Canon Elura 60 Camcorder Reviewby Matt CullerPublished on Jun 10, 2004 12:00 PM 
|
|
The Elura 60 is a fair priced 1.33 megapixel stripped-down, economical consumer camcorder, with 680K effective for video, and a 14x optical zoom. While it offers options similar to other camcorders in its price range (MSRP $699; available now at $495 both online and in stores), the Elura 60’s performance, especially under low light, could be better. The Elura 60 ships with a 1/4.5-inch CCD with 690K effective pixels for video, a 14x optical zoom, plenty of manual control, as well as decent digital still functionality. Low light aside, the Canon Elura 60, like all Canon camcorders, is a dream to handle. This coupled with its great performance under ideal light make this camcorder a viable option for many users.
Video Performance (6.0)
The Elura 60 contains a 1/4.5-inch CCD with 1.33 megapixels, 690K effective for video, and 1.23 megapixels effective for SD memory card. It performs well, providing quality automatic adjustments to exposure and focus while offering decent pictures and colors.
Our review of the Elura 65 notes that the LCD on that model over-saturates its colors compared to their representation on a computer monitor. This is the case with the Elura 60 as well. Also, like many consumer camcorders, bright light noticeably dulls the colors on the Elura 60.
At 3000 lux, the Elura 60’s performance is very similar to the Elura 65’s. Both camcorders represent colors well, with good saturation throughout. The Elura 60’s image is a bit grainier than the Elura 65’s, and both camcorders show some washing of the violet end of the spectrum.
Under these bright light conditions, the Canon Elura 60 reproduces the grayscale well. While the contrast and crispness of colors, as well as blacks and whites, aren’t as high in quality as the Canon Elura 65’s images, the Canon Elura 60 holds its own. As to be expected a little washing occurs at 3000 lux, but all in all, the camcorder performs well.
The Front (8.0)
The dominant feature on the front panel of the Canon Elura 60 is the 14x optical zoom lens. The stereo condenser microphone sits immediately below the lens and directly above the terminal cover for the recessed S-Video and DV ports. The holes that lead to the microphone sweep up and taper in size and coverage with the curve of the lens, giving the Elura 60 a handsome visage.
The Right Side (9.5)
The MiniDV mechanism occupies most of the right side. On the far right portion of the right side, a rubber port cover can be lifted to reveal the A/V headphone, USB, and DC ports. On the far left of the right side of the Canon Elura 60 resides the thumb’s power terminal. This terminal consists of a semi-cylindrical hump featuring a mode dial for Camera, Power Off, VCR, and Network modes. This semi-cylindrical hump continues towards the center of the camcorder, but tapers quickly to a point as speaker holes (for playback) radiate outward. Above the mode dial is the program selector, which switches between Easy Mode and Program AE Mode, which has options for full auto mode or manual settings. The Elura 60’s strap runs along the bottom of the right side, with a nice pseudo-suede finish. Let me assure you that it is more than ample.
The Back (8.0)
On the back of the Elura 60 is the battery slot. To the right, the mode dial, with the record button within it, sits for easy thumb access. The mode dial is used to select among Camera, VCR, Power Off, and Network modes. To access Network mode, the user must hold the unmarked gray button beneath the dial during the shift. The small switch above the mode dial allows for the ability to alternate between tape and card modes. The small lever used to unlock the LCD is located on the left side of the back.
The Left Side (9.0)
The left side of the Canon Elura 60 can be divided into two distinct halves: the top half containing the lens barrel, and the lower half containing the LCD and the menu controls. The LCD is located near the rear of the machine, with the menu access button and the jog dial for navigation located directly above it. With the LCD open, a set of buttons is revealed, mainly for the control of record and playback modes. Along the top, running from front to back, are the Record Search, Focus, and Night Mode buttons, which also function as VCR mode playback buttons. Below these are more buttons: Digital Effect selection and Manual Exposure adjustment, which doubles as the End Search function. Located on the bottom row are the circular Data Code, the Drive Mode, and the Card Mix/Slide Show buttons. The SD Card slot resides below, attached by a hinged panel that swings open below the camcorder.
The Top (9.5)
Atop the Elura 60 is the viewfinder, which can be extended and angled about 45 degrees. In front of the viewfinder sits a “cold” accessory shoe. To the left of the shoe, the user will notice the slider with which one opens and closes the MiniDV tape mechanism. Towards the back of the camera from the MiniDV tape mechanism is the zoom toggle, followed by the photo button and the print-share button.
Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
Set to make automatic adjustments to exposure, shutter speed, focus, and white balance, the Canon Elura 60 performs well. Its quick and reliable adjustments to focus and exposure make it a great camera for the point-and-shooter shoot consumer seeking convenience. The Canon Elura 60 offers an Easy mode, which is fundamentally a full automatic mode, preventing exposure locks or manual adjustment to shutter speed, white balance, and focus. Automatic adjustments to white balance are pretty good for a consumer machine; they're slow enough to be believable but fast enough to remain efficient.
Overall Manual Control (6.0)
It’s simple to take the Elura 60 out of automatic. The user must slide a small switch located above the mode dial from the “empty square” to the “small square with a ‘P’ inside.” (Where they come up with these icons, I do not know; all I know is that this switch is called the “program selector.”) Doing so, the user is able to employ manual control over many of the features of the Canon Elura 60, including white balance, focus, shutter speed, and exposure. Focus and exposure are hidden under the LCD screen, while shutter speed and white balance can be stumbled across through the camcorder’s Byzantine menu system. Like many consumer camcorders, this setup can be cumbersome, but advancements here for the sake of convenience might increase the size of the machine. Who knows?
As far as performance goes, these options work well, but would have been improved by certain amenities, like a focus ring rather than the jog dial function. However, let it be said that the reviewer would rather have the jog dial than buttons hidden under the LCD, as found in many similar camcorders.
Zoom (6.5)
The Canon Elura 60 has a 14x optical zoom and a 320x digital zoom, with the option for 56x digital zoom as well. The digital zoom is not accessible in the night modes. The flat grooved zoom toggle is decent, in that it is easy to use and is not obstructed by other objects. It is adaptable for slower zooms, as well as variant speed zooms. As with many camcorders, the user is able to track the zoom on a bar display on the LCD; however, as in many of its other models, Canon provides an arrow, rather than merely a cursor, in the display for even greater ease of use.
Focus (5.5)
The Canon Elura 60 focuses either automatically or through manual intervention. The manual focus option, located underneath the LCD panel, displays the MF icon on the LCD screen itself. The actual focusing is done using the menu jog dial. As in many consumer camcorders, this adjustment must be “eyeballed,” as no numerical measurements are given.
Exposure (Aperture) (4.5)
The manual exposure adjustment button, like so many important functions, is unfortunately located beneath the LCD. If the camcorder is in manual mode, “E. LOCK” appears on the LCD, as well as the numerical step of the camcorder’s current setting. This is a nice feature, and something that sets Canons apart from other consumer machines. Adjustments are controlled using the menu jog dial. The Elura 60 has 24 exposure steps, ranging from -11 to +11.
Shutter Speed (3.0)
Manual shutter speed is available on the Canon Elura 60 in six steps, ranging from 1/60-1/2000, as well as an automatic setting. These options are located in the Camera Setup field of the menu.
White Balance (7.0)
White Balance settings on the Canon Elura 60 can be found in the Camera Setup field of the menu, and are selected using the jog dial. Options for indoor, outdoor, set (manual), and auto are available. To adjust the white balance manually, the user must select the set function using the jog dial and follow simple instructions.
Gain (0.0)
Manual gain is not available on the Canon Elura 60.
Still Performance (6.0)
The Canon Elura 65 and 60 capture still images at 1280 x 960 or 640 x 480, and movies at 320 x 240 or 160 x 120. To access the card, the switch above the mode dial must be set appropriately. Options for Normal, Fine, and Super Fine exist for file size. The photo button is located at the top of the camcorder behind the zoom toggle. The use of a separate button for still photography is a nice feature, as the user can depress the button partially to allow adjustment; this process is similar to digital cameras. The Elura models tend to make camera-like noises during capture.
VCR Mode (6.0)
In order to view recorded footage from MiniDV tape on the Canon Elura 60, the VCR/Play mode must be selected with the mode dial. Playback buttons are located underneath the LCD for both the tape and the card, depending on which mode is selected. Stills are navigated via the REC SEARCH function. There is a significant amount of novelty pre-recorded images and backgrounds available for mixing with still images and recorded footage from the SD card.
Low Light Performance (3.0)
At 60 lux, the Canon Elura 60's performance is average. Colors remain relatively crisp compared with 3000 lux. The camcorder does seem to over-saturate the reds and the greens at 60 lux, which gives the image an odd tinge, very Christmassy. (The sibling model, the Canon Elura 65, has similar problem with greens at 60 lux: even worse, they seem to take on almost a lime hue.) As expected, the grain does increase at 60 lux on the Elura 60, making the colors, yellow especially, washed out and gray. Compared to similarly priced camcorders, especially the JVC GR-D93, the Canon Elura 60 could perform better. However, compared with other Canon machines, it does pretty well.
At 15 lux things change, to say the least. Continued over-saturation of reds and greens is further obstructed by a dramatic increase in grain, the blues being almost completely washed over by gray. Washing and blending between colors increases and is present everywhere – this is not a crisp image. Additionally, the grayscale has a tremendous amount of static. Against the Canon Elura 65, the Canon Elura 60’s colors are less vibrant, but the images are comparable. Viewed against JVC’s GR-D93, however, the Elura 60 cannot hold a foot-candle to the JVC GR-D93. (Bad pun intended.)
LCD / Viewfinder (8.0)
The Canon Elura 60 has a 2.5-inch 123K-pixel LCD and a 0.33-inch 113K color viewfinder. Able to rotate 180 degrees, the LCD allows for viewing in almost any situation. Sadly, the LCD solarizes when not directly perpendicular with the user’s line of vision. The color viewfinder can be angled 45 degrees upwards and extends approximately an inch towards the user. Its eyepiece provides a nice cushion.
Audio (6.5)
Located beneath the lens on the Canon Elura 60, conveniently away from wayward fingers, are two stereo microphones. The Canon Elura 60 records for 12 bit or 16 bit formats. On the top of the camcorder is the advanced accessory shoe, enabling the attachment of a spotlight. Unfortunately, this shoe is “cold” and unintelligent; in the Canon Elura 65 and 70, Canon has upgraded to an intelligent one. Along with this feature, there is an A/V / Headphone in port.
Handling (8.0)
The Canon Elura 60 handles well. The rubber lip on the top of the MiniDV mechanism provides a surprisingly convenient grip, and the mobile viewfinder comes with a comfortable eyepiece.
The most negative aspect of many Canon consumer camcorders is the noise factor. These machines are, without a doubt, the noisiest made by any manufacturer. Button placement is usually a problem with consumer camcorders, and the Elura 60 is no exception. There are a lot of buttons and switches on the Elura 60, which makes for a busy design.
Ports (8.0)
The Canon Elura 60 has a Headphone, S-Video, USB, FireWire, DC, and A/V in/out ports on board: S-Video and FireWire (DV) at the bow (front), and A/V / Headphone, USB, DC on the starboard side (right side). All ports are covered with rubber covers to disguise their presence and keep out the spray and deadly sea monsters. Unfortunately, the Canon Elura 60 lacks the microphone jack that the Canon Elura 65 and 70 have.
Other Features (4.5)
Network
The Canon Elura 60 streams live video and can be used as a webcam.
Night Mode
Aids the elusive nighttime cameraperson.
Canon Digital Video Solution Software
Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS, this editing software provides ways to enhance and alter your tape or card media.
Print/Share
This option allows the user to bypass computer middlemen in the printing process of digital stills.
16:9 widescreen mode
A 16:9 ratio option for digital widescreen is available on the Canon Elura 60.
Analog to Digital Pass-through
Yes, that’s right; the Canon Elura 60 supports analog to digital pass-through.
Comparisons
There are several camcorders currently in the $700 price range, including the JVC GR-D93, the Sony DCR-HC65 (Review, Specs, $569), the Panasonic PV-GS120 (Review, Specs, $479), and the Canon Elura 65.
JVC GR-D93 For a $650 list price (available now for only $495), the JVC GR-D93 has a 1/4-inch 1.33 megapixel CCD, slightly larger than that of the Elura 60. It also boasts a 10x/700x zoom. The JVC GR-D93, as with many JVCs, outperforms many camcorders, including the Canon Elura 60, in the low light category. For the money, the JVC’s low light performance is certainly a plus, as is the noise difference between the quiet JVC GR-D93 and the noisy Canon Elura 60.
Sony DCR-HC65 Sony's DCR-HC65 MiniDV camcorder boasts a 10x Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens, a 1/5 inch-CCD with 690K effective pixels (smaller than the Elura 60), and a 3.5-inch hybrid LCD (bigger). About $100 more than the Elura 60, the DCR-HC65 performed a slight degree better under low light than the Elura 60. Amenities of the HC65 include a focus ring, as well as spot metering, while the Elura 60’s focusing is done through a jog dial.
Panasonic PV-GS120 At the exact same price as the Canon Elura 60, the Panasonic PV-GS120 has 3 CCDs of 1/6 inches and 290K effective pixels apiece. For this price, it’s amazing that Panasonic can provide a 3 CCD camcorder at all. But they have, and it performs well. As expected, the Panasonic PV-GS120 offers tremendous video quality, as each primary color is governed by its own CCD. It records stills at the same resolution as the Canon Elura 60, and offers a cold accessory shoe as well. The Panasonic PV-GS120 does include a Mic in, which is nice, but the deciding factor in this instance should be the increase in video performance that three CCDs allows for.
Canon Elura 65 The Elura 65 is available for $100 more, and offers nearly the same features. One improvement is that it includes a mic input and upgrades the shoe from cold to hot. It has a slightly higher optical zoom than the Elura 60, and performs slightly better in bright and low light. The buying decision basically comes down to whether slightly better performance and the added-on accessories are worth $100.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (5.0)
The Canon Elura 60 is an excellent point-and-shoot camcorder indeed, as many of the lower-tier models are. The provided “easy” mode features full automatic settings on white balance, shutter speed, focus, and exposure, giving nice video performance. Its lack of a hot accessory shoe or a mic input put it below the Canon Elura 65 and 70; however, for the point-and-shoot crowd, the hundred-dollar price difference will probably seem more important.
Budget Consumers (4.0)
A pretty good buy for budget consumers, the Canon Elura 60 is substantially cheaper than the Canon Elura 65 and 70, and performs comparably. The main differences appear when the accessories of each model are considered, and those are nominal. So, within the Elura model line, the 60 is a good deal; however, outside of the Canon catalog, there are camcorders that perform better for the same price.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (6.0)
A good hybrid, the Canon Elura 60 offers decent resolution and some nifty background and novelty animation affects.
Gadget Freaks (3.0)
Not much too offer in the gadget department, aside from those novelty background effects.
Manual Control Freaks (5.0)
There is a fine amount of manual control, although a focus ring would be nice. Also, the lack of a mic input could make some manual control freaks queasy.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists (2.0)
A lightweight last-resort camera, the Canon Elura 60 might be good for the pro who has lost all of his or her gear in a freak avalanche, flash flood, volcanic eruption,or other unforeseen act of nature.
Conclusion
An MSRP of $699 puts the Canon Elura 60 a hundred dollars cheaper than its more advanced sibling, the Canon Elura 65, and with a few small adjustments the Canon Elura 65 very well could be the Canon Elura 60. However, these same adjustments – slightly longer focal distance, a little more zoom, intelligent shoe – are what separate sibling camcorders across the board. Besides, if one of your priorities is good low light performance, you might be better off purchasing a JVC.
On a positive note, the Canon Elura 60 is good lower-tier consumer camcorder. If you won’t be filming low light, it might be a good buy. It has a lot of manual control, and at average to high light level, it performs pretty well. It has nice optical zoom, and handles superbly. If you’re looking for a stripped-down Canon, this one may be for you.