Canon Optura 600 Mini DV Camcorder

After several weeks of MiniDV camcorder research, I purchased the Canon Optura 600. I compared this camcorder to the Sony PC1000 and the Sony DCR-HC90 and the Optura 600 was a hands down winner.

To better explain my review, let me provide you the items I was looking for to qualify my purchase:

1. Size - A MiniDV camcorder that would fit in the palm of my hand or very compact.
2. A Digital camera built in with at least 2.0 megapixel resolution.
3. 10x or greater Zoom
4. Ease or Operation
5. Durability
6. Manufacturer reputation
7. Widescreen Video
8. Price

Starting with #1, Size.
The Optura 600 fits easily in the palm of your hand. You can navigate the zoom feature and the menu with ease as well as use the start/stop recording function. One side note, if you have large hands, this camcorder will be difficult to use since larger hands can barely get through the adjustable grip.

#2 - 4.3 Megapixel Digital Camera.
Compared to the SONY PC-1000 and the HC-90 with their 2.0 megapizel digital camera function/feature, the Optura 600 takes fantastic photos with the flip of a switch and its 4.3 megapixel resolution. It also comes standard with a 16meg media card that really will not do you do you much good but store 2-3 photos. I recommend getting a 1 GB or larger card to store the multiple photos you will take.

#3 Zoom Feature
The Optura 600 comes with 10x optical zoom which is great for capturing the up-close expression on a family members face at a party. It also has a 200x digital zoom but the greater you zoom in digital, the lower the quality goes. The 10x zoom was also standard on the Sony models.

#4 Ease of Operation
This category was a toss up between both Sony models, the PC-1000 and HC-90. Both Sony's come with an LCD touch screen feature which is very easy to use. The Optura 600 does not have this feature but the menu system is very simple. Some features are a bit buried in the menu though. The Sony's win this category but below you will see the items that made my buying decision clear.

#5 Durability
This is a big reason why I purchased the Optura 600. Both Sony models I compared felt very cheap and "plasticky" The Optura 600 is another story. It feels very solid and actually has some metal in it. In terms of weight, the Optura 600 comes in at 14.5 ounces. (Nice and light!) It feels like a camcorder should, sturdy! The Sony's made me feel as though they would break at the slightest bump.

#6 Manufacturer Reputation
This category was very important to me since I owned a Sony TRV38 camcorder and when it went defective within the year warranty, Sony made it impossible to get serviced and wanted to charge a base rate of $269.99 for repair. Before my Optura purchase I spoke to many camera shops and contacted Canon about their warranty. Canon offers a one year parts and labor warranty compared to Sony's 90 day parts warranty. Canon also directed me to a local retailer that offered an onsite repair in my area and even recommended the dealers extended warranty program since they were an onsite repair center. Also, in several forums on Cnet.com you can read about Sony camcorder owners that are discussing starting class-action lawsuits because Sony camcorders are going defective almost immediately after their warranty expires.
Winner, Canon-

#7 Widescreen Video
With televisions moving to HD format in the coming years, I wanted a MiniDV camcorder with the widescreen feature. Widescreen offers more pixels of resolution and with more pixels comes a crisper and clearer picture. The widescreen feature on the Optura 600 offers a crystal clear picture through the LCD display and the playback is remarkably clear.

#8 Price
Like anyone, price played a major role in my purchase. The Sony HC-90 ranged anywhere from $1000 at Best Buy to $780 at Amazon.com. Where as the Sony PC-1000 ranged from $1249.00 at Circuit City to $1150.00 at a local Seattle area camera shop.
With an extended warranty, you are looking at well over $1200.00 for the Optura 600 at some retailers. For my purchase, I paid $1100 for my Optura camera package with a 4 year extended warranty from an authorized Canon dealer/repair center. The following items were included in this price; The Optura 600, Camera bag, Tripod, 12 MiniDV Tapes and a 2 GB Memory card. Priced individually, this is well over $1500.00.

To summarize, I am very happy with my purchase, I have had my Optura 600 for two weeks now and have been recording everything under the sun. If there were a few things to change with this camera they would be; longer battery life, larger hand grip for those of us with larger hands and a simplified owner's manual. To me, the items are very minor when looking for a new MiniDV Camcorder.

All and all, I 100% recommend the Optura 600, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

T~