Product Description
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
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
Amazingly sophisticated circuitry and computer algorithms analyze the
light 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,
* 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.