Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon Elura 2MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

This camcorder combines ease of use, picture quality and convenience in a very small package. It has a wide variety of features, most of which I have not even begun to play around with.

For travel purposes, I can't imagine going anywhere without this compact yet powerful camcorder -- you can throw it in a fanny pack and hardly even notice it's there (but be sure to buy the 2 hr extended battery if you plan on shooting footage for more than 1/2 an hour). It also doubles as a digital camera, but take note that the digital photos it takes on the multi-media card are not suitable for print-quality photos; rather, it's a handy way to take pics and send them over email or post them to a website with decent picture quality without having to go and buy a digital camera (or travel with both).

It's also great for capturing high-speed action with the digital scan mode. Tape a golf swing, hockey game or skiing action and replay it in slow-motion.

I have no complaints to level against this product, and I have no reservations recommending this if you're looking for a high-quality camcorder that you can take just about anywhere and not have to worry about weight and bulk.

While the small size of this camera makes it great to take around, and easy to use, it apparently doesn't come without a price. When I brought my Elura 2MC home, and shot a few minutes of test video, I was shocked to discover just how loud the motor noise was on the recorded video. Although there is a built-in noise filter, it seems to have no effect on the constant hum from the motor while filming.

Given the price, I assumed that my camera had a manufacturing defect, so I took returned it for a new one. Unfortunately, the second camera had the same problem. While the camera is otherwise quite nice, the constant, annoying background really ruins the video it takes. ;-(

This is absolutely the best camcorder I have ever seen. We went to several electronic stores looking at different digital camcorders. I was impressed, but felt they were still too big to take along everywhere I needed to go. I went on-line and searched for camcorders seeing if there was anything smaller. The Canon popped up and I got it on that basis.

Little did I imagine the power and features of this little device. A few highlights:

1. The size is absolutely perfect. It fits easily into a front pants pocket, where it can be forgotten until needed.

2. The quality of the resultant output is wonderful. The auto-focus and auto-exposure is usually dead on. The resultant output looks more like DVD rather than the VHS-like quality of the older analog systems.

3. The firewire interface allows you to capture scans to your PC. Add an editing package like Adobe Premiere and you can make really professional movies. While it's true, as one reviewer says that it doesn't come with the firewire cable, mine came with my PC card.

4. The total effect of this camera, small size, quality and PC interface results in a whole new animal. Digital cameras and image software have given users complete control of a digital darkroom. This Canon brings the same result to movies.

A few minor complaints:

5. Battery life is quite short. You will want to pick up at least one extra battery, two if you're doing extended filming.

6. The Zoom seems backward, pushing forward should zoom in, not zoom out.

7. The still camera is handy for embedding still shots in your films, but the resolution is probably not good enough for printing to paper. On the plus side, I got a larger memory card that can hold over 500 shots on one card.

Overall though, i couldn't be happier with this camera. A wonderful tool for preserving memories and producing first-class movies.

I was very sceptical about this camera upon purchase. My needs are for a camcorder for family activities. We never used the Hi-8 unit we have had for 5 years, just sits in the closet to bulky to be practical or convenient. The size is perfect for my needs. I was concerned about quality, robustness, and utility (would controls be impossible to reach).
Seems to work well for my needs. The battery winds down pretty quick (about 60 mins on a charge with no LCD usage and only recording usage). However seems to retain charge over a period of time (unlike some other comments read).
Pictures are very clear, and am amazed at the quality. Stability mechanism works well. Do not use the digital zoom, as feel this is only a gimmick and of little real use.
Controls are reasonably intuitive, seems like manual overrides for most anything, but use on automatic mode most of the time. Would like a wide angle lens, as equivalent of a 50mm lens. Quality definitely deteriorates under low lighting.
After 3 weeks of use give a heartly thumbs up, seems like a keeper.

I took a brand new camcorder on an extended international trip shooting in a variety of harsh climates. Image quality - spatial and contrast resolution are superb. The colors are vibrant even in harsh sunlight. Better than average indoors. Editing is a breeze, even for a novice. You can't use this camera without everyone around you marvelling at its small size - even other jaded technofiles. Without reservation, an excellent camera.