Canon GL2 MiniDV Camcorder - PriceGrabber.com

Product Details

Description:

Setting a performance benchmark for a prosumer-level standard-def camcorder, the Canon GL2 offers high-quality digital video with up to 530 lines of resolution. Building on Canon's expertise in 35mm photographic and broadcast TV lenses, the GL2 is equipped with Canon's exclusive L-Series Fluorite optical technology for outstanding imaging power and shooting versatility in a lightweight, portable design.

Quick Glance

Recording Media: Tape Media, Memory Card, MiniDV

LCD Screen Size: 2.5 in

Video Resolution: 640 x 480 (VGA)

Interface Type: 1 x USB, 1 x 4-pin IEEE 1394, 1 x LANC, 1 x Composite Video In/Out, 1 x Audio In/Out, 1 x Microphone, 1 x Headphone, 1 x DC Power In

Camcorder Type: Professional Camcorder

Image Stabilization: Optical

Optical Zoom: 20

Weight: 119.36

Summary

Product Title: Canon GL2 MiniDV Camcorder

Manufacturer: Canon

Power Score: 3.8 | 16 Reviews

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Product Reviews (13)

I have been using this camera for...

Strengths: 20x Optical Zoom, Progressive Shooting Mode, Full Manual Controls, handle zoom and record buttons, Simple to learn and use

Weakness: Some buttons tend to get bumped frequently due to their location, such as the digital effects button and ND filter which are located near the manual focus

I have been using this camera for two years now. I have used it to shoot sports, scenery, weddings, underwater (with the ewa-marine case) and more. I then edit with Premiere Pro and After Effects. The picture quality is the first thing that will set this apart from most digital video cameras, and even when compared to the professional cameras, the GL2 puts up similar quality and color saturation....
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By snowakeboarder - Sep 28, 2004

The GL2 is great camcorder that...

Strengths: Good mix of size, weight, balance, image quality, zoom lens. 3-chip (CCD) image sensor. 30-frames progressive recording mode.

Weakness: No XLR audio inputs for semi-pro shooters, omni-directional mic picks up unwanted background sounds, loud tape transport mechanism when ejecting and loading tapes

The GL2 is great camcorder that can be used for both personal vacation shooting and semi-pro jobs.

The image sharpness is great, perhaps due to the superior Canon flourite lens. The 20x optical zoom lens out-zooms any other camera in this range. The recorded image fills the entire 720x480 image area, whereas the older GL1 had black areas in the extreme edges of the screen. Filling the entire image area is good for uncropped video targeted for computer or web viewing.

Because of the relatively small size of this camera, you can take it almost anywhere and capture high quality video. You can hold and position this camcorder in ways and places that you wouldn't be able to with a full-sized shoulder-mount camcorder. This increases the versatility of the camcorder and the shots that you can record with it.

The trend these days is to have 16:9 and 24P, especially for indie filmmakers. Well, this camera does neither in a true form. Although you can do 16:9 widescreen with this camcorder, the image is cropped and precious lines of resolution are being thrown out the door. You're better off shooting in 4:3 and cropping later. The camcorder does do 30P fairly well, and this is usually the only mode that I shoot in. It's great for computer viewing because you don't get those annoying interlaced lines.

A brief note about HD camcorders...

Canon will probably come out with a newer GL-camcorder in the near future, and they might even have a HD camcorder. But who knows when? If you are considering holding out for High Definition (HD) camcorders, consider this: There is not yet a standard HD DVD format readily available to output your HD video. You have to output your projects back to your camcorder tape. You might as well hold out unless you really really need HD to record a special event and wait until HD DVD formats are formalized to output your project. Also consider that you will probably spend more investing in more processing power and storage space and TV monitor for HD video. Unless your clients all have HD TVs or require HD, then I would buy a standard definition camcorder like the GL2 until such HD standards mature.

By tonytang - Jan 12, 2005

Canon GL2

Strengths: 20x zoom, easy to use, great footage. SD card is nice also.

Weakness: Not crazy about the color. Would be better to have a dark body instead of silver. Start up is noisey compared to GL1

I have used this camera for 2 years. Most of the time outdoors hunting and fishing vids. The silver body is bright in the hunting woods, hate that part. Had to make a camo cover and after a couple of covers (I'am no good at the sewing machine) I now have a good well hid camera. The 1.7 mp photos you get are not bad at all, Some people say the photos from this camera are poor. Well I did not buy...
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By keglined - Oct 2, 2005

This is a great camera with a lot...

Strengths: White balance, stereo mic settings, price

Weakness: Can't shoot blacklight pictures

This is a great camera with a lot of good settings available to you. I have owned a GL2 for about 6 months and just bought by second one. I have had no mechanical problems with it at all. The features that I especially like on it are: three settings of white balance (preset indoor, preset outdoor, and one you can set) this is a must if you want to shoot indoors and still have your color look...
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By 11210 - Feb 18, 2004

New Problem Arised!!!

Strengths: I like the Canon GL-2 and purchased this camera from Buydig.com using the pricegrabber.com. I have made two wedding videos with it and even filmed the reception outdoors at night. It did great.

Weakness: I wish the color and clarity was as good as still pictures, however no digital camocorder is that good. I have filmed on the Canon XL1 and the footage is just the same as the Canon GL2.

***Revised June 7, 2005 I purchase my Canon Gl-2 in Sept. 2003. I currently have a problem when you rewind the cassette it gives you an error of "Remove the Cassette" This is a common problem with many other GL-2 Users after 7-15 months of use. Type in Google Canon GL-2 Remove Cassette. And you will find I am not the only one with this error or problem. Thanks Canon for allowing this break down...
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By btpheritage - Oct 13, 2003

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