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Canon
Optura 500 MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
Canon raises the
stakes for all-in-one digital imaging devices with
the release of the Canon Optura 500 (and the
companion Optura 400; see a comparison table at the
end), which is as adept at shooting digital video as
it is snapping high-resolution digital stills.
Shorter and more lightweight than its predecessors,
the brushed silver Optura 500 weighs just 1.2 pounds
with tape and battery and measures 2.1 x 4.2 x 4.0
inches. Like its sibling, the Optura 500 offers
2.2-megapixel resolution for fine video and photo
details, a 10x optical zoom lens, image
stabilization, built-in SD/MMC memory card slot, and
PictBridge compatibility for direct printing of
still photos to compatible printers. The Optura 500
also adds a higher resolution LCD, mini video light,
ring light adapter for close-up shots, MPEG4 video
for email and Web, and USB 2.0 connectivity for
streaming.
Optics and
Resolution
The Optura 500 has a 2.2-megapixel CCD, which
produces 1230K effective pixels for video and 2
million effective pixels for still photos, for
images up to 1623 x 1224 pixels (good enough for
print enlargements up to 8 x 10 inches). Canon's
camcorder lens features the same quality found in
35mm and broadcast TV cameras, and the Optura 500
has a 10x optical zoom lens that delivers good
definition and contrast as well as a 200x digital
zoom. In addition, the lenses feature a unique
spectral coating to reduce flare and ghosting,
resulting in optimal indoor and outdoor shots.
The RGB Primary
Color Filter separates light passing through the
lens into red, green and blue color components
providing similar color quality found in
professional 3 CCD camcorders, yielding truer more
natural looking colors. Canon's DIGIC DV signal
processing circuit makes it possible to achieve
accurate color for both video and digital photos.
Since video and digital photos have different color
requirements, DIGIC DV utilizes two different color
techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and
still image quality for print or computer display.
Shooting Video
With the high-resolution 16:9 widescreen mode, the
Optura 500 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 creating a theater-like experience. A
variety of Program Auto Exposure settings allow for
easy, optimal shooting in a wide range of lighting
situations. The Optura 500 is also equipped with
Manual Audio Level Control, commonly found only on
prosumer camcorder models, and a swivel grip and
palm pad, providing maximum comfort when shooting
for long periods of time.
Offering improved
compression over Motion JPEG, the Optura 500's
advanced MPEG4 allows you to record the full length
of your SD Card in high-quality 325 x 288
resolution.
Still Photos
The Optura 500 saves still image files to Secure
Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards (an 8
MB card is included with the camcorder). It offers a
number of photographic controls that make it easy to
get the right shot, including:
- Selectable
Focusing Points for bringing off-center subjects
into sharp focus
- Continuous
Shooting Mode enables rapid fire shooting--up to
3 frames-per-second (1632 x 1224) or up to 5
frames-per-second (1280 x 960, 640 x 480)
- Simultaneous
Photo Recording lets you capture e-mail ready
digital photos (640 x 480) while you record
video
- Auto Exposure
Bracketing lets you shoot three photos-Ñnormal,
underexposed and overexposed--with the press of
one button
- The Built-in
flash with Red-Eye Reduction is perfect for
taking photos at night, indoors, or filling in
shadows
- Horizontal &
Vertical Trimming Function and Photo Review
Function allow you to make edits directly in the
camcorder
- Stitch Assist
enables you to capture and create breathtaking
360-degree panoramas
- The Skin
Detail Mode helps you take complimentary
close-ups of people by softening details and
reducing skin imperfections
Connect directly to
any Canon CP-series Photo Printer or Canon Bubble
Jet Direct Printer using the supplied USB cable. You
can also connect directly to other Pictbridge
compatible printers, and because the camcorder tags
each photo you take with information based on Exif
2.2 Print standards, poor lighting and mistakes can
be corrected automatically by the printer.
Other Features
A Mini Video Light allows you to shoot up to 4.9
feet away in total darkness. It can be switched on
in any Program mode. For shooting close-up subjects
(less than 12 inches away), the supplied Ring Light
Adapter provides even illumination and prevents
shadows.
The advanced Image
Stabilization system works behind the scenes even
when youÕre panning and zooming, shooting videos or
photos. The Optura 500's large, high-resolution
2.5-inch LCD (211,000 pixels versus the Optura 400's
123,000 pixels) and color viewfinder helps you
compose shots from any angle.
With the press of
the Night Mode button, the camcorder automatically
selects a slow shutter speed and increases the
sensitivity of the CCD to brighten the image, while
still preserving color. Two additional low-light
settings can be assigned to the Night Mode
button--Super Night Mode and Night++ Mode. When
selected, Super Night Mode automatically triggers
the white LED Lamp when needed to enhance the
subject for shooting. Night++ Mode is used in the
toughest lighting situations, keeping the white LED
Lamp on all the time.
Connectivity
The Optura 500 connects to Macs and Windows-based
PCs via a Firewire terminal (also known as iLink or
IEEE1394), enabling high video and audio quality
during duplication or editing. It's also equipped
with a high-speed USB 2.0 terminal, which Windows
Movie Maker2 supports, for video footage transfer
and DV streaming.
An Analog
Line-in/Out with Analog/Digital Converter allows you
to easily transform your analog memories into
digital, all in real-time. The camcorder also
features a Network Mode, which enables you to
remotely control your camcorder through the
DVÊMessenger2 software application. Control the
focus and zoom of your camcorder from a computer
while streaming the video via its Firewire terminal.
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