Camcorder Q: Canon Elura 100 vs. Canon ZR-500

[Stattlich]

The topic summary states the only major difference between the two models. I want a Canon, I want miniDV and I want 16:9.

With a Black Friday deal going on today, there is a $150 difference between the two models, the ZR-500 at $199 at Fry's and the Elura 100 at $349 at Best Buy. This is going to be for pretty basic video use only a handful of times per year. I want to archive the widescreen video on my server. Is the Elura worth the cost difference or will I be happy with the ZR? Is the CDD deficit going to make for a big difference in quality? Output will be viewed on a 42" 720p DLP television.

Thanks!

 

[Stattlich]

TTT

 

[MScrip]

You'd probably never notice the difference between their image quality. The Elura has more other features to make it more expensive.

The biggest problem will be showing SD video on an HDTV. MiniDV is always 720x480, and your TV is 1280x720.

Those Canons claim to offer true widescreen capability... but I'm curious to see how it looks on regular square TVs and widescreen HDTVs.

You're on the right track by wanting a widescreen camcorder for your widescreen TV. It should be fine until true HD camcorders become affordable.

 

[Stattlich]

Thanks! I imagine this will just be something temporary until the HD stuff (which is already out) becomes cheaper. I was going for the hard drive based stuff, but heard the file compression isn't that great- axed. Ditto for the DVD-based stuff, at least on a similar note. Another forum said that for right now, overall, miniDV was still the best way to go.

My main concern was getting some important, forthcoming life events on video in widescreen format for future viewing; first and foremost to have a buddy of mine record my marriage proposal at a public venue. And hopefully after that in a couple years, our first kiddo coming into life.

 

[MScrip]

Originally posted by: Stattlich
I was going for the hard drive based stuff, but heard the file compression isn't that great- axed. Ditto for the DVD-based stuff, at least on a similar note. Another forum said that for right now, overall, miniDV was still the best way to go.

Good idea. MiniDV is the way to go. Hard drive camcorders compress the data a lot as soon as you shoot it... and so does DVD.

Tapes will give you the best picture for now. Good luck on the proposal!!!

 

[Stattlich]

Thanks for confirming that! I'm lucky that I've actually got the proposal in the bag... the girlfriend has been complaining about how lonely her other ring on that hand is and wondering when mine will show up. The price makes it an expensive friend, though! Should happen within the next two months.

Exciting times. And I want to make sure they're in 16:9 format.