024 Weight - 1. 26 lbs. The Panasonic PV-GS29 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom combines versatility, ergonomic design, a powerful zoom and enhanced PC connection options. With a new, low-height, compact design featuring a convenient side-load mechanism for inserting and removing tapes, the Panasonic PV GS29 offers the ultimate in point-and-shoot ease. The PV-GS29 includes a DV output (firewire) for easy digital connection to compatible PCs or digital video editing equipment, a 2. 5-inch LCD color viewfinder, 30x optical zoom and 1000x digital zoom. Joystick control offers users with easy operation and navigation.

The body is based on a magnesium-alloy frame for maximum durability. It ships with a 16x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, but is also compatible with other XL camcorder lenses. With an optional adapter, you can use Canon EF (EOS) still-camera lenses-some of which also feature optical image stabilization. The electronics of the XL1S have many advanced features, including a number of programmed AE modes, as well as both shutter and aperture priority modes. There are two different auto modes, one of which allows you to adjust any setting manually, if you want, and the other, which adjusts every setting automatically and lets you adjust nothing. A spotlight mode automatically compensates for difficulties when shooting a subject bathed in a spotlight. The computer-shooting mode gets rid of monitor flicker that happens when shooting a computer screen. There are also three different shooting modes: normal movie, digital photo, and frame movie. Normal movie mode is for any time you want to shoot video footage. Digital-photo mode records a still image for six seconds on the MiniDV tape and also captures any accompanying audio for a commentary track. The frame movie mode records 30 noninterlaced still images per second, instead of capturing 60 fps interlaced images. This mode isn't intended to be used for shooting video (playback may not look completely smooth). Rather, frame movie mode should be used as a burst, or continuous, shooting mode, like you'd find on a still camera. The XL1S offers many new and updated features over the XL1. There is a 16:9 shooting mode where electronic lines draw are displayed through the viewfinder so you can compose your shots flexibly for later conversion to HDTV, where 16:9 is the standard. SMPTE color bars help establish a proper color reference for shooting and editing. Interval recording lets you shoot time-elapsed motion video with intervals from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Zebra patterns help you determine overexposed areas in your shot so you can adjust the aperture and shutter accordingly. Digital Video Format and IEEE 1394 The XL1S is a consummate professional creation tool that supports the established industry standards, MiniDV and IEEE 1394. Support of these standards make the XL1S a flexible video creation tool that interoperates with standard DV equipment and computer editing systems as accorded by engineering, scientific and broadcast communities. DV Format Technology and Its Advantages The MiniDV format supported by the XL1S delivers more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution - a 25% improvement over analog systems. The DV format allows for near lossless transfer within digital editing environments for faster creation, increased productivity and improved production quality of final prints. IEEE 1394 (DV Terminal) The XL1S comes standard with a DV terminal that conforms to IEEE 1394 for digital transfer of video and sound, in addition to regular video and audio outputs. The IEEE 1394 (also known as FireWire®) standard allows editing, copying and recording of digital video over a single cable. This transfer format affords improved image and sound quality and is virtually free from generation loss. The 3 CCD System The XL1S 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. The three CCD image sensors in the XL1S, each with 270,000 pixels, were specifically designed to capture as much image detail as possible and for shooting under extremely low light conditions. The size of each pixel is 72 square microns - 150% larger than the pixel-size on comparable DV models. The result is an approximate 4 dB improvement in sensitivity. This improved sensitivity means that each CCD can capture more information at all light ranges. In super low light, the XL1S still captures crisp and clear digital data. Under extremely bright conditions, the Pixel Shift capabilities of the XL1S greatly reduces vertical white streaks and smears, making it a consummate field recording device for all conditions. Because human eyes see green more clearly and readily, the green component of a video signal contains 60% of the picture detail whereas the red and blue components together comprise the remaining 40%. With the advanced Pixel Shift on the XL1S, the green CCD is physically shifted the equivalent distance of 1/2 pixel horizontally from the red and blue CCD, and the green signal is electronically shifted 1/2 pixel vertically. This shifting of the green CCD increases the sampling points, resulting in a system that is comparable to 410,000 pixel CCD systems in terms of resolution. With a larger pixel size and the process of Pixel Shift, the Canon XL1S gives wider dynamic range, better low light recording, reduced vertical smears, and high quality still images without sacrificing the highest resolution DV available. Audio and Video Inputs and Outputs The XL1S offers a plethora of means by which to get audio and video in and out of the camcorder. The XL1S is designed to handle two types of analog video input and output: using audio/video cables (composite) or S-video. There are four audio inputs and outputs. All connections are on the camera body. What's in the Box XL1S Camera Zoom Lens 16x XL 5. 5-88 mm IS BP-930 Battery Pack CA-910 Compact Power Adapter DC-900 DC Coupler SS-1000 Shoulder Strap WL-D32000 Wireless Controller SP-100 Shoulder Pad S-150 S-video Cable STV-150 Stereo Video Cable Lens Hood.

5 in. / Weight (not including lens and battery pack) 5. 3 lbs.

Best of all, the Optura camcorders are easy to use, allowing you to enjoy every second of every moment. 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 Feature Optura 400 Optura 500 Resolution 2. 2 Megapixels 2. 2 Megapixels Optical Zoom 10x 10x LCD 2. 5 inches, 123,000 pixels 2. 5 inches, 211,000 pixels USB Connectivity USB 1. 1 USB 2. 0 Mini Video Light No Yes Web Movies Motion JPEG Mode MPEG4 Built-in Flash Yes Yes SD/MMC Card Slot Yes Yes.

Other conveniences include Power-Linked Operation, Night Alive, 800X Super Digital Zoom with Spline Interpolation and Digital Picture Stabilizer round out a comprehensive feature package making the D270 a great value. With a lightweight design that's 30 percent smaller than previous models, the JVC GR-D270 MiniDV camcorder is an affordable choice for recording life's most important moments-from family gatherings to vacations. But it doesn't skimp on features, with a 25x optical zoom lens, large 2. 5-inch swing-out LCD, and the NightAlive function for shooting in low-light conditions. It also adds the Live Slow slow-motion function and ability to save digital stills to a memory card. 25x optical zoom combines with digital zoom for a whopping 800x magnification factor. The GR-D270 has a 680K-pixel CCD with 340K effective pixels for video, and it can capture still photos in two resolutions (1024 x 768, 640 x 480 pixels) and store them on an optional Secure Digital (SD) memory card. Other features include electronic image stabilization, color viewfinder, Web camera functionality, auto illumination light, multi-language on-screen, Firewire, S-Video, USB (for photos), and composite video out connections. It also offers manual control of white balance, shutter speed, and aperture focus. JVC's new Live Slow effect slows down the next one second of video to 1/4th speed so it takes 4 seconds to play the next 1 second of video at a slower speed-perfect for shooting sporting events or studying your golf swing. The camcorder only slows down the video and not the audio. JVC's Data Battery displays charge levels on the Clear-View LCD. The Clear-View LCD monitor suppresses diffusion of internal light to deliver a brighter image and also reduce reflection and glare from external light so that images are always clearly visible even when shooting outdoors in sunlight. The Data Battery function uses a new style of battery to communicate the remaining life to the camcorder, which will display the amount of time available both if the LCD is open and if it's closed with the press of one button on the camcorder battery. The Super High-Band Processor that restores the high-band components of the luminance signal ensure a crisp picture with 520 lines of resolution. The enhanced low-light sensitivity of the NightAlive function lets you capture clear, full-color night images without relying on infrared rays, which results in color images and no limit on the shooting range. The GR-D270 measures 4. 4 x 2. 2 x 3. 7-inches (L x W x H) and weighs 0. 9 pounds. What's in the Box JVC GR-D270 MiniDV Camcorder, software (CD-ROM), Digital Photo Navigator (Windows), AC power adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, USB cable, AV cable.