Customer Reviews
A good choice 
2008-05-15
This camera is everything I hoped it would be. I wanted a mini-dv tape format, and there is a dwindling number of those available. I wanted it to include a port for converting my analog videos to digital, and I wanted an external-mic port. Few current camcorders in the under-$400 price range contain these options. The Elura met all these criteria, but I had concerns about its low-light capabilities, since I film a lot of family events indoors. I also had concerns from reviews that slammed it for having a high amount of motor noise.
I'm pleased with the quality of the Elura's low-light images. As for motor noise, my experience for comparison was only with a large VHS format camcorder; it had no problem with motor noise. The motor sound of the Elura 100, while alarmingly noticeable next to my ear when recording in quiet settings, is not a significant problem on the recordings. It might be a factor if it were recording a silent scene in a still room, but it has not hurt the sound in any of the situations I have yet used it.
The manual is organized pretty well, and is usually quite clear in giving instructions.
CONS:
Reviewers sometimes mentioned the flimsy port covers, and I have to agree. Everyone who handles my camcorder is instructed to deal very gently with the port covers, and they have held up so far.
The toggle switch for selecting menu options is quite short; it takes a more precise touch than others I tried, but after extra time practicing with it, the user can navigate quickly among the options.
The hand strap is positioned so that the camera flops sideways in the hand if I release my grip on it. It should rest more stably in the hand.
Good camera for the price 2008-01-14
I purchased this camera for work and have been satisfied with the results. I interview members of the community for our oral history project and video tape them to record it. The camera is not professional quality, but on our small museum's budget it does the trick. The images are clear, the camera is easy to use and small enough to haul around when doing interviews at people's homes. I purchased a firewire connection so I can upload the images onto the computer and make DVDs of the oral histories. They might not be movie quality, but they are good enough for displaying in exhibits and for researchers to access.
If you want this camera for home use or other small events I recommend it.
Great camcorder 
2008-01-02
We have had this camera for a year, and have been very pleased with how it has worked. It is easy to operate, and gives great results. Have noticed only a bit of background motor noise when we have recorded in a very quiet setting (interior locations without any conversation.) While we were somewhat concerned about noise because of other reviews, it has not been a problem. Great battery life.
So far so good 2007-11-27
I was deciding what type of camcorder to get and didn't want to spend more than $600 on the good stuff nor $200 on some cheap miniDV. I read about the Canon elura 100 many times but the camcorder was out for 1yr already. I wanted to get the latest and greatest thus I purchasing a basic Panasonic DVD camcorder(D230)...boy was that a mistake...I thought I can record onto dvd, pop it in my dvd player and start watching it, or copy the dvd video(vob) onto my desktop for editing, but NOoo, it doesn't work like that. After you finish recording the DVD you have to finalize within your camcorder while it is plugged in (won't finalize if not plugged in), the process takes about 10-15min for a 30min footage, and the finalized DVD is not recognizable by the PC, so you'll end up with tons of DVD-Rs. (no sure if this is true for all dvd camcorder or just the panasonic one I got)
Anyhow, I decided to go back to miniDV (can transfer to the PC, easier to edit, superior video quality compared to DVD and HD camcorders and more compact) I wanted to get the Elura but it was discounted, and all the new Canon MiniDV's had worst video performance than the Elura (based on numerous reviews). Also, none of them had 2 LED(don't do much but better than nothing) and built in lenses cover. I was torn. After researching some more I found out about the new Sony DCR-HC48. It is about the same price point as the Elura, about the same size, similar CCD, got a sliding lense cover and it can record in infrared (which I thought was pretty cool)!
I end up buying a refurbished Elura online and a brand new HC48 at local store. First thing I did was to test for motor noise since so many people complain about it. I took both camcorder to the bathroom where the echo is loudest and recorded 1 min footage on each. I then played it back on both camcorder with volume turned to the highest, to my surprise the Sony camcorder actually had much louder motor noise than the Canon. The Sony had a loud motor noise while the Canon had a light whirling noise.
The canon's video performance was also better, with more accurate color and auto focus. The infrared on the Sony was fun for 5min, but I don't see any particle use for it (unless you either want to create some Pariz Hiltxn video with glowing green eyes, or if you want to record someone in the dark without the person knowing, but keep in mind the range of the infrared LED is about the same as a regular white LED, the camcorder needs to be 3feet away from the subject in order to illuminate it in infrared) Anyhow, I kept the refurbished Canon and am happy with the decision. Oh did I also mention that the Elura is the most compact miniDV camcorder in the market? the major downside of the Elura is that is has been discontinued and only refurbished units are available online now.
Avoid this if you can 
2007-09-07
I am sorely disappointed with this camcorder. Its lighting is not only poor -its erratic !! Sometimes at whatever angle I record, even in bright light, the resulting picture has unpredictable dark and bright lighting. This camera is just not worth it. The rewind and forward operations are plain frustrating. JVC wins hands down anyday!
Pleased with this purchase 2007-08-29
Box Contents:Elura 100 camcorder, BP-208DG battery pack, CA-570 compact power adapter, WL-D85 wireless controller, STV-250N stereo/video cable, IFC-300PCU USB cable, Digital Video Solution Disk for PC and Macintosh
With the Elura 100 Digital Camcorder, you'll go widescreen in style. It offers a wide variety of advanced, easy-to-use features that make it simple to capture all of life's precious moments. Capture vivid video and brilliant digital photographs, then share those memories with family and friends. All the latest TVs and monitors are going widescreen, and you'll be ahead of the curve by capturing footage in widescreen format. You can preview your video or stills on the 2.7" LCD screen, and create the perfect image from a standard shot with its multiple image modes and features. Get images as sharp and vibrant as the moments they capture, with the Elura 100. Viewfinder - 0.33, 113,000 pixels (16 - 9 display supported) 2.7 LCD screen Exposure Lock adjusts exposure by up to +/-11 stops (+/-2.75 EV) Motor Drive Mode for capturing sports and other fast action Progressive Photo gives sharper details Image Stabilization for unsurpassed optical performance Auto Exposure Bracketing for tricky light conditions Level Shot Control Smooth Zoom Control Auto Slow Shutter function Mega Video Light - Twin LEDs take over when the light gets low Metering Modes give you the right exposure under different lighting conditions Special Scene Modes&Image Effects 9 Point Ai-AF (Auto Intelligent Auto Focus) ensures sharp images and creative flexibility Analog Line-in/Converter lets you use your Elura 100 as a signal converter, switching analog signals from a TV, VCR or analog camcorder to digital Simultaneous Photo Recording Motion JPEG Mode records movie clips directly to your memory card, for posting online or e-mailing Connect through the USB to any PictBridge-compatible pr
Great Product. Great Price 2007-08-25
This a value priced camera, which would serve very well to those wanting to keep family memories. Easy to handle, very small size. Great quality images.
Best I could get in its price range.
Simple and inexpensive 2007-07-06
I have gotten a lot of use out of this video camera. It is not a fancy design, yet it has worked well. Audio with the internal mic is acceptable, but better with an external mic. (This is one of the only small camcorders I could find with an input for an external mic.) It is very good considering the price. I have used it with Adobe Primere Elements with good success.
Great Camcorder And Affordable 2007-06-27
Purchased this camcorder for my daughter's family. She finds it very easy to use and lightweight so she can carry it to school functions easily. The tapes are readily available and easy to find. However, as time goes by, this format will become obsolete so don't buy it for the long haul. Nothing lasts that long these days anyway. I would recommend this camcorder as my daughter is taking nice movies of my grandchildren!
Motor noise is whining ! ! ! 
2007-06-15
I just returned a refurbished Elura 100 to B&H. I think I have the bad luck. I got one with huge whining motor noise recorded on the tape. Even my wife can't live with it. Other than this motor noise, this is a perfect camcorder for me. It seems the refurbished elura 100 on the market got a very high rate of motor noise (refurbished from the motor noise return :) ). I don't think canon will fix the motor noise when they recondition the "motor noise" returns. The label on the refurbished box claimed that it passed Canon's test for new elura 100. So I guess there is a lousy audio noise test at Canon. Wish you are not the next victim for the "motor noise".
Note: the "motor noise" is not the running motor singing you heard while you are recording (I can live with that). "motor noise" is the sound that acturally got recorded to the tape that you can hear during play back. I think a better directional mic will solve this problem for canon. Maybe it is not that simple cause there are still good numbers of canon camcorder got ruined by the recorded "motor noise" regardless of which level. I think this is a pretty serious issue to canon. e.g. I'll not try canon camcorders for at least 5 years. Most people had similar experiment will probably have the same thinking.
Now I have to pay 200 dollars more for a sony HC96 :). I just hope HC96's audio can match my sony trv608. Sometimes I see sony is unbeatable or my last hope for the quality and feature, though I am not 100% satisfied with sony products.
