Canon GL2 Professional Mini Dv Digital Camcorder

L-Series Fluorite Lens

Canon has satisfied the demands of experienced image makers for years through the power, design and quality of their 35mm and broadcast TV lenses. The professional L-Series lenses utilize Fluorite, a material which provides outstanding resolution, contrast and color reproduction, especially in lightweight, high-magnification lenses. Now incorporated into the lens on the GL-2, Fluorite delivers the ultimate clarity and image quality. The Fluorite element inside of the lens defeats color aberration - the effect when 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.

Image Stabilization

Canon's superb optical stabilization system eliminates image shake due to a wide range of movement and/or high wind conditions. It corrects camera shake instantly. 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 as with electronic image stabilizers.

Pixel Shift

This feature solves common shooting dilemmas by using a signal processing technique called Pixel Shift, which has been used in professional grade video cameras for many years. It achieves wider dynamic range, reduced vertical smearing and sharper digital still images. The green component of a video signal contains 60% of the picture detail, and the red and blue components comprise only 40%. The green CCD in the camcorder is shifted vertically and horizontally the equivalent distance of 1/2 pixel from the red and blue CCD. The green signal is then sampled more frequently to extract the maximum picture detail from the video signal. This allows the camcorder to achieve resolution equal to camcorders with nearly twice as many pixels in video recording.

Direction Accurate Microphone

This camcorder's built-in microphone incorporates two pairs of pick-up elements each for left and right. This arrangement realizes a superior directional ability and fuller, richer stereo sound. Also, you can change the microphone frequency characteristics to match the recording condition (normal, voice, windscreen).

Top Grip with Recording Controls

In addition to the side hand grip, the GL2 features a top carrying handle, complete with a duplicate set of recording and zoom controls. Now you can accommodate your individual shooting style, as well as make mid to low angle shooting comfortable and easy.

Special Effects

This feature 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.

Manual Audio Level Control with VU Meters

For complete control, the GL2 offers 2-channel manual audio adjustment (2 mechanical, dedicated controls). The audio level can be monitored by an external illuminated VU meter or in the viewfinder/LCD view screen.

Character Recording

Some video applications (such as law enforcement, including interrogations, crime scene documentation, depositions and court room proceedings) require identification of date, time and time code of each recording. To accommodate this, the GL2 can be set to permanently record this information by superimposing it over the video image.

Analog to Digital Conversion with Pass-Through

For instant editing, simply connect your TV, VCR, or analog camcorder to the camcorder, and send the analog signal directly to your computer's IEEE-1394 terminal, without recording to tape. If you choose, you may first record the analog signal to DV tape, allowing you to create a high-quality master of your original.

Interval Recording

Continuous recording with intervals is possible for users who are seeking to capture a compressed version of real time (such as sunsets, flowers blooming), or create animation. Users may select a recording time of 0.5, 1.5, or 2 seconds, which will be recorded at an interval of 30 seconds, one, five, or 10 minutes.

Advanced Accessory Shoe

The shoe transmits power directly from the GL2. You can choose to attach the optional DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone, shotgun mic with high sensitivity and super directional pick-up. Use when recording or dubbing audio. Or, attach the optional VL-3 Video Light, which can either stay on continuously or turn on/off automatically, in response to changes in the brightness of the shooting situation.

Power Save

This feature allows you to turn the recorder section off, leaving the camera section turned on, so you can adjust the camera section without worrying about the automatic shut-off (5-minute timer).