Home :: Cameras :: Camcorders  

Analog Camcorders
Digital Camcorders
Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment

Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment

List Price: $799.99
Your Price:
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 >>

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Canon ZR70 is not the camera it should be
Review: I bought the Canon ZR70 and had it for less than a week. It's very poor in low light, even inside our home with lights on. For some reason it just doesn't have enough low lux for this camera. There's alot of bells and whistles, but that doesn't make up for the disappointing results when using this camera. I switched to a JVC which was a bit more expensive but have seen a big difference in lighting, although I believe most digital camcorders probably need a accessory light to help..

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I bought the ZR50MC in January and was somehat pleased. The camera has lots of features and is well designed (fit and finish). However, there were problems. The video quality was poor compared to other competing cameras. The sound, while accurate, was annoying in the way the camera's motor noise was picked up on the tape. So I decided to return the ZR50MC when the ZR70MC was announced. I thought for sure that these things would have been addressed in an updated design. I bought a ZR70MC and found that some additions had been made, but none of the probelms had been addressed. The video was still poor, the stills were better and the sound was still a constant buzz. I wanted very much to like this camera, but I ended up sending it back as well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: So far, so good.
Review: I did a lot of research before deciding to go with this camcorder. So far, I have been very pleased. You may actually have to read the owner's manual to learn how to use it to it's fullest potential, which is something I'm not used to. But once I read the owner's manual, it is actually pretty easy to use. It's sensibly set up, and there aren't a zillion buttons to confuse you. It is the perfect size. Plus, it also has a lot of fun features such as animation and gone are the days of the simple fade in-fade out. Now your images can twirl in, bounce in...and if your an old-fashioned type...the simple fade in is still there, too. Overall, this is an extremely versatile camera.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Love this camcorder
Review: I have had my canon for 3 weeks. I have made the small movies to e-mail and it works great everyone loves getting the short movies. There is so much to this camcorder that I am still learning. The picture is very clear and the voice is really good. It is small and compact easy to hold and the remote is great. I love it and the cost was worth it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Terrible image
Review: I have purchased several Canon products in the past but never owned a video camera before. I did some research and with Canon quality in mind I purchased this camera just before a trip to Maine. I was rewarded with great pictures as well as video! Since I had no experience with video of any kind I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to learn. I am in my mid 50's and my children are shocked that Mom could learn to take great video (It's the camera)! It is so user friendly and fun to learn. I highly recommend this to any shutter-bug just getting started.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GREAT CAMERA!
Review: I have purchased several Canon products in the past but never owned a video camera before. I did some research and with Canon quality in mind I purchased this camera just before a trip to Maine. I was rewarded with great pictures as well as video! Since I had no experience with video of any kind I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to learn. I am in my mid 50's and my children are shocked that Mom could learn to take great video (It's the camera)! It is so user friendly and fun to learn. I highly recommend this to any shutter-bug just getting started.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great little camera - needs tweaking for good indoor results
Review: I picked this up new at a great close-out price as the 2004 models were moving in and am very impressed. Outdoor shots are great - just point and shoot. Indoor requires a little work to get decent results and the user manual isn't much help. Surf the web to find how to use Spotlight mode, AE tweaks, and setting shutter speed to get pretty good results. Don't expect indoor quality to beat a big lens Hi-8, but most DVs don't. Controls and connectivity are very good. Some bells and whistles are a little excessive (picking different colors for the illuminated buttons during record and during play), but the important stuff is all there too.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Good camera but POOR indoor picture quality
Review: I purchased the ZR-70-MC after reading several reviews and studying several other camerass. Initially I was very pleased with the result-outdoors, that is. In sunlight the camera produces excellent picture with great color and crisp outlines. However, indoors the picture becomes grainy and very digital. After studying the manual and trying several different modes and manual adjustments, I was able to improve the picture somewhat, but not to a satisfactory level. I then purchased a Sony TRV-19 and compared them side by side. Feature-wise, the Canon ZR-70 wins. However, the picture quality of the Sony was MUCH better. The Sony was crisp and colorful both indoors and outdoors. It had a much more advanced image stabilizer and focused much better when zooming. I am sending the Canon back and keeping the Sony TRV-19.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I am impressed.
Review: I purchased this camera just a few days ago so I have yet to try out all the functions and get a real feel to it, but so far I really enjoy it.

I like Canon. I have one of the Canon digital still cameras, although just an entry-level point-and-shoot, I think it's great for the job.

First of all, those of who have yet to move from analog to digital, do it now! Prices for digital camcorders are incredibly low. Digital quality is superior to all analog.

This camcorder is very ergonomical. It fits nicely into my hand (I originally thought that it was going to by a lot bigger). I enjoy the light up buttons and the fact that the buttons and well placed and large enough for me to handle. Also, this camcorder does not feel "cheapo." It seems quite durable.

...If you want to transfer the video to a computer you need:
1. Firewire cable (4 pin to 6 pin)
2. Firewire card on computer (or built firewire)
3. Software to capture this. i.e. Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Studio

The picture quality is awesome and the sound is great too. I have yet to hear the so called "motor whine" when using this camera. I mean I can, but only if the TV is turned WAY UP. But you should get an optional microphone.
1. Sony WCS-999 Wireless Mic System
2. Sony ECM-717 Table Top Single Point Mic
3. Canon DM-50
These are great microphones.

Most of the negatives things said about this camcorder is expected to be true of all digital camcorders. For example low light conditions is weak and the still photos is too.

All summed up: Great camcorder for the price. Get it!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: horrible with low light
Review: i used this camcorder indoors for a recital and the picture quality was just so poorly, that the tape was useless. Luckily i used a 4 year old Sony DV as backup, where the picture quality was superb, compared to Canon. I think Canon ZR70 is ok for outdoor usage and greatly priced. On the positive side, i like the great zoom and the ease of use. I think its a good Camcorder for starters or for creative Kids. The Remote is poorly as well, the buttons are so small and not good aranged and hard to find.


<< 1 2 3 4 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates