Would the difference be Japan using 0 IRE instead of 7?

NTSC J and NTSC USA

The color system and broadcast system are the same but the channel system (frequency) differs.

Is the black mamba a deep black or a dull black? Or let me put it another way: is it black as sin or is it the color of 2nd grade coal? :)

Except for the surface where the Pany label is attached, the focus ring and the area around the hood opening, everything is ordinary black (not as deep as the dark side of the force).

Thanks Allan. So it's not as black as black could be. Darn. Oh, well.

Mmmmm, the latest Opturas has just been announced. The horizontal one looks very very interesting:

1/3.4" 2.2 MP CCD (1.23MP effective)
High Quality Wide mode (1.50MP effective)
DIGIC Technology
11x Optical Zoom
RGB Color Filter that is supposed to approximate 3-CCD performance
Manual Audio Control
Zebra Pattern
3.5" 246K resolution LCD
High Quality Canon Lens (F1.6 - F1.9)
Custom Key
Manual Focus Ring

I've got to read more about manual settings...there's a lot below 1/60. It says that under TV mode (shutter speed priority), shutter speed can be set 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60 up to 1/8000. Holy cow!

I'm very excited. Looks like a challenger to the Pany dynasty.

Sorry don't know where to post this.. now back to Pany cams.

Regards

Wow 1.50MP widescreen mode on the new Optura! Thats more pixels than the lame JVC HD cam.

Can't wait until 2008 when North America gets it! :)

Do you have a link with pics of these new Optura cams? (Any black ones?) =:+)

Here is the Canon site

http://www.canondv.com/optura300/optura300_flash.html

No frame mode, no 3CCD. Not sure if there is implicit zoom/scaling in 16:9 mode. On the positive side, its in English!

The Optura was my first choice replacement camcorder and Canon has always been my preferred brand until the GS100K came out because a) I wanted 3CCD, frame mode and good anamorphic, and b) Canon has been lame in announcing new models and product plans.

Here is another mention
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...t-07_29_03.htm

Also note that a comment posted states that the RGB filtering is similar to the original Elura. Not sure if that is accurate but I have the original Elura and its color is definitely superior to later Eluras. I have had the pleasure of combining footage from my orignial Elura with footage from the newer Elura and a JVC cam. And my Elura always has brighter colors - which is why I love my ol'Elura.

Methinks
 

Canon and Sony are about ready to start firing back. They have flagships (XL1s) and (PD-150) and second level cams that are long overdue for upgrades. Prepare for 16x9 everything.

yah!

Just when you think all things are gonna get better:

IXY DV M2 (Optura300): Min lux req't under Auto Mode: 24; EIS

FV M1 (Optura Xi): Min lux req't under Auto Mode: 22

Canon should have the HAD

Hopefully, what I'm looking at are mere typos (but not likely), or, the US versions would be better.

I'm getting more convinced that low light performance is more a function of pixel density rather than CCD size.

>>>>I'm getting more convinced that low light performance is more a function of pixel density rather than CCD size.

- Pixel density is part of the equation. It's the size of the actual pixel(s) used that affect low light sensitivity. In theory, a larger pixel will have a greater sensitivity to low light than a smaller pixel. Hence, a small megapixel CCD packed with a million or so effective pixels will have a greater "pixel density" compared to the same size CCD packed with fewer and larger pixels. Technically, the latter CCD will have the potential to peform better in low light situations.

This will probably change as manufacturers begin to introduce cleaner, more sophisticated gain circuitry into the cameras to compensate for small pixel size.

- don