You Can Still Buy This Great Camcorder!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Great Performance, Solidly Built, Easy to Use.

Cons: Too minor to list.

The Bottom Line: 
If you can find it, definitely buy it. Better than most of the new models out there...believe it!

Author's Review
Hello video enthusiasts! Wanted to share my experiences with you regarding camcorders. Whether you are buying your first unit, or are replacing an older one, this should help. First let me tell you that I have not purchased a camcorder since 1986 (I was still using my Olympus 8MM!) Second, I spent nearly a month researching every internet and magazine review, perused countless user reviews, took notes, and compared facts and figures as well as traveling to various stores and putting the camcorders through vigorous tests. Even though this took a lot of my valuable time, I learned a great deal and had fun. My wife looked at me like I was crazy when I had narrowed the choices down to one camera and was feeling sad because I could no longer keep "playing" at doing this!

We have a high level home theater system and project with a Sharp XV-9000 front projector (another great unit that I thoroughly researched before buying!) onto an eight foot screen, so audio and visual quality is very important and anything less than excellent will look worse than average on this type of equipment. Early on I eliminated all the existing formats except mini dv. VHS-C just wasn't good enough, 8MM wasn't much better, and HI-8 has been surpassed by D8 and mini dv. I stayed away from micro mv because it is just too tiny for my half century-worn eyes and hands. Mini dv has become the digital format of choice and continues to be the most popular for good reason. I loved the idea of dvd/ram cameras but they just aren't good enough yet and the software is too pricey.

Shall I end the suspense and just tell you what I ended up with? It was ironically the only camera that I did NOT get to see in person and ordered strictly based on reviews and based on the features I wanted. Drum Roll...That camera is the Canon Optura PI...a great camcorder by any standards (and I considered three CCD units as well). Specifically, I insisted on having progressive scan, optical stabilization, very good low light capability (because we often record musical acts in dark clubs and restaurants), a 3 1/2 inch LCD, and a unit that is easy to hold. Note that my other choices (some of which did not have all the features I desired) included the Sony TRV-30 and 50, the JVC 9800 and 3000, the Panasonic 852 and the Canon Optura 100. I am sure many would be happy with most of those camcorders and enjoy them for years. But as an example of how I eliminated these consider the JVC 3000. Buying this would have meant getting cutting edge technology and an incredible 1.2 lens...but no progressive scan and no optical stab.

I love technology and always look to the latest developments, but in the case of camcorders I soon learned that the latest isn't always the best! I really did some soul searching before deciding to buy a camcorder that was already two years old. Who would ever buy a computer that old??!! Let me say that I am absolutely thrilled with my choice. I have had the Canon Optura PI for three days and know enough already to be totally satisfied. Footage from dark clubs came out with clarity and quality. The sound is wonderful and full with no distortion. I pick up no camera noise at all. The 16:9 mode is especially nice with our big screen and there is little picture degredation using it. I didn't really care about still quality, but with progressive scan you get decent stills even though they are not up to the par of some of the newer megapixel units. Playback on the LCD is a joy and picture is sharp and detailed. My rather unsteady hands are yeilding steady pictures thanks to the stabilization and when it comes to outdoor footage and brightly lit indoor footage...well, you drool after viewing these.

Are there any negatives? I could nit pick and say the battery life is a bit shorter than some and that I would have loved having the Sony indicator that tells you exactly how much time remains between charges. I would have liked a viewfinder that has less pixelization (although most had a similar look). None of those complaints are important enough to change my feeling about my Canon. And any other minor complaints I have heard from others (like having to have the LCD open to operate the VCR controls) don't mean enough to berate it. The basic quality and the many thoughtful features allow this camcorder to stand out and stand proud with the rest. Did I forget to mention that I love being able to use the camera like a full featured VCR with the versatile remote control included?!

The biggest problem I faced was finding a new unit to purchase once I had made my choice. For days, I called dozens of toll free numbers of internet businesses that listed the Canon PI for sale. I stayed away from ebay because I wanted something new or little used...and just as important, a return policy in case all my technical research did not translate to practical experience. Most of the internet businesses were "come-ons" that wanted to bait and switch. A few were nice and helped me in my learning process, but could not locate the camera. Finally, I tried a place that was well reviewed called BH Photo (www.bhphoto.com) in New York City and struck gold. They have purchased about one hundred units directly from Canon that they called refurbished...but in actuality are brand new and fully complete. All accessories were factory sealed and never used and even though the camcorder has a tiny gold tag that says refurbished...it looks, smells, and operates like it had no use whatsoever. Best of all, this unit that sold new for $1,700.00 and is still being offered by a few places that supposedly have leftover stock for around $1,000.00 was purchased for only $775.00 including shipping. I also bought the BP-522 long life battery pack for $79.95 and they offer the Fuji mini dv tapes in packs of ten for only $5.49 each (54.95 total). I spoke to a friendly and helpful salesperson named Dan. If you want to order and call, mention my name because I got the shipping included and $25.00 off their regular price of $799.95. Note that BH Photo is closed now for vacation until the beginning of September. Also, they have a five day no questions asked, no restocking fee return policy.

So, there you have it. Hope this lengthy report helps some of you. Once you hold one of these quality units in your hands, you will know it is right. If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to email me at sms@bee.net. I will gladly help anyone as best I can. Good luck and enjoy this great hobby!
Sam

PS. Two weeks have passed since I wrote this and the camcorder is still the greatest! I have now gone one step further by ordering the new Panasonic E30 DVD Recorder. This allows me to transfer all footage shot directly to DVD with no loss in quality and the ability to play back your movies in just about any DVD player at the homes of friends and family. Also, you can transfer the footage and use mini dv tapes over and over, saving you money. Found a great source for this unit in 6th Avenue Electronics. Shipped to your door for only $535.00. Also, you can get incredibly cheap blank DVD's online for only 89 cents each when you buy 100 at a time from atdiscount.com. Isn't technology great??!!