Canon Optura 40 Camcorder Review

by Alex Burack
Published on Jul 1, 2004 12:00 PM



The Canon Optura 40 is equipped with just over 1.2 effective megapixels for video and 2 effective megapixels for still images. On the surface, there are only minimal differences between Canon’s Optura 30 and the new Canon Optura 40, which has an identical body and many of the same internal components as its predecessor. The hundred-dollar price increase with the Canon Optura 40 is a necessary indulgence. Like the Canon Optura 30, the Canon Optura 40 is equipped with exceptional definition and naturalistic color rendition for a single 1/3.4-inch CCD camcorder. This is largely because of an effective RGB primary color filter that clearly matches its 3 CCD rivals. With Canon’s unique DIGIC DV processing system, the truly hybrid Canon Optura 40, listed at US $999 and found as low as US $750 online (with shipping), is a strong value. The Canon Optura 40 offers a variety of manual control and low light related options not present on the Optura 30. These added features, along with its compact design and strong image production, seem to be a proper representation of Canon’s established name and optics.

Video Performance (7.5)
Armed with a 14x optical zoom lens leading to its 1/3.4-inch CCD, the Canon Optura 40 exceeds the apparent limitations of its components. While a camcorder’s video performance often relies on the number and CCD size, this 1 CCD camcorder, complemented by a strong RGB primary color filter, accentuates clean natural tones. Under luminous conditions, the Canon Optura 40 rivals any camcorder in its general price bracket.

When tested under 3000 lux bulbs that replicate the general illumination of direct afternoon sunlight, the Canon Optura 40 produced vibrant hues with brilliant saturation. The colors were accurately represented and did not appear washed out. Particularly strong was the reproduction of blue and green tones throughout the color scale. The gradation of blues flowed throughout the chart with clear distinctions between slight hue variations. Red tones were quite vibrant as well; however, they appeared to blur slightly into one another as the tonal values progressed down the chart. The only color that appeared to have real difficulty at 3000 lux was yellow. For some reason, it is often difficult for camcorders to accurately portray yellow tones. Even in the optimal lighting conditions of 3000 lux, the Canon Optura 40’s depiction of yellow was rustic and dull, appearing to be a muddy variation of brown.

At 3000 lux, the focus was crisp with only very slight distortion. The grayscale was accurately represented with each separate tone clearly delineated, but did not show a perfectly true white tile. Only minimal noise and grain appeared on test shots of the chart after importing the image into AVID. Given the vast manual control options within the Canon Optura 40, most if not all imperfections can be worked out with just slight modification. Overall, the Canon Optura 40 performed excellently amidst optimal lighting conditions, and would clearly be more than adequate for outdoor videos.

The Front (8.5)
The compact front face of the Canon Optura 40 is led by a 14x optical zoom lens with a manual focus ring. Directly below the lens is a stereo microphone. Parallel to the lens, along the left side of the front of the camcorder, is a vertical flash, which is automatically engaged in still mode and can be manually operated. Below the flash is a small white LED lamp, utilized in the camcorder’s Night and Super Night modes. The front face of the Canon Optura 40 also contains a white balance and light, as well as an infrared remote sensor placed under the microphone.

The Right Side (9.5)
The right side of the Canon Optura 40 is largely comprised of the top-loading tape mechanism, which extends out and then upwards to open. This feature is particularly beneficial to tripod enthusiasts who will not have to disassemble their setup to change tapes when shooting with this camera. On the face of the loading mechanism is the program selector button, which allows the user to choose between automatic and manual control. Farther along the camcorder’s right side, in vertical alignment just behind the lens, are the Mic, A/V / headphone, DC, and USB ports, concealed behind a rubber port cover. These ports, along with an S-Video input, all blend into the camera’s shell, providing a clean, compact look to the camcorder as well as added protection for its unused ports. Along the bottom of the camcorder’s right side is a thick, adjustable suede hand strap with Velcro, providing Canon Optura 40 users with a comfortable, secure grasp of the camera.

The Back (7.5)
The left face of the Canon Optura 40 is largely comprised of the 2.5-inch LCD screen. When the LCD is opened, a series of buttons are exposed, which function in record and playback mode. The top row contains the Stop and Search buttons, while below them are the Play button for VCR mode, the Audio Level control, and the Mix/Slide Show button that enables the user to edit images in the camcorder and create panoramic compositions. The lower level contains the Digital Effects buttons as well as the Rec/Pause control. Just above the LCD slot is a rectangular shaped Night Mode button and a circular Print and Share button located just to the right, to provide a direct output for still images.

The Left Side (8.5)
The battery port consumes a large segment of the back of the Canon Optura 40. Alongside to the left of the battery are three vertically stacked control buttons. On top there is a small circular button, marked EXP, which controls the exposure. Below that is the MENU button. This allows you to control the camera setup and advanced functions. The MENU and EXP functions are controlled by a protruding jog dial found directly below the two, in the lower left portion of the camcorder. The jog dial can be pressed or held up or down to aid in tedious scrolling.

The Top (8.0)
The top of the Canon Optura 40 primarily contains the extendible color viewfinder and an advanced accessory shoe for attaching separate microphone or lighting components. Access to the DV tape is available just to the right of the viewfinder; there is a switch that can be moved laterally, releasing the camcorder’s top-loading tape mechanism.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
The Canon Optura 40 performs strongly in automatic mode, registering instantaneous corrections to white balance, focus, exposure and shutter speed. Automatic adjustments on the Canon Optura 40 remain seamless even in full telephoto mode. The Canon Optura 40 makes swift alterations in focal length, and will provide accurate automatic focus down to camcorder-subject distances as minute as mere centimeters away. When shooting a tight close-up in telephoto mode, the Canon Optura 40 is set to soften facial details to reduce imperfections in skin. While this is a nice added feature for the point-and-shoot user, those who do not wish to indulge can easily avoid this setting by utilizing the manual focus option on the Canon Optura 40. Although many will choose to ignore this feature, those interested should value its presence, since it provides an automatic detail correction that would otherwise require external editing options.

In addition, the Canon Optura 40 includes selectable focusing points within its automatic focus mode. This grants the automatic user three possible vantage points within the frame that can be used as the central focus. This feature is particularly handy when taking a still of a moving subject. If the subject should move to an awkward position in the frame, the user can shift the focus and composition to make the subject clear even if their position is off-center.

Overall Manual Control (6.5)
Manual control is an area of exceptional strength for the Canon Optura 40, supplying the user with as much manual flexibility as any compact camcorder in its price range. Within this camcorder are manual controls for exposure, white balance, and shutter speed, as well as the rare manual audio control, all easily accessible through the MENU options. There is an automatic/manual control button, favorably positioned near the user’s right hand, on the top-loading tape mechanism. It is a small switch marked with a “P,” and is activated by sliding the switch over to the left, just below the “P.” The bulk of the camcorder’s manual features are accessed through the Menu button, and navigated by moving (or holding) the jog dial up or down.

Manual control is one area where the Canon Optura 40 stands far above its peers, making it a contender even in the eyes of the semi-professional user. The Canon Optura 40’s exceptional range of manual features presents the user with the opportunity to manually manipulate nearly every aspect of the camcorder. The Canon Optura 40 stands parallel to many prosumer camcorders in manual accessibility – some costing three or more times its price, and not designed with mobility and handling at the forefront.

The Canon Optura 40 provides a manual focus ring around the lens, a delight to many conventional motion picture and 35mm enthusiasts who have grown accustomed to the traditional placement. However, I’d say by far the most indulgent manual feature of the Canon Optura 40 is the availability of manual audio control. This is a practical feature for those unbalanced aural situations where an extraneous drone or unwanted distortion compromises the overall sound. By selecting the manual audio button, located in the camcorder’s LCD depression, the user can set audio levels between -40dB and 0, granting the ability to manually adjust audio as well as visual images. This opens up a window of creative control that can be further explored through the ability to record audio in 12 bit or 16 bit sound mode. When recording in 12 bit mode, the user can record onto only two of the four possible audio tracks. This provides users with two empty sound tracks that can be recorded later to complete the four-track mix. This feature is extremely rare in compact camcorders, and will delight many users looking to indulge in their own creative control with an affordable camcorder.

The Canon Optura 40 also comes with a remote control, giving users remote access to a large selection of recording features and to playback mode.

Zoom (7.5)
The Canon Optura 40 contains an adjustable focal length 14x optical zoom lens that extends to 280x digital. Although some camcorders have a larger range, particularly in digital zoom, the Canon Optura 40’s processing can handle its lens with ease, and functions well in autofocus mode. Whether zooming in or panning out, adjustments register unobtrusively, with only minimal lag time for alterations to process.

Focus (9.0)
The Canon Optura 40 offers the choice between automatic or manual control of focus. When set on automatic, the image is processed with immediacy and precision, a feature that may be indebted to Canon’s established lens optics. This holds true even in full telephoto, when shifting focal planes, or while making abrupt movements. Additionally, the Canon Optura 40 provides a manual focus ring surrounding the lens, which enables manual users to adjust focus in the same fashion as any 35mm or motion picture camera. This feature is first accessed by depressing the FOCUS button to the left of the lens, then altering the focus ring surrounding the lens. Whether in auto or manual focus mode, this camcorder registers a crisp representation of the image that speaks highly of the camcorder’s imaging capabilities. The only flaw in the Canon Optura 40’s focusing results from a slight deficiency in its image stabilization, but this can be avoided by using a tripod. Some may seek this quirkiness for a stylized handheld look.

Exposure (Aperture) (5.5)
The Canon Optura 40 allows users to manually control the exposure, if desired, through the EXP button, located just above the MENU control on the back of the camera. When enabled, an “E-LOCK” appears three-quarters of the way down the left segment of the LCD screen. The aperture is registered in a digital scale ranging from -11 to +7 ratings and is manipulated by the jog dial. This is one instance where the Canon Optura 40’s manual control features can mitigate its low light ailments. By manually regulating the amount of light let into the lens, the user can provide a more or less luminous scene by eye.

The Canon Optura 40 also comes with five preset exposure settings: Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand & Snow, and Low Light, intended to provide automatic adjustment to the necessary scenario. These are automatic settings within the camera designed to acclimate shutter speed and exposure to the environment, providing the ideal sensitivity for the situation.

Shutter Speed (4.0)
There is a manual shutter speed option on the Canon Optura 40, ranging from 1/60-1/2000 of a second. The Canon Optura 40 allows the user to manually set the shutter slower than 1/60, to 1/30 and 1/15 of a second, when set on card mode. The Canon Optura 40 also handles automatic setting of shutter speed, reading the amount of observable light in a scene and orienting the camcorder accordingly.

White Balance (7.0)
The Canon Optura 40 allows for manual or automatic setting of the white balance. When set on automatic mode, the camcorder will adapt to alterations in tone and attempt to orient the color scale appropriately as it occurs. When manually setting the white balance, there are additional settings designed to help accurately configure tonal values depending on INDOOR lighting, specifically oriented for halogen, fluorescent and sodium light sources as well as an OUTDOOR feature, which is more sensitive to sunlight.

Gain (0.0)
There are no gain options available on the Canon Optura 40.

Still Performance(7.5)
Made with still performance in mind, Canon’s DIGIC DV image processor arms the Canon Optura 40 with exceptional still capabilities for any camcorder on the market and justifies their “hybrid” label. The DIGIC DV is designed by Canon to provide optimal color saturation and image clarity for both video and print-quality still images. The reason for the DIGIC DV’s proficiency is its dualistic nature; it is designed to internalize the image and convert it to either a 220 color composition suitable for a broadcast or television screen or to the 256 colors required by a computer monitor. This is determined internally by the DIGIC DV based on whether the signal is being recorded to the memory card or the DV tape.

Additionally, the Canon Optura 40 records 2.2 megapixel (1632 x 1224) resolution stills to the memory card while allowing for simultaneous video capture to the DV tape. This array of pixels maximizes printable images for a camcorder, allowing for crisp prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches and qualifying this camcorder as a top performing “hybrid” camcorder.

The Canon Optura 40 also contains a “Stitch Assist” feature, designed to create panoramic images by merging consecutive images. The “Print and Share” button provides direct output of still images to either a printer or to e-mail with the touch of a single button. Additional still features include rapid-fire flash capability, often crucial when utilizing the Canon Optura 40’s “continuous shooting mode,” capturing a rapid succession of still images.

There is also an “Automatic Exposure Bracketing” feature that aids difficult lighting scenarios. This feature captures three successive images, each a variation of exposure. This will produce an underexposed, an overexposed, and a properly exposed image.

VCR Mode (7.0)
VCR or playback mode is accessed on the Canon Optura 40 by moving the switch on the back of the camcorder to the PLAY(VCR) mode. The playback feature is manipulated by a series of controls, located on the left side of the camcorder, below the LCD screen. The Canon Optura 40 also comes with an infrared remote control, allowing for distant navigation through DV footage. During playback mode, the camera will display the time code in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. There is also the option to view playback through the camera’s color viewfinder, accessed when the LCD panel is closed.

Low Light Performance (3.8)
Low light situations have perpetually been weak point for Canon camcorders. Unfortunately, the Canon Optura 40 does not overcome this, or do justice to the rest of the camcorder. However, I would not say this camcorder has the worst low light performance I have seen. In fact, at 60 lux, the Canon Optura 40 performed admirably. Representation of color remained accurate but dulled. Green and blue tones were again the most naturalistic representations, maintaining separation between hues and experiencing the least fade. Although much of the overall color representation was somewhat washed out, most tones still remained representative of their naturalistic hue. However, under less light, the yellow tone washed into a murky golden brown and separation of red tones became a challenge. Overall, the colors are much duller than when recorded at 3000 lux and lacked any sharpness and vibrancy. There is substantial noise and grain distortion plaguing the image and the same wash appears over the grayscale.

However, the true flaw of the Canon Optura 40, like the Optura 30 and many other Canon camcorders, appears to be its performance in truly dim, abysmal lighting. Although many feel that 15 lux does not qualify as grounds under which any camcorder should function, they should seek out some of the Panasonic or Sony camcorders on the market. Having said that, I leave the decision up to the user; if extreme low light situations (dusk and beyond) are going to be a potential shooting condition, then they should look into a camcorder that performs under those settings.

At 15 lux, the Canon Optura 40 performed dismally without use of the LED lamp of the front face of the camcorder. Most of the color was completely washed into a murky gray. The image was fraught with noise and distortion, making it difficult to read much of the chart. Differentiation between color gradations became challenging; even in the grayscale, it was tough to discern where the tones altered. However, this should not altogether scar the potential of Canon Optura 40 even if low light problems are a concern because, unlike the Canon Optura 30, the Canon Optura 40 offers both Night and Super Night modes of shooting, in addition to the standard Night mode found on the Canon Optura 30. While these additional settings are both powered by a white LED light under the flash, they nonetheless offer a possible solution to the potential low light problem.

LCD / Viewfinder (7.0)
The Canon Optura 40 has a color LCD that measures 2.5 inches diagonally and rotates 270 degrees. The LCD can be flipped around and snapped back into the camcorder, providing a solid, stable viewing platform. At extreme angles of view, the LCD image is subject to some slight solarization; however, mostly the Canon Optura 40’s LCD is quite reliable.

Audio (7.0)
Two modes of audio recording are available on the Canon Optura 40: 12 bit and 16 bit. Audio can be captured on the Canon Optura 40’s built-in stereo microphone or through an external mic run through the additional Mic input. When recording in 12 bit audio mode, the user can record on only two of the four audio tracks. While this sacrifices sound quality slightly, it allows for later recording of the additional two tracks and post-dubbing them together. The Canon Optura 40 also features a windscreen function to block out extraneous, unwanted noise. This setting can be turned off if the user is attempting to acquire audio in a more subdued, low-level setting. In addition, the Canon Optura 40 allows for unique manual control of audio levels, registered in decibels along the bottom of the LCD. This is a rare feature among consumer camcorders under $1000 and provides the user with the manual opportunity for added audio precision. Headphones can also be attached through the phones / A/V port to help delineate sounds when recording in manual or automatic mode.

Handling (8.0)
The Canon Optura 40 is a compact camcorder designed for handling ease and mobility. Weighing just over a pound, the Canon Optura 40 distributes its weight well, providing a feeling of balance and stability; a unique quality in a camcorder of its size. The compact body and dense feel allows the Canon Optura 40 to handle well when traveling, as well as function on a tripod or in a more professional studio setup.

The camcorder’s layout is well crafted, with the zoom toggle and record buttons falling just below the index finger’s natural placement. The Menu button and jog dial can both be found on the back of the camera, providing easy access for the left hand, an important feature when using the viewfinder. Navigation through the menu is a breeze, with easy left hand access to the jog dial on the back of the camera.

There is also a remote control that comes with the Canon Optura 40 that offers an alternate solution to playback navigation and added mobility.

Ports (8.0)
The Canon Optura 40 contains FireWire and USB jacks to connect to a computer, as well as an S-Video port. The Canon Optura 40 also has a microphone input and a headphones / A/V output, which has the ability to connect to RC jacks through a supplied 3-into-1 STV-250N Stereo Video cable. All of the ports except for the S-Video jack are vertically aligned and concealed along the right face of the camera towards the lens. The S-Video port, also masked by a rubber square, is located on the front of the tape loading mechanism.

However, perhaps the most crucial dimension of the Canon Optura 40’s port operation is Canon’s unique VIC connection circuit. This is a feature unique to Canon and appears to be the most advanced mode of connection to date. Prior to this, most camcorder ports functioned off multiple chips, each handling a various input or output port; however, Canon was able to simplify the process, to have VIC handle all port operations with a single chip. The result is effortless connectivity to computer, TV, VCR, or another camcorder.

Other Features (7.0)
RGB Primary color filter
The Canon Optura 40 contains an RGB Primary Color Filter, designed to separate light passing through the lens into its red, green, and blue color components. The result is enhanced vibrancy and richness of hues, helping to create a more naturalistic rendering of colors. While many camcorders offer primary color filters, few are capable of rivaling the saturation of three separate CCDs, each dedicated to a single color. This is because Canon’s image processor constructs color in a similar internal manner as a 3 CCD system. Although the single CCD used by Canon is a monochromatic device in itself, the primary color filter applied to it breaks the light into its primary color components as it passes through the lens. This process parallels the 3 CCD structure in its mode of color production. Although it might seem that 3 CCDs should provide sharper color saturation than any single CCD system, the Canon Optura 40 proves that when properly utilized the primary color filter can produce results remarkably similar and far surpass the alternate complimentary color filtering system.

Night Mode
This feature allows for recording in extreme low light settings. The Night Mode feature is designed to assist the Canon Optura 40 in low light situations by recording with the shutter. This feature does improve the ability to capture objects in low light; however, when in Night Mode, the picture quality decreases along with the camera’s ability to focus automatically. Additionally, images have trails when in open shutter mode.

Night & Super Night Mode
These two features are unique to the Canon Optura 40 and are not present on the Canon Optura 30. They are designed to aid with low light performance through the use of a white LED lamp next to the lens. While we generally don’t recommend LED-assisted systems as the primary means for handling low light situations, this appears to be a necessity for the Canon Optura 40, and clearly draws a distinction between its limitations and the Canon Optura 30.

Remote Control
The Canon Optura 40 comes with remote access to the camera’s major functions. The remote allows control of both recording and playback modes. The remote control also has a photo button, providing distant access to still imaging as well. The ability to toggle the zoom and to alter focal lengths is also accessible with the remote control. Especially while using a tripod, the remote control provides a practical way to avoid the possibility of disruptive movement from manual adjustment.

16:9 Widescreen Mode
The Canon Optura 40 contains perhaps the most effective mode for widescreen adaptation other than a true 16:9 CCD, typically priced around fifteen times the cost of this camcorder. The Canon Optura 40 utilizes the full resolution of the NTSC signal by accessing the extra pixels on the chip to produce the 16:9 image, rather than stretching the image. Although this method is a “sampling” of the 4:3 image onto the DV tape, there is no visible stretching or distortion, and if the footage were to be transferred directly to a HDTV, the result would be a proper 16:9 image.

In addition, the Canon Optura 40’s LCD screen is equipped to provide a letterboxed translation of the 16:9 image. In prior models, the image that would appear on the LCD screen would be stretched vertically, making the image appear elongated and slim, like a carnival mirror. While the recorded image is the precedent, it is always nice to view the image as a naturalistic representation of what was shot.

MPEG
MPEG movies can be recorded in two sizes to SD memory card in the Canon Optura 40.

Network
The Canon Optura 40 has Webcam capabilities through the use of the Network function and comes with the appropriate software.

Analog to Digital Pass-Through
The Canon Optura 40 is capable of recording or transferring material to multiple sources; analog to digital and vice versa.

Comparisons
Panasonic PV-GS200
This camcorder mirrors the Canon Optura 40’s body and lies in the same general price range. While the Panasonic PV-GS200 contains 3 CCDs, each containing 800K effective pixels, the color rendition is surprisingly comparable to the Optura 40’s single CCD and primary color filter at 3000 lux. Looking at how the two camcorders performed at 3000 lux, it is clear to see that the 3 CCD Panasonic reproduces colors with superior saturation and richness, while the Canon’s colors are washed and dulled in the bright light. However, the crispness of colors on both camcorders is surprisingly equal. The biggest variance lies in these two camcorders in their proficiency in low light situations. It is here that the Panasonic PV-GS200 pulls away from the Optura 40. For the price, buying a 3 chip camcorder over a 1 chip camcorder seems common sense; however, the Optura 40 does perform strikingly well when compared to the GS200 at 3000 lux.

Canon Optura 30
The more advanced Optura 40 offers two additional night shooting modes not included on the Optura 30: Night mode and Super Night mode. Although these are considered special features because of their reliance on an LED lamp, this option is not present in the Optura 30, a camcorder faulted by its poor low light performance. Speaking of low light performance, when comparing the color charts at 60 and 15 lux, the Optura 40 reproduces more balanced, more saturated, and crisper colors across the board. At 3000 lux, and other bright light levels, the Optura 40 offers more balanced and crisper colors than the Optura 30, with a higher degree of saturation; the Optura 30’s results show significant washing at 3000 lux. Also unlike the Optura 30, the Optura 40 presents an option to manually controlled audio. Considering the price difference of $100, the choice seems clear that the Optura 40 is a better buy, especially if you’re looking for a Canon.

Sony HC85
For an equal price, but available online and in stores for around $850, Sony’s HC85 includes a smaller optical zoom than the Optura 40 (at 10x), a slightly smaller CCD at 1/3.6" – the Optura 40 has 1/3.4-inch CCD – and still resolution of 1632 x 1224, a shade better than the Optura 40’s 1600 x 1200. The Canon also contains more effective pixels for video than the Sony, with 1.2 megapixels – the Sony has just over 1 megapixel. And the difference shows; at 3000 lux, Sony produces more washed, unsaturated colors. This is especially apparent in the Sony’s grayscale. Under low light however, the DCR-HC85 rises above the Optura 40 hands down in all categories.

Sony DCR-DVD201
Also retailing for $999.99 is the Sony DCR-DVD201, the most expensive DVD camcorder on the market, with one of the best performances. It ships with a 1/5-inch CCD, with 690K effective pixels for video, a 10x optical zoom, and a still resolution of 1152 x 864. All of these stats look inferior to the Optura 40, and it follows that performance would be as well. Guess what? It is, but not by that much. In fact, as far as crispness of color is concerned, both machines perform similarly. However, the Optura 40, with its superior specifications and features, clearly excels in the color saturation part of the game. Indeed, the Sony DCR-DVD201 has a big problem with this. While the Optura 40 shows clear balanced colors across the board (accounting for general degradation in lower light levels), the Sony’s colors are all over the place. From neon blues and greens to muted reds and yellows, the Sony’s performance isn’t the greatest. Also, the Sony exhibits some yellow noise at low light levels that’s evident all over the spectrum. For the money, the Optura 40 seems a better buy with better specs and performance; however, if you’re looking for a DVD camcorder and are willing to spend a grand, the DVD201 might work better.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (8.0)
The compact Canon Optura 40 is an excellent selection for the point-and-shooter. It is a lightweight camcorder, offering an array of automatic settings and excellent quality. The Canon Optura 40 makes quick automatic alterations and contains enough manual control options that curious users can vastly expand their knowledge and control. In addition, the Canon Optura 40 is ideal for the “hybrid” seeker. While no camcorder can rival the independent quality of pure digital still cameras, as far as hybrid camcorders go, this is one of the best. With excellent quality, mobility and easy use, this is a sound camcorder for the point-and-shoot user or the advanced vacationer.

Budget Consumers (5.0)
The list price for the Canon Optura 40 is US $999. Although this is a bit costly for those on a truly tight budget, the quality of images produced as well as the amount of manual control granted by the Canon Optura 40 makes this camcorder an excellent buy if you’re willing to shell out some money. Additionally, with only minimal effort, this camcorder can be found online for US $200 less than the list price.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (6.0)
Along with its 2.2 megapixel 1.3/4-inch CCD, the DIGIC DV signal processor arms the Canon Optura 40 with the power and intelligence to function well as both a still camera and camcorder. The DIGIC DV processor reads the image entering the camcorder and orients the signal to its proper video or still form. Along with its brilliant still and video imagery and color rendition, the Canon Optura 40 offers a wide variety of settings geared to provide enhanced still images. Among these are a “Print and Share” button for easy exportation of images to a printer or computer, the ability to forgo a computer altogether and communicate directly with the printer, as well as an “Auto Exposure Bracketing” feature and a continuous, rapid-fire shooting mode available.

Gadget Freaks (6.5)
The Canon Optura 40 is an outstanding camcorder for its price range for the gadget freak. For a compact, mobile camcorder, the Canon Optura 40 will enthrall the gadget-oriented user. With an abundance of manual controls and automatic features designed for efficiency and indulgence, the Canon Optura 40 will match any camcorder under $1,000 in options and imagery in ideal conditions.

Manual Control Freaks (7.0)
Manual control freaks will be delighted with this camcorder, which provides manual control of nearly everything from focus ring to shutter, as well as manual audio control. True manual control freaks could only seek a further fix from far more expensive prosumer camcorders.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists (4.0)
Perhaps as a mobile camcorder for the traveling professional, the Canon Optura 40 performs exceptionally well and allows for direct control over most functions. The only pitfall I foresee for the professional-grade user is the Canon Optura 40’s low light deficiencies. This may hinder its overall performance and downgrade this camcorder to a stylistic device or vacation toy in a rigid professional's eyes.

Conclusion
The Canon Optura 40 is a compact, lightweight camcorder capable of brilliant color representation and sharp precise imagery. Marketed by Canon as a “hybrid,” the Canon Optura 40 was designed with both still and video images in mind. Canon was able to produce a camcorder that excels at both. While the still imagery of the Canon Optura 40 may not be capable of rivaling a standard digital still camera, for a camcorder it by far exceeds most.

Much of this proficiency is due to Canon’s DIGIC DV chip, designed to sort the image signal into its proper form — 220-color images, designed for television sets, and 256-color compositions oriented for computer monitor and printable depictions. As a result, the Canon Optura 40 is capable of producing high quality printable stills at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches as well as rendering high quality video imagery. While many doubt the Canon Optura 40’s capabilities because of its reliance on a single 1/3.4" CCD, the RGB primary color filter attached to it surpassed all expectations. I did not feel this camcorder would be able to match other 3 CCD camcorders; however, to my surprise, the clarity and naturalistic color saturation was quite comparable.

The Canon Optura 40 also contains an abundance of manual control options, giving the user nearly total control of almost every aspect of recording, still capturing, and exportation. I was particularly impressed by the manual audio control option available on the Canon Optura 40. I have not seen that feature available on any other camcorder in its price range and I feel that it drives the camcorder to another level of control and user understanding. To me, this shows that Canon intends this camcorder to appeal to the more artistically oriented craftsperson by not limiting their control to strictly visual areas or attributes that have long been industry standards. However, having said that, I feel that the Canon Optura 40 was also crafted with the point-and-shoot user in mind, giving those who desire a broad array of automatic controls functioning at a high level of automatic proficiency.

The down side to this camcorder is unfortunately the same flaw that has continued to hinder many Canon camcorders in the past– its low light capacity. The Canon Optura 40 performed well under 3000 lux, rendering sharp images with brilliant color and very minimal distortion. Yet once the light dimmed to 60 lux, there was significant loss of color tones, increased noise, and excess grain that distorted the image immeasurably. Anything below 60 lux was more or less intolerable. This is unfortunate because the Canon Optura 40, like the Canon Optura 30, is marketed by Canon as an improvement to their prior low light ailments, and does not appear to be much of a progression. However, the Canon Optura 40 does include Night and Super Night modes, both run off an LED bulb, to compensate somewhat in these dire situations. To be sure, this is only of minor consolation because the measure of a camcorder’s low light performance is not in the illumination of the reproduced image, but rather in how accurately and cleanly it reproduces color and definition of images without distortion.

I would not recommend this camcorder to a user who intends to shoot frequently in conditions below 100 lux. For those who do not face dim settings, the Canon Optura 40 is an amazing value and has much to offer a broad range of users.