Optura Xi vs. 60 - is there a choice?
 

Hi everyone,

Have been searching your very informative, real people site for the past week looking for tips on how to choose my next vidcam. Still using an 8 year old Sony 8mm in PAL but since moved to North America.

Basically I narrowed my choice down to either of the Xi or Optura 60 because:

1. I do not want another large camera body to carry around (have an S400 and 20D with lenses allready)

2. have a universal Canon battery charger that will charge any Canon battery

3. Low light is not that important - lowest light condition will at least have one incandescant bulb

4. both cameras are virtually same price here in Canada

5. I can convert my old PAL videos to digital with either camera ( if I use a PAL - NTSC converter before I send signal to Canon camera)

I am leaning towrds the 60 model:
- it is newer
- video quality is the same as Xi?
- smaller and lighter
- has all the features of Xi?

Am I correct in my assumptions of the choice between these two?
As I live far away from any city, I shall have to order over the internet and will have no chance to test either.

I would welcome any coments on anything I might have overlooked or if you think my assumptions on these two cameras are incorrect. Even if you think I should go for another brand of camera, please drop my a line here on this post. I would appreciate any and all opinions.

Thanks for a very informative site, regards

Pete

I'd take the 60 over the XI. The 50 & 60 are like having a mini GL1/GL2 except missing framemode and 3 ccds.

Honestly, I think these two cams are so similar, I'd probably recommend the 60 to you based on your desire for a smaller camcorder. The Xi, in my opinion, is actually quite a bit larger than the 60.

On the plus side, you could flip a coin and choose the cam at this point: both are great.

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Thanks for your advice.
I guess I'll go with the 60 then.
Regards
Pete

Optura XI needs a repair
 

Well I had this thing for 2 years and its been "freaking out" on me. The left side of the screen is darker than the right (not a lcd issue because its the same for viewfinder and when transfered to pc). I was wondering what the best place to repair this thing would be? I live in NYC so anything in Manhattan would do. I would rather not send it out because I would be needing the camera in a little over a month (for a vacation).

Any help is appreciated.

-Max

Canon Factory Service
100 Jamesburg Road
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
tel: 732-521-7007

Make sure to request a repair number before sending it in.

Canon optura Xi an option?
 

So... Yeah.
It's going pretty cheap refurbished, is it a good deal?
My budget is $1000

Go for the Optura 50, it's an updated version of the Xi in a smaller package and you can still buy it new for around US$400-$500. The Xi might be a good deal if you can get it for much less than that.

On eBay, rufurb ones are going for $385 - $450.
$450 is the most expensive one I saw on there.
But, would it be better for me to buy a gs250 from MATSUIYASTORE or whatever it is on eBay for $583.80?
It says its brand new, and i've read about people buying panasonic 3ccd camcorders from that ebay store on I think it was this forum, they have a good reputation.
But it ships from Japan.

Mel, get it from a DV Info Sponsor, they really are the best in the business. It'll be one less thing to worry about.

Click here to see the price for a brand new Optura 50 from B&H Photo.

RAW FOOTAGE from Optura XI
 

I need some raw footage from the Canon Optura XI.
I would REALLY appreciate it.

I can do that
 

Anything in particular you'd be interested to see?

Tim

Umm, something like indoor footage in the daytime?
And outdoor footage with whatever :)

Mel,

Send me an email.

BTW, I'm a bit south of Albany-- down here in the Catskills.

Tim