Customer Reviews
A 20 hour camera 
2009-06-06
I own 2 Canon GL2's. The picture is really great when the camera is new. I use a VCR to import video for editing. After about 20 hours of use I can no longer use the vcr. I must use the camera to import video. I have had both cameras fixed twice for $240 dollars each time. After 5 months one went bad again. I went back to Canon and they have now raised the price to $400 for the same repair.They claim parts are hard to get. This is a current model! I have sworn off Sony, now it's Canon's turn. By the way the problem is caused by the same issue as the eject message, The tape transport.
Don't buy anything from Canon 2009-03-24
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.
GL2 sucks and Amazon sucks more... 2009-03-07
Within the first 30 days GL2 began eating my tapes. I promptly returned camera to Amazon within the first 30 days. 30 days after receipt of the product by Matt Greene at Amazon, still no refund. After 3 calls to their customer service, taken by people in the Philipines, still no refund. Will NEVER buy Canon or from Amazon again. Amazon, get your act together, this is not the economy to be messing with people's money. Plus, you might reconsider using people in a foreign company who have no concern for YOUR customers. They promised to call back twice, never did either time.
Great camera, but prone to costly repairs 
2009-02-21
I have had my Canon GL2 for several years. It worked fine for the first 2 years or so, then I got the dreaded "Remove the Tape" error. After looking online, I saw that a lot of others had the same problem, and that the only solution was to send it in for replacement of the tape drive mechanism -- to the tune of $250.
I bit the bullet, sent it in, and it came back fixed --- for a while. Now it's about a year after the fix, but I only used the camera a few times, and the problem has returned.
The camera is easy to use, and shoots good video, but if I had to do it over again, I would go with another manufacturer. For [...]bucks, the
thing ought to work. My experience with this camera, and previous digital still cameras is that Canon quality/longevity leaves a lot to be desired.
My old (10 yrs) Sony digital 8 camera is still going strong. I will look at Sony and Panasonic to replace my Canon, and never go back.
Canon GL2 U.S. Approved! 
2009-01-14
I tried buying the Canon GL2 from several other places to save money but they all had something very wrong... All camera operations in Chinese, Didn't come with ALL the parts,no warranty, etc. Amazon came through with exactly what I needed.
A great dv cam, but you have to know its limitations. 
2009-01-09
Feature by feature, the Canon GL2 raises the bar against which future camcorders will be judged. With precision optics, superior digital processing, and a sleek innovative design, the GL2 fully complements the user's vision and passion for excellence. Selectable 4 - 3 & 16 - 9 Aspect Ratios 7 Exposure Modes easily accessed by turning Program Dial Analog Input via composite A/V or S-Video Rapid, lossless video & audio transfer via integrated USB & 4-Pin IEEE-1394 FireWire port Stores still images on MultiMediaCards ( MMC ) or Secure Digital ( SD ) cards ( 8MB SD Card included) Also includes - BP-915 Battery Pack, Power Adapter, DC Coupler, Shoulder Strap, Wireless Controller, S-Video, Stereo Composite USB cables, Software, Lens Hood Dimensions - 4 5/8 x 5 3/8 x 12
My account was blocked by amazon 2008-11-29
I never purchased the canon gl2 through you .I had trouble receiving a response from seller .You blocked the sale ..I went to ebay and purchased the item
Great camcorder 2008-10-23
I think this is an awesome camcorder for its intended target market and purpose. The results are pristine and every button and function just works great without being overcomplicated. This is one camera where you don't have to read the instruction manual to figure it out. You have to maintain and clean the camera from time-time to deliver maximum potential, but it's not a hassle. And don't switch tapes often - stick with one brand. This is a camcorder I cannot do without.
pretty sweet 
2008-10-18
its a really good dependable camera, I heard about the tape deck issues and went with a dte system, few little set up steps and then no more tapes and you still have non interlaced raw dv in your editor, probably added some life to it, it does get pretty grainy in low light, but with some ok lighting skills its really not an issue, I would recommend it as a first pro camera, you can learn everything you need on it, and the shot quality can be very pro.
Very Good Prosumer Grade MiniDV Camcorder 2008-08-24
The Canon GL2 is NOT a hi-def camcorder, but it still holds up for it's picture quality and durability. Over the past 3 years, we have produced over 20 instructional videos using this camcorder and the quality is evident every time we use it. I suspect that many of these will start turning up in the used market in the near future since these well made camcorders will likely still be functional well into the hi-def age. We will very soon replace our GL2 as our main camera with the Sony HDR-FX7 3-CMOS Sensor HDV High-Definition Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom, but will continue to use it for picture-in-picture shots (very useful in instructional videos). We also recommend the following accessories: Canon Video Light for Advanced Accessory Shoe, Canon Directional Stereo Mic (DM 50) for Camcorders with the Advanced Access Shoe, Ultimate Guide to the Canon GL2
Highly recommended!
