So Sony has an HD cam that's streeting at around $1800, JVC is producing MPEG2 hard drive cams with massive recording capabilities, Panasonic and JVC are both getting set to offer hi-end 24P HD cams with what promise to be amazing capabilities and Canon's big new technology push is the addtion of... 2 DVD camcorders.

Man, I like Canon, I really do. But it does seem like if you want the latest technology in camcorders and you're a Canon fan, you wait 2 years and then make the purchase. My fingers are still crossed that they pull out an HDV Optura this year, but my hopes are fading.

DVD cams. Ugh.

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Canon USA site updated!
 

It's official, two new Opturas have been announced...

see the Canon USA press release at:

http://usa.canon.com/templatedata/pr...optura600.html

and see also the main Canon DV product page index:

http://www.canondv.com

Optura Watchdog updated at DV Info Net
 

Details on the new Optura 600 and S1:

http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/index.php

Lengthier descriptions and more details at:

http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/articles/lineage4.php

Heh, just noticed this copy in the press release:

"The CCD in the Optura 600 camcorder works alongside an RGB Primary Color Filter ..."

I sure hope the CCD doesn't work alongside the color filter! It better be working behind the filter! Not the best choice of words there.

Nice catch Chris!

Canon really keeps these things under wraps don't they? Looks like it surprised even the US Canon web designer, and I quote:

Yeah, I saw that too and had to make a screen grab of it just for grins... it must be hard doing a product launch!

Just added...

Images of the Optura S1:

http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/images/ops1images.php

Images of the Optura 600:

http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/im...p600images.php

They're relatively low-res files; I'll update them first thing next week with some better quality images.

why weren't these cams introduced at dvexpo east, i would have loved to see that 1/2.8 inch chip in action, boy that sucker is huge...video performance must be out of this world..

to bad there is no manual mode or optical stabilization...this chip in a optura 60 body would be a best seller

Design Technica review of Optura 600
 

Not a bad write-up at all. I hadn't heard of this site before. Pretty detailed review, except I didn't see them mention the size of the CCD (it's 1/2.8").

http://reviews.designtechnica.com/re...ntro15962.html