What are the top consumer rated digital video cameras in the
(approximately) $500 to $1,000 range? Cameras must use progressive
scan technology. Please provide references to consumer comments and
camera specs. Comments based on personal experience with any
particular cameras are also welcome. Thanks!

Hi there,

This is one area where the Internet really provides value - consumer
opinions. If you spend enough time researching what is available, you
can avoid buying a dodgy product.

There are a number of websites that review and/or list consumer
opinions regarding digital video cameras. After reading the advice at
these sites, I perceive these to be the best rated for the $500 -
$1000 price range (cheapest price online):


Sharp VL-FD1U
-------------

$549 via Yahoo Stores
http://electronicsemall.com/sharvlfd1udi.html
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wwwebhead/sharvlfd1udi.html

$1,263.95 via DealTime
http://www.price-shopping.com/Sharp_VL-FD1U.htm

Not listed at Sharp's site, but still available to buy new.

Specifications:
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342639-1317-6901130.html?tag=dir-specs
http://www.consumerdvreviews.com/camcorders/Sharp_VLFD1U/specs.asp
http://bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/details__cat_id--11140000,prod_id--6027719,de_id--200.html

Three consumer ratings of 100% at Epinions
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Video-Camcorders-All-Sharp_VL-FD1U

"All in all, though, the Viewcam's smart design, with its fold-in lens
and viewscreen, and its simple touchscreen controls, make it a
winner."
[Six page review]
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/SoundAndVision/Article01/TestReports/SHARP0401/Sharp0401p01.html

"The only gripe I have about this camera is that a couple key parts
feel flimsy. The rotation component of the LCD screen feels like it
could snap if not handled with care, and the same goes for the MiniDV
tape mechanism, which seems extremely delicate....Nevertheless,
Sharp's VL-FD1U Viewcam is a very well-designed and innovative
product."
[Three page review]
http://www.byte.com/documents/s=545/byt20010116s0001/index.htm


Canon Elura 10
--------------

Suggested Retail Price $1,299 

MP SuperStore $ 788.99
http://www.mpsuperstore.com/video/indexMy.htm?discr6965.htm

Specifications:
http://www.canondv.com/elura10_20mc/s.html
http://www.consumerdvreviews.com/camcorders/Canon_Elura10/specs.asp

Three reviews at Epinions averaging 4/5 stars
http://www.epinions.com/Canon_Elura_10_627074

"smaller than a dinner roll...Though we liked using the slightly
cheaper JVC GR-DVP3 a bit better because of its feel, the Elura is the
definite left-brain choice in the pocket-DV category"
[Short review]
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,7817,00.asp

"Although it’s unquestionably portable and convenient for travel, the
camera is just plain difficult to hold and manipulate...When it comes
to features, the Canon packs a lot into its modest little
chassis...The folks at Canon did an exemplary job with the Elura 10,
focusing their efforts on packing a small case with excellent video
and audio quality."
[One page review]
http://www.maximumpc.com/reviews/cameras/review_2002-04-26.html

Compare the Canon Elura 10 with other cameras
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/download/0/1413/MiniDVCamcorders.pdf


Canon Elura 20MC
----------------

Suggested Retail Price $1,499 

CNet Shopper $1029
http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/resellers/0-7459218-311-8577940-0.html?fl=4

Nextag $693
http://www.nextag.com/Canon_Elura_20MC_Digital~3652105z5znzzz1z500000zzmainz2-htm

Specifications:
http://www.canondv.com/elura10_20mc/s.html
http://www.consumerdvreviews.com/camcorders/Canon_Elura20MC/specs.asp

Thirteen ratings at Epinions averaging 92%
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Video-Camcorders-All-Canon_Elura_2/display_~reviews/listype_~opb

Three reviews - 100% recommend it at Bizrate
http://bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/reviews__cat_id--11140000,prod_id--6325955,format--,de_id--300.html

Nine reviews at PC Photo Review averaging 4.56 of 5
http://www.pcphotoreview.com/Digital+Camcorders/Canon,Elura/PRD_82954_3100crx.aspx#reviews

More Epinion reviews covering several models of Elura
http://www.epinions.com/elec_Camcorders-Digital_CanonMiniDVV-Canon_Elura_MiniDV/display_~reviews


Canon Optura 100MC
------------------

PC World $954
http://pcworld.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=472218/ut=d31c60442162273b

NexTag $699
http://www.nextag.com/Canon_Optura_100MC_1~3673347z5znzzz1z500000zzmainz2-htm

Specifications:
http://www.canondv.com/optura100mc/index.html

"For the midrange set, the Canon Optura 100MC seems to have it all. A
small but comfortable MiniDV camcorder, the 100MC is one of the few
that can also capture 1.3-megapixel still images, which means you may
not need to spend the extra cash for a still camera...Overall, the
Canon Optura 100MC shines brightly as a full-featured single-CCD
camcorder designed for consumers who are interested in compact size,
excellent video quality, and megapixel still images."
[Three page review]
http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/products/story/0,23008,3372665,00.html

"Overall, the 100MC delivers a lot for a street price that has fallen
to the $1,200 level. It gets our recommendation, with the caveat that
its most expensive feature, the optical image stabilizer, may be more
than the average user really needs to shoot home movies."
[One page review]
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342639-1305-7032424.html?tag=rev-rev

"It's a great camcorder that can compete with the similar Sony's...The
Canon Optura 100MC is a great camcorder."
[One page review - plus 50 users rate it 4.32/5 stars]
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/display.php3?display=canon_optura100mc_camcorder_review

CNet user opinions, 86% thumbs up
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342639-1318-7032424.html?tag=st.ce.6342639-1304-7032424.urev.6342639-1318-7032424


JVC GR-DV2000U
--------------

NexTag $687
http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/ProductM.jsp?product=35842268&pdir=5&node=500012&category=Electronics&units=1&shipping=Ground&sort=subtotal,pos#abc

Specifications:
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL026045&page=3
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342639-1304-6146914.html?tag=pdtl-list

Five user reviews at Epinions - each rate it 100%
http://www.epinions.com/597499_JVC_GR_DV2000_Digital_Video_Camera/display_~reviews

Seven opinions at CNet, average 86%
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342639-1318-6146914.html?tag=st.ce.6342639-1304-6146914.dir.6342639-1318-6146914

Three reviews at Bizate, average 66%
http://bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/reviews__cat_id--11140000,prod_id--6028026,format--,de_id--300.html

Happy customer
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8&newwindow=1&threadm=q29bitcp53580s1f4r6rvlgldmv6ohs60q%404ax.com&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fnum%3D30%26hl%3Den%26lr%3Dlang_en%26ie%3DISO-8859-1%26newwindow%3D1%26scoring%3Drelevance%26as_drrb%3Dquick%26q%3DJVC%2BGR-DV2000U


Some links to discontinued products that fit your criteria -  in case
you are considering buying a used model:

Canon Elura 2Mc
---------------
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342639-1304-6144813.html?tag=pdtl-list
http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/Elura2/
http://www.creativepro.com/story/review/14079-1.html
http://www.cyberwalker.net/gizmos/canon-elura-2mc.shtml
http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/canon/elura2-review/index.shtml

Amazon (used) from $750
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/photo/B0000507JH/zonezero00/102-9437607-6028948

Canon Elura 40
--------------
http://www.canondv.com/elura40mc/s.html
http://www.zdnetindia.com/reviews/hardware/digital_video_cameras/stories/58411.html

Canon Optura PI
---------------
http://www.pcphotoreview.com/Digital+Camcorders/Canon,Optura,Pi/PRD_82957_3100crx.aspx
http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/firstlook/story/0,23008,2590979,00.html
http://www.epinions.com/elec_Camcorders-Digital_CanonMiniDVV-Canon_Optura_Pi
http://www.wwug.com/forums/dv-format/020420033958.htm

JVC GR-DVM80U
-------------
NexTag $589
http://www.nextag.com/JVC_GR_DVM80U_Digital~2327607z5znz500012zz1z500012zzmainz2-htm

PC Photo Review $550
http://www.pcphotoreview.com/pscDigital,Camcorders/Digital,Camcorders/JVC,GR-DVM80U/PRD_83114_3100crx.aspx

Specifications:
http://www.epinions.com/483442_JVC_GR_DVM80U_Digital_Camcorder/display_~full_specs
http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342639-1317-6146921.html?tag=dir-specs

Two reviews, average 4/5 stars
http://www.pcphotoreview.com/pscDigital,Camcorders/Digital,Camcorders/JVC,GR-DVM80U/PRD_83114_3100crx.aspx#reviews


Google keywords used:
"digital video" "progressive scan"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22digital+video%22+%22progressive+scan%22

"product name" review


I hope this answers your question. Feel free to ask for any
clarifications you may require.

Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

Hi Robert,

 Thanks for the research. You came up with much of the same
information I did, and I decided on the Optura.

 Thanks much,

 Ian