Canon Optura 50

The Optura 50 would make a strong contender for best camcorder in its price class (retail $799, street prices around $600), were it not for the absence of a few really useful features found on its big sister model, the Optura 60 and its low light performance. Missing the active accessory shoe, and the better zoom (10x down from 14x), the Optura 50 seems like a questionable better value at a hundred bucks less. While the Optura 50 is a a downgrade from the 60, it’s still a solid piece of work, so let’s take a closer look.

Video Performance(7.0)
The Optura 50 features a 1/3.4" CCD with 1.23 MP (effective). The 10x optical zoom is stabilized optically, one of the bonuses when stepping up from the Elura series. These are identical specs to the Optura 60. Their performances were therefore identical. At 3000 lux, the equivalent of a partially sunny day, the Optura 50 produced crisp colors, with particular strengths in the blues and greens. The potency was a bit washed, but there was hardly any noise to speak of. The whites could have been a little stronger, and the grayscale suffered from some minor washing issues.

In comparison to other camcorders in its price class, the Optura performs rather favorably. At 3000 lux, it looked better than the Sony DCR-HC42, which was muddy and suffered from blue noise. The Hitachi DZ-MV780 displayed richer colors, but tended to produce false gradients when it sensed a sudden color change. The Optura 50 was aided in competition against the Canon Elura 90 not only by crisper color definition, but also by a lack of heavy noise. Finally, the Optura 50 was not quite as vivid as the Panasonic PV-GS150, but it did not over-saturate the image, as Panasonics tend to do. The grayscale was much crisper on the Panasonic.

Video Resolution (14.4)
In order to determine the resolution of the Canon Optura 50, video footage of a standard resolution chart was taken and stills from that footage were exported to Imatest Imaging Software. In 4:3 mode the camcorder provided approximately 493.4 lines of horizontal resolution at its best, and approximately 292.6 lines of vertical resolution, generating a true resolution of 144368.84 (0.1 MP) In 16:9 mode the Optura 50 gave use approximately 359.1 lines of horizontal resolution at it best, with approximately 257.8 lines of vertical resolution, yielding a true resolution of 92575.98 (0.09 MP). This is an impressive resolution score. By comparison, the PV-GS150 got a 13 and the DCR-HC42 got a 11.9.

The Front (8.0)
The front of the Optura 50 is a paragon of clean and thoughtful design. The lens, though it only has a 34mm filter diameter, appears exceedingly large, and is perhaps meant to draw attention to one of our favorite features – a focus ring. Underneath the lens is the stereo speaker, and underneath that, the remote control sensor. A flash, available in Still mode, runs alongside the lens. A step up to the Optura 60 will buy you a video assist lamp, if you are so inclined. S-Video and USB ports are hidden underneath a hard plastic, two-tone cover, yet another aesthetic touch I can truly appreciate.

The Right Side (9.5)
The right side is the loading dock for MiniDV tapes. As it is also the side with the hand strap, the design is rather sparse. Towards the front is a hidden series of useful ports: a microphone input, A/V, and DV. At the rear lies the camcorder’s mode dial.

The Back (7.0)
The rear of the Optura 50 is tight and simple. The color viewfinder extends approximately two inches and can tilt upwards at a 45 degree angle. The included NB-2LH battery is slim enough to not force itself up your nose when using the viewfinder, but a bulkier long-life battery may require you to use the LCD screen as your primary viewing device. The mode dial continues around from the right side, and allows you to switch between Camera, Off, Play (VCR), and Network. The Network mode can only be accessed by holding down the Unlock button, also located on the rear. Next to the mode dial is the start/stop record button.

The Left Side (8.0)
Every camcorder has its flaws, an Achilles heel in an otherwise brilliant design. The left side of the Optura 50 exhibits Canon’s great weakness this year. The problem lies in the layout of the Function button and toggle switch in relation to the LCD screen. The LCD screen itself is an adequate 2.5 inches, non-widescreen. Underneath the LCD is a series of buttons, including the Menu button (which accesses administrative controls), VCR control buttons, Drive Mode (for stills) / Audio Level (for movies), Digital Effects, and the LCD backlight button.

All the way at the front of the left side are two of the most crucial manual control interfaces: the Function button and the toggle switch. These controls are essential for manipulating the look of the picture. My complaint is not with the fact that the toggle switch is buried a little too deeply into the body, requiring a fingernail push in order to get the menu to accept my command (even though that is the case). This is not my complaint because I may not even be able to get to the Function button in the first place. If the LCD screen is tilted, even in the slightest, I can’t get to the buttons. Now, I love a tilting LCD screen as much as the next guy, but there was clearly not enough usability testing on this model, nor on the Optura 60. Even the Eluras seem to suffer from a similar problem. The cheaper ZR series is the only one spared this poor design. Count on this being a frustration if you purchase an Optura or Elura this year.

The Top (6.5)
The top of the Canon Optura 50 is bisected between the lens barrel and the tape loading side. On the left, a cold accessory shoe sits atop the barrel. On the right, the eject switch for the tape loading mechanism resides at the front. At the rear are the zoom toggle, the Photo button, and the Print/Share button (a Canon feature for exporting stills). At the very rear, just over the battery, is the Card mode / Movie mode switch.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
Automatic control comes in a wide array of options on the Optura 50. Every mode on the dial, in fact, offers some level of automatic control. (On the flip side, no one button shifts the entire camcorder into manual mode.) The most complete, Auto, locks the control into the camcorder’s hands. Program mode is much like Auto, but manual control can be engaged one feature at a time.

The other recording modes include Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night, Slow Shutter, and Scene. Each brings up a series of automated settings in order to capitalize on the shooting environment, and are similar to AE (Automatic Exposure) settings. Slow Shutter, one of the more unusual modes, can create a blur in moving images. Scene mode includes a list of 6 subcategories (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, and Fireworks) for very specific lighting conditions.

While we did not have time to take this to the beach or the woods, and we fell a little late of the 4th of July, the auto control on the Optura 50 fell a little short of our hopes. The exposure lags significantly from brightly lit to less lit subjects, even when zoomed all the way out. The auto focus is a little faster, but neither of these features is as good as what you could find on a comparably priced Sony.

Overall Manual Control (6.5)
There is no completely "manual" mode to speak of on the Optura 50. In fact, the whole control system seems to be a gradual series of steps in relinquishing control to the user. This is good for people attempting to gain competency in one feature at a time, but may frustrate more experienced users.

The mode that offers the greatest degree of manual control is the Program AE mode, marked "P" on the mode dial. Pressing the Function button in this mode (or in any of the other modes except Scene and Auto) will bring up the full list of manual control options: White Balance, Image Effects, and Digital Effects. Manual exposure and focus are each activated by buttons, and controlled by the toggle switch and focus ring, respectively.

Image Settings is an excellent feature we might call a manual / automatic control hybrid because you do have to dig around to find it. Once you do, a wealth of image quality control is to be found. More about this below.

Zoom (7.5)
The zoom on the Canon Eluras and Opturas this year have been a bit disappointing. Rather than a proper toggle, as seen on the ZR series, they use a sliding switch that runs along a track, returning to the center when released. It’s a seemingly minor modification from the traditional, raised toggle switch, but the difference will manifest itself in your footage. When pushing this type of zoom control left and right, you have to exert a small amount of downward force. This force tilts the camcorder’s body ever so slightly, thus bouncing the frame of your shot left and right. It’s a small inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

Focus (9.0)
Saints be praised – a focus ring! We didn’t make too big a deal about this with the Optura 60, because a higher-end 1 CCD camcorder should be expected to have one. The inclusion of a focus ring on the low-end model of the Optura series is, however, a great bonus. Manual focus is activated by pressing a button on the left side, above the LCD screen. The ring’s ease of use is good. It could have been a little larger, and there’s a protrusion on the right side of the lens barrel that impedes a smooth, one-handed 360 degree spin. Also, there is no numerical value or scale to the focus. You have to rely on eyeballing the LCD screen, which may not register exactly the same image that a monitor would have. On the whole, Canon could have been more thorough in their approach to focus.

Exposure (Aperture) (6.5)
Manual exposure is activated via a button on the left side, above the LCD screen. Pressing it brings up a sliding scale that can be adjusted by the jog dial. The scale does not have a fixed range. Rather, it adjusts its size relative to the available lighting when you activate the manual exposure. For instance, when I turned the manual exposure on in our well lit office, the scale ranged from -11 to +9. In a darker room, the scale shrunk to -11 to ±0. This seems counterintuitive. Why would I want to lower the exposure in a dark room? I want to brighten it. I assume that this is the camcorder urging me to turn on the Super Night mode rather than adjust the exposure.

The Optura 50 also offers an Aperture Priority mode, labeled Av on the mode dial. In this mode, you can select apertures ranging from f/1.8, f/2.0, f/2.4, f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4.0, f/4.8, f/5.6, f/6.7, and f/8.0. When in Aperture Priority, the camcorder automatically adjusts the shutter speed.

Shutter Speed (5.0)
Shooting is available in a Shutter Priority Mode, marked Tv on the mode dial. Values for video range between 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, and 1/2000 of a second. Still shooting has a different range, and is discussed in the "Still Features" section of this review. If the camcorder does not like your choice of shutter speed, the numbers will blink, urging you to come around to its point of view.

White Balance (7.5)
The white balance options are plentiful on the Optura 50. Pressing the Function button (if the LCD in not blocking the way) will bring up the White Balance as the first menu item. Options include: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H (for daylight-type fluorescent bulbs), and manual setting.

Gain (0.0)
There is no gain control on the Optura 50.

Other Manual Control (3.0)
The Optura 50 offers a series of Image Effects that control saturation and contrast. Presets include Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, and Soft Skin Detail. You can also create a custom Image Effect setting that allows you to dictate color depth, sharpness, contrast, and brightness. Each of these parameters only has a range of +/-1, so the actual amount of "customization" is limited.

The Optura 50 also fetaures manual audio level control.

Ease of Use (7.0)
For a camcorder with so many manual controls, it is fairly well-designed. Control is balanced between the mode dial, the Function button, and the jog dial. The mode dial has clearly been inspired by Canon’s still camera line, with far more options than you would find on a normal camcorder. The most popular AE settings are here, and for those looking for the easiest possible experience, the Auto mode.

Most of the manual control options spring onto the screen via the Function button. Adjustments on these controls are made through the jog dial. Canon eschews the confusing iconography found in some manufacturers’ menus, and instead uses clear textual labels. Its takes a few spins around the menu to get the feel, but once you do adjustments are a breeze.

Still Features (7.0)
The Optura 50 and its bigger sibling, the Optura 60, have parallel digital still capabilities. These camcorders can capture stills on a SD card with in three resolution options: 1632 x 1224, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480. The camcorder can only capture stills in the standard 4:3 mode. The Sony DCR-HC42, by contrast, has fewer still resolution options but can capture stills in widescreen. Stills can be taken in card mode with the full range of manual controls; they can also be taken and saved to the SD card while you are recording video to MiniDV, simply by pressing the Photo button.

Canon has provided manual control options beyond the standard exposure, white balance, and shutter speeds. Manual shutter speeds range from 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/100, 1/250, and 1/500 of a second. The Optura 50 offers several metering options, such as Evaluative, Center Weighted, and Spot Metering. They are found within the manual control menu, but once engaged they become more like automatic controls – processes assessed and performed by the camcorder. In Evaluative mode, the camcorder evaluates brightness and darkness throughout different zones in the image and makes the necessary metering adjustments in regards to the most significant subject. In Center Weighted method, the camcorder averages the light in the image, but provides more significance to the center of the frame. With the Spot Metering option the camcorder assesses only the center of the image and makes the necessary adjustments. Spot metering is a term usually associated with Sony camcorders. Sony’s terminology refers to a mode that allows the user to adjust exposure to any part of the frame by tapping the touch screen LCD.

LCD in Still mode with Aperture Priority on

Supplementary shooting options on the Optura 50 include a bracketing mode, a Drive mode, and Stitch Assist mode. Altogether, they provide the user with an abundance of control. The Stitch Assist feature, so far of dubious value, captures overlapping stills and combines them into a panoramic image. Drive mode captures several images at a time when the user holds down the shutter, varying in the shutter speed and number of shots according to the selected resolution. Bracketing mode takes three stills: one dark, one normal, and one overexposed, in 1/2 EV steps.

Canon includes a 16MB SD card with the Optura 50. 16MB doesn’t provide a lot of storage but it is enough to get started. Canon is one of the few manufactures to offer included media, a small gesture to justify pricing. Movies can also be captured to the SD card in Motion JPEG format. Two sizes are available: 320 x 240 and 160 x 120.

Still Resolution (7.2)
The Canon Optura 50 captures stills to an SD card at several resolutions; 1632 x 1224, 1280 x 960, and the standard 640 x 480. At its best this model yielded a still resolution of 723537.63 (0.7MP)

Still Performance (6.5)
The Canon Optura 50’s still performance is comparable to that of its bigger sibling, the Optura 60. Both camcorders share identical imagers, which factors into their similar results. This model displayed slightly more potent blues and purples than the more expensive Optura 60. The Opturas performed better than most camcorders in their price range, notably the DCR-HC42, which suffered from a bluish noise. These camcorders performed admirably not only for their own market, but rivaled some higher-end camcorders. The colors lacked the vibrancy and brightness of a strong 3 chip camcorder like the PV-GS150, but the images were fairly bright and sharp, with favorable color representation.

Still taken at 640 x 480

Still taken at 1280 x 960

Still taken at 1632 x 1224

Low Light Performance (4.0)
Low light shooting conditions are bound to arise. Some first time consumers might not even consider than a shooting indoors in the evening might even qualify as a "low light environment." In order to test a camcorder’s ability to tackle these areas, we test at 60 lux and 15 lux.

At 60 lux the Canon Optura 50 loses a good deal of color information. Its performance, however, was not as bad as the Optura 60, despite the identical imagers. This is likely the result of a testing flaw in the Optura 60, and may answer some of the comments made in the Optura 60’s review. The Optura 50 began to show grain across all colors, and was most noticeable in the yellows and light blues. It was, however, far superior to the Elura 90, which was a mess of graininess. It also outperformed the Sony DCR-HC42 and PV-GS150, showing far crisper color definition than either.

Asking a camcorder to perform at 15 lux is no mean feat, and unfortunately the Optura 50 did not meet the challenge. At this light, the image loses nearly everything except the outline of the color tiles. The Canon sadly, like so many Canon's before, suffers from obscene grain. Add to that almost no color information and the image at 15 lux looks terrible. Panasonic's PV-GS150 produces grain (all camcorders do) but there is tons more color information and just a better picture all around. The Sony DCR-HC42 had so much blue noise I would have been happier with the black & white image from the Optura 50. The closing message: if low light performance is vital to you, sadly, it appears that there is something in the genes of Canon engineers that prevents them from producing good low light performers.

Zoom Power/Ratio (10.0)
The Optura 50 features a 10x optical zoom and 200x digital zoom, with the option to cap the digital at 40x. While we appreciate Canon keeping the digital zoom within the land of credulity (see the outlandish 1000x digital zoom on the Panasonic PV-GS35), the optical zoom would not have suffered from a little boost. Certainly, zooming is more likely to ruin your footage than improve it. Maybe Canon is counting on the likely Optura purchaser coming into the game with a little more knowledge than the average consumer. Still, the similarly priced Elura 90 comes with a 20x zoom.

Wide Angle (8.0)
Wide angle measurements of the Canon Optura 50 were taken at both the 4:3 and 16:9 mode. In 4:3 mode the camcorder had a measurement of 40 degrees, while it exhibited measurements of 50 degrees in 16:9 mode.

4:3 Standard Aspect LCD View

Widescreen Aspect LCD View

VCR Mode (7.0)
Playback options on the Optura 50 are as good as you can find on a MiniDV. VCR controls are located in the cavity of the LCD screen and on the included remote control. The playback image can be magnified up to 5x via the zoom toggle, then panned across using the jog dial. The Optura 50 supports digital-to-analog pass through. It can also be used as a webcam by accessing the Network mode on the mode dial. Ports for connecting it to a TV or computer include A/V, S-Video, DV, and USB. A mic input also permits audio dubbing. It's very nice that the buttons are 'real' buttons and have a good feel to them.

LCD/Viewfinder (7.0)
The Optura 50 sports a 2.5" LCD screen, modest in comparison to the rising tide of widescreen and touch screen LCDs. Still, the 123K resolution is bright and large enough to satisfy most users. One negative comment (aside from the LCD blocking the Function button and jog dial) – the technology to prevent solarizing has long since been cracked, and it’s about time Canon got on board. The viewfinder is, thankfully, both able to extend and able to pivot upwards about 45 degrees.

Audio (8.0)
Audio options on the Optura are good for its price class. Audio can be captured at either 12 or 16 bits, leaving room for a dubbed track if editing software is beyond your reach. An external mic can be plugged into a jack on the right side. It could even mount snugly onto the accessory shoe. An extra hundred dollars and a step up to Optura 60, however, is the price for making the shoe hot.

Manual audio levels are a wonderful feature. Turn the feature on via the Menu button, then control it through the Function menu and jog dial. A windscreen mode is also available to cut down on high-end noise.

One final note – the motor noise on this camcorder is loud, much louder than any of the camcorders we had in the office at the time. The audio levels come in handy to assess this problem. In a silent room, motor noise registered 3-5 bars on the scale.

Handling (8.0)
Canon typically makes camcorders that are simple and intuitive to handle. Of course, the more manual control options one adds, the more complex handling can become. Canon’s approach is splitting its options between two menus and the mode dial. The Menu button, located inside the LCD cavity, brings up the administrative-type controls: language, image quality, audio set-up, etc. The mode dial immediately activates the most popular shooting modes, which are similar to AE settings found on other camcorders: Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Slow Shutter, Night, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Scene. Each of these modes (except for Auto) can be further modulated by pressing the Function button, which brings up the manual control menu.

As previously mentioned, the Function button and jog dial could not be in a worse place. Why Canon would put two of the most frequently needed buttons on the far side of the LCD screen is a mystery. Not only does the LCD screen block the buttons from sight, if the screen is tilted, it physically blocks the Function button from being pressed. This is an inexcusable design flaw which must be addressed in the coming year.

The focus ring, while much appreciated, is on the small side. Still, after hankering for a focus ring on so many other camcorders, we’re not complaining about this one.

Administrative Menu

Function Menu

Portability (6.0)
For its many options, the Optura 50 is a highly portable camcorder. Weighing only 1.2 lbs., it could easily fit in a small bag or suitcase.

Battery Life (8.4)
The included NB-2LH battery was tested by continuously recording with the LCD screen open, the zoom and manual controls untouched. The battery lasted 84 minutes.

Compression (8.0)
The Optura 50 uses DV compression to MiniDV tape, and MiniDV is the standard against which all other video compression formats are judged. Stills on the Optura 50 are saved as standard JPEGs in three compression options: Super Fine, Fine, and Normal. Movies can also be recorded as Motion JPEGs at a rate of 15 frames / second.

Media (8.0)
Video is recorded to 6.25mm MiniDV tapes in SP and LP modes. Stills are recorded to a MultiMedia card or SD card. Motion JPEGs are also stored to the card.

Editing (8.0)
Editing options with MiniDV are far superior to options on DVD camcorders. Footage can be exported via the DV port, located on the right side of the Optura 50. MiniDV typically scores well in Editing, and is used as an ideal comparison for alternative compression methods such as MPEG2 and MPEG4.

Widescreen/16:9 Mode (7.5)
Shooting in widescreen mode compresses a 16:9 image into 4:3 aspect, which is then stretched out by widescreen TVs and editing software. When shooting or playing back widescreen footage, the LCD on the Optura 50 inserts black bars, allowing you to see the full image. In order to expand widescreen footage on a widescreen TV, the camcorder must be connected via S-Video.

4:3 Standard Aspect Ratio

Widescreen Aspect Ratio

Scan Rates/24P (0.0)
The Optura 50 does not offer any scan rates other than its native 60i.

Ports (7.0)
Ports on the Optura 50 include USB, DV, A/V / Headphone out, Audio in, S-Video, and DC. This is a great selection of ins and outs, with the added bonus of the camcorder supporting analog-to-digital pass through. All the ports are well placed, except the DC. Located in the upper rear right corner of the body, a power cord tends to get in the way of the mode dial and record buttons.

Other Features (7.5)
Remote Control--  An included remote control allows you to remotely operate most of the primary shooting and playback functions.

Fade-- Digital fade effects include: Fade to black, Wipe, Corner, Jump, Flip, Puzzle, Zigzag, Beam, and Tide.

Digital Effects-- Digital image effects include: Black & White, Sepia, Art, Mosaic, Ball, Cube, Wave, Color Mask, and Mirror. There are also options for multi-image screens, and a Card Mix feature. In Card Mix, saved stills and pre-loaded graphics can be mixed with video for cheesy effects.

Auto Slow Shutter-- When this feature is engaged, the Optura 50 automatically lowers shutter speed in low light environments. Video mode is reduced to 1/30 and still mode lowers to 1/15. A note of caution – expect blurring to occur with moving objects.

Optical Image Stabilization-- The Optura 50 features an optical image stabilization, a much superior system to electronic stabilization, which reduces imaging capabilities.

Comparisons
Canon Optura 60
For about a hundred dollars more, you could upgrade to the Optura 60. By and large, this is same camcorder as the Optura 50 – identical imager specs and manual control & automatic control features, etc. The differences are few, but distinctive enough to perhaps sway some consumers towards the higher-end model. The Optura 60 sports a video assist lamp, an active accessory shoe (compared to the Optura 50’s cold shoe), and a 14x optical zoom (compared to the 50’s 10x). The selling point is maybe the accessory shoe, and potential buyers have to ask themselves how likely they are to require attachments like a shotgun mic or a better flash - specifically a Canon-made model that will be compatible with the power of the shoe. Of course, the video assist lamp is a useless upgrade, but the zoom does provide some value. You make the call.

Canon Elura 90
Canon’s middle-of-the-road series, Elura, has produced a number of good camcorders this year, with the Elura 90 leading the pack. For almost the same price, the Elura 90 brings a higher zoom (20x optical), a little more portability, and better ease of use. However, there are far fewer manual control options than on the Optura 50 – none of the advanced image effects – and an inferior imager. The Optura 50 is clearly a better value for the money. It's got a focus ring!

Panasonic PV-GS150
The PV-GS150 was one of our highest rated camcorders this year, and performed well in almost every category. Retailing for around the same price, the PV-GS150 comes equipped with three CCDs, but they are smaller that the Optura 50’s (1/6" vs. the Optura's 1/3.4" CCD). The manual control set is about equal, which is to say, quite good. The PV-GS150 does lack the focus ring, and the automatic controls are not great. The stills on this camcorder are simply amazing, however, as is the video and low light. If hybrid quality is a key value to you, the Panasonic is an easy victor.

Hitachi DZ-MV780
This DVD camcorder showed strongly in video performance and still performance tests; the low light results were merely acceptable. Manual controls on the DZ-MV780 were limited, and the controls that were included were not particularly easy to manipulate. DVD camcorders are rather a different beast from MiniDV cams. They lean towards the point-and-shoot crowd, relying on ease of use and portability, both of which are good. If you’re dead set on a DVD camcorder, but don’t want to sacrifice performance, check out the Sony DCR-DVD403 instead.

Sony DCR-HC42
This middle of the line HC model relies on its automatic controls and ease of use to get by, as well as its good looks. The price of beauty, you ask? Manual control and low light take the biggest hit. Granted, it is less pricey than the Optura 50, so we can’t ask for it all. The DCR-HC42 was, however, received with general disappointment from our review staff.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (4.0)
You certainly won’t be disappointed with the picture quality, that’s for sure. If the manual control features are overwhelming, the Auto mode takes over most of the operation. Still, this is rather pricey for a point-and-shoot. You might try the Elura or even the ZR series.

Budget Consumers (4.0)
In terms of price, the Canon series move up from the ZRs to the Eluras, then the Opturas. Canon image quality actually means something, so even if you dipped down into the ZR series, you probably won’t be too disappointed. The Optura is not necessarily a budget-cam, and camcorders with comparable manual control can be found for much less, like the Panasonic PV-GS19.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (6.0)
There are numerous still options on the Optura 50, and any hybrid fan should be happy. Still performance was better on the PV-GS150, though, so compare before you buy.

Gadget Freaks (4.0)
Nothing on the Optura 50 screams front page. The technology on here is reliable, not cutting edge.

Manual Control Freaks (7.0)
Definitely check this camcorder out if you crave manual control. With a feature set equal to the Optura 60, you’ll have enough options to keep you satisfied for a long time. Compare with comparably priced Panasonics first, though, as they tend to have excellent manual control, sometimes for much less.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (6.0)
A serious hobbyist would not be disappointed with the Optura 50. Good CCD size, solid performance, passable low light, and great manual control combine to form a really good consumer-level camcorder. For a few extra features, check out the Optura 60 first. It could make a difference at your level.

Conclusion
Seeing how highly the Optura 60 scored in this year’s lineup, the Optura 50, with identical imager specs and manual control set, would not be likely to disappoint. The difference between these two camcorders, however, could make or break the Optura 50 for some users. Lacking a video assist lamp, active accessory shoe, and bigger zoom, the hundred bucks you saved by not buying the Optura 60 might not be worth it. Why scrimp? But don't upgrade simply for the zoom. If you really need a zoom, and a large one, the 14x on the Optura 60 probably wouldn't satisfy you anyway. Most people's needs are served in the 10x to 14x range, and the 10x  zoom on the Optura 50 is probably sufficient for most users.

In general, the Canon Optura 50 is a very strong camcorder - good manual control, a comfortable feel, vivid stills, and a focus ring. The video performance is also very good; low light performance was the Optura 50's downfall. Maybe it's hereditary. From a manual control and all-inclusive performance (low light and bright light) perspective, the PV-GS150 comes out ahead. However, it lacks the ease of use of the Optura 50. On the other side, if you're a point-and-shooter who'd rather not make the instruction manual your bedtime reading, you might lean towards the Sony DCR-HC42. While the DCR-HC42 has great ease of use, its performance is simply terrible. Somewhere in the middle, between the PV-GS150 and the DCR-HC42, lies the Canon Optura, making it a smart buy for the right person.