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

Canon Elura 40MC Battery Extended. This is a 7.4 Volt, 1000 mAh, Li-Ion Battery . Dimensions: 1.80 x 1.32 x 1.20. 100% OEM compatible.

Canon's Elura 40MC is one of the smallest, lightest digital video camcorders available. Weighing around 14 ounces, this vertically oriented camcorder fits snugly into the palm of your hand (not resting on your hand like most cameras, this one fits almost inside it).

Because of its compact frame, some of its features had to be trimmed. Its 2-inch LCD is smaller than most, but its bright screen can be viewed easily even in daylight. Unlike many other camcorders, the Elura's viewfinder displays in color, not black and white. It also offers only a 10x optical zoom, not as high as other cameras, but still adequate for most users.

Unlike many camcorders whose still image quality is subpar, the Elura 40MC captures 1024 x 768 pixel still pictures on a Secure Digital media card (an 8 MB SD card is included) rather than on the MiniDV media. And if coupled with a Canon CP-10 card photo printer, you can directly print images from the Elura without going through your PC.

But it's video quality that matters most in a DV camcorder. The Elura 40MC captured excellent video, even in poor lighting conditions. It doesn't have a built-in light, but its low-light mode still managed to record impressive video with realistic colors and limited graininess.

The Elura's autofocus worked quickly and accurately, and its zoom buttons were within easy reach during filming. The basic modes of the camera make it point-and-shoot easy for the novice user. Audio quality with the built-in mic wasn't the best (we noticed some noise during recording), but the Elura comes with a port that lets you connect an external microphone.

It's not the least expensive camcorder out there, but the extreme portability of the Elura 40MC paired with its excellent video quality make it an appealing choice. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Light and compact
• High quality video
• Good still image capture

Cons:

• Average optical zoom
• Some audio noise

The Elura 40MC joins a growing crowd of small, vertically oriented camcorders that pack an enormous number of features into their tiny cases. In this case, you get a 10x optical zoom, analog inputs, and a 2-inch LCD monitor, among other things.

Lens
Canon is known for their lenses, and the 10x optical zoom lens is a good one. The zoom can also be digitally enhanced to provide 200x magnification, but the 10x should be enough for most purposes. Additionally, the camcorder is equipped with an image stabilizer to help eliminate the shakes and jitters associated with handheld video shooting (at any zoom level).

Digital Stills
The digital still mode records 1,024 x 768 stills onto an included 8 MB SD card, and will also work with MultiMediaCards. While 1,024 x 768 is good for printing smaller pictures, it is probably best for e-mailing pictures to friends, or for posting pictures on a Web site.

Inputs and Outputs
The Elura also features a great number of inputs and outputs, meant to satisfy even the most ardent gear-fanatic's lust. You get the standard IEEE 1394 port, composite and S-video analog inputs for converting all your old footage to digital, and a mic input that allows you to use an external mic source (good for pro-sounding audio).

The Elura 40MC is a great little camcorder that includes a lithium-ion battery, power adapter, battery charger, wireless remote, S-video cable, stereo video cable, and 8 MB SD card.