Last update Mar 7, 2004. All pictures by Ali Ozer.
Back in the summer of 2000, in trying to choose a digital video camcorder, I had the chance to test drive the JVC GRDVL9800U and the Canon Optura Pi. Below are some of the still pictures I shot with these camcorders.
In some cases I was able to shoot the same scene with both camcorders. I am providing those images as-is for comparison purposes.
Comparison of JVC GRDVL9800U and Canon Optura Pi Images
Comparison of JVC GRDVL9800U and Canon Optura Pi High-Speed Images
Canon Optura Pi High-Speed Images
In general, I think both of these camcorders are very good. They both provide progressive-scan, which allows much better stills grabbed from video. They also both have nice 3.5" screens, and provide excellent connectivity, including IEEE1394 (Firewire) and A/V in/out.
I think overall you get more bang for the buck with the JVC, which has a lot of features, including the ability to store 640x480 and 1024x768 still shots in a memory module (4MB provided). It has a built-in flash, 1/3" 680,000 pixel CCD, and features electronic image stabilization --- this in my opinion is visually at least as good as Canon's optical image stabilization, although some might disagree. The JVC is also slightly more compact, less boxy than the Canon, and fits better in your hand (or at least mine!).
However, the Canon has significantly better low-light performance, an accessory shoe (for flash, for instance), and provides higher-shutter speeds; features that might come in handy.
One major deciding factor for me was that the JVC was not 100% compatible with iMovie on the Macintosh at the time I was doing the comparison. I ended up returning the JVC and keeping the Canon Optura Pi. Since then this incompatibility was remedied with QuickTime 5, released late 2000.
September 2001 I occasionally get email asking what I think of the Optura Pi after using it for a while now. At this point it's been more than a year that I've had it, and yes, I still use and enjoy it a great deal. There still doesn't seem to be camcorders out on the market that have greatly advanced in terms of features (other than increased resolution in stillshots, which to me is a secondary feature). This is unlike the digital camera market, where a year has made huge difference in terms of features, resolution, and price!
I've also used iMovie a great deal and iDVD some to make movies and burn them on DVDs. One suggestion I have is, if you buy a digital camcorder, also consider getting a Firewire-capable computer and a movie editing package, as these greatly enhance the camcorder experience.
August 2003 I still use the Optura Pi, and it's working great.
March 2004 Well, soon after I wrote that the camcorder started going downhill. Slowly at first, where it would spontaneously tell me to "Eject tape." Reloading the tape would usually fix the problem, but it started getting worse. By January the camcorder started eating tapes, and that was the last straw.
I looked at the current camcorder offerings on the market, and didn't see anything that was head-and-shoulders above the Optura Pi for a reasonable price, so I sent it in the Canon Service Center at Irvine. Three weeks and $150 later the camcorder is back, and seems to be working fine!
I've since gotten digital still cameras as well; a Sony DSCF707 in 2001, and a Canon EOS 10D in 2003. See here. The still picture capability of these cameras (and almost all others in the market today) is way better than that of the Optura Pi of course, so the Pi should really be judged on its camcorder capabilities.
In any case, here's a page with my favorite shots from the Optura Pi.