Canon mini DV camcorder for £199...at Apple Store [CLOSED]

Kentish

After the recent debacle of mispricing of Olympus and Nikon Cameras at the Apple Store, I'm slightly hesitant about posting what could either be a very good price on a decent entry level Canon mini DV camcorder...or another possible misprice...

Apple Store are selling the Canon MVX200i mini DV camcorder for £199 with free shipping - Apple Store link here and then search for "Canon MVX200i".

The specs are as follows:

* Stylish, compact design
* 1/4.5" 1.33 megapixel CCD
* 14x optical zoom
* DIGIC DV High Resolution
* 16:9 Mode
* Image Stabilizer
* Night Mode
* Extended Motion JPEG recording
* Digital still functionality
* Direct Print and PictBridge compatible
* DV Out / DV In
* Analogue In & Analogue/Digital Converter
* PC Connection Kit (USB) with DV Messenger

The standout feature for me is the size of the CCD (1/4.5" with 1.33 megapixel) which is bigger than other entry level camcorders in the £180-£200 price range (usually only 1/6" with 0.8 megapixel) and so the picture quality should be better than others in this price range.

So far so good, until I found out that other online stores are selling this same model for more than £300:

eBuyer : ~£330
Jessops : ~£350
Pixmania : ~£365

So, the question is, do you feel lucky...?

Or do you want to save yourself the hassle and pay ~£85 more for the JVC GZ-MC100?

tdodd

I believe this camcorder is known as the Elura 60 in the USA and there is a review of it dated October 2004 so it is no spring chicken. Jan/Feb is a common time for manufacturers to release new lines so this is about to become two generations old. The review is OK but definitely not glowing.

http://www.easycamcorders.com/content/Quick-Review-Camcorders--Canon-Elura-60.htm

my-planet

Thanks for that review link - just what I was searching for. Not sure if it's exactly the same camcorder as the digital zoom values differ (320 in the review compared to 280).

Also, that review was based on the camcorder costing around £300ish back then, but that's converting US dollars...I don't think this camera has ever been any where near that price here in the u.k. until now of course.

I think it's a bargain, and I've gone for it. Thanks guys!

tdodd

I Googled http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mvx200i+elura

and came up with some web pages that suggest they are the same model....

http://discoazul.com/en/product651/product_info.html
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/dv/data/2004_elura60.html

and that second link is from Canon themselves. I see it was released in March 2004 so the design is now almost two years old!

Kentish

Agree it's hardly cutting edge in any of its specs but £180-£200 is pretty much the cheapest you can expect to pay for a digital miniDV camcorder these days....

LesD

Kentish wrote:

Agree it's hardly cutting edge in any of its specs but £180-£200 is pretty much the cheapest you can expect to pay for a digital miniDV camcorder these days....

Quite agree. And, what's more, looks like they really are in stock! Had an email today to say it's been shipped! Thanks to OP.

Incidentally, price comparison sites show previous Apple price as £429!!!

MOLLYBRUSH

Have also ordered it - anyone else thinking of doing so, don't forget to go through Quidco (which I forgot) to get 3% (I think) off.

bleugh

CANON MV830 MiniDV Camcorder (Widescreen recording) £249.00 from currys!

andrewpmoore

According to somebody on simplydv forums, this camera is much better than the MV850 (which is the one above the MV830) much better build quality, faster focus in low light and better handling in low light. Not true widescreen, otherwise i might get one myself.

12watch

It definitely was a bargain - it looks like they've SOLD OUT

LesD

TNT delivered at 10 a.m. As usual, the box is filled with more 'accessories' and manuals than camera. There's even a continental power lead - or for use with a shaver socket! Only thing not there is a carry bag. Do I need to buy a Canon one or can anyone suggest a cheap alternative.

Oh yes, and the memory card is only 8 MB.