The Elura 20MC joins a growing crowd of small, vertically oriented camcorders that pack an enormous number of features into their tiny cases. In this case, you get a 10x optical zoom, progressive scan CCD, analog inputs, and a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, among other things.

Canon is known for their lenses, and the 10x optical zoom lens is a good one. The zoom can also be digitally enhanced to provide 40x magnification, but the 10x should be enough for most purposes. Additionally, the camcorder is equipped with an image stabilizer to help eliminate the shakes and jitters associated with handheld video shooting (at any zoom level). Also of note is the progressive scan CCD, which provides a full screen of video information for every frame, as opposed to the standard (interlaced) CCD, which provides a half a screen of information for every frame. This type of CCD is a good choice for those who need to analyze things in slow motion (like golf swings).

The digital still mode records 640 x 480 stills onto an included 8 MB MMC card, although you can also use SD memory cards. While the images aren't the highest resolution, they're still great for pictures you want to post on the Web, or e-mail to friends and family. Also, the Elura has a feature Canon calls the Digital Motor Drive, which captures 30 full-frame images a second onto the included memory card.

The Elura also features a great number of inputs and outputs, meant to satisfy even the most ardent gear-fanatic's lust. You get the standard IEEE 1394 port, composite and S-video analog inputs for converting all your old footage to digital, and a mic input that allows you to use an external mic source (good for pro-sounding audio).

The Elura 20MC is a great little camcorder that includes a lithium-ion battery, power adapter, battery charger, docking unit, S-video cable, stereo video cable, and 8 MB MMC card.