comes with wireless remote, battery pack, and power adapter
Canon GL1 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Lens & Optical Image Stabilization Reviews
Canon GL1 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Lens & Optical Image Stabilization Reviews
This review is from: Canon GL1 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Lens & Optical Image Stabilization (Electronics)
This is one incredible camera. Here are some of the best features about it:
-3CCDs
-L Series Fluorite Lens
-All Manual Controls
-Progressive Scan
-Optical Stabilization
-Large Manual Focus Ring
Of course, we all know that 3CCDs are far better than one... I need not go into more depth there. As far as the lens goes, some have argued that they see no difference of quality over that of Sony's. This may be due in part to the fact that they are looking for a difference in resolution. When compared in numbers to some of the 3CCD models of Sony, you may think that this is a lower resolution camera (which can be a very deceiving thing). It is recognized that a camera with a high resolution in numbers does not equal a pleasing, or sharper image. When you compare the color of a Sony and this GL1 (or any other Canon against a Sony, for that matter), there will be no comparison. The Sony will inevitably lean towards the blues, giving a very cold, unnatural feeling, which can often... Read more
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This review is from: Canon GL1 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Lens & Optical Image Stabilization (Electronics)
I have been using the GL1 for nearly 3 years now. I take it out on shoots for a website I work on... sometimes I create QuickTime Movies, sometimes I take stills from footage and convert the stills to .JPG files.
The 30-lux capacity means you can walk into a subdued lighting environment such as a dining room lit by a single candle and get very good, balanced exposure. It is not like an infrared camera or anything, however... there must be SOME non infrared light, or you get nothing.
The 30x zoom can't be beat. You can be 50 yards away from a person and zoom in and get a shot of their nose... in many ways, it must be seen to be appreciated.
Considering the features, the unit is light-weight, but newer digital camcorders of similar strengths are now on the market for far less and weigh half as much. Still, the GL1 is easy to hold with one hand while using the eye piece or the LCD panel.
I only have a few criticisms. For one, the unit does not ship with a firewire cable. If you... Read more
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This review is from: Canon GL1 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Lens & Optical Image Stabilization (Electronics)
First, the visceral. The image quality is stunning, and the creative license and possibilities afforded through DV are staggering. With a GL1 and a good NLE like Premiere, the only limit is your creativity. Effects that just a few years ago started at tens of thousands of dollars on film can now be rendered realtime.
Now the practical. I spent a fair bit of time looking through the market at the 'low pro' end. Canon's GL1 and XL1 were clearly in the running, as were several Sony products. What finally sold me on the GL1 was the flourite lens, which to my eye has a noticeably brighter image, as well as the optical image stabilization, which provides a more natural looking view also. I have to say that I find the manual zoom feature useless as it's a servo controlled focus rate, and very difficult to 'stop' in a slow focus. I've found that using the 'automatic/manual' focus switch to allow the camera to bring the subject into focus, then switching immediately to 'manual' to... Read more
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The advanced Canon ZR70MC MiniDV camcorder brings together all the features of the ZR65MC, from its ease of use to still photo mode and digital effects. It also adds a 22x optical zoom, 440x digital zoom, motion JPEG movie mode, Super Night mode, and an advanced accessory shoe for powering a microphone or video light.
Lens The ZR70MC features a high-performance 1/6-inch 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high-quality video and digital photos. The zoom technology found in the ZR65MC lens is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses. The ZR70MC is fitted with a high-performance 22x optical zoom lens, which can easily handle all your shooting needs--from wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion to close-up sports action at full telephoto. The ZR70MC's 440x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject.
Image Stabilization Canon's image-stabilization system corrects camera shake caused by, for example, an unsteady hand. This image-stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and with shots taken from a moving car.
Digital Stills and Motion JPEG In addition to high-quality video, the ZR70MC also captures crisp XGA (1,024 x 768 pixels) digital still images. The ZR70MC stores these images via the built-in slot for Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard memory cards. You can also choose to store still images on the MiniDV tape. The camcorder records the photos for approximately 6 seconds, as well as recording the sound for your verbal notes or narration.
Designed to help you make Web videos, motion JPEG mode produces compressed AVI files that are smaller and easier to run and send by e-mail than conventional video files. They're also stored on the memory card and transferred via the USB connection. Record a 10-second clip at 320 x 240 or a 30-second clip at 160 x 120.
You can search through the recorded tape for your photos using the supplied remote control. This photo search feature allows you to search for images recorded in photo mode. Search forward or backward through the images one at a time, or jump 10 pictures backward or forward from the current position.
More Features
With Super Night mode, the assist lamp lights up to illuminate your subject
Print photos directly to Canon bubble jet printers
2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and 0.33-inch color viewfinder
The My Camera function is designed to let you customize a number of features, including start-up image and sound, shutter sound, start-stop sound, and the self-timer sound
Shoot panoramic still photos, then edit them together on your PC with the PhotoStitch software
The full-function wireless remote control works at distances up to 16 feet
A wide selection of faders and special effects, including sepia, black and white, wave, mosaic, and more
For low-light situations, the VCR playback controls can be illuminated in any one of six colors: turquoise, blue, green, yellow, violet, and orange
Inputs and Outputs The ZR70MC comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also referred to as FireWire), which provides a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines, as well as USB connectivity for transferring still photos. Additionally, the ZR70MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: composite and S-video. The analog audio inputs of the ZR70MC let you dub or insert editing from CDs, cassettes, microphones, or the soundtracks of other videocassettes.
MiniDV Format MiniDV is the new, preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.
Power, Size, and Contents The ZR70MC comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, which has an approximate battery life of 2 hours 20 minutes when using the LCD screen. The camera itself measures 4.1 by 2.3 by 5.8 inches and weighs 18 ounces. This package includes the ZR70MC camcorder, battery pack BP-512, power adapter CA-570, wireless controller WL-D79, shoulder strap, stereo video cable, wide attachment, USB cable, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, and the DV Network Solutions and Digital Video Solutions CD-ROMs.
MiniDV camcorder with 22x optical zoom, 440x digital zoom, image stabilization
2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and color viewfinder
Super Night mode for low-light filming, Motion JPEG movie mode
Takes digital stills (1024 x 768) and stores them on included 8 MB Secure Digital memory card
Connects to PCs and Macs via Firewire (IEEE1394) and USB (for photos)
Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment Reviews
Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment Reviews
This review is from: Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment (Electronics)
This is my first camcorder. I have downloaded several 60 minute MiniDV tapes to my editing program and have had NO detectable motor noise. I purchased the optional directional stereo microphone that attaches to the accessory shoe for higher quality sound recording, but haven't used it yet. The 22X optical zoom is fabulous. I turned off the Digital Zoom. I recorded herds of elk that I could barely see with naked eye and with the 22X Optical Zoom they were close enough to count antler points and of very good quality. Filmed beach at Pacific Ocean in Washington state, excellent quality films, zoomed in on distant objects and got very good quality shots.
Some of the reasons I decided on this make and model (after months of research and hands on with digital camcorders in stores) is due to the large size of the buttons (they are easy to locate and depress),the compact size of the camera, and it's very easy to operate. I can fit the camera in my coat pocket and the weight is barely... Read more
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This review is from: Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment (Electronics)
Things sometimes get better - Canon improved this camcorder-series, and we should be happy about it! This is what I can say about a close model to this one (the ZR50MZ), the earlier top-model:
I work with camcorders since 1988 - S-VHSC, Hi8, etc. No question, no matter what kind of digital camcorder you compare with an analog one, it is superior. However, I found this camcorder particularly interesting and bought it since I left the 'semi-professional' field (and being now an electrical engineer in software development). Here are my findings: Pro:
1) Awesome workmanship: The high-grade plastic case pieces precisely fit and give the camcorder a valuable finish, the buttons have a well defined 'ignition' point and the connectors for FireWire, USB, Analog Video etc. are 'cemented' into the case. 2) Excellent cost / feature ratio: Although following the hype of marrying video with stills, this camcorder emphasizes on video (please, do buy a digital camera if you need digital... Read more
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50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
Great camera good price!, June 9, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment (Electronics)
This is the first video camera I have purchased. Having used many Hi8 and SVHS video cameras I was unsure what camera to buy. After reading the reviews and asking associates and testing the camera. I purchased the ZR70MC at my local electronics shop and immediately liked the look and feel of the controls along with the excellent quality of the videos I was taking. Outside the camera's picture quality was excellent. I filmed my nephew walking, running and playing with his toys. No loss of quality. I thought I was watching digital cable! The wide angle attachment is perfect for group shots and large room areas. The picture quality from the photos wasn't great but acceptable for e-mail. We have a traditional camera for those needs. My wife liked the weight of the camera it is light and easy to carry. I wasn't able to hear the motor noise that everyone was talking about. The camera is small and some background noise can be heard. You can also hear the clicking of buttons and the movement... Read more
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Battery life and availability is a BIG problem., 
Nice but buy extra batteries!!!, 
