Brother MFC-8420 Laser Multifunction Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I went through a slew of hp printers. I experienced lousy, "outsourced" technical support, and had two printers fail in the same year. This on the heels of my friends brand new color laser fiasco, which was three failures in one year (also HP). They used to be the best, with printers like the 4050n and other tireless workhorses, but I think other vendors are now making significant inroads, especially in this middle ground space. You'll find HP laser printers to be profoundly expensive for what they buy, with high print costs, and low ram. The 1300 is a fine example of where HP has gone wrong.
So, we took the plunge on this 8420 (we got the "one up" D model, which includes duplexing -- works like a charm, and at about 1c a page (as the cost of paper) it will pay for itself quickly).
The upsides:
1) Very cheap toner. Especially the high yield. 6k pages for 90 bucks, which is more than any other cartridge we could find (and you get get those cheaper than 90 some places)
2) Very convenient. You've no idea how awesome a 50 page sheetfed scanner with OCR actually is until you need it. ;-)
3) Comes with a full toner cartridge. My hp's came with 1/2 full "intro" ones.
4) Best-of-breed. For it's downsides (below), it really is the best you can buy for the money.
5) It doesn't jam.
The downsides are:
1) It's a little slow to copy
2) High end color scans are not that hot. A little flat. If you want high end color scans, drop 60 bucks and buy a Scanjet 5300c. The scanner is really designed for document processing, at which it excels.
3) It's a little pricey to buy in. The high end models are overpriced for what they buy (duplexing for ~100 bucks, network for another 100-150). Yikes.
4) The software is a little "clunky", but it works
5) The warranty pretty much stinks (1 year). If you can get an extended warranty, it's a [really] good idea. With so many components, all-in-ones have that much more of a chance to fail, and they do. ;-)
Remember, inkjet printers are sold practically at a loss by their manufacturers (especially cheaper ones). They are designed to make up their money in ink cartridges. This is important when you are comparing all-in-ones.
Despite it's minor downsides, I'd highly reccomend this ot a friend. If you need something to get your business off the ground like we did, and don't want to spend a fortune or worry about being in constant IT mode keeping everything configured and working smoothly, this is the way to go. Faxing is a breeze, scanning is easy (50 docs at a time is a LOT btw), and printing is very high quality.
We combined this with a cheap bubblejet, and now we have the best of all possible worlds. We reccomend this route!!!

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Winner of the prestigious Editor's Choice Award from PC Magazine and combining all the necessary office machines into a single box, the Brother MFC-8420 is an excellent addition for home businesses or small networks. Including a laser printer and copier, color and monochrome scanner, and a 33.6 Kpbs modem fax, this convenient desktop assistant offers all the functions you need to keep printing and mailing costs to a minimum.
The monochrome laser printer and copier produces letter or legal sized pages at up to 17 ppm, with an outstanding 2,400 x 600 dpi resolution. Up to 99 copies can be sorted or reduced or enlarged at a range of 25 to 400 percent; manual two-sided printing helps you save on consumables. The scanner operates in either 48-bit color or 256-level grayscale, enabling you to scan full-color photos or monochrome documents. Either way, with an interpolated resolution up to 9,600 x 9,600 dpi, your scans will be impeccably smooth.
The fax provides a variety of sending and retrieval options designed to improve efficiency. Broadcast faxes up to 390 stations, or speed dial to any of up to 300 coded numbers. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder frees you from having to baby sit the box, while the 600-page memory guards against paper shortages. The MFC-8420 includes a one-year warranty with instant exchange service.

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Canon BJC-50 Color Bubble Jet Printer Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this printer after a very bad experience when I traveled away from home and needed to print out a simple document. So I had my laptop and I saw those ads about a business that offers to be your office away from home. Well, I could not get the document printed out. So I did my research and purchased the BJC-50 since it was the smallest portable printer available at the time (the two Canons and a HP version). My BJC-50 is about seven years old and still works. It worked well with my laptop and Windows 98 and now with my laptops using Windows XP.
PROS:
The BJC-50 is the smallest available travel printer for printing documents and prints at a relatively acceptable speed.
The BJC-50 printer includes a LiON battery which makes for truly portable printing. I'm amazed how long a charge lasts and the battery pack is inside a battery compartment in the printer (not externally like the HP Deskjet 460 series). Well, the LiON battery is piggy back attached to the HP 460. I'm guessing that HP recommends removing the battery before traveling. You don't need to do that with the BJC-50. Just remember to slide the power lock switch on the right side of the BJC-50 to prevent the printer from accidentally turning on when traveling.
CONS:
The REALLY BAD part of this printer is that the ink cartridges, once opened, do not last very long. The color cartridges dry out faster than the black cartridges. And the ink cartridges do not provide feedback to indicate the amount of ink remaining in each cartridge.
The printer is relatively loud when it is printing.
You need to be careful when feeding the paper otherwise the printer ejects the paper.
I cannot get the IS-12 Scanner Cartridge in the BJC-50 printer to communicate with the IS application under Windows XP even though Canon's web site and the Readme file says it is supported (there is a configuration issue somewhere). This is more effort than its worth for now.
SUMMARY: This is one temperamental printer. While it provides convenient printing on the go, I think it takes more effort than it should just to get something printed.
I'm purchasing a HP Deskjet 460WF. I'll let you know how I like it soon.

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The Canon BJC-50 is a lightweight, portable printer with print quality equal to their inkjet printers. The BJC-50 offers two convenient features, especially for portable printing. For taking your computing on the road, the BJC-50 comes with a battery. It also has a wireless IrDA interface for cable-free printing. The Canon BJC-50 comes with TrueType fonts, and resident bitmap fonts. It's capable of printing envelopes and transparencies, and with the optional auto sheet feeder, it has desktop printing capacity. As with other Canon products, the BJC-50 has an optional Color Image Scanner Cartridge that quickly converts the printer into a desktop scanner. Simply insert the cartridge into its slot and the BJC-50 becomes a sheetfeed scanner in just minutes.

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Canon Optura 60 MiniDV Camcorder w/14x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)After some reasearch on the different camcorders available on the market, I had no doubt that the Canon Optura 60 was the superior choice. After receiving the unit I had no problem getting set up and was snapping pictures and making videos in no time.
One feature that sets this camcorder apart from others is it's ability to take high quality 2 mega-pixel still shots, recording them to a Secure-Digital card. From my previous experience with Canon cameras it seems that they really know what they are doing in terms of digital photography and the Optura 60 continues to amaze. The camera has produced still shots that are equal or better in quality to my Olympus C-740UZ.
The video quality is excellent and it is very easy to copy your still shots and videos using USB 2.0 OR Firewire to your Windows XP PC.
Despite a complicated array of features, the camera can be very simple to use for those who just want to set everything to "AUTO", then point and shoot.
Goods:
* High res 2 mega-pixel stills stored on SD card
* Built-in flash and 14x optical zoom
* Optical image stabilization to ensure minimized "shaky hand" effect
* Easy to dump videos and stills to XP PC
* Amazingly wide array of features packed into a small sized unit
* Excellent still picture quality
* Good performance for shooting 'on the fly'
* Continuous mode for quick sequential still shots
* Can snap 640x480 still shots to SD card while recording video to tape
* More...
Bads:
* Package does not include a DV tape
* Included 16MB MMC card is far too small
* Included battery is a little short-lived
* Firewire DV cable not included
Additional items I bought:
* Pack of DV tapes
* 512MB SD Card
* High-capacity BP2L14 battery
* CB2LT battery charger, enabling charging of both batteries at once (one in camera, one in charger)
You'll also need a carrying case that snugly fits the Optura 60 and the above items.

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Take control and capture your video and photographic memories the way you want to remember them - all with a single camera. The Optura 60 combines extraordinary 2.2 Megapixel performance with advanced controls for your digital photography. The camcorder also lets you take as much or as little control over your video as you want with a wide range of automatic settings. With these advanced controls and automatic settings - along with an advanced, 9-point Auto Intelligent Autofocus - there are no limits to your creativity. You always get the shot you want. Not only that, the Optura 60 makes it easy for you to share your great shots. The camcorder connects with your computer effortlessly, letting you manage, stream and e-mail your memories for all to enjoy. Camcorder and Digital Camera in One You have them both without compromising the quality of your video or digital photography. That's because Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing circuit processes video and still images differently. The two signals have different color requirements and DIGIC DV technology processes the two signals accordingly, giving you uncompromised results. That means video images that are maximized for viewing on TV, and digital photographs that look brilliant on computer displays or as prints. DIGIC DV is just one of Canon's DV Photo Plus technologies that help to unleash the performance potential of the Optura 60. Unsurpassed Optical Quality A part of every Canon product are Genuine Canon Optics, and the Optura 60 is no exception. You get the same clarity, brilliance and vivid color that advanced amateurs and professionals have come to expect from the Genuine Canon Optics in 35mm film cameras and broadcast TV cameras. Genuine Canon Optics is just one of the DV Photo Plus technologies that make the Optura 60 such a stand-out performer. The Optura 60 comes with a 14X optical zoom which, along with the camcorder's 280X digital zoom, giv

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Canon Optura 40 MiniDV Camcorder w/14x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)I pre-ordered this camera and got it the day it was "released" (5/20), thank you Amazon. Overall the feature content is pretty slick but I have a few issues I need to investigate before I declare that I am in love with this camera or that I am disappointed.
My big concern is that I see a very strange effect when I am mildly zoomed on a subject and the subject is moving around. I see a "fluttery" effect as though the shutter is too slow for the action. It gets really bad at times and is really annoying. I am not sure if the camera (in its "auto-everything" mode) is attempting to adjust to the change in the subject but whatever it is its not good. I will follow up with Canon to determine what the issue is to see if this is a feature of the camera, if my camera is defective or if I am not using it correctly.
I did a side by side comparison with my old Sony DCR-TRV20. The Canon's image at times shows off the 3x more effective pixels and is generally brighter than the Sony but again I am not totally blown out of the room with improvements with the Canon. Low light is a problem and it generates grainy pictures.
Update: june 13, 2004
I noticed the review where the guy mentions the "auto slow shutter" control. BINGO. Barring this strangeness that is now solved, this camera is excellent. In my opinion the video quality is more film-like than video. I assume this is due to the high number of pixels.
As far as the still image feature goes, I've taken really good and really bad shots. Its all about holding the camera still and in my opinion its a little challenging considering the location of straps and buttons on this camera for still shots. None-the-less, if you take your time and think about it, you can get some great stills.
Great Camera.

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Whether shooting up-close or from a distance, the Optura 40 delivers video and photos with exceptional definition and contrast, making every shot you take a potential award-winner. Featuring Genuine Canon Optics, the Optura 40 expands on this range with a 14x Optical Zoom and 280x Digital Zoom. Both models allow you to cover all the angles, be it wide or telephoto, ensuring that you always get the shot you want.
Enjoy stunning video and photos The secret behind the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders' incredible video and photos is Canon's DIGIC DV technology. Since videos and photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV uses special color optimization techniques when processing an image for output to a TV or printer. The result is accurate, life-like color reproduction in all your videos and photos.
Catch all the action without the shake Life rarely sits still for a shot, that's why the Optura 30 and Optura 40 feature Canon's advanced Image Stabilization system. Now you can keep images smooth and steady, even at full telephoto and while panning or zooming. The large 2.5" LCD and Color Viewfinder further helps to compose sensational shots from any angle.
Dazzle on-lookers with vibrant color shots Now you can relive those precious moments with all their true vibrant colors. While traditional camcorders process color with a standard CMYG filter (resulting in duller colors), the Optura 30 and Optura 40 camcorders use Canon's RGB Primary Color Filter, which separates light passing through the lens into their true red, green and blue color components. The result is professional-quality images that deliver natural-looking tones and superior color rendition.
Get the full picture on your wide-screen TV Unlike camcorders which only record a vertically stretched picture, the Optura 30 and Optura 40 both feature a High-Resolution 16:9 Mode that records video in true 16:9 ("letterbox") format for playback on wide-screen TVs. When shooting in the 16:9 Mode, the entire width of the 2.2 Megapixel CCD image sensor is used to capture your footage. The result is wide-screen quality videos that are certain to impress even the biggest "big screen" fan.
Canon's Megapixel CCD Canon's Megapixel CCD Image Sensor delivers crisp images with life-like detail. Whether you are shooting video or photos with the camcorder, you will get the best results. The CCD works like film -- when light is captured by the sensor, it registers an image and advanced processing converts the pixels into digital data creating your video or photos.
Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV DIGIC DV, our exclusive 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.
Take it from sight to website at a moment's notice Thanks to the Optura's improved Motion JPEG feature, you can shoot video ready for streaming over the Internet or for e-mailing. The Motion JPEG Mode records your footage onto the Secure Digital memory card at 15 frames/second, giving you up to 60 minutes of recording time on a 512MB card. You can then quickly and easily transfer your movies to your computer using the USB cable.

Make incredible panoramas and portraits The Optura line of camcorders gives you the power to edit your still images in a variety of exciting ways. The Stitch Assist feature allows you to capture and create breathtaking 360-degree panoramas, while the Skin Detail Mode helps you take complimentary close-ups of people by softening details and reducing skin imperfections.
Turn your camcorder into a webcam Exclusive to Canon, the Optura camcorders feature a Network Mode that enables you to remotely control your camcorder through the DV Messenger2 software application. Control the focus and zoom of your camcorder from a computer while streaming the video via its IEEE 1394 terminal
Explore your creativity with the supplied software Included in your Optura Kit are Pinnacle Studio 9SE and Pinnacle Instant Photo Album, two powerful editing programs that can help turn your videos and photos into lasting memories.
What's in the Box

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Canon FS22 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder w/32GB Internal Memory & 48x Advanced Zoom - 2009 MODEL Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great camcorder. Lightweight, easy to use, great video. Took it on a 16 day cruise/tour one week after purchasing, and it met every need. Battery life exceeded 2 hours per charge, plenty to support a full day of touring. The entire trip still didn't fill the 32GB internal memory (we recorded just over 5+ hours of the 7 hours available, all in best quality. Purchased and used a 16GB SDHC card for the still pix, and it worked beautifully also. Downsides? Extreme small size and light weight make controlling camera shake difficult, particularly when zooming; lack of viewfinder is a real detractor.

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It's always great to have options. The new Canon FS22Dual Flash Memory camcorder gives you two easy optionsfor shooting your videos. Record video for up to 20 hoursto a 32GB internal Flash drive or directly to SDHC memorycards for fast and easy sharing of your memories. Nowyou'll have no worries about running out of memory whenyou are capturing life's big moments. Plus, the Canon FS22features Canon's 48x Advanced Zoom to get you closer tothe action and a 1.07-megapixel CCD imagesensor for vivid color and stunning image clarity. For life'sbumps and jumps, there's an Image Stabilizer to makeyour shots rock-steady. Pre-Record captures video 3seconds before you press the record button. And anIntelligent Lithium-ion battery can be recharged quickly andkeeps you shooting longer. Ultra-sleek and lightweight, theCanon FS22 is lighting fast and stylishly designed. Soexercise your options. Go for the camcorder that gives youquality and choice--the Canon FS22. Canon USA 1-yearlimited warranty included.

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Canon Pixma MX850 Office All-In-One Inkjet Printer (2436B002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My brief observations seem to indicate that the MX850 really doesn't improve upon the MP830 in some important areas.
I've owned the Canon MP830 for almost a year and and I just bought the Canon MX850 for a friend, so this is a direct user comparison. The 830 has been 100% reliable, producing excellent scans, prints, copies, and faxes. The MX850 is shorter in height, but otherwise just as bulky and heavy as the 830. Canon seems to be using a less robust scanner in the 850 than in the older MP830. Scans on the 830 are consistently over 4 times as fast: a 300 dpi 8.5x11" import scan into Photoshop CS3 took about 7 seconds with the 830 and about 33 seconds with the 850. The 830 wins in the noise category as well: it's roughly 60% quieter than the 850 when scanning. The 850 produces an annoying high pitched tone while the 830 has more of a low "murmer" sound. The 850, to be fair, will not be considered to be overly loud for most environments. With scanning, the color reproduction seems fairly close between the two machines, though I'm getting more color accuracy from the 830. Copies on the 830 produced more accurate colors, too: a copy of a TIME magazine cover on a matt photo paper (with settings set to "Matt Photo Paper" and "High") yielded extremely accurate reproductions of the original, while the the 850 veered too far toward the yellow end of the spectrum. Both produced excellent detail, though. Scans of dot-screen images were well rendered with the 830, while the 850 exhibited substantial moire effects.
Not sure about energy consumption comparisons though the 850's scanner seems to be using a more compact, (newer technology?) low lumens light-producing element than the very bright 830, so it probably uses less power.
Both machines will not disappoint, but with the advantage of my brief side-by-side comparison I'd recommend that you save $40 bucks and get the MP830. They both use the same ink cartridges. One last observation: the 850's LCD screen has a much higher pixel count, but that's only one small improvement amid the 830's superior traits.
3/18/2008 - Update: I've learned that the MX850 is using "contact image sensor" technology (CIS) where as the MP830 is using the more common "charged-coupled devices" (CCD) technology. For those with an interest in the tech aspects I've included some info I found online:
"Most of large format scanners in use today use CCD (charge-coupled devices) as the primary data capture element in their construction. Recently this position has started to be challenged by the lower cost CIS (contact image sensor) technologies, which have come mainly from the small flatbed scanner market. The traditional CCD or camera scanner is able to produce a very high number of colours from the scanned original and copes with folded documents reasonably well. These scanners tend to be preferred where the image to be scanned is either photographic or has extensive use of tones and shading. CIS scanners have the advantage in providing all the optics in a space of 20 mm or so, which in the CCD scanner equivalent would occupy more like 600 mm. The secondary advantage is that CIS scanners have no need for magnification, lenses or a rigid frame - a major saving in construction costs and weight. However, CIS scanners do not do so well when scanning very pale colours or photographs."


Click Here to see more reviews about: Canon Pixma MX850 Office All-In-One Inkjet Printer (2436B002)

This is an All-In-One powerhouse. Thanks to its patented print head technology and 5-color ink system, you¿ll create spectacular photos with 9600 x 2400 color dpi resolution1, and it¿s fast: A photo lab quality 4" x 6" borderless print takes only about 21 seconds2. Copies will be remarkably true to the originals, and when scanning photos you¿ll produce impressive 4800-dpi results, with vibrant 48-bit color depth. The built-in Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) holds up to 35 originals and enables automatic duplexing, so you don¿t have to manually turn over your 2-sided original. This versatile machine is networkable via an Ethernet connection, and offers an optional BU-30 Bluetooth interface3, so you can print wirelessly from a PC or PDA. You can also print photos right from memory cards4 ¿ selecting and enhancing images on the high-resolution 2.5" color TFT display ¿ or directly from a digital camera.

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Olympus P-330N Photo Printer Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had this printer for quite a while now. It prints unbelievable pictures that compare to the Kodak photo lab. After I am done taking my shots with my Olympus C-3030zoom camera I insert the smartmedia card directly into the printer, then I plug the printers video output into my television. This printer has some really neat editing features that can be used without your computer. Of course it works really well with my computer. All around it is a really excellent product. I have been impressing my neighbors, and family with this printer. I am getting ready to sell off my regular film eqipment. I just aquired an Olympus P400 digital printer, and all I can say is OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY.................................

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Olympus's P-330N photo printer provides true photographic output, with24-bit color dye-sublimation printing, allowing you to print snapshot-sizedphotos right from your desktop.
You can print photos from files of up to 10 MB (JPEG) or 20 MB (TIFF) fromseveral sources, including SmartMedia cards, your PC, and even yourtelevision. With the printer's video input and output terminals, photopreviews can be displayed on your TV screen, and the printer can serve as avideo printer. With a SmartMedia card, you can print photos by simplyinserting your card into the printer, eliminating the usual mess of cordson your desk.
The printer only prints on one size of paper (4.5 by 3.375 inches), but you canprint your choice of one, four, nine, or 16 shots per page. Print speed canbe slow, producing a 4.5-by-3.375-inch full color print in roughly 2minutes, but the crisp quality and brilliant color make it worth the wait.The P-330N also features a laminated output capability so you can preserveyour favorite photos. Both Mac and PC compatible, the printer includes aone-year warranty.

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Canon Optura 400 MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just received mine today and made a short cooking film while cooking dinner. This is a beautiful camcorder and still camera. It is small and fits the hand well. Looks like jewelry to me. It is perfectly quiet. I cannot hear it recording. Do not believe some reviews out there about noise. You can only hear it during fast forward and rewind. Big 1/3.4 inch CCD with Canon optics and color rendering image algorithms. Lots of manual options as well as auto. I bought a spare Canon battery (BP- 2L14, twice the power) and the built in charger charged it and the original with no problem. Very good hand ergonomics with nice button placement, intuitive operation. Excellent colors and imaging. I read my manual carefully and all installations of tape, card and backup battery were a snap. There is currently a $100 rebate and this camcorder is available for less than half the original suggested price, a steal for a camcorder of this quality.

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Canon raises the stakes for all-in-one digital imaging devices with the release of the Canon Optura 400 (and its sibling Optura 500; 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 400 weighs just 1.2 pounds with tape and battery and measures 2.1 x 4.2 x 4.0 inches. It 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.
Optics and Resolution The Optura 400 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 400 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 400 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 400 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.
The Motion JPEG Mode records your footage onto the Secure Digital memory card at 320 x 240 resolution, giving you up to 60 minutes of recording time on an optional 512 MB card.
Still Photos The Optura 400 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 The advanced Image Stabilization system works behind the scenes even when youÕre panning and zooming, shooting videos or photos. The Optura 400's large 2.5-inch LCD 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 400 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. 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.
What's in the Box This package contains the Optura 400 digital video camcorder, rechargeable battery pack (NB-2LH), power adapter (CA-570), wireless controller (WL-D83), A/V cable, 8 MB SD memory card, USB cable, and Digital Video Solution CD-ROM, which includes:
Pinnacle Studio gives you every tool you need to easily capture video to your computer, edit footage, add titles, music, narration and special effects and then output the finished movie back to videotape, DVD or the web.
Pinnacle Instant Album can help you quickly organize your digital photos and video clips into interactive, high-resolution slideshows that can then be burned onto CD and DVD or watched on your TV with Instant PhotoAlbum
It's covered by a 1-year limited warranty (3 months for the video head part).
Comparison: Optura 400 and 500 Major Features

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Canon FS11 Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Flash Memory and 48x Advanced Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this camera for the flash memory part. I really did not want to cary little tapes or cds or extra wires.
The camera is small, the size of a toilet paper roll, it fits entirely in the palm of my hand and weighs nothing.
The image stabilization is great, I get no shaking or bouncing.
It comes with a USB cable, an AC adapter power cord, HDMI cables, two software discs and a small remote. It has three settings for quality, the highest setting gives me an hour and a half of space on the camera, and the battery has a life of three and a half hours. This is displayed on the screen so you can be aware of how much time and space you have.
The software is to edit your video, it's simple and easy to use. You can write credits in different styles and have them scroll across the screen and you can cut your scene and paste it. You can also play with the audio. The features on the camera are also user friendly and the menu is a sinch.
There are some qualities that I didn't like. The camera is made of plastic, which adds to the weightlessness, but also makes it feel like a kid's toy. The lens is not a wide angle and therefore you can't get a lot into your frame unless you stand back, way back. It doesn't have a view finder, you have to look at the lcd screen. The position of the USB port could have been located somewhere else. To transfer the video to the PC you have to connect both the AC power and the USB.
Overall, the camera suits the purpose I bought it for, family moments and the occasional soccer game.
If you're looking for the same purpose, I'd reccomend this one, if you're a professional who shoots weddings or events, this is not for you.

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Canon FS11 16GB Flash Drive Camcorder From their long history of optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance and technological innovation in photographic and broadcast television cameras comes the Canon FS11 16GB Flash Drive Camcorder! The light, compact camcorder captures stunning video with the ease and numerous benefits of flash memory. Flash memory is used in some of the world's most innovative electronic products such as laptop computers, MP3 players, PDAs and cell phones. Canon offers the best in flash memory with their Dual Flash Memory technology. Record to both the camcorder's 16GB internal memory and a removable SDHC card, extending your available recording space and offering added flexibility in file transfer and playback. The Canon FS11 16GB Flash Drive Camcorder is just the thing for catching your life's special moments! Specifications 1/6" CCD image sensor 2.7" widescreen 123K LCD display Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen 1152 x 864 maximum resolution 16GB internal flash memory SD/SDHC memory card slot Zoom ratio: 48x advanced zoom (16:9 mode), 37x optical zoom, 2000x digital zoom 3 fixed zoom speeds Focal Length: f=2.6-96.2mm Minimum focusing distance: 10 mm (wide)/1m (tele) Programmed AE: Auto, Program, TV, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, and Fireworks White balance: Daylight, Tungsten, Auto, and Manual Electronic image stabilization Audio: Dolby Digital 2ch (AC-3) 3.5mm stereo mini-jack microphone terminal USB 2.0 out Includes Lithium coin battery (CR2025) Battery pack (BP-808) Wireless controller (WL-D88) Compact power adapter (CA-590) Stereo video cable (STV-250N) Wrist strap (WS-30) AC cable Interface cable Digital video solutions disc for Windows and Macintosh Pixela Image Mixer 3SE disc Dimensions: 2.4"H x 4.9"D x 2.3"W Weight: 9.2 oz. Vendor warranty: One year

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Canon DC50 5MP DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)While this camcorder may be one of the more expensive DVD based Camcorders, its probably one of the best you'll find before moving on to High Definition. I had actually purchased the Sony SR42 30 GB before this and had to return it immediately because its performance was highly disappointing. This Canon camcorder however takes excellent footage. It also takes great still images too - a cool function in addition is that you can set it to take photos while in recording mode (at a little lower resolution). Doing this allows you to take advantage of the digital zoom to get in a little closer for still photos. This brings me to one of the draw backs of the camera, it only has 10x optical zoom. While while it is not bad, there are many cameras with a more powerful optical zoom. The plus side, is that the digital zoom (the 40x option, not the 2000x) is actually pretty good. Maybe not to the full 40x, but for the first little bit of additional zoom it still looks great. The only other draw back for me was getting used to the rewritable dvds and transferring them to my computer. It took me a little bit to figure out (just set up the disc in VR-mode) but after I did it was terrific. Now I just plug in the USB cord and put on the video into my editing program and edit away. You may here some reviews noting that the controls aren't all the intuitive, but just spend a minute or two with them (or read the manual) and the controls and functionality are good. Ultimately I would rate the camera a 4.5, but it wasn't a choice. If you're debating between this camera and others, just spend the few extra bucks and get this one. Also, if your far from moving up to high def, get this camera as well because I believe its towards the top of regular def (it does does have the option to shoot in either 16:9 or 4:3). Enjoy!

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JVC Everio GZHD7 3CCD 60GB Hard Disk Drive High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are more than a casual video user or if you have bought a video camera more than twice in the last 10 years I would say that you probably need a high end HD camera to satisfy you. For me, someone who has only owned 1 other video camera in the last 10 years I find this camera to be amazing. I do not shoot professionally and if i did there are many great HD solutions in the 3-6 grand range. Since this is not my business and I do not have money to burn this was the camera that satisfied all my needs. Those needs were: no tapes, large hard drive, HD quality or something far, far better than my old mini DV camera. I also needed to be able to archive the files on my mac which is a dual 800mhz G4 and possibly edit on the mac in imovie. This camera does all of that, and quite easily I might add.
I had no problems installing the codec that came with the camera for quicktime. Once I opened a clip in quicktime it did not play properly, however once I imported it into imovie it worked fine. I edited simple edits, added new audio and was satisfied for what I need. After all, all I will be doing with this is shooting the wife and kids.
JVC recommends A 1.25 Gigahertz G4 or higher, so do not complain about the camera not working smoothly on your mac unless you meet those requirements. They are stated on the GZHD7 box. I suggest the newest mac with 2 gigs of ram at least. In my experience, more RAM makes all the difference in the world. Eventually I plan to get a new mac to be able to handle the footage.
I have a 1080i sony plasma TV. The picture looked great. There was some banding of subtle gradients I shot. It was acceptable to me. Also the banding was not apparent on my mac in imovie. I think because my TV is already 2 years old it is not up to the same standards as the GZHD7 camera and my mac. Bottom line is the camera was producing better images on my mac than on my TV. Now all this is nonsense because I will be using this to mostly shoot video of my family and friends for recreational use. Compared to what my dad shot of us when we were kids and then the sandy grainy video we used in the 90s this camera is AMAZING. The quality is good enough for me and I would also add that any film student on a zero budget could easily get by with this. Like I said earlier, if you have the means and require perfect HD video, spend the few extra grand and go for the gold.

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The JVC Everio GZ-HD7 is a hard-drive based high definition camcorder with a variety of unique features destined to the wet the palette of professionals and enthusiasts alike. The 60GB internal hard drive is capable of recording up to 420 minutes of standard definition footage, as well as being able to shoot up to 1080i.Equipped with a plethora of controls, the GZ-HD7 performs much like a compact prosumer camera while still being incredibly affordable. The most notable feature on the camera is its ability to shoot ultra-high bandwidth MPEG-2 video for increased quality over traditional HDV.FEATURES30 Mbps RecordingHDV's variant of MPEG-2 compression has a bit rate of 25 Mbps. The GZ-HD7 records in the same widely popular MPEG-2 format but the similarities end there. The camera increases the video's overall bandwidth to 30 Mbps, which results in less compression and higher image quality.GigaBrid Engine AdvantageThe provided 1/5" CCDs are ideal for both low light and high definition applications. The camera's sophisticated pixel-shifting technology adds fidelity while maintaining higher sensitivity found when using less dense sensors.60 GB Internal DriveThe 60 GB drive provides extended record times in both standard and high definition formats. Record a staggering 420 minutes of standard definition footage without having to change a tape or pop in a new DVD; simply hit record and you're in business!Professional-Grade ControlsWhat truly distances the GZ-HD7 from its competition is the professional feeling of its controls. The camera is designed to give users a maximum amount of manual control without being overly intimidating. Whether it's the manual focus ring of convenient shoe mount, the GZ-HD7 will perform like a pro through and through.ITEMS INCLUDEDAC AdapterBattery Pack (BN-VF815)Shoulder StrapAV CableUSB CableComponent Video CableRemote ControlSoftware: CyberLink BD

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Canon PIXMA MP800 All In One Photo Printer Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the mp800 to replace my Lexmark X-85 "INK GOBBLER" because I got tired of not being able to refill the ink successfully and paying through the nose for replacement ink cartridges. The Lex X-85 was over three years old and I was ready for a better printer that new technology had to offer.
I am very pleased with the MP800. It's printing quality and speed is excellent for this caliber of printer. Most of the photos I have printed are on "Jet Print" professional photo paper which has worked well. I have yet to purchase some Canon Photo Paper Pro and try it. I did however print one 4x6 photo from the included pack of Canon Photo Paper Pro that came with the printer. The photo quality was amazing!
Regarding the refilling of the ink cartridges: I purchased the 5 ink refill kit from re-inks.com for $60.00. the kit has enough ink for about 12 refills of per cartridge.
The printer is smart enough to know that you are using refilled ink cartridges but it allows you to continue with a warning that Canon may not be responsible for damage.
once you get past the warning the printer asks you to press the stop/reset button for 5 seconds and the printer will continue to print using the refilled cartridge but when you view the Ink Status Monitor it shows the ink tank level as empty.
So in the future you will have to manually remove the cartridge to view it's ink quality. This is easy to do because Canon's ink tanks are Clear Plastic!
This simple reset procedure is required each time the printer detects a refilled cartridge. I suspect that once all 5 cartridges have been "released" from ink detection, it might not ask you again to go through the reset process again. I haven't got there yet. Thanks canon for leaving the Ink Refill Door Open! Hope this info helps. Scott

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The advanced PIXMA MP800 Photo All-In-One delivers spectacular Print Copy-Scan performance. It produces an amazing resolution of up to 9,600 x 2,400 color dpi, for remarkable detail and clarity. To achieve this, Canon Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) uses a next-generation 3,584-nozzle print head that ejects precise, consistent droplets as small as one picoliter. The result? Smoother, virtually grain-free images. Also, our ContrastPLUS five-color ink system--four dye-based inks and a pigment-based black ink--produces true-life photos with a wide color palette, along with laser-quality text. What about speed? A 4"x 6" photo lab quality borderless photo takes approximately 36 seconds.
When copying, the AE (Auto Exposure) Copy feature automatically optimizes reproduction quality based on the type of original you're duplicating. The convenient Photo/Film buttons allow you to make reprints of your photos and 35mm film without using your computer. And now, scanning: The unit's higher-resolution CCD technology enables you to produce exceptional 2,400-dpi scans, with vibrant 48-bit color depth. You can simultaneously scan up to six frames of 35mm film (negatives or positives), or up to four mounted slides. Plus, advanced paper handling features are built in - such as two paper trays and two-sided printing.
Want to evaluate and enhance your images before printing? Just insert your compatible memory card into one of the built-in card slots, then select the images on the extra-large 3.5" LCD color viewer. As needed, images will be automatically enhanced for red eye, sharpness and brightness values, or you can fine tune the images yourself using the easy control panel. Then, print directly from the memory card! As an option, you can print directly from a PictBridge-ready device such as a digital camera.
The Canon ChromaLife100 system combines the PIXMA MP800 Photo All-In-One's FINE print head technology and newly developed inks with select Canon photo papers, with results rivaling that of many conventional photos. And with the new smart LED ink tanks, your LED lamp flashes when ink is running low, and flashes even faster when nearing empty.
What's in the Box: PIXMA MP800 Photo All-in-One, PIXMA MP800 print head,ink tanks: PGI-5Bk Black, CLI-8 (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), power cord, easy setup instructions, documentation kit, Canon Photo Paper Pro for Borderless Printing 4" x 6" sample pack

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Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Review

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(More customer reviews)NOTES: I still Own this camera in Dec 2010. There are a lot of new cameras with exciting new features. But in my opion this is the LAST GREAT APS format still image DSLRs. And looking at Sony's unfornunate need to copy Nikon with things like cluttering the Shutter Button with a power switch on all new models the A700, A900 (which I have used) and A850 may be the last cameras that fit the hand and quick clean shooting experience. Since I wrote this review Sony did a major Firmware upgrade that improved image quality related to high ISO noise and allows users to show RAW with no noise reduction. On top of that Lightroom 3 fixes the problems Adobe had dealing with Sony RAW files. Both of these upgrades were for me were like getting a new camera. There are moments video would be nice, I would like the improvements in focusing Sony and others have created in the past 3 years. But I have to say.. there are cars with features and classic cars people love to drive.. The A700 is a camera that makes photography a joy and all the new features seem to only clutter that experience so someday I will add a new camera to my gear. I will never "upgrade the A700" I think it as a moment of magic for still photography before Video and more technology transformed the experience forever. There is a reason USED and NEW UNSOLD STOCK have held their price so well. If you own Sony / Minolta lenses this is a great camera to own even though it is one of the last cameras without Live View on LCD etc. If you want a photograpy tool that doesn't get in the way of your art with features.. think about this camera. It will be a classic.
Original Review Soon after Buying A700 in 2007 -----------------
For years I shot Canon SLRs and for a while I moved to Nikon and Canon smaller digicams. When I jumped back to the SLR format in digital I ended up with the Konica-Minolta 5D over the Canon and Nikon cameras in my budget because of great image quality and in camera stabilization which works very well.
I recently upgraded my KM 5D to an A700. WOW!! This is by far the easiest camera I have ever used. Head and shoulders above traditional menus and tiny LCD Icons. The rear LCD shows you all the important settings at one time in a large easy to read format, sometimes with colors to alert you to what might be an unusual setting.
When you need to change anything from Shutter Speed to White Balance you do it right on the settings screen either by pressing one of the several dedicate buttons or using the easy thumb joystick. For shooting I almost never have to go into a menu except to format the memory card.
Auto Focus and Shutter:
It is fast and quiet. The AF has been tested faster than the new Canon in most lighting situations, though lenses on both systems will affect speed.
Both Sony and Now Sigma are coming out with quite focusing lenses that have built in motors so, Sony users will have lots new lens choices.
KEY FEATURES I LIKE:
Stabilization:
The in body stabilization works well With my 18-250 I have pulled off some shots even at 1/10s while at 250mm That is over 5 stops of stabilization, Sony only claims 3.5 stops. This stabilization works on all Sony And Minolta format auto-focus lenses. Some systems like Canon do not offer stabilized lenses in key formats like primes(non zooms) that are used for close-up macro shots or portrait work. It also adds cost and weight to each lens, with this system if you can find a bargain on a lower cost lens or a used lens it is still stabalized.
Example: Minolta made a 70-210 f4 lens often called a "beercan" that is legend in sharpness and image quality. It is often seen used here and on auction sites for $125-$175. It like all Sony compatible lenses becomes stabilized and would be like getting a $600 plus lens for $150.
ISO:
The Sony A700 offers ISO 100-3200 and up to 6400 as "extended ISO" but all ISO ranges are available at all times, no menu settings will enable or disable them like on the Canon 40D. It offers the ISO in 1/3 stop increments, but using the the front control wheel lets you jump a full stop at a time.
Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO):
Sony has several levels of DRO that do what used to take shooting in RAW format and working in tools like Photoshop. It automatically recovers overly bright areas and areas hidden in the shadows so your pictures look more like what your eye can see. Unlike some other cameras that just apply shadow recovery settings to the whole image, Sony has DRO levels that analyze and adjust the image by area to make the effect more natural and keep noise down.
Wireless Flash:
The built in flash is also a wireless trigger for the Sony Flashes and others including the old KM 5600hs and 3600HS, and some Sigma and Metz models. On some systems this is a $150 to $200 add on.
Remote abilities included:
For taking family shots etc. Sony has free wireless remote that lets you take trigger the camera or a 2 second delay then shoot. Plus tons of controls for showing and reviewing your images on a TV. If you hook up the camera to an HDMI TV and to a printer at the same time you can do a family slide show and tell it to print picture from the remote as people ask for copies. It also has remote control software for the computer so you can set it up like a studio and shoot and review images from the attached PC. Great for doing lots of portraits at events without more expensive software or accessories.
It supports both Standard Video and HDMI output so you can see the images on your new HD TV.
Memory Card Support:
Unlike the 40D it supports the new UDMA 300x CF cards and memory stick pro HG so that you can take 25+ cRAW shots a 5 FPS before it needs to pause or an unlimited number of JPGS in any size. You can have both a CF card and Memory stick installed at the same time and switch over when one fills without stopping to open your bag and change memory cards.
Body Seals:
Its not splash proof but Sony has sealed all the doors and controls so dust and stray moisture will not hurt the camera. Some makers like Canon reserve full seals for more expensive cameras.
IT JUST FEELS GOOD IN MY HAND:
It was love at first touch.. a camera designed to fit in the hand.
Unless there is a specific lens or very special accessory that you need on another camera brand, this camera should be #1 or near the top of the list for cameras you consider.
Sony may be new to DSLRs, but they make sensors for lots other DSLRs like Nikon and when they bought the camera business they got most of the designers with years of experience from Minolta. Sony is building cameras for people who love photography and with features for people who like a camera to work with new technology like HD TVs. That makes it a fun camera to own.
I looked at the Canon 30D, 40D, Pentax K10D and Nikon D300 before choosing this camera.
BTW the Nikon D300, would be my second choice, but would cost much more, and still would have limited options on which lenses are stabalized.

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A unique combination of superb picture quality, quick response, creative shooting and sensational viewing make the Sony Alpha 700 DSLR a superior value for serious photo enthusiasts. Its newly designed Exmor CMOS image sensor captures 12.24-megapixel resolution with on-chip noise-canceling before and after A/D conversion. Advanced performance features include continuous shooting at 5 frames per second, an 11-point center dual cross AF system with f2.8 sensor for enhanced precision, and the Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization system that works to minimize blur with every lens you use. For sensational viewing, there\'s a photo-quality 3.0-inch LCD screen and direct HDMI output to Sony Bravia HDTV and other compatible HDTV screens -- and Sony puts all this together in a rugged magnesium-alloy body.

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Canon EOS D30 3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you want the ultimate in digital photography, the Canon D30 is the ticket as of December 2000 -- especially if you already own Canon EOS lenses, because they're completely compatible. Canon won't call this a "Pro" camera, because it's not as weather-tight as pro models, but the body is rugged and the output is first-rate.
The D30 has enough features for professional photographers, yet a novice can get great looking pictures from the start. As you learn more about the camera and its capabilities, your images really start to shine.
Want to experiment with long-exposure photography? Go right ahead! Feedback is instant. No more waiting for processing. No more developing costs. Want to blow up your photo to 8x12 inches? No problem. With a little massaging via Adobe Photoshop (tm) and/or Genuine Fractals (tm), even poster-sized prints look great, using photo paper and a photo-quality inkjet printer. Software to get you going, including Photoshop LE, is included.
The D30 accepts IBM Microdrives (1 gigabite of storage in the camera!) as well as compact flash. The included 16 meg flash card is enough to test the camera, but you'll really want to get something bigger, right away. The D30 offers a variety of image compression options -- including the Raw format, which allows the most flexibility and avoids jpeg artifacts. The wide variety of storage options means freedom to shoot at will and experiment. An included cable allows you to connect your camera to your computer's USB port and download images at will.
As I said, all Canon EOS lenses will work with the D30, but there is one difference to consider. Because the CMOS chip is smaller than a 35mm negative, the field of view is different. For example, a 100 mm lens on an EOS film camera works like a 160 mm lens on the D30. They call it a 1.6x multiplier effect, but what it means is that long-distance shooting is easier, and to get wide angle shots, you have to get a REALLY wide lens. For example, a 14mm aspherical wide angle results in a 22mm wide angle shot on the D30.
When the D30 was first released in the Fall of 2000, the demand was far beyond what Canon could produce... in the United States and around the World. As of this writing, the cameras are still in short supply, but well worth the effort and the investment. Kudos to Amazon for adding the D30 to their digital photography offerings.

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The Canon EOS D30 is one of the few available interchangeable-lens digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. It's designed to offer the performance and picture quality of a film-based SLR with the convenience and features of a digital camera. Based on Canon's EOS line of film cameras, the D30 is compatible with all EOS-related equipment, including EF lenses and EX-series Speedlite flashes. This model is targeted at "prosumers" (serious consumers and some professionals), and its EOS compatibility makes it a natural choice for people who already own Canon equipment.
If you're accustomed to using a Canon SLR, the D30's features and controls will be familiar. As with film models, the shutter speed, aperture, and focus can all be set manually or automatically. White balance can also be adjusted, either by selecting a preset value or by shooting and storing a reference image. Unlike most digital cameras, the traditional optical viewfinder is the only way to frame your shots; the 1.8-inch LCD monitor on the back of the camera is for perusing images and adjusting settings only. One bonus of this arrangement is that the D30 is always ready to take pictures; you don't have to worry about changing modes as you must on most digital cameras.
The introduction of the D30 also marks the first use of a CMOS sensor in a multimegapixel digital camera. Because CMOS sensors are less expensive, use less power, and are easier to manufacture than the traditional CCD sensors found on most cameras, there are high hopes that CMOS will be the primary sensor technology for the super-high resolution digital cameras of tomorrow. Until now, however, CMOS sensors have offered inferior results when compared to CCD, so they've been found primarily in entry-level and toy digital cameras. Canon seems to have solved the image-quality problem by custom designing the CMOS chip in the D30, and the company claims that their sensor offers better performance than most CCD sensors.
Images are stored on Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards, including the IBM Microdrive. By default, files are recorded in JPEG format, though there are also settings for TIFF and RAW recording. TIFF is the most common lossless recording format, and TIFF images can be viewed and edited with virtually any photo editing software. TIFF files provide the highest-quality images, but at a price: a single D30 image occupies nearly 10 MB of memory. RAW, in contrast, is a newer format that's not recognized by as many photo-editing software packages, though Canon provides a plug-in to let Adobe Photoshop users directly import RAW files, and also includes software that lets you convert RAW files to TIFF files on your computer. Like TIFF, RAW is a lossless format, yet RAW files are only about one-third the size of TIFFs. Because the RAW image comes directly from the sensor and has received less in-camera processing than other file formats, it also offers experienced users more image-correction options.
A final note about the EOS D30. The CMOS sensor is smaller than a 35mm negative, which means that when you take a picture, the focal length of the lens you are using is greater. For example, if you took a picture using a lens with a 28mm focal length, the actual focal length would be 1.6x greater, or 45mm. If you're currently shooting with a Canon SLR, this makes your zoom lenses even more powerful, but it also means that you'll need to pick up a wide-angle lens or wide-angle converter to regain the range of focal lengths you have with film. --Michael Lewis and Shane Burnett
Pros:
Compatible with all Canon EOS equipment.
Features RAW mode for ultimate photographic control.
SLR flexibility and control.

Cons:
Expensive.
Focal length adjustment makes wide-angle shooting difficult.
More memory is the first accessory you'll need to buy.

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Canon HV10 3.1MP High-Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)Overview:
Running on the HDV MPEG-2 standard, the Canon HV10 allows many users of miniDV camcorders to continue using and playing their miniDV tapes they've recorded and have, while providing them with the added option of recording in either HD or regular mode onto MiniDV tapes. The HV10 has a slim, pocketable body, so it's very easy to take with you on long trips without feeling like you have a huge rock tied behind you to slow you down.
Minuses:
* No external light/mic jacks - buy the HV20 if you want these.
* No HDMI output - buy the HV20 if you want this.
* Can't change tapes if the camcorder is on a tripod - bottom load, again - buy the HV20 if you want this. But keep in mind that bottom load reduces the amount of dropout causing dust from falling into the tape transport bay (a good thing).
* Viewfinder is decent, but not the highest resolution viewfinder around - but I almost always use the LCD panel so it's not a big concern.
* No manual focus/aperture rings around the lens. You can adjust manual focus using the rear menu dial, but it's not the same as a 'professional' camcorder like the $5000+ Canon H1 series. (then again, almost no consumer level camcorder for

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The stylish Canon HV10 gives you the ultimate in HD video and digital photo quality in an incredibly small HDV camcorder that can literally fit in your pocket. Its 10X optical zoom lens and 2.96 Megapixel CMOS image sensor ensure meticulous detail and superior color reproduction. And, with its HD and Standard Definition recording modes, you can make the move to HD without making your SD equipment obsolete. The HV10 is easy to use and delivers the high level of performance you ve come to expect from Canon. Features: HD Image Quality Compact Size HD Video Lens True HD CMOS Sensor (1920 x 1080) DIGIC DV ll Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization Instant AF (Auto Focus) Brilliant Video Digital Photography Edit and Share Your Video Share Your Photos Built-in Electronic Lens Cover 2.7Widescreen LCD Screen USB 2.0 Full Speed Terminal Analog-Digital Converter Wireless Remote Control Windows XP Compatible One-year Parts And Labor Limited Warranty

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Sony Handycam HDR-XR150E - Camcorder - High Definition - widescreen - 4.2 Mpix - optical zoom: 25 x - supported memory: MS Duo, SD, MS PRO Duo, SDHC, MS PRO-HG Duo - HDD : 120 GB - flash card Review

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(More customer reviews)A very good handycam, but at high zoom for sure you need a stand. So if your are planning it to use to catch distant object, don't go for sony, it doesn't have image stablization. Color display is amazing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Handycam HDR-XR150E - Camcorder - High Definition - widescreen - 4.2 Mpix - optical zoom: 25 x - supported memory: MS Duo, SD, MS PRO Duo, SDHC, MS PRO-HG Duo - HDD : 120 GB - flash card

Capture stunning 1920 x 1080 high-definition video and 3-megapixel still images with the HDR-XR150ES Handycam(R) camcorder for PAL (used primarily in Europe and Asia). Equipped with an "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance, you can also record and store your memories to the 120GB internal hard disk drive. The 120GB hard disk drive can record and store up to 50 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to 30 hours of standard definition footage (SD HQ mode). Go handheld and capture remarkably smooth video thanks to integrated SteadyShot(R) image stabilization with Active Mode. Capturing smiling faces has never been easier thanks to Face Detection and Smile Shutter technologies. Plus, the vibrant 2.7" display is ideal for viewing and composing your shots. Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD, AVCHD, and Blu-ray Disc media (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites (compatible PC and internet connection required). So go High-Definition with this Sony HDR-XR150 120GB Hard-Drive Handycam(R) Full HD Digital Camcorder. It will fill your HDTV with beautiful videos you'll enjoy watching over and over.Intelligent Auto shooting modes -Landscape, Backlight, Twilight, Spotlight, Low light, Macro, Portrait, Baby, and TripodMinimum illumination -11 lux (normal), 3 lux (LOW LUX)3-megapixel still image capture; 2.7-megapixel dual capture; Photo capture from movie availableFull HD video resolution120GB internal hard drive holds over 11 hours of videoFace detectionDual Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo and SD/SDHC card slotsDynamic Range OptimizerDirect Copy function to a USB Hard DriveWhite balance -Auto, Outdoor,

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Tenba 632-342 Shootout Medium Backpack with Wheels (Siver/Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok folks...To start I must say that this bag is of the highest build quality. It is put together VERY well...
I ordered it hoping to us it to carry all my new camera equipment. This includes a D300, 12-24, 18-200, 70-300, 50 1.4, 10.5 fisheye, and a medium tripod. Ok, a good amount of gear I admit, but certainly no more than is suggested could fit in it's description...and it did. But just barely and certainly with no room left for anything else.
And this sucker is big...Don't let the "medium" moniker mislead you. Most prominently it is thick and fully loaded with gear, its even thicker. But justifiably so, It's got a lot going on. Lot's of space, roller bag AND backpack with tripod holder.
So...great bag, exceptional build quality, holds a decent amount of gear but not enough accessory room for my needs. Although it did fit all my camera gear, there was very little additional room for all the other miscellaneous do-dads that go along with a camera setup. Manuals, filters, portable hard drives, cleaning gear, cables, batteries, chargers, etc...etc...
This bag will definitely do a good job of carrying and protecting your delicate camera setup...just don't plan on taking it ALL with you. You WILL have to pick and choose what you want to have with you...
All in all a thumbs up...


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Tenba's Medium Rolling Shootout Backpack is built for all-season outdoor use under the most extreme weather conditions.It is as lightweight and comfortable to carry as it is protective of your camera equipment. The Medium size fits a laptop up to 15 inches, 2 DSLR cameras with lenses attached, plus 6-8 additional lenses and flash equipment. Smooth running, in-line skate wheels make easy work of moving heavy equipment.

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Click here for more information about Tenba 632-342 Shootout Medium Backpack with Wheels (Siver/Black)

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