Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom

The GL2 is a 3 CCD Digital Video Camcorder that incorporates Canon's precision optics, superior digital processing, and a sleek innovative design. Its advanced feature set allows users to handle even the most challenging tasks with confidence. Offering the highest level of control, the camera fully complements the user's vision and passion for excellence. The GL2 boasts a 20x Professional L-Series Fluorite optical zoom lens that transforms distant subjects into dramatic close-ups with outstanding resolution, contrast and color reproduction. The digital zoom is capable of extending up to 100x, providing sharp detail and maximizing lens quality. Utilizing Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer System, camera shake is instantly corrected so even hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and shots taken on the move are smooth and steady. The GL2 has three shooting modes; Normal Movie Mode, Frame Movie Mode, and Digital Photo Mode which captures stunning 1.7 megapixel, images.

3 CCD

The Canon GL2 has three CCDs, delivering outstanding picture quality, highly accurate color reproduction and a wide dynamic range with virtually no color noise. On top of that, Canon has improved a broadcast technology to create a new form of Pixel Shift, producing greater picture quality than that of camcorders using CCDs with almost twice the number of pixels.

Lens and Optical Image Stabilization

The GL2 gives you the ability to take your videos to new levels of performance, whether you're a video professional or simply a highly discerning hobbyist. Your exploration of this remarkable camcorder should start with its lens: The GL2 is equipped with the highly acclaimed Canon Professional L-Series (luxury) Fluorite Lens. To further enhance your videos, there's an Optical Image Stabilizer to correct camera shake, plus there's a Precision Circular Iris and ND Filter for total control of the picture.

Shooting Modes and Aspect Ratios

The GL2 has three shooting modes: Normal Movie Mode, Digital Photo Mode, and the cinema-like Frame Movie Mode popularized by Canon's leading edge XL1 and XL1S. The GL2 also offers both the standard 4:3 aspect ratio and 16:9 wide screen TV aspect ratio.

Exposure Modes

The GL2 offers both the versatility to meet all exposure challenges and ease of use when you're happy to let the camera make all the choices. Amazingly sophisticated circuitry and computer algorithms analyze the light coming through the lens to deliver proper exposure automatically under almost any lighting condition. You also can easily adjust the exposure system in any one of several creative ways to meet specific needs. By turning the easily accessible Program Dial to select one of seven exposure modes, you control how you want the video to look.

Shooting Enhancements

The Canon GL2 offers many on-camera enhancements that help avoid common shooting errors and make capturing high-quality footage trouble-free. The shooting enhancements also include basic conventional features that are commonly found on broadcast camcorders.

Picture Adjustments

Attaining the best picture possible is the essence of filmmaking, photography, videography and Canon. The GL2 automates and also allows manual control of the essential ingredients that go into capturing great images.

Audio Adjustments

The GL2's omnidirectional microphone is designed to deliver great quality sound: realistic, life-like, and in stereo. Using the GL2's Advanced Accessory Shoe expands your audio options.

Also consider that you have sound options to meet both your recording and editing needs. One option gives you two channels for recording sound and two channels for adding sound at the editing stage.

Audio and Video Inputs and Outputs

The GL2 is designed to handle two types of analog input and output: using audio/video cables (composite) or S-video. Both connections are on the camera back.

Custom Keys and Presets

One Custom Key

The GL2 offers a Custom Key (one setting for camera mode and one for VCR mode). This lets you create and save your own custom settings so your common shooting modes can be readily duplicated. Select options from either the Camera Menu or the VCR Menu and create a customized setting for each.

Custom Preset Key

In addition to creating a custom setting for camera and VCR mode via the custom key, you also can establish one preset registration for the following camera features: camera sharpness, color gain, setup level, and color phase.

Camera Sharpness

Change the degree of sharpness in the picture. There are 13 steps to choose from.

Camera Color

Shift the color towards red or green. There are 13 steps to choose from.

MultiMediaCard and SD Memory Card compatible

For the storage of digital still images captured by the GL2, you can use either MultiMediaCards or SD memory cards in the GL2. An 8MB SD Card comes with the camcorder, storing up to 17 fine quality still pictures or 32 standard quality images.