My Preciousssss....Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FXHQ/jasondunn-20' target='_blank'>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...HQ/jasondunn-20</a><br /><br /></div>The holiday season was so hectic for me that I never got in on any of those fun threads about what people got for Christmas (I may just jump back into them), but I did want to share something I picked up for myself at Christmas time: a Canon GL2.<br /><br /><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006FXHQ.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg" /><br /><br />What a camera! It was one of the units I tested for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0735618739/jasondunn-20/">Faster Smarter Digital Video book</a>. Canon Canada was kind enough to pull a new one off the shelf for me to test, and although I found some great cameras among the nine I tested, after using the GL2 I simply couldn't buy anything less. The GL2 was heads above the rest in quality (and price!) so I knew it was the camera for me. The <a href="http://www.canondv.com/gl2/index.html">three-CCD image quality</a> is phenomenal, but there's some fancy Canon engineering in there as well - the 3CCD Panasonic camera I tested had feeble colour quality compared to the Canon GL2. You'll hear a lot more about this amazing camera when we launch <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com">Digital Media Thoughts.</a><br /><br />If you've got the coin to spend, and want an amazing DV camera, the Canon GL2 is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FXHQ/jasondunn-20">great choice!</a> (affiliate link) And if the Amazon price isn't to your liking, <a href="http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=602981&ut=4493b2c34aaee6dd&found=2&search=Canon%20GL2">search for the lowest price.</a> If you're looking for something less expensive, I was really impressed by the Canon ZR50 - great colour quality and nice ergonomics.

[serpico]

Sweet camera. Can't wait to hear more about this and the new site. Canon sure knows how to make cameras.

[sgyee]

Okay...not to get nitpicky here, but what's wrong with the XL1 ?

I do realize that Canon came out with the XL1S, but people are advertising a standard XL1 with lens for about $400 more than the GL2.....

So...does the GL2 offer more than the XL1 ?

[rtrueman]

Nice camera, Jason! I recently picked up Sony's TRV-950 which is also a 3 CCD camera. I believe the two are very similar. Oh, except that I have to use MEMORY STICKS instead of SD! What a nightmare, but with all of the points I received on my Sony Credit Card, I basically got it for a couple of hundred.

Anyway, as this is my first camera, I'm anxiously awaiting some free time to read your new book. Any idea as to when Digital Media Thoughts will be up? Surely, there can't be that much on your plate! :D

Rob

[Daniel]

So, new site hey? This is to go with your book then Jason? I can't believe you don't mention that in the post! :)

Daniel

[Perry Reed]

Digital Media Thoughts, eh? Sign me up!

As an owner of a Sony digital camcorder and a Nikon digital camera (not to mention the HP digital camera Jornada attachment and various cheapo webcams) I'm very interested in this stuff.

Currently I do my video editing on my Mac G4 with iMovie, but I'm looking forward to having a PC sometime soon with Firewire and MovieMaker 2.0 and doing everything there.

[ricksfiona]

I got a shirt for Christmas :D

[Gary Garland, Esq.]

My 2 cents worth - on our honeymoon, we took along my then spanking new sony TRV-820 which was their top, consumer grade feature laden vid camera (single ccd, built in printer) - anyway this thing weighed a ton and literally hurt my neck - we were on a tour of greece and italy, and lugging it around all day was a chore. there was a guy on the tour who had a 3 ccd sony - mini dv - his kids were impressed with my camera, not realizing their dad's was probably another $500 over the price of my expensive toy - anyway, the 3 ccd sony really shone (kinda pun) when there was a glass blowing/making exhibit - the glass was glowing orange, as i recall, and the 3 ccd was able to get the colors and resolution beautifully - mine got the job done, but at a great loss of color - oh well. can't beat 3 ccds...but you can beat your wife! :twisted:

[dochall]

So how much did you pay for the camera, Jason?

[Jason Dunn]

Okay...not to get nitpicky here, but what's wrong with the XL1?

Nothing - it's just more expensive than the GL2. :-) The GL2 retails for $3999 CND, while the XL1S retails for $6599. BIG price difference! I'm not a pro making a living with the camera, so even the GL2 was a tough decision - I may start filming weddings on the weekend to earn some extra $$$ to pay off the camera. ;-)

The XL1S is also bigger than the GL2 - so it depends on what your needs are. The GL2 is perfect for my needs. :D

[Jason Dunn]

Anyway, as this is my first camera, I'm anxiously awaiting some free time to read your new book. Any idea as to when Digital Media Thoughts will be up? Surely, there can't be that much on your plate! :D

Put my book in the bathroom - it makes for good reading. ;-)

Digital Media Thoughts will launch sometime in 2003. :lol: I'm hoping for Feb 2003, but I can't make any promises. But it's going to be everything you've come to expect from the Thoughts experience. 8)

[butch]

If you're looking for something less expensive, I was really impressed by the Canon ZR50 - great colour quality and nice ergonomics.

Really? I've got myself a ZR45 after Christmas because it use the same battery I already have with my PowerShot G2... But I returned it yesterday, the image was terrible... the 30 sec videos from my G2 looks better!!! I was think about getting a GL2, but I don't have that kind of money right now...

[Jason Dunn]

So how much did you pay for the camera, Jason?

The MSRP is $3999 CND, but Canon had a nice editorial discount - $1200 off that price, so after GST (our sales tax) I paid just over $3000 (about $2000 US). Now I have a nice camera and an empty bank account. 8O :lol:

[Jason Dunn]

If you're looking for something less expensive, I was really impressed by the Canon ZR50 - great colour quality and nice ergonomics.

Really? I've got myself a ZR45 after Christmas because it use the same battery I already have with my PowerShot G2... But I returned it yesterday, the image was terrible... the 30 sec videos from my G2 looks better!!! I was think about getting a GL2, but I don't have that kind of money right now...

Hrm. Well, I admit I didn't spend LOTS of time with the ZR50, but overall I liked it quite a bit. The image quality didn't compare to the GL2, but in comparison to other cameras around that price range, it was better than the Sony or Panasonic units I looked at.

This will be the kind of thing that DMT (Digital Media Thoughts) will thrive on! :D

[Delta737]

So how much did you pay for the camera, Jason?

The MSRP is $3999 CND, but Canon had a nice editorial discount - $1200 off that price, so after GST (our sales tax) I paid just over $3000 (about $2000 US). Now I have a nice camera and an empty bank account. 8O :lol:

It's either that camera or 20 dell axim's, hard decision :lol: :wink:

[butch]

This will be the kind of thing that DMT (Digital Media Thoughts) will thrive on! :D

That why I've returned the ZR45mc, I will wait until your site is up! :werenotworthy:

[Jonathon Watkins]

Digital Media Thoughts will launch sometime in 2003. :lol: I'm hoping for Feb 2003, but I can't make any promises. But it's going to be everything you've come to expect from the Thoughts experience. 8)

:P Great! :P

Will the new site be just about digital video, or will there be digital (still) cameras too?

I'm having great fun playing with ny new Canon S45. :D

[splintercell]

* Sigh * I had been looking at the GL2 since it came out, and I like the additional improvements over the previous model, but I only got the GL1 about a year and half ago, so I can't quite justify the upgrade yet. :cry:

[Jason Dunn]

Will the new site be just about digital video, or will there be digital (still) cameras too?

Good question! Look at this logo and YOU tell ME:

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/dmt.gif

If you can't tell me the answer, than we need work on the logo some more. ;-)

[Jason Dunn]

* Sigh * I had been looking at the GL2 since it came out, and I like the additional improvements over the previous model, but I only got the GL1 about a year and half ago, so I can't quite justify the upgrade yet. :cry:

Don't feel bad! The GL1 and GL2 are very similar, and if a GL3 comes out next month, I won't kick myself...too much. :lol:

[garrans]

Looking forward to the new site. Sign me up too.

Also, re your book. I looked at Amazon and was suprised that they didn't have the TOC on the site, nor an excerpt like on your site. Maybe time to suggest they do this like they do for some of the Wrox stuff.

[Jason Dunn]

Also, re your book. I looked at Amazon and was suprised that they didn't have the TOC on the site, nor an excerpt like on your site. Maybe time to suggest they do this like they do for some of the Wrox stuff.

Yes, this is something I've asked for from my publisher for a long time, but they don't seem to understand why it's so important. :roll:

[T-Will]

My Preciousssss....Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder

Uh oh...I hope the camera isn't making Jason evil... :twisted:

[jodell]

If you're looking for something less expensive, I was really impressed by the Canon ZR50 - great colour quality and nice ergonomics.

Really? I've got myself a ZR45 after Christmas because it use the same battery I already have with my PowerShot G2... But I returned it yesterday, the image was terrible... the 30 sec videos from my G2 looks better!!! I was think about getting a GL2, but I don't have that kind of money right now...

Hrm. Well, I admit I didn't spend LOTS of time with the ZR50, but overall I liked it quite a bit. The image quality didn't compare to the GL2, but in comparison to other cameras around that price range, it was better than the Sony or Panasonic units I looked at.

This will be the kind of thing that DMT (Digital Media Thoughts) will thrive on! :D


I have the ZR50 and really like it. It suits my needs of video taping the family. I think the image quality is pretty good and I really like the small size of the camera.

Anyway, Jason, I'm halfway thru your book and am looking forward to the new website.

[DaleReeck]

I have an XL-1 and I love the interchangable lenses. I have this wide angle lense that, when put in "movie mode" (30 FPS instead of the normal video 60 frames/fields per second) and used in widescreen format, gives you as close to film look as you can get without post processing tricks.

[rogben]

And if the Amazon price isn't to your liking...

...consider looking around for a GL1, which can be had for well under $2000 now. The GL2 is unquestionably nicer, with all the latest bells and whistles, but if all you're looking for is a fantastic 3CCD camera with one mighty fine 20x lens, the older, cheaper GL1 is worth a serious look.

--
Roger

[rogben]

Okay...not to get nitpicky here, but what's wrong with the XL1 ?

If you need interchangeable lenses? Absolutely nothing. If you don't, the XL1's massive pricetag and lack of a flip-out LCD make the GL2 a no-brainer.

--
Roger

[Jonathon Watkins]

Will the new site be just about digital video, or will there be digital (still) cameras too?

Good question! Look at this logo and YOU tell ME:

Are you trying to take up ALL my web time? 8O

Good grief man, all you need is to do a few cartoons and some world news and I never need leave a Dunn site again! :lol: :wink:

I like it! :P