Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: After the warrenty runs out
Summary: 2 Stars
In a two-year span I have done three important projects that went to DVD and maybe five family home videos. I'm getting pretty good at using manual settings to get rich colors and high quality shots. But lately, as I watch the video from the last two projects I am noticing a couple of dead pixels, tiny white spots that are always there. They are especially noticeable when you zoom in on someone's face. So on the next project I borrowed a GL2 from my friend to avoid having this flaw in my shots, but his camera is about the same age and it also has this problem. I called Canon to see what it might be, and it turns out that it is something wrong with the CCD and prism system. The Part is $500.00 and the labor starts at $400.00. In other words, its is not worth fixing. So I consider the GL2 a throw away piece of junk after about a year and a half.Customer Review: Add an extra thousand dollars to the cost
Summary: 2 Stars
This camera is SPECTACULAR!!!! For about a year or two.
Then the system tape rejection errors start (do your research). Once this happens it's to the canon repair shop you must go where they are currently charging $516 for the parts plus $400 for the labor plus taxes and shipping etc. I am now throwing my GL2 in the trash and saving up to buy a new one. Canon's repair costs are outrageous - especially when this problem has been complained about for YEARS. A Canon rep even told me to never use the camera to play or offload videos (why advertise it as a feature if its such a bad idea?). He advised that you should buy a cheaper video camera to do those types of tasks. Good advise.... but even if you do... remember to add that cost to the purchase price of the GL2
- Disgruntled.
Customer Review: Good...if you're lucky
Summary: 2 Stars
Great camera. Fantastic quality picture, analong/digital converter throughput is great, small and lightweight. I did get the REMOVE THE CASSETTE message sometimes (it seemed most common when the battery got low) and that was always scary. I never had to send it in for repairs, though.
This week I got ahold of a Sony PD-150, which I was pretty impressed with. The battery life of the PD-150 was incredibly longer than that of the Canon (even using the extended-life aftermarket batteries for the GL2). It felt strong, was only a bit bigger, and does DVCAM. I suggest you look into the PD-150/170 line.
This camera is nice. It will do great work. However, I've heard too many horror stories about pried open transport doors to recommend buying it -- unless you're pretty lucky.
Customer Review: The GL2 is an unreliable camera
Summary: 2 Stars
After just one and a half years of use representing around 200 hours of filming the manual zoom function acquired a mind of its own. There is no true manual zoom on this cam so if the internal logic that interfaces the zoom buttons both top and side goes whacky you lose control of zoom. This camera also has a real and serious focus lag problem if you do any sports/action shooting.
Optics and image quality are tops in its class but what difference does that make if you can't control the friggin zoom!
Customer Review: Don't buy anything from Canon
Summary: 1 Stars
I own the GL2. A pixel has blown. I called an authorized Canon repair service and they told me not to bother installing a new CCD chip as that one will fail as well. And that lesson would cost me $[...] (US).
I hadn't had the GL2 long enough for the Tape Cassette failure the GLS is famous for to kick in yet.
It is called "Planned Obsolescence" and is now designed to kick in after the warranty expires.
I can't recommend any Canon products. My EOS 20D camera's flash unit has never popped up. I didn't use the flash until after the warranty was up. I know I was negligent for trusting Canon's reliability but know I know better.
And the Canon 50mm lens I bought new has a defect like a scratch or speck inside the lens. Also discovered too late.
Read the complaints about Canon.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cameras/canon.html
http://www.eventx.com.au/avc.htm
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-gl2-gl1-son-watchdog/32267-gl2-dead-pixel-again.html
Never again for me.