Canon ZR65MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder

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Manufacturer: Canon Video
Price at amazon.com: Used & new from $233.00

List price $699.99



Product Features:

• MiniDV camcorder with 20x optical zoom, 400x digital zoom, image stabilization
• 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and color viewfinder
• Takes digital stills (1024 x 768) and stores them on included 8 MB Secure Digital memory card
• Shoot panoramic still photos, then stitch together on PC
• Connects to PCs and Macs via Firewire (IEEE1394) and USB (for photos)

Product Description:

Looking for an easy way to break into the world of digital video? Look no further than the Canon ZR65MC, which makes capturing valuable family memories as simple as pressing a button. It also features the ability to take high-resolution digital still photos and store them on memory cards. Lens The ZR65MC features a high-performance 1/6-inch 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high-quality video and digital photos. The zoom technology found in the ZR65MC lens is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses. The ZR65MC is fitted with a high-performance 20x optical zoom lens, which can easily handle all your shooting needs--from wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion to close-up sports action at full telephoto. The ZR65MC's 400x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject. Image Stabilization Canon's image stabilization system corrects camera shake caused by, for example, an unsteady hand. This image stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots--at full telephoto--and with shots taken from a moving car. Digital Still In addition to high-quality video, the ZR65MC also captures outstanding digital photos. All it takes is a single press of the photo button to shoot crisp XGA (1,024 x 768 pixels) digital still images. The ZR65MC stores these images via the built-in slot for Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard memory cards. You can also choose to store still images on the MiniDV tape. The camcorder records the photos for approximately 6 seconds, as well as recording the sound for your verbal notes or narration. You can search through the recorded tape for your photos using the supplied remote control. This photo search feature allows you to search for images recorded in photo mode. Search forward or backward through the images one at a time, or 10 from the current position. More Features Print photos directly to Canon bubble-jet printers 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and 0.33-inch color viewfinder The My Camera function is designed to let you customize a number of features, including start-up image and sound, shutter sound, start-stop sound, and the self-timer sound Shoot panoramic still photos, then edit together on your PC with the PhotoStitch software The full-function wireless remote control works at distances up to 16 feet Wide selection of faders and special effects, including sepia, black and white, wave, mosaic, and more Inputs and Outputs The ZR65MC comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also referred to as FireWire), which provides a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines, as well as USB connectivity for transferring still photos. Additionally, the ZR65MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: composite and S-video. The analog audio inputs of the ZR65MC let you dub or insert editing from CDs, cassettes, microphones, or the soundtracks of other videocassettes. MiniDV Format MiniDV is the new preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. Power, Size, and Contents The ZR65MC comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, which has an approximate battery life of 75 minutes when using the LCD screen. The camera itself measures 4.1 by 2.3 by 5.8 inches and weighs 18 ounces. This package includes the ZR65MC camcorder, battery pack BP-508, power adapter CA-570, wireless controller WL-D79, shoulder strap, stereo video cable, USB cable, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, and the DV Network Solutions and Digital Video Solutions CD-ROMs.
From the Manufacturer Designed for point and shoot simplicity, Canon's ZR65MC allows everyone to get great results without any effort at all. Place the camcorder in your hand, and it fits comfortably and securely, like you have owned it for years. No learning curve is necessary as you soon find yourself shooting crisp, vibrant video and life-like digital photos, just by pressing a single button. Canon, the trusted name in optics for decades, has made capturing memories more convenient, exciting, and easier than ever.... read more

Description from Manufacturer:Looking for an easy way to break into the world of digital video? Look no further than the Canon ZR65MC, which makes capturing valuable family memories as simple as pressing a button. It also features the ability to take high-resolution digital still photos and store them on memory cards.

Lens
The ZR65MC features a high-performance 1/6-inch 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high-quality video and digital photos. The zoom technology found in the ZR65MC lens is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses. The ZR65MC is fitted with a high-performance 20x optical zoom lens, which can easily handle all your shooting needs--from wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion to close-up sports action at full telephoto. The ZR65MC's 400x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject.

Image Stabilization
Canon's image stabilization system corrects camera shake caused by, for example, an unsteady hand. This image stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots--at full telephoto--and with shots taken from a moving car.

Digital Still
In addition to high-quality video, the ZR65MC also captures outstanding digital photos. All it takes is a single press of the photo button to shoot crisp XGA (1,024 x 768 pixels) digital still images. The ZR65MC stores these images via the built-in slot for Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard memory cards. You can also choose to store still images on the MiniDV tape. The camcorder records the photos for approximately 6 seconds, as well as recording the sound for your verbal notes or narration.

You can search through the recorded tape for your photos using the supplied remote control. This photo search feature allows you to search for images recorded in photo mode. Search forward or backward through the images one at a time, or 10 from the current position.

More Features

• Print photos directly to Canon bubble-jet printers
• 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and 0.33-inch color viewfinder
• The My Camera function is designed to let you customize a number of features, including start-up image and sound, shutter sound, start-stop sound, and the self-timer sound
• Shoot panoramic still photos, then edit together on your PC with the PhotoStitch software
• The full-function wireless remote control works at distances up to 16 feet
• Wide selection of faders and special effects, including sepia, black and white, wave, mosaic, and more

Inputs and Outputs
The ZR65MC comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also referred to as FireWire), which provides a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines, as well as USB connectivity for transferring still photos. Additionally, the ZR65MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: composite and S-video. The analog audio inputs of the ZR65MC let you dub or insert editing from CDs, cassettes, microphones, or the soundtracks of other videocassettes.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the new preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Power, Size, and Contents
The ZR65MC comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, which has an approximate battery life of 75 minutes when using the LCD screen. The camera itself measures 4.1 by 2.3 by 5.8 inches and weighs 18 ounces. This package includes the ZR65MC camcorder, battery pack BP-508, power adapter CA-570, wireless controller WL-D79, shoulder strap, stereo video cable, USB cable, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, and the DV Network Solutions and Digital Video Solutions CD-ROMs. Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Excellent entry-level video camera Rating:
I have been researching entry-level digital video cameras for quite some time now. The consensus of the reviews seemed to be that the Canon ZR range of cameras was excellent value for money but that some people were disappointed with the level of motor noise captured.

I decided to take advantage of Amazon's 30-day money-back guarantee and try the ZR-65 out.

I am extremely impressed - the video quality is great. It has lots of great features that I won't repeat here. The most important thing was that the motor-noise captured was no issue at all. The motor noise seems prominent when played back through the camera itself but was barely detectable (I'm tempted to say *un*detectable) when played back through a TV/VCR.

I'm speculating that this is due to a number of possible reasons :

(1) The response of the built-in speaker is such that it amplifies the motor noise

(2) Some sort of audio filter is applied when playing the tape through the A/V out ports

(3) The motor noise seems worse when playing through the camera itself because you can hear the noise of the tape motor as it *plays* the tape

Whatever the reason, the motor noise is not the issue that some others have suggested it is. If you are not sure I would recommend trying it out and being sure to play the tape out through a TV/VCR.

I've tried the video pass-through and tested that I can capture video input from my VCR into Mini-DV format.

The other main criticism I have seen is that some digital camcorders have problems with low-light conditions (especially indoors). Some preliminary tests here also indicate that this isn't an issue, although it does require some manual manipulation of white-balance. The special low-light mode helps but at the expense of shutter-speed so you get noticeable jerkiness when panning.

The battery life of the standard battery supplied with the camera isn't great, but that came as no surprise to me having read other reviews.

Overall my initial impressions are that this is a fantastic camera for the price. I am looking forward to trying out the Firewire capabilities of the camera when I buy a desktop for non-linear video editing!

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Comment: Great Camera for Most Uses.... Rating:
I really love this camera, it has just the right amount of auto functions mixed with user-defined functions. I like the little extras that come with the camera (including the special effects, various transitions, ability to easily customize the video, etc.) I am a film student at NYU and I bought this camera to shoot the many films that we are required to create (unfortunately there aren't always enough school owned cameras to go around,) and it has worked for me just fine... As for the indoor shooting issues that many have complained about, I've found it to be perfectly fine for me (although I do have the use of lighting equipment that could make any place well lighted,) I suggest propping up a desk lamp and reflecting the light off a white wall or centering the light slightly to the side of the subject (this technique is good for just about all cameras and lighting situations; as long as you don't use too powerful a light and get too close, this creates shadows.) I've not only used this camera for my films, but also for personal uses (like my little brother's birthday party) and it worked perfectly for me. Personally, I really am satisfied with this camera and it's great handling and shooting!

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Comment: Great quality except in low light! Rating:
This camcorder has a lot going for it: it's small and lightweight and very easy to use. It has one of the best digitial zooms of any camcorder on the market (20X) and is loaded with lots of special effects. The quality of the video in good lighting conditions or outdoor filming is excellent...very clear and sharp. It also converts analog to digital which is a major plus. And the price is pretty reasonable for all that you get.

That being said, I have to mention the cons: the qulaity of the video in low light situations is very poor...the video is fuzzy and blurrry (just like most of the reviews say). And using the "night mode" or "low light mode" does brighten the picture a bit but the quality is still not acceptable. And there is a constant motor noise when you turn the camcorder on. However, when I play the video back on my TV you do NOT hear the motor noise (so I can overlook that).

Overall, it's a good camcorder for the price and I would recommend it. It has a lot more pros than cons. Just don't buy it if most of your recording will be in low light.

Posted at November 11, 2003 05:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)