Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon Elura 40MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/ 2"LCD, MMC Card and Digital Still Mode

I got mine a month ago for a trip to Europe and love it. I could fit it in my jacket pocket so the size is perfect. This is my first camcorder (or first camera other than an old Olympus 35mm), so I'm clearly an amateur with this stuff. But, the video looks fantastic, especially outside. Weather doesn't matter since it was cloudy everyday but one. Video still looked as good as any TV image. It has more features than I know how to use, or even care to use.

Yes, the still pix are lower quality, but what MiniDV camcorder has a 4 or 5 megapixel resolution?? Sony only offers a 2 MP resolution on its MicroDV. But who's kidding who? If you're buying this camera for it's still picture ability, save yourself a few hundred bucks and buy a still-mode camera, not a camcorder. If you want a very small and highly portable camcorder which takes great outdoor video, then this should be on your list. Yes, the indoor video is not as great as the outdoor video, but realize this--you buy this for the size--it can't possibly be everything to everyone. If you need a camcorder for exclusively indoor action, buy one designed for that with all the low light/night modes/infrared/light attachment gizmos.

As far as the "motor whine" picked up from the mic, I don't find it all that annoying. You do hear it, but after a few seconds you forget about it and tune it out. However, I believe the audio is great. I have no issue with the sound. It picks up distant voices and sounds just fine. Yes, if you hold the camera too close to your head as you narrate, then your voice does seem amplified compared to others. But then, what camcorder doesn't amplify the voice closest to the microphone?

I have big hands but I don't have any problem with the buttons. Realize, this is a small camera so if you need big buttons, get a bigger camera.

Canon customer service told me they have not tested any SD/MMC card over 64MB, so they recommended I not use anything larger. I do admit, this is a big drawback, as one 128 or 256 card is much cheaper than 2 or 3, 64MB cards. Plus you'd have fewer cards to keep track of.

I don't believe this camcorder was designed for strictly professional use. If it was, it would be 5x the size and 10x the weight. You buy this camera for its size/portability. This should be used for "hobby" filming and as an excellent travel camcorder.

As far as the "save yourself the trouble and buy a Sony" crowd goes, I've bought numerous Sony components over the years, from TV's to cordless phones. For the $$, Sony doesn't work any better than anything else out there. They just want a few more hundred dollars of you hard-earned coin to make you think you got a better item. Ask the Sony-lovers about software compatability for the MicroDV...and then watch 'em squirm. Read the Amazon.com reviews of the DCRIP7BT. That's what kept me away from Sony.

I've had this camera for a month. I selected it for two reasons - the 28mm lens thread is the same as my Nikon CoolPix, so I can share lenses. This works great! 2) the compact size - I mount it on the same rig as my still camera for dual shoots.

Good points:
1) Compact, light
2) Variable zoom works nice
3) Cool looking
4) Uses any 28mm threaded lens, like the CoolPix 995
5) Can capture video directly to the MMC card.

Negatives:
1) Battery life. 55 minutes with the viewfinder, 30 with the LCD screen.
2) LCD screen not as maneuverable as others.
3) Itty bitty buttons. I have to use my nails or a pen. My finger tips are too big.
4) No accessory shoe to mount light or mic

Really bad negatives:
1) Video noise. I was in medium light - not low light. A room with three skylights and four windows, but no lights. Grain, grainy and more grain. Looks like I'm shooting through a dirty window!
2) Records tape motor as a constant high-pitch background wine. This makes the audio unusable unless you recorded in a loud environment - loud enough to overwhelm the whine. Nature shots, quiet scenes, etc. - unless you like a sound like an overloaded hearing aid in your audio, you'll want an external mic. Since there's no place to mount it, you'll need the Canon mounting bracket, a separate mic stand, or construct something yourself.
3) Multi Media video card. The manual states it works with any MMC card. The camera comes with an 8mb card - the capacity was too small. I purchased a 128meg card. It will not work. There is NO help in the manual or site concerning MMC card capacity. I can only assume that higher capacity cards won't work. Why did I want this capacity? Because you can capture video directly to the MMC card. Pop it in a card reader and you have web quality instantly.

Am I happy with it? Well, it was considerably lower in cost than the comparable Sony and I can use my 5 Nikon Lenses with it. It's small and compact. If I had to buy it again, I would probably go for the Sony if there was a $100 price difference.

I have a custom camera bracket, so I can mount a light and mic. But adding these items totally defeats the advantage of having an ultra-compact video camera - now it's bigger than an old VHS camera! Here's this little, ultra-modern video camera with two arms, one with a mic the other with a light.

I can live with the low light problem. But the audio quality is totally unacceptable!

Followup: I returned this camera. Several sites that gave it rave reviews have yanked the reviews. Don't but this camera. The "Oh look how small it is - cool toy" wears off fast - especially if you want good video! I purchased a new Sony instead.

This is a great camcorder! I got one and my wife loves it so much. We enjoyed all the pros of the camcorder and we also solved all the cons easily.

Cons: 1. Motor noise, yes, it is there, but not that noticable. Besides, any decent video editing software is able to filter that out. We also have a small,cheap standard Mic(got for free? Forgot), it also work fine to get rid of the noise.

2. Battery life: Well, you always need at least one additional battery for any camcorder ... Best price for standard additional battery is at batteries.com, 29.99+3.99 shipping; Really cheap compare to many other places. FYI, the standard battery is the same one for Canon S30/40. This is very convinient if you have both.

3. Low light: Come on...even 3000+ camcorder has low light problem too. We bought a cheap samnite(29, maybe?can't remember exactly) light set at bestbuy and everything is fine now...

You will love it...:)

Please be advised that Canon U.S.A., Inc. has posted information on the web regarding the Elura 40MC and Elura 50 camcorders. This information relates to the "Remove the Cassette" message being displayed on the camcorder's LCD screen.

This information can be accessed by visiting Canon's on-line support at the following URL:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&keycode=2112&fcategoryid=227&modelid=9037

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If you are looking for size, this is a great camcorder; but if you are looking for a camcorder that takes quality still pictures as well as digital video, then you better look elsewhere. I bought this camera because I thought the quality of still pictures could replace having to buy a seperate digital camera; however, even after changing the settings to fine the still pictures very not good. As far a the video quality goes, I am fairly happy. The audio is not terrific however and you will need to have alot of light. If I could return this, I would.