Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon ZR50MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Digital Still Mode & MMC Card Slot

I thought that the motor noise was probably not as bad as some reviewers had complained. Actually I thought they were whining about the whine. I also thought that the quality of the picture would at least be better than my VHS-C camcorder. I even ordered the DM-50 microphone from B&H just in case.

I received the camera and microphone today. I was excited and when I opened the box I was delighted with what I saw inside. I would give this camera a 12 for style points since it is the smallest, sweetest looking DV camera I have ever seen... BUT! The motor hum is extremely noticeable even when recording in noisy environments (this is not a camera for anyone who cares at all about audio quality), the picture is grainy and generally poor quality compared with various other cameras and the microphone looks larger than the camera. Seriously, they should show the microphone in relation to the camera, the mic is so big that when it's sitting in the accessory shoe it eliminates the camera's only good features, size and looks.

I called Canon and asked if there was any way to turn down the gain on the internal microphone and was very politely told that if I found the motor noise obtrusive I should return the camera.

I didn't even try the other features because the bottom line is that when compared to my Panasonic VHS-C camera (1995 model, cost $550) the VHS-C quality is vastly superior. Any DV camera that can't give a VHS-C camcorder a run for its money should be discontinued. I feel that Canon is trying to make a quick buck in the under $1000 DV market and is doing so at the expense of quality.

One other thing. I ordered this camera without ever trying it out and I think that was a mistake. If you are thinking of buying any type of camera without seeing a live demo of it please re-consider. I will spend at least the next month further researching and trying out DV camera's before I buy another one. I should have listened to the other reviews but I didn't and I got burned. I hope that either Canon fixes their bugs or another manufacturer designs a camera that looks just as good as the ZR-xx series, but actually functions like a DV camera is supposed to. Good luck!

I bought the Canon Zr-50 in February and I am fairly satisfied with it's functions. Good points: Stylish, small, compact, and comfortable to hold. Bad points: Digital Stills are only 640x480, when hooked up to tv it is sort of grainy which makes me mad. I am hoping it is my ignorance of DV camcorders and I hope there is somehow I can make the picture clearer. If there is please email me and inform me. The recording in the day time is great, but recording in the night time can use a little work. I like this camera and am waiting to do wonders with it. For the price I paid, I am satisfied. If you like a stylish mediocre camera for under 800, buy this camera.

I had read the other reviews before buying the ZR50MC. I have
to agree with them all - the motor hum does exist and is very
real, especially if there is only one person speaking in a
quiet background. In a noisy background, it doesn't matter.
However, it is very easy to use and very good looking, so I would
still recommend it highly. One of these days, I should probably
get the optional microphone to see if the hum does go away.

For anyone contemplating buying the ZR series,my advice is to buy
the ZR45MC. The extended recording modes in ZR50MC have so many
limitations, that it is just not worth the extra money.

I purchased the Canon ZR-50 through an online dealer for an excellent price. I also checked with Canon USA to be sure the dealer was legitimate. I received a lot of free or low-cost extras from the dealer with the camcorder e.g.extended warranty, an extended life battery, 2 tapes, a camera bag and tripod.
The camera works perfectly without any of the motor noise other people have noticed. Its small size is great for travelling. The still pictures in the fine mode are satisfactory to send via the Internet.It is easy to save the still pictures from a recorded video. Printing the pictures on quality paper improves them.

This camcorder is the best camcorder ever constructed. Everybody was saying the motor hum was obtrusive, which it isn't. The optical zoom is 22x. That lets you see so much from so far! The digital picture quality is horrid but you can buy a digicam for that. Install a light ontop of it and you can have the best movie. The ShowBiz software is extremely good. The only drawback is(not really a negative) that kids who use it might shake the camera which affects the video. Let the dad use the camcorder because it won't shake. The LCD screen is a perfect size in order to see. You can easily zoom in and out and connect it to a computer or VCR. It is fun to use and easy to use. The software that Canon provides is cool for school. I was once debating about a Panasonic camcorder or this but I decided to buy this one because the hand grip is better(yep, that does make a huge difference). I LOVE THIS THING!

THERE ARE TWO GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE CAMCORDER: SIZE AND ZOOM.