Canon LX-200 Review: Stealthy Camcorder Surprise!

[@garbagebanditdayz819]

Consumer, prosumer, and professional camcorders from 1983-2001 are so interesting.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

I’m a big fan of this time period as well. Kind of obvious I suppose. :)

[@daviddd_edgar]

I used to own an LX-200!! It was my very first pro camcorder, I remember winning one in an eBay auction when I was in high school, the camera shipped from Japan and for some reason it was much cheaper than the L1&L2. This is so exciting, it’s the first time I ever see something related to this camera pop on the internet 😄

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Hey David, It’s truly one of the most unique vintage camcorders I own. It’s nice to know that there is someone else out there who is familiar with the LX200.

[@WaybackRewind]

This gives a clue that this is probably the Japanese domestic market version of the L2. Those JDM cameras usually don't have English printing all over them though so it's a mystery.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

@@WaybackRewind I will keep on trying to dig up whatever info I can on this camera.

[@CycloneCordVHS]

this camera (LX-200) is basically a long lost forgotten twin of the L2 with a black body

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

I'm guessing it was a long lost industrial version of the L2.

[@CycloneCordVHS]

@@davesretrovideolab2709 probably yea

[@nugsovile4333]

I recently picked up a Canon L2 and it has grown to be one of my favorites to use.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

The Canon L1 and L2 cameras were really ahead of their time which is one reason why I like them so much.

[@nugsovile4333]

@@davesretrovideolab2709 they sure were, and there was never a single camcorder after that that was as unique looking as they were

[@dlprod11]

I love your channel so much. I've been trying to acquire a JVC super vhs gfs-550s. I had this model in 1989 and loved it. I miss it. I came close to buying one two weeks ago but found that it had a dead viewfinder.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

I’m glad you love the channel! Thank you for watching. Finding perfectly working retro gear these days is getting tougher and tougher. Sometimes there is that diamond in rough, however which is hidden away at a yard sale or thrift store. Don’t give up hope. You’ll find that ‘550 someday.

[@WaybackRewind]

I have never heard of this camera before 10 seconds ago, wow!

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

It truly is an anomaly.

[@B1-Han]

Pretty good camcorder. The recorded video will have much better quality on the CRT than on LCD (LED) display.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

I agree, a CRT would look better . I used to have a CRT in the lab and it died. :( That’s when I brought into service the lightweight LCD display, which was immediately available. I have a 32” CRT which is stored a few floors up, but my back keeps declining the offer to help go get it. 🙄

[@WaybackRewind]

Yes and I have yet to understand exactly why

[@RavenLittle]

What an awesome find! I'm forever jealous of you and your lab.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Hey Raven, No need to be jealous. That’s why I’m here to share my collection with you and our other retro tech friends. And yes, the LX200 is an awesome find. :)

[@ODPTV1]

That is a fkn cool camcorder. I've got my eyes on a GL1 but this thing blows that out of the water.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

I was so surprised when I saw the ad in Craigslist for it. I just had to have it.

[@yaagam]

Are you selling Canon LX200?

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

No currently, no. It's a very cool camera.

[@DelCampoProductions.]

Awesome video Dave,I own a lot of retro gear and cassettes.I made a video of all my cassette by the way.Awesome canon

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Thanks Ruben! The LX200 was an amazing find. So happy to share with my fellow retro-tech enthusiasts.

[@sikaelectronics2020]

Can I use this camcorder for my KZbin videos

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

You can use any old video camera to make your KZbin content with. That’s being said, KZbin prefers material to be of HD resolution or higher when uploading content. You will need to upscale your videos by either using hardware or software to do this.

[@katekatcher280]

You are awesome.... A liitle nuts, but brilliant and awesome!

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Thanks Kate!

[@techwithspiros2012]

perfect video 👏👏👌👌💖💖

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Thanks Spiros!

[@stacy3]

Amazing video

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Thanks Stacy!

[@valentine_puppy]

The blood on his thumb is from the neighbor who caught up with him and used his long nails to scratch that cut into his hand whilst pounding him with a rolled up news paper. LOL

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Not only should I have a fire extinguisher standing by, I should also have a first aid kit handy as well.

[@vasiliyonge3131]

Super super!

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Thanks Vasily. It’s truly a one of a kind camcorder.

[@moritzanselm2803]

do you have a sony vx1000? its the cam from the 90s that is most used nowadays

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

I currently don’t have a VX1000, but I did buy one new back in 1997. Three years later I sold it to a friend and purchased a VX2100. The ‘1000 was great camera and one worthy of a DRVL review.

[@moritzanselm2803]

@@davesretrovideolab2709 myself i own a vx2000 sadly vx1000’s are pretty hard to get here due to the high demand and also far from cheap

[@WaybackRewind]

​@Moritz Anselm is the premium on the VX1000 worth it just to have one? I hate to compete with all the skateboarders when I just want one just to have it.

[@drmacvetsounds419]

SCREW THAT- SAVE YOURSELF

[@drmacvetsounds419]

Brilliant as always, Herr Direktor

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Thanks Jim! Do you have more toxic cameras for me to review? :)

[@drmacvetsounds419]

@@davesretrovideolab2709 I’ll put my Sony from the late 90s out in the garage. It’ll be ready for your 10th Anniversary Show

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

@@drmacvetsounds419 Sounds good Jim. We look forward to it.

[@mattstone8878]

❤😂❤

[@amatorev]

4:04 why??? 🥺

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

Think of it as recycling. :)

[@amatorev]

@@davesretrovideolab2709 I usually repair these camcorders and they work great 😁

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

@@amatorev I would to find someone who can take the time to repair some of these old memory makers. The main issue is cost. That being said, not all these cameras are worth the time and expense it would take to bring them back to life.

[@amatorev]

@@davesretrovideolab2709 I have this as a hobby I make a collection, I choose some of the models of the sony series f, fx, tr, v, vx video 8 and Hi8 that I like as a design and their functions I change the capacitors with new tantalum and some of them almost all work again and me I really like this 😁😛

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

My collection has a smattering of many different cameras, though I'm partial to Canon's gear and Sony’s Video8 plus tube cameras from @1980 to 1985. I also like to find cameras and camcorders which have a professional feel to them, but they were very much pro-sumer. For example, if I can get my hands on a working Sony CCD-V220, I would be a very happy retro video lab tech. I have ‘220 with it’s original box, but it’s a dud.

[@Capturing-Memories]

Common, there is no test complete without recording on tape, e-mail me your address I will send you some Hi8 tapes.

[@davesretrovideolab2709]

I totally agree. No test is truly complete without testing the VTR section of a camcorder. That being said, for me, it’s all about camera performance and how well a camera’s tube or CCD has held up over time. That intrigues me the most. For the record, my LX200’s tape section had no functionality whatsoever. It would accept a Hi8 cassette and that was about it. That's typical behavior for most of the older gear I pick up. Actually, it's either they don't function or they eat tapes. :/ BTW, I will reach out to you so I can get your thoughts about how to best upscale my old school videos. Thanks for watching!