Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom

Compared to what's available now, this camera can seem a bit "outdated" but I bought one used many years ago and it is still going strong, recording projects with very competitive SD picture quality. It isn't HD and it doesn't have 24P but its "frame mode" does provide a low-cost alternative. I chose this camera because I had a lot of experience using it from other GL1 and GL2 owners and I'm still not disappointed. I say this is a very good introductory camera for filmmakers and videographers not looking to spend twice as much for the most current technology. This camera is designed for professional applications and is not a good choice for people shooting "simple" home videos and little league games. If you are not serious about shooting and editing professional video, this camera will easily discourage any buyers not willing to learn a lot of functions.

After at least 4 years of service (not including how long the previous owner used it), I have still not seen any malfunctions such as the "remove tape" error that seems to be occurring with some GL2 owners. I own several camcorders and reserve the GL2 for only the best projects in order to spare this camera from heavy usage and abuse. Owning a cheap, "junkie" camcorder for tape logging to the computer is a MUST. No one spending their money on any camcorder in this price range should be using it as a VCR to watch tapes and log clips.

My GL-2 just came back from Canon's repair shop last month - another $400 to replace the cassette drive. I paid $1900 for my GL-2 three years ago, and the most recent fix brings my grand total for repairs to $1600! Pros: Great video, great audio. Cons: This thing breaks all the time! I didn't read any reviews before I purchased my GL-2, having used Canon SLR cameras and lenses since 1993. HAVE I LEARNED MY LESSON! Just look in my wallet..not much left in there. I love my GL-2, but there are better cameras out there for the money. This model has several known defects that Canon chooses to ignore (only ten tapes through since the cassette drive was replaced the last time). I babied my GL-2 - seriously, I took better care of this than any camera I've ever owned - and it broke anyway...three times. I'm tranfering my video over to a digital hard drive and then putting my GL-2 out to pasture.

I own 2 Canon GL2's. The picture is really great when the camera is new. I use a VCR to import video for editing. After about 20 hours of use I can no longer use the vcr. I must use the camera to import video. I have had both cameras fixed twice for $240 dollars each time. After 5 months one went bad again. I went back to Canon and they have now raised the price to $400 for the same repair.They claim parts are hard to get. This is a current model! I have sworn off Sony, now it's Canon's turn. By the way the problem is caused by the same issue as the eject message, The tape transport.

I own the GL2. A pixel has blown. I called an authorized Canon repair service and they told me not to bother installing a new CCD chip as that one will fail as well. And that lesson would cost me $[...] (US).
I hadn't had the GL2 long enough for the Tape Cassette failure the GLS is famous for to kick in yet.
It is called "Planned Obsolescence" and is now designed to kick in after the warranty expires.
I can't recommend any Canon products. My EOS 20D camera's flash unit has never popped up. I didn't use the flash until after the warranty was up. I know I was negligent for trusting Canon's reliability but know I know better.
And the Canon 50mm lens I bought new has a defect like a scratch or speck inside the lens. Also discovered too late.
Read the complaints about Canon.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cameras/canon.html
http://www.eventx.com.au/avc.htm
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-gl2-gl1-son-watchdog/32267-gl2-dead-pixel-again.html
Never again for me.

Within the first 30 days GL2 began eating my tapes. I promptly returned camera to Amazon within the first 30 days. 30 days after receipt of the product by Matt Greene at Amazon, still no refund. After 3 calls to their customer service, taken by people in the Philipines, still no refund. Will NEVER buy Canon or from Amazon again. Amazon, get your act together, this is not the economy to be messing with people's money. Plus, you might reconsider using people in a foreign company who have no concern for YOUR customers. They promised to call back twice, never did either time.