Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon Optura 20 MiniDV Camcorder with 3.5-inch LCD and 16x Optical Zoom

I had the same exact problem as described by Michael A. Criswell "the_criz". I called support, they said we can fix it, just ship to our Canon Factory Service Center. I get an e-mail back from them saying that the camera has an over-exposure problem. (Duh! That is why I sent it to you.) They want $170 to fix and no explanation regarding the problem and why it happens until after they fix it and get there repair money. I have not even used this camera a lot.

These camcorders have an inherent manufacturing defect that apparently Canon hasn't fessed-up to. I use mine rarely. I bought a reconditioned Optura 20 several years ago. I quickly noticed that it operated only in low light mode unles it was "warm". I was using it backpacking and it would work ok when I left it in the sun or put it inside my coat, but once it got cool, the only thing I could photograph was a polar bear in a snowstorm. I've fixed and torn apart camcorders before, so I got me a busted Optura 10 on eBay with a bad tape drive for a song and a dance...less than 20 bucks. I figured I could swap the CCD board out if my Optura 20 got any worse. Wrong!! The optura 10 had the EXACT same problem. As for the Optura 20, the problem has gotten worse with time. now, it has to be really warm to function. Avoid this camcorder like the plague.

Count me with the Bad Iris Brigade.

I've babied my Optura 20 for three years, and now it's suddenly stuck in low-light mode. The exposure and shutter speed will not change, neither through the menu, the recording mode, nor through the exposure button. I've searched "optura 20" "iris stuck" on a few search engines and am disheartened to read that many other Optura-ites have experienced the same problem and an expensive estimate from the folks at Canon... and then no help.


While it worked, this camera was great. It was light, easy to handle, easy to figure out, and the picture was crispy and nice. I bought the accesory mic and was happy with that, too.

Now it's just a lovely paper weight. What a shame.

This camera is perfect for my 18-year old. Perfect condition & works great. He can't thank me enough! I can't thank the seller enough. (Thanks again, by the way)! The advice he gave was extremely helpful as well.

Over the last two years, the camera has gotten progressively worse. It is out of warranty and the Stuck in low light mode problem has gone from once in every five startups to about 9 out of ten. The only thing that keeps me from giving it a one star rating is the large screen and general ease of use. When it is working , it is the best small camcorder I have used. (not that I have used very many) I have been looking for a solution to this problem, but when my daughter takes the Optura 20 to school and calls me in the middle of the day to ask how to fix this, it is time to give it the old heave-ho.
I have tried a new CR-2025 battery, but that didn't work. I have tried jiggling things after starting, and before starting. Nothing seems to work every time. Since it has progressed over time, it seems to be connected to a sensor cleanliness and firmware combined problem. But I wish that I knew more.