Hi Freaks,

yesterday i was delivered the MVX35i (this is - for those, who don't know - the Optura 500 as PAL-Version...).

After 2 Months of beeing confused about what camcorder to buy and searching the whole Internet for answers - and getting none - I ordered the MVX35i.

I decided to inform the whole World, what kind of Quality this camcorder records on tape. This will be in a few days!! I will give you then the link, where you can download real dv-avi-files (very short samples of course).

At this time i can give you the following review:
- very good video quality! (one has to view it on an good Computer-Monitor)
- very good IS
- 16:9 with better angle (more Information at the screen because of switchintg off the IS an using more of the CCD)
- normal 16:9 WITH IS is also very good and totally satisfactorily
- in both cases you will see the real 16:9 - format at the LCD
- viewing the DV-avi-file at the Computer, it will (for example in Windows Media-Player) switch automatically to the right aspect
- High contrasts (for example Backlights) are handled very good
- the only thing, that is not so good (like with all small camcorders) ist the motor and cassette-noise
- there is an Option to switch on a kind of cushioning - this is better sound and lower noise, but also less sensitive
- I will try to use another cassette brand - at this time i use sony - perhaps then the cassette-noise is less
But you don't have to conclude, the Sound is bad! Its much better the other compact camcorders I used.

I wished, Canon had developed a version of this camcorder-generation without all the PhotoShooting stuff and SD-Card-functionality, because this is in my own opinion absolutely senseless. Somone who buys such a high quality-Camcorder is certainly using also a seperate High Quality - Digicam

Sorry for my english...
Jens

I look forward to further review and the links.

__________________
Tommart

Congrats! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do the 400. Great cam - I'll also be waiting for your review.

Here it is:

www.jens-hochberg.de/mvx35i

You can clearly see the nice Quality and the sweet colors (Hint: I'm always using the "OUTSIDE"-white-balance-feature for getting fixed colors, that do not change everytime. I did that already with other canon-corders...).

Sound - like i said before - is like with all Handycamcorders... But the microfone-attenuation-feature is OK if you raise the volume in your Video Editor, before authoring the final DVD.

Greetings from Germany!

Thanks for the clips - thay have been really useful.

I've been waiting for the mvx35i to be released in the UK. Canon say late August. Do you mind saying how much you paid, as all of the UK prices are based on having no stock, so are useless.

I'm worried about your "noisy" clip. It does seem a bit intrusive. I hoped that the mvx35i/30i (optura 500/400) would have similar mic characteristics to the mvx10i (optura 300), and would not record motor noise due to the similar placing of their microphones. I read in another post that the latest Canons are very sensitive in quiet environments, and that reducing the overall recording level (possible on the mvx10i, mvx25i, mvx3i, and mvx35i, I think) improved the problem. Did you try this as an alternative to using the attenuation option ?

Also, I understand that the mvx35i has a more powerful LED than previous models. How usefully more powerful is it, and also, can you turn it on when you need it, i.e. can you use it as a "fill" light, without going into one of the night modes ?

Finally did you consider the Sony DCR-PC350 ? It looks like it is a good competeitor now that it is lighter and smaller than the previous PC330.

Hi!

The sound is - using the attenuation mode - good! But you must amplify it before you burn the video on DVD.
The sound without attenuation is also good, but when you press the record button, the noisy horror begins - this is the truth. YES the cassette makes noise and why not should the camcorder-mic realize that?

The VideoLamp is really OK and you can turn it on via a "light"- Button that works in every mode.

I paid 1069 € - i bought it online at www.shop.mediamarkt.de

In the last days i made many experiences with my new mvx35i and I can really recommend this piece of hightech to everyone who wants to make good videos with a small cam.

About the sonys I know nothing - only that they are more expensive...

Greetings

Does anyone know if this tape noise is a problem on the Optura 40 as well as the 400/500?

The mic is on the top of the 400/500 and I wonder if that is what is causing it to pick up the tape noise. The mic on the Optura 40 is on the front so I wonder if that eliminates that problem?

Deymayor, Foobush or StrongDotGuy

Can you spread some news on whether the Optura 40 has this tape noise problem?


Fromt he clips I just heard on the European version of the 500 it is pretty bad.

Mark

I guess, all the reviews and information about the "good sound quality" is based on switched attenuation mode. This could be the reason, why everybody was surprised by the low noise level of the optura 400 and 500.
Attenuation means in the end (when you watch the video on your computer), that you hear not only much less motor- cassette- and breathing-noise, you also hear a lower sound-level at all. All this together resulting in a silent and noiseless sound compared with other camcorders.

That's weird. I don't notice motor noise when I'm recording or when playing back. OK, maybe its there when I'm recording and thinking about other things, but I've played back tapes several times and never heard any motor noise. Either its there but very subtle and unnoticeable in normal situations or its more of a problem on the PAL versions. I did have motor noise problems on my last Sony cam, but not on the Optura 400 so far.

I don't remember turning attenuation on, but maybe I did. I'll check.

Jens - Its good to have another 400/500 owner on the forum. And I'm glad you agree the colors are really good. I've owned the Optura 30 before and IMO the 400 bridges the color gap between the Optura 30 and the consumer 3CCD Panasonic series. I always thought the Optura 30 colors were undersaturated.

Also, there's been some talk about how comfortable the 400/500 series is to hold. I think its the most comfortable cam to hold and operate I've ever tried, but one other poster said he couldn't figure out how to hold it (??!). What's your opinion?

With mic attenuation off the optura 40 records motor noise, zoom motor noise, and all extraneous noise the camera puts forth. With MA on the sound is clean and even most of the wind noise outdoors is not recorded to tape.

It also helps that the 40 has rec sound level control which will further the positive experience.

To Foobush:
I have no problems holding the MVX35i. I had to practice a little... its a well developed holding system.

Just bought the MVX35i myself from www.disking.com paid £830 in the uk. Only arrived yesterday so i haven't had long to evaluate this but first impressions are very good. Just a little bit more complicated than i first though, oh well hopefully i will get used to it

I agree that you need to spend some time in the manual to learn the features, input locations etc. But once you do, I find it very intuitive to use and operate. Enjoy!

Hi!

If this possible do some still images with Canon MVX35i that we shell see the quality of the images.
..and after share it to us .. e.g.(on your home page)..
Thanks
Hapci from Hungary

it doesn't work anymore.

I found some video/jpg samples at http://akam.no/art.php?artikkelid=8554
It is basically the same camera, right?

I was expecting quality video from a 1.7Mpix (on tape) camera, but it looks just like all other 0.4Mpix DV cameras, i.e. lousy, blurry, soft, etc.

If the camera resized/down-sampled a 1.7Mp frame to 0.4Mp, it would be a really sharp, DVD/broadcast-like video.

Are your AVI samples any better?