Great video camera ...until the tape system craps out ...only after use for a while you find out common problems with Canon's range of camcorders.

At the end of 2002 I had been looking to upgrade from my old Sony Hi 8 camcorder to one of those new funky mini DV camcorders, the ones with the firewire connections that you can plug into your computer and do hi quality video editing like a pro.

I had been browsing many different shops, picking up camcorders, pushing all the knobs and dials of all types of models from Sony, Canon, JVC, Panasonic etc. But they all had one thing in common - these 'consumer' camcorders feel so poorly made and flimsy compared to my old Hi 8 camera. I felt that I was not going to get any decent value for money as these models cost hundreds of dollars.

I began searching the net checking out information and found out about the range of semi-professional camcorders made by the likes of Sony, Canon and Panasonic. These models come packed full of features including quality lenses and the option of manual controls. These cameras also have the superior image 3 CCD system as compared to the cheaper single CCD cameras found in most stores. Soon I began to drool over the PD150 and the VX2000 from Sony, or Panasonic's MX500 and also the XM2/GL2 from Canon.

After much deliberation as this was going to cost me loads of cash, my decision came down to choosing the Canon XM2. It had been given many great reviews on the net, Canon lenses are some of the best, its got optical stabilizer built in, image quality was top notch, so they all said.

When I got my new camcorder I was totally blown away by it. I had never ever taken such great pictures before. This thing was fantastic. Over the course of last year I took maybe 40 hours of footage. Getting the pictures into my computer was very easy and I was pleased.

Until last week when I wanted to film my daughters first birthday, I hadn't used the camera for probably a month, I plug it in and switch it on - the thing gives me an error message REMOVE THE CASSETTE written in big red letters. This warning appears no matter which tape I use. Its so frustrating.

Imagine my frustration when I search the net and find that it is actually a common fault with Canon camcorders and here's the proof:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=5d6e7d0f0ce04a7c051c30da825d8cf5&threadid=21441

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t38981.html

This is why the Canon XM2 gets only 1 star from me.


Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 2600
Recommended for: Professional Videographers - Broadcast Quality Videos