Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon Elura 50 Ultra Compact MiniDV Camcorder with 2"LCD and Memory Capability

I have been expreimenting with different camcorders for about 15 years used to have Pansonic VHS, Sony 8. For recrational/family use I think one of the the most important features is portability. And this cam sure has it. Just slip it in your pocket! I own it for 2 weeks already and have performed various tests. 1.Daylight:Briliant vivid colors no artifacts. 2.Indoors:very good results with very descent saturation under normal conditions. 3.Low light: surprisingly good pickup with NO SNOW AT ALL even in full auto.( I have taped a school play, a visit to an aquarium, and a night NYFD responce to a fire.)4.Action:Very good image stabilizer.5.Price:Lower than many. Cons: no bracket for video light/mic. . Will update my review after I try to transfer my analog video to digital.

I purchased this camcorder shortly after it was released thinking the size and functions were perfect. Well after three years of limited use, the Eject Tape warning would pop up. And recently, when I put it on record, the screen stays black and the view finder stays black. Like many others here, I called customer service and was told to send the camcorder in so they can tell me how much it will cost to repair. When I asked if there was a flat cost for specific repairs, they said no. After seeing how much people were qouted, I dont think I'll take the chance of paying for shipping only to refuse to pay the high cost of repair.

At that time, they tried to sell me the "upgrade" program. Just pay $200 for a ZR85 or $499 for a Optura 400 plus the exchange of my broken Elura 50. Sound appealing until you ask them if the cameras are new. No, they are refurbished. I liked the camera when it was new but after the problems I described, I suggest you stay away from their products.

I would seriously rethink purchasing this camera, or any from Canon. There is a huge tape transfer problem with Canon Digital Camcorders. Bottom line is that a growing number of them have stopped working after only 7-10 hours of recording - usually just after the warrany expires. There are many theories as to why, but nothing has been resolved. Canon has not been helpful. (...)

I bought this just a little over 1 year (after the warrany expires). Then it started REMOVE CASSETTE ERROR and after that the cassette is useless,because anything I film on it comes out distorted. So what's good about the greate features if it is no longer usable for just a year?

I got the "Eject Cassette" error last year and Canon repaired it for free. Lucky me.

Recently, I downloaded ALL DV tape to my computer after I install a 400G external HD but after that, there is no image in the camera mode. It's like the lens cap is on. I called Canon after checking on their website, they think it is a bad CCD (lose connectin) and they are willing to fix it for me. They even send me the free UPS label so I can sent it to them for free.

I think Canon must be under a lot of criticism with all the problems their late model digital Camcorder is having. Their service and support for their product is very good. At least they didn't tell me to buy a new camcorder instead! They probably knows their customers have paid a lot of $$$ for their Elura50, and their camcorder lasted a few months or only 10 hours of recordings (a few tapes).