Digital Video Camera & Camcorder Review

For budget-conscious consumers, the ZR family of cameras is a perfect balance between style, performance and affordability. ZR digital camcorders give you a variety of features, including Widescreen HR recording, pre-programmed auto exposure settings, a Firewire/DV Terminal and Canon’s advanced image stabilization system.

CNET has an editor review on the Canon ZR500 Camcorder and has a rating of 6.6 out of 10. and writes: “The Canon ZR500’s $299 list price suggests a bare-bones MiniDV camcorder, but the opposite is true: It’s a surprisingly well-appointed model, one that shares impressive core specs–including a wide-screen LCD, plenty of manual controls, and a 25X optical zoom–with Canon’s ZR600 ($349) and its pricier ZR700 ($399). What’s the catch? The ZR500 doesn’t capture still photos, though we’d hardly call that a catch, unless you’re dying for grainy, 0.7-megapixel snapshots. In fact, the ZR500 has one desirable feature its costlier siblings lack: a microphone jack. Unfortunately, there’s no accessory shoe on which to mount an external mic, so you’ll either have to hold it or get fancy with rubber bands.”

CamcorderInfo has a review on the Canon ZR500 Camcorder and writes - “The ZR500 (MSRP $299) features several controls which help to separate itself from the older ZR100. The largest immediate change is in the physical design of the camcorder itself. This model features a slimmer, more slender silhouette which permits greater portability and handling. There is also a slight increase in LCD size to 2.7 inches, and an increase in optical zoom to 25x. Although this model doesn’t have the USB port and SD card slot found on the ZR600 and ZR700, it does have a mic-in jack, a great feature that doesn’t appear on either. This inclusion may make this camcorder an edge over other ZR cams, depending on your priorities. What else do you miss out on by not stepping up? The ZR600 ($349) offers an improved 9-Point AiAF auto focus, a remote control, and some software. The ZR700 ($399) has an increased 1000x digital zoom (a red herring of a feature), a vide light, and analog to digital pass through. This last feature is perhaps the only worthwhile one, and it will cost you $100 extra dollars. It will be interesting to test this new camcorder against the results garnered with the ZR100 and ZR200 reviewed during 2005. With the visual emphasis on a sleeker, more slender style-conscious design, it will be interesting to see if Canon too has submitted to the trend of offering style over substance. Only full testing will tell, so check back for our in-depth review.”

LetsGoDigital has a review on the Canon ZR100 Camcorder and writes - “From baby things to wedding rings and holidays to golden days, the Canon ZR500 Mini DV camcorder offers the performance and ease-of-use to help consumers capture life’s special moments in vivid detail. Small enough to fit in a coat pocket but with all the technology and features to deliver outstanding video and photos of mom, dad and the kids, the Canon ZR 500 camcorder is “The Official Camcorder of Life.â€Â? The ZR500 camcorder includes Canon’s Widescreen HR (high resolution) feature that allows users to enjoy a full-screen image on their widescreen TV. Designed for the beginner but with enough features to handle a variety of situations, the Canon ZR 500 offers a great camcorder package at an affordable price.”

Further Canon specs here

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