Benchmark: Canon Optura Pi Mini DV Camcorder
Canon's 3-chip DV camcorders like the XL1 and GL1 are exceptional. Their past single chip DV camcorders, like the Elura, also have been decent performers. Now, Canon is re-using the name of their first consumer Mini DV camcorder, the Optura, and calling their latest Mini DV/digital still effort the Optura Pi.
Looks Like an Ultura
Canon's original Optura was a distinct-looking camcorder with a unique swiveling LCD. Don't let the name fool you, the Optura Pi looks more like Canon's Ultura than the Optura. It has the same basic shape and microphone placement, and is small and rectangular, all like the Ultura. It almost makes you wonder why they didn't call it the Ultura Pi.
A switch on the back of the camcorder lets you select between VCR mode, movie mode and progressive scan mode for extracting better digital stills. To enter the menu system, press the Menu button located low on the camcorder. Once in the menu system, you navigate with the menu wheel.
To use the zoom controls, you operate a toggle switch with your right index finger. There's also a Focus button located on the back that lets you use the Menu wheel as a focus control.
Most of the controls are easy to use, but the Menu button is positioned low and puts your thumb at an awkward angle when you use it. The Power/VCR/Movie/P.Scan button is also harder to reach than those on other camcorders.
Eye of the Pi
The lens system on the Optura Pi offers a 12:1 optical zoom, a 48:1 digital zoom as well as optical image stabilization. The picture quality from Canon's camcorders has always been good, and the Optura Pi continues that part of Canon's tradition.
The optical image stabilization worked extremely well. The optical zoom works nicely too. Canon included a modest 48x digital zoom. In an era where every manufacturer wants to out-zoom the next it isn't unusual to find camcorders with digital zooms with ratios up to 300:1. While the numbers sound impressive, we have yet to see a digital zoom that is usable at more than 50:1. Thanks, Canon, for keeping it realistic.
The autofocus system worked well. Canon has abandoned their famous FlexiZone focus system on the Optura Pi, but you can still use manual exposure, and focus through the menu system or the manual focus button.
On the Right Foot
One of the best features of the Optura Pi is the hot shoe on top of the camcorder housing. With this accessory shoe, you can power a variety of optional devices, such as an on-camera light, an external microphone or a flash unit for digital still photography. That's a nice option.
The Optura Pi has a variety of I/O options. It has the necessary IEEE 1394 port for transporting DV footage to an editing workstation. As a bonus, the analog S-video and A/V connection allows you to import analog footage as well as display it. The Optura Pi also has microphone and headphone jacks, two of our favorite things to find on a camcorder. One complaint with the design of the camcorder: the rubbery cover that protects the A/V connections on the right side of the camcorder doesn't fit very well. This doesn't impact the operation of the camcorder, but it may annoy picky owners.
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