Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom

The 3 CCD System
The GL2 maximizes the capability of the DV format by using a 3 CCD (charge-coupled device) system with a separate CCD for each primary color (red, green, blue). A beam-splitting prism separates light passing through the lens into individual color components and each is sent to its own CCD. Compared to a single CCD, the 3 CCD system achieves outstanding detail with highly accurate color reproduction suitable for the demands of high-end video production - wide dynamic range, low color noise, high-contrast detail, natural color resolution and low-aliasing. The 3 CCD system also makes advanced Pixel Shift (for increased image quality) and Low Light Recording (for increased flexibility) possible.

Professional L-Series Fluorite Lens
Canon has satisfied the demands of experienced image makers for years through the power, design and quality of 35mm and broadcast TV lenses. Canon's Professional L-Series lenses utilize Fluorite, a material which provides outstanding resolution, contrast, and color reproduction- especially in lightweight, high-magnification lenses. Incorporated into the lens on the GL2, Fluorite delivers the ultimate in clarity and image quality. The Fluorite element inside the lens defeats color aberration -- the effect when the components of light stray from one another within a lens, causing a reduction in sharpness, contrast and color. The Fluorite lens precisely controls components of light providing an excellent balance of these three critical ingredients of picture quality. This is unobtainable with conventional optical glass.

To further improve image detail, Canon has intentionally shifted the green CCD (which contains 60 percent of the picture detail) 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 low-light situations. All this results in outstanding detail, with highly accurate color reproduction suitable for the demands of high-end video production. The GL2 also incorporates a 20x Professional L-Series fluorite optical zoom lens, which is equivalent to 39.5-790mm, as well as a 100x digital zoom.

Audio
The GL2's omni-directional microphone is designed to deliver realistic stereo sound. Using the GL2's advanced accessory shoe expands your audio options. 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.

Optical Image Stabilizer
Canon's superb optical stabilization system corrects camera shake instantly so even hand held shots, at full telephoto, and shots taken from a moving car, are smooth and steady. And since it is optical, there is no loss of image quality inevitable with electronic image stabilizers. It perfectly complements the high picture quality of the DV format.

Digital Stills
You can turn your GL2 into a still camera by switching to 1.7-megapixel photo mode and capturing high-resolution still images onto the camcorder's MultiMedia/Secure Digital card. (One 8 MB Secure Digital card is included with the GL2.) The full-frame images are free from time-lag blur. A six-blade circular iris, as found on Canon's top-of-the-line XL1 and XL1S models, is used for professional exposure control, helping to deliver stunning video and still photos.

Inputs and Outputs
The GL2 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. You can also connect to your PC via a USB connection to download still photos. The GL2 is designed to handle two types of analog input and output: using audio/video cables (composite) or S-video. Both connections are on the camera back.

More Features

• Three shooting modes: normal movie mode, digital photo mode, and the cinema-like frame movie mode.
• The Custom Key function lets you create and save your own custom settings so your common shooting modes can be readily duplicated.
• Digital effects are offered for a greater imaging variety, including fader, sepia, strobe motion, and black and white.
• With the Interval Timer function, you can record for a selected time with a selected interval--convenient for nature observations such as flowers or sunsets.

MiniDV Format
The Canon GL2 digital video camcorder uses the standard MiniDV cassette, producing the highest quality video possible from nonbroadcast equipment. The MiniDV format standard delivers more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution. And, because it records both video and audio as digital data, this information can be transferred--without any loss of picture or audio quality--to a computer for editing, then transferred back to DV tape, without a reduction in either picture or audio quality.

Product Description
Feature by feature, the Canon GL2 raises the bar against which future camcorders will be judged. With precision optics, superior digital processing, and a sleek innovative design, the GL2 fully complements the user's vision and passion for excellence. Selectable 4 - 3 & 16 - 9 Aspect Ratios 7 Exposure Modes easily accessed by turning Program Dial Analog Input via composite A/V or S-Video Rapid, lossless video & audio transfer via integrated USB & 4-Pin IEEE-1394 FireWire port Stores still images on MultiMediaCards ( MMC ) or Secure Digital ( SD ) cards ( 8MB SD Card included) Also includes - BP-915 Battery Pack, Power Adapter, DC Coupler, Shoulder Strap, Wireless Controller, S-Video, Stereo Composite USB cables, Software, Lens Hood Dimensions - 4 5/8 x 5 3/8 x 12

This is however, NOT a camera that the general public should buy. It's far to expensive, and really wouldn't be worth it to someone who will be using this for filming say a birthday party. There are many features on this camera, which make it as wonderful as it is, but these features would likely be unused by someone new to video cameras. So if you are in this boat, save your money and get a different camera.

What's great about it? The image quality is better than anything I've seen before. With 3CCD, it's good. Unlike the XL-1S, the GL2 has a 2.5 inch color LCD. However, I rarely use this. It takes up more battery power, and you can't see it when there's sunlight. I love the audio controls, and how it's not only stereo microphone, but you can control the levels of your left and right audio, right there, on the camera. I love to convert analogue video into digitial video, and it's almost too easy using the GL2. It's great for getting your older stuff into a digital format, and being able to easily get it onto your computer.

What's bad about it? Really not a whole lot. The 1.7-megapixel photo mode is really uneeded. 1.7-megapixels really isn't that good. The included 8MB card for these pictures isn't enough. If you're going to want to take digital pictures, then get a digital still camera, and don't use the GL2 as a still camera.

But I can't stress enough that if you aren't going to use this for more professional projects, then you really shouldn't get this camera.


Beware of Scam Artists Selling Low on High Ticket Items   November 10, 2004
Pattie
66 out of 75 found this review helpful

Watch out for the lower prices listed for this item. I almost fell for a scam and, in fact, lost $64 to Western Union before I realized that I was being scammed.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH ANYONE WHO INSISTS THAT YOU SHOULD WORK WITH THEM THROUGH AN OUTSIDE ESCROW SERVICE.

http://www.waywired.com/FraudOnLine/EscrowSTD.cfm outlines how the scam works and this guy's experience was exactly the same as mine all the way down to the story about why the guy was selling so cheap. The e-mail was almost verbatim except for the product information.

The tell sign is that an e-mail address is mentioned in the product description. You should not contact the seller directly. The safest method is to use Amazon.com's system to pay.

I have called Amazon.com's customer service regarding the e-mail address of the guy who tried to scam me. If someone tries to scam you, report them to Amazon.com, to their e-mail provider (AOL, Yahoo, etc.) and especially report the incident to http://www.ic3.gov -- which is the FBI's fraud report website.

You should also know that Western Union is not connected to escrow services of any kind and they are particularly vulnerable to these kinds of scams, so DO NOT USE WESTERN UNION's transfer service to pay for any item.

See their website for more information on how to protect yourself: http://www.westernunion.com/info/faqSecurity.asp

I hope passing along this information will help others not be a victim like me.


Great quality "prosumer" camcorder   September 27, 2002
Paul Fahrenwald (Dallas, TX United States)
43 out of 51 found this review helpful

I was drawn to the GL2 because I believe it is the only 3 CCD camcorder that has a 20X optical zoom. I've been very pleased with the quality and features so far, especially the optical image stabilization. I previously used a Sony Digital 8, which uses electronic image stabilization. This made it hard to do smooth pans, as the image would stay still during the initial part of the pan, then "pop" suddenly as the electronic buffer was exceeded.
I also am looking forward to the wind screen setting for the mic, as many a shot on my old camcorder has been marred by so much wind noise that audio is inaudible.


Too many GL2's with "Remove The Cassette" problem.   October 22, 2004
L. Welsh (California)
39 out of 42 found this review helpful

I bought a GL2 because I had used the GL1 and I liked it. The GL2 was just past the warranty and I kept getting the error message on the screen that said "Remove The Cassette" I paid almost $250.00 for the repair facility to replace the tape transport system which they said was bent. No camera in the world gets better treatment than this one believe me, $2,200 is a lot of money to me. Now the camera is doing the same thing again after less than 6 hours of use. I would strongly suggest doing some searches to see just how many people are having this problem. Mine is anything but an isolated incident. Go to google or dogpile and do a search under gl2 remove the cassette or go to camcorderinfo.com and read the many complaints about this problem in the Canon forum area.


Undependable   June 7, 2003
Don Jackson (McComb, MS United States)
28 out of 48 found this review helpful

I bought GL-2 camera for my business. I had it less than a month before I started having problems with it. The camera would not rewind or fast forward. Also the image has a mosaic half the time I tried to replay the tape.
I kept calling Canon repair service. I always had to wait on hold for a minimum of 20 minutes. (No toll free call to the repair center)
I had used a small Digital Sony camera for the past 3 years. NEVER had a problem with it.
Canon would not replace my camera. They wouldn't send me a loaner. etc.
My camera has been in the shop somewhere in New Jersey for over two weeks. It's June, and weddings are abundant, I've had to resort back to my ole Sony cameras.
I am very disappointed with Canon and will never buy another Canon again.