FEATURES- GL2 Digital Camcorder With the GL2, Canon has created a camcorder with a wealth of features, each selected to elevate further the standard against which other camcorders are judged. The GL2 is a must-have for the person looking for the very best video-making experience. The GL2's excellence begins with its outstanding Fluorite lens and includes pro-level picture adjustment features found only in Canon's top-of- the-line, trend-setting XL1S camcorder. Incorporating precision optics, superior digital processing, and a sleek innovative design, the Canon GL2 offers reliable professional performance. Offering the highest level of control, the camera fully compliments one's vision and passion for excellence. Its advanced feature set allows users to handle even the most challenging tasks with confidence and ease. Includes Camcorder, BP-915 Battery Pack, CA-920 Compact Power Adapter, DC-920 DC Coupler, SS-650 Shoulder Strap, WL-D77 Wireless Controller, S-150 S-video Cable, USB Cable, STV-250N Stereo Video Cable, SDC-8M 8MB SD Memory Card, Software, Lens Hood. * Digital Video Format and IEEE 1394 Canon's GL2 camcorder adheres to an international MiniDV standard. Using MiniDV cassettes, audio and video are recorded digitally. The MiniDV format delivers more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution. In terms of picture quality, this is about 25% better than the best analog formats. It features a DV terminal, also known as a FireWire terminal, which conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard. Using this terminal, you can transfer digital video and audio to and from a computer equipped with a DV terminal, another DV camcorder, or a DV VCR. The digital data transfer occurs without any degradation to the image or audio. This means you can edit movies on your computer and maintain the same high level of picture and audio quality when you transfer the edited movie back to DV tape using the DV terminal. * 3 CCD The Canon GL2 has three CCDs, delivering outstanding picture quality, highly accurate color reproduction and a wide dynamic range with virtually no color noise. On top of that, Canon has improved a broadcast technology to create a new form of Pixel Shift, producing greater picture quality than that of camcorders using CCDs with almost twice the number of pixels. * Professional L-series Fluorite Lens Canon has satisfied the demands of experienced image makers for years through the power, design and quality of 35mm and broadcast TV lenses. Canon's Professional L-Series lenses utilize Fluorite, a material which provides outstanding resolution, contrast, and color reproduction- especially in lightweight, high-magnification lenses. Incorporated into the lens on the GL2, Fluorite delivers the ultimate in clarity and image quality. The Fluorite element inside the lens defeats color aberration - - the effect when the components of light stray from one another within a lens, causing a reduction in sharpness, contrast and color. The Fluorite lens precisely controls components of light providing an excellent balance of these three critical ingredients of picture quality. This is unobtainable with conventional optical glass. * Optical Image Stabilizer Canon's superb optical stabilization system corrects camera shake instantly so even hand held shots, at full telephoto, and shots taken from a moving car, are smooth and steady. And since it is optical, there is no loss of image quality inevitable with electronic image stabilizers. It perfectly complements the high picture quality of the DV format. * Shooting Modes and Aspect Ratios The GL2 has three shooting modes: Normal Movie Mode, Digital Photo Mode, and the cinema-like Frame Movie Mode popularized by Canon's leading-edge XL1 and XL1S. The GL2 also offers both the standard 4:3 aspect ratio and 16:9 wide screen TV aspect ratio. * Exposure Modes The GL2 offers both the versatility to meet all exposure challenges and ease of use when you're happy to let the camera make all the choices. Amazingly sophisticated circuitry and computer algorithms analyze the light coming through the lens to deliver proper exposure automatically under almost any lighting condition. You also can easily adjust the exposure system in any one of several creative ways to meet specific needs. By turning the easily accessible Program Dial to select one of seven exposure modes, you control how you want the video to look. * Shooting Enhancements The Canon GL2 offers many on-camera enhancements that help avoid common shooting errors and make capturing high-quality footage trouble-free. The shooting enhancements also include basic conventional features that are commonly found on broadcast camcorders. * Picture Adjustments Attaining the best picture possible is the essence of filmmaking, photography, videography -- and Canon. The GL2 automates and also allows manual control of the essential ingredients that go into capturing great images. * Audio Adjustments The GL2's omnidirectional microphone is designed to deliver great quality sound: realistic, life-like, and in stereo. Using the GL2's Advanced Accessory Shoe expands your audio options. Check out the "Audio Accessories" section of this website for information on the optional FM-50 microphone (Item Code: 3176A002) and MA-300 mic adapter (Item Code: 8032A002), both of which are powered by the Advanced Accessory Shoe -- no cables required. Also consider that you have sound options to meet both your recording and editing needs. One option gives you two channels for recording sound and two channels for adding sound at the editing stage. * Audio and Video Inputs and Outputs The GL2 is designed to handle two types of analog input and output: using audio/video cables (composite) or S-video. Both connections are on the camera back. * Custom Keys and Presets - One Custom Key The GL2 offers a Custom Key (one setting for camera mode and one for VCR mode). This lets you create and save your own custom settings so your common shooting modes can be readily duplicated. Select options from either the Camera Menu or the VCR Menu and create a customized setting for each. - Custom Preset Key In addition to creating a custom setting for camera and VCR mode via the custom key, you also can establish one preset registration for the following camera features: camera sharpness, color gain, setup level, and color phase. - Camera Sharpness Change the degree of sharpness in the picture. There are 13 steps to choose from. - Camera Color Shift the color towards red or green. There are 13 steps to choose from. * MultiMediaCard/SD Memory Card Capability For the storage of digital still images captured by the GL2, you can use either MultiMediaCards or SD memory cards in the GL2. An 8MB SD Card comes with the camcorder, storing up to 17 fine quality still pictures or 32 standard quality images. * Additional Features The GL2 has many additional features for ease of use and creative control. - USB Terminal The GL2 has a USB connection for transferring still images to a computer. The camcorder comes with the computer software necessary to transfer still images from the GL2 to computer. - Advanced Accessory Shoe Simply slide an accessory, and the show transmits power directly from the GL2. Choose to attach Canon's DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone (Item Code: 3176A002), the stereo shotgun mic with high sensitivity and super directional pick up. Or, attach the VL-3 Video Light (Item Code: 3175A002), which can either stay on continuosly or turn on/off automatically in response to changes in the brightness of the shooting situation. Also with the MA-300 Microphone Adapter (Item Code: 8032A002), you get 2 XLR connectors to use with professional audio equipment. - Tally Lamp On the XL1S, the tally lamp - the signal lamp or LED installed on a video camera that indicates to performers and crew members that the camera is recording - can be left on or turned off via the camera menu. Turning the tally lamp off can facilitate capturing mode natural documentary footage. The XL1S has tally lamp at the front and the back of the camcorder. - High Resolution Color Viewfinder Your shooting experience with the GL2 is enhanced by a high resolution color viewfinder. The 0.44-inch viewfinder has approximately 180,000 pixels. Increasing the GL2's usability is a 2.5-inch (6.4 cm) color LCD screen with approximately 200,000 pixels. Designed for both shooting and playback functions, the screen will rotate 270 degrees so you can adjust the LCD screen to virtually any viewing angle. Your subject can even watch his or her performance as the video is being recorded. The screen folds neatly against the camera body when not in use. The screen can be used to display essential camera and tape function menus and indicators. - Low Power Consumption The GL2 was designed to consume as little power as possible and comes with power saving features such as auto off features (activated after about 5 minutes of inactivity) to further extend battery power for field and remote work. - Easy Menu System The GL2 has two main menus, a camera menu and a VCR menu. Both menus are simple toggle and select systems that allow for rapid adjustment of key camera controls -- such as audio input levels, tally lamp on/off and activation of zebra pattern. - Digital Effects The GL2 offers you a variety of scene transition effects, producing smooth, professional-looking dissolve and wipe transitions between scenes as you record. Effects include: Black & White, which removes color from the video images; Sepia, Art, Mirror, Trail and Strobe, for a stop-and-go type of motion effect. - Digital Faders When you start recording, the scene gradually fades in from a black screen. When you stop recording, it gradually fades out. - Time Code The GL2 records a time code signal along with the video signal. This time code accurately identifies every point on the DV tape by hour, minute, second and frame. This will prove immensely beneficial if you are editing your footage on your personal computer or a professional video editing system. - Data Code The DV standard calls for the automatic recording of date and time, shutter speed, exposure settings and other key camera data on the tape as you shoot. The GL2 does not permanently superimpose this data over your video, however. Instead, this data remains hidden until you select it for display during playback or editing. You can turn the display on or off at will, and you can decide which data you want to display. - Remote Control The GL2's full-function wireless remote control will work at distances up to 16 feet (4.9m). The remote can start and stop recordings, zoom the lens, handle all playback (VCR) functions, control audio and video dubbing functions, and more. - LANC The LANC terminal on the GL2 permits easy connection of compatible edit controllers. - Canon EX Speedlite Flash Compatibility When using the GL2's Photo Mode, you can add a Canon Speedlite electronic flash to the camcorder's Advanced Accessory Shoe. The compatible Speedlites are the 420EX and 550EX. The flash will function exactly as it would when attached to a 35mm photo camera, adding light to still images. - Photo Search Remember that you can put hundreds of still images on a DV tape when using the GL2 in Photo Mode. So having a way to find a particular image is a necessity. Using the GL2's Remote Control, Easy Photo Search lets you scan through the still pictures, even if they're recorded between sections of moving footage.
-- SPECIFICATIONs --------------------- Television system: : EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields) NTSC color signal Video recording system : 2 rotary heads, helical scanning system DV system (Consumer digital VCR SD system) Digital component recording Audio recording system : PCM digital sound- 16-bit (48 kHz/2 ch.) 12-bit (32 kHz/4 channel) Image sensor : 3 CCD 1/4" Pixel Shift (charge coupled device) 410,000 pixels (380,000 effective pixels) Tape format : Videocassettes bearing the MiniDV mark Tape speed : SP- 3/4 ips (18.81 mm/sec.) LP- 1/2 ips (12.56 mm/sec.) Maximum recording time : SP- 80 min. (with an 80-min. cassette) LP- 120 min. (with an 80-min. cassette) Fast forward/rewind time : 2 min. 50 sec. (with a 60-min. cassette) Lens : F/1.6-2.9, 20x power zoom, 4.2-84 mm Focusing system : TTL autofocus, manual focusing possible Minimum focusing distance: 3 ft. 3 3/8 in. (1 m) 3/8 in. (1 cm) on maximum wide angle Maximum shutter speed : 1/15,000 sec. Minimum illumination : 6 lux Recommended illumination : More than 100 lux Filter diameter : 58mm Viewfinder : 0.44", color LCD (approx. 180,000 pixels) LCD screen : 2.5 in. measured diagonally (6.4 cm), 200,000 pixels (approx.) Microphone : Stereo electret condenser microphone DV terminal : Special 4-pin connector (based on IEEE 1394) Video terminal : 1 Vp-p/75 ohms unbalanced S-video terminal : 1 Vp-p (Y signal), 0.286 Vp-p (C signal) Audio terminal : -10dBV, less than 3 kohms, unbalanced MEMORY CARD- Recording media : MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card Image format : Design rule for Camera File system (DCF) Print order format : Digital Print Order Format (DPOP) POWER- 7.2 V DC (Power Supply) (battery pack and power adapter included) Consumption: 4.8 W (using viewfinder), 5.7 W (using LCD screen). SIZE - 4 5/8" x 5 3/8" x 12" WT.- 1 lbs. 7 1/2 oz.
