Canon upgrades ZR, DC lines of camcorders

Looks like Canon's rung in the new year by tossing a slew of its camcorders to the curb, replacing them with new, slightly improved models. The excitement begins with Canon's entry-level ZR-series, where the ZR-500, 600, and 700 all get replaced by the numerically-enhanced ZR800, 830, and 850. Ranging in price from $280 to $350, the three camcorders each pack a 35x optical zoom and 2.7-inch widescreen LCD, with the ZR800 and 830 each capturing video of the 680,000-pixel variety, while the ZR850 bumps things up to a generous one megapixel. Storage on each is strictly an SD card deal, with support for SDHC cards in addition to the garden variety ones. Taking things up a notch, Canon's also let loose four new models to refresh its DC-series of DVD camcorders, with the DC50, DC210, DC220, and DC230 all set to roll out over the course of February and March. Despite its model name, the $800 DC50 at the top of the heap, with a 5-megapixel CCD, 10x zoom with optical image stabalization, and the same 2.7-inch widescreen LCD as the other models. Rounding out the lineup, the DC210 and DC220 camcorders ($400 and $450, respectively) dial things back to 680,000-pixel territory, while the $500 DC230 will give you a whole megapixel.

Read - Crave, "New entry-level miniDV camcorders from Canon"
Read - Crave, "Canon's new DVD camcorders"

[Kevin @ Jan 5th 2007 5:11PM]

Man. I thought my ZR-10 was so advanced back in 2000.

[Steve @ Jan 5th 2007 10:00PM]

And to think I paid $500 for a ZR85 three years ago. 20X Optical and nowhere near a 5MP CCD. It was recently plagued with the infamous CCD problem, aka the Black Screen of Death. Good thing they're offering free repairs, or they would've lost a customer looking to upgrade.

[Jim McNair @ Jan 9th 2007 10:49AM]

i just got my ZR85 back from the free repair, but now while looking through the viewfinder or screen, the solid black screen is now plagued with vertical black lines, like looking through a window with the blinds partially closed. What do I do ????

[bradwjensen @ Jan 5th 2007 10:43PM]

Wait, so these don't record to MiniDV? - and do they allow the use of a screw on lens? Cause my ZR500 doesn't have thread for a lens and that really sucks for filming this skate video i'm trying to make.. So far i can only get a clip on .5x wide angle lens for it when i could really use a .45x or even a .43x lens.

[MitchM @ Nov 15th 2007 4:26PM]

oh bradwjensen i have the zr 800 and i was wondering what size clip on lens you got so i can get one for mine

[Suzanne Leigh @ May 2nd 2007 11:51AM]

If you want a DVD camcorder to shoot videos, make VERY minor edits from the camcorder itself, and then drop in your DVD player -- the DC210 is okay. It's easy to use, despite the poorly written user guide. As to its features -- it doesn't really stand out in the crowd of similar (less expensive) models.

The audio recording isn't great. From a distance of about 5-6 feet, you'll have difficulty hearing someone who is not projecting their voice.

Regardless, after a weekend of significant frustration, this camcorder is going back.

After talking with Canon, I found out that they chose not to inform their users, or even their retailers, that the output video format in VR mode is "VRO" -- a new, largely unsupported format.

Users CANNOT edit their videos without conversion software -- which, according to Canon reps, WILL NOT be provided on the Canon site. And, this format is so new, I had difficulty finding conversion software and I was unable to find freeware to convert the VRO video files (get ready to pay between $15-$25 for conversion shareware -- in addition to DC210'S $340-$400 pricetag).

Canon does not provide ANY software for this camcorder -- their reason: the camcorder is ONLY intended for point-shoot-play. Note: Canon didn't even bother addressing the new "VRO" format in the user manual that came in the box or the PDF file on their site (the term itself isn't in their documentation).

Finally, if you need decent audio via use of an external mic, forget it -- Canon also didn't put an external mic jack on the DC210 (Canon's ZR800 does have an external jack).

During my last conversation with a Canon rep, my message was basically "shame on you." Canon has obviously chosen to ignore rapidly increasing consumer interest in video editing, the credit for this going to Microsoft, Pinnacle, and others, who have given us some good, simple tools to do creative editing on home and/or amature videos.

Canon totally missed the boat on this one. They could have been packaged a decent camcorder with, at minimum, some conversion software and a better user-guide, thus encouraging their customers to get out there and shoot lots and lots of video for sharing, presentations, and so on, which I intend to do -- with a Sony, JVC, or other camcorder.

I'm giving Canon a poor (vs abysmal) rating only because the DC210 does do what they wanted it to do.

Canon gets an "F-" for not shelling out a few extra cents for each camcorder sold to ensure customers have conversion software, and subsequently the capability to easily edit their creations with inexpensive, easy-to-use movie/video editing software.

[Abdulla @ Aug 12th 2007 11:15AM]

I am having same problem too. Black Screen randomly. I see "streaks" on images as if the image was "wiped." It is so frustrating, when I want to record i see black screen. I can see the menu and hear the sounds though. It started doing this 2 weeks ago. Today I made a research and I see that Canon made a recall on this. I am going to call Canon tomorrow and see if they are going to fix it or replace it for free. Well, we will see what happens tomorrow.

[s.v.rajagopalan @ Oct 27th 2007 7:17AM]

i want to down load editing software for cannon zr 500.can u guide me from which web site i should do it?

[Allen Edwards @ Dec 12th 2007 9:11PM]

Just got the ZR800. I still have the ZR10 and have been really happy with it. The ZR800 provides decent video but the audio is outrageous. I can hear the camera motor humming and it's annoying.

Is anyone else having the same problem? I can't imagine others putting up with this annoying buzzing. I compared the audio with my ZR10 and the ZR800 definitely is humming way too loud. I'll call Canon to see what they say.