I've been doing a lot of research between these 2 cameras but haven't found anything that compares the 2. I know the Optura is a higher end camera but is it worth the extra money. Has anyone ever used both cameras that could help me out with a comparison. I'm leaning toward the Elura because of the 20x zoom and from what I've read it sounds like I won't be able to tell the difference between the 2 when it comes to video quality. Any help would be appreciated thanks

I believe the imagers are in different classes with the Optura series having larger imagers thus better performance/latitude. I've owned Opturas and have always been impressed with their video performance when compared to 3CCD miniDV cams.
I say go for the Optura if possible.

Thanks Steve I was originally going for the Optura 60 but then went to getting to Elura 100 after reading about it. Now I might go back to Optura. One concern was the low light capabilities with the Optura I've read that the low light is not good at all. The Elura seems to have better low light but I don't know for sure.

I don't know where are you shopping, both models have been discontinued. Optura is surely better in every and all aspects but one: AFAIK it does not report current aperture / shutter speed (http://www.elurauser.com/articles/light_meter.jsp) like the Elura 100 does (and all newer cameras do, including the HV20 and the HG10). Without this information it is impossible to shoot with specific shutter speed AND aperture (read: manual mode (http://www.elurauser.com/articles/manual_mode.jsp)) and to use ND filters because you don't know how many stops you need to go down, if you need at all. Also, AFAIK the Optura has 4:3 LCD, though if I am not mistaken it can shoot 16:9 too.

I have the Elura 100, it is a nice pocket camcorder, but the tape mechanism whining is noticeable, especially in quiet conditions. You will definetely need an external mic (http://www.elurauser.com/articles/external_mic.jsp) if you decide to get the Elura 100. and bear in mind that the Elura 100 has no accessory shoe (http://www.elurauser.com/articles/quick_release_plate.jsp). Also the handling is... well... requires accurate small fast fingers. All features are controlled with one joystick and a func button beneath it, including focus. If you have a lot of time to prepare your shoot it will work, otherwise the only choice is to shoot in auto mode.

The Elura 100 is not bad in low light especially comparing to similar offerings from JVC which are disastrous (http://www.elurauser.com/articles/JVC-GR-DA30US.jsp), but not stellar either, after all it has only a 1/5" chip.

I have the Optura Xi and love it, save for two things:
1. Interlacing; wish it had progressive, when shooting for FX shots. But that's not a huge issue.
2. Zoom is only 12x, which is pretty limited.
The low light also isn't the best, but not the worst.

In a side by side comparison with my old XL1, the optura beat it in sharpness, color and contrast. I really like how it looks.

However, obviously the Xi and the 60 differ-- but I'm not sure exactly how. 60 must be pretty good, though, anyway.

I don't know about the Elura.

Well the optura 60 is looking better and better. Yea I don't know the differences between all the optura models either but I have read that the Xi is a nice camera. I don't know how the 60 would compare as far as the quality of the footage. I have read the optura lineage articles by Mr. Hurd on this site and if I remember right the Xi was referred as the Cadillac of single chip cameras. There's some great info in those articles. Maybe there is another Optura model I should be looking at getting besides the 60. I like the 14x zoom on the 60 though and would be willing to sacrifice a little picture quality to get this extra zoom. It would be nice to have a ranking list of all the Optura camera from best picture to worst. I did notice that the Optura 20 might be a good option also because it has 16x which would be nice to have if the picture quality is just as good as the 60.