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

This is my first camcorder. I have downloaded several 60 minute MiniDV tapes to my editing program and have had NO detectable motor noise. I purchased the optional directional stereo microphone that attaches to the accessory shoe for higher quality sound recording, but haven't used it yet. The 22X optical zoom is fabulous. I turned off the Digital Zoom. I recorded herds of elk that I could barely see with naked eye and with the 22X Optical Zoom they were close enough to count antler points and of very good quality. Filmed beach at Pacific Ocean in Washington state, excellent quality films, zoomed in on distant objects and got very good quality shots.

Some of the reasons I decided on this make and model (after months of research and hands on with digital camcorders in stores) is due to the large size of the buttons (they are easy to locate and depress),the compact size of the camera, and it's very easy to operate. I can fit the camera in my coat pocket and the weight is barely detectable. Great for people who hike or hunt, etc. The camera's size doesn't detract from it's quality~ it's constructed of tough materials and feels like it's quality, not junky at all.

Another selling point for me is the 22X Optical Zoom. It's the highest level OPTICAL zoom that I found of any MiniDV camcorder. Canon has an excellent reputation for high quality lenses.

Some reviewers complained about the still pictures being poor quality, but that is not an issue for me. I didn't purchase it for still photos. I do find it appealing to have the option of taking a still photo with it once in a while. I have not tested the still photo option yet. I have a feeling it will be pretty good quality though :-)

THIS CAMERA DOES NOT COME WITH FIREWIRE CABLE, YOU NEED ONE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO TO COMPUTER! Make sure you have one and that your computer has a FIREWIRE port. I had to install a firewire card to my computer.

I purchased several accessories for my camera:

1) Tele-Converter lens (TL-30.5)
2) Lens filter set (FS-30.5U)
3) Canon Directional Stereo Microphone (DM-50)
4) Canon Lens Cleaning Kit (Z-02-A ?)
5) Sony Mini DV Head Cleaner (Digital Video Cleaning Cassette)
6) Canon BP522 Lithium Battery and car charger
7) Firewire cable for video capture (Camera DOES NOT come with firewire cable! You NEED this to download the video to your computer!!!!)
8) SLIK 504QF-ll Video Tripod
9) Canon Deluxe Back Pack Bag (200 EG)
10) SIMA Video Light (fits on hotshoe) Model SL-9
(I am sure the CANON VL-3 Video Light or the VL-10li Battery Video light that fit on the hotshoe are better for this camera but I bought this on impulse at Circuit City)

I bought Adobe Premiere 6.5 for my digital video editing, and purchased two very useful books on digital video filming and editing:

1) How to Use Digital Video (SAMS Publishing) by Dave Johnson

Teaches editing in Adobe Premiere and MGI Video Wave III but the lessons are applicable to most video editing software. Full of good photos of editing software screens and easy to follow instructions. Very useful book.

2) Capture, Create, and Share Digital Movies (Survive and Thrive series, Gateway Press)

Teaches editing in Pinnacle Studio and Ulead Video Studio
but lessons are applicable to most video editing software. Has lots of good pictures of video editing software screens and easy to follow instructions. Very useful book.

I think that if most of those who left negative reviews had spent some time reading the manual and practicing with the manual and camera in hand, they would have been satisfied with the camera. Much of their negative comments deal with issues that are drawbacks to ALL digital camcorders, and are discussed in the instruction booklet. (night shooting, etc)

I'm 100% satisfied with this camera. I think it's awesome. At Circuit City you can test it for 30 days and if you aren't satisfied with it you get a full refund.

This is the first video camera I have purchased. Having used many Hi8 and SVHS video cameras I was unsure what camera to buy. After reading the reviews and asking associates and testing the camera. I purchased the ZR70MC at my local electronics shop and immediately liked the look and feel of the controls along with the excellent quality of the videos I was taking. Outside the camera's picture quality was excellent. I filmed my nephew walking, running and playing with his toys. No loss of quality. I thought I was watching digital cable! The wide angle attachment is perfect for group shots and large room areas. The picture quality from the photos wasn't great but acceptable for e-mail. We have a traditional camera for those needs. My wife liked the weight of the camera it is light and easy to carry. I wasn't able to hear the motor noise that everyone was talking about. The camera is small and some background noise can be heard. You can also hear the clicking of buttons and the movement of the zoom. You do need a firewire cable for direct connection to your MAC/PC, however the photos and 10 second movies can be downloaded with the USB. I'm waiting to receive the free video editing software by mail and will update you on the quality of the software with the camera.

-- Best things: Fits hand, very easy to use, convenient size (smaller more expensive models are hard to control, even with stabilization), the optical zoom is wonderful, the sound is sensitive and surprisingly accurate (more on that below), image quality in bright light is awesome, AV passthrough lets you transcribe to/from video or S-video devices (e.g., TV, VCR) direct to FireWire (with or without going onto tape in between). It works wonderfully with iMovie software on Mac OS-X.
-- Worst things: Comes from Canon without a tape, comes with USB cable but not a FireWire cable, has bells and whistles (who actually needs to change colors of illuminated buttons?), takes still shots (I don't need/want a digital still photo feature with another set of media and cables). Built-in mic picks up wind noise. (I haven't tried the optional accessory microphone.)
-- Other comments: Perhaps pricey, but worth it for the Canon optics and ease of use. The ZR-70 comes with a wide-angle lens which is actually useful. So is the remote control. Battery life is longer than a tape's capacity, so plan to have a spare battery and a separate charger (not included) and change battery and tape together. I haven't done much with low light conditions, but it seems okay. Some ZR reviews have mentioned motor noise picked up in the sound recording - it isn't a problem for me. The camera adjusts the recording level to match the ambient sound level - this means that you get great sound in a wide range of situations. Only if there is no other sound will the camera turn up the sensitivity so high that it records its own motor's noise.
-- Punchline: I'm really happy with this DV camcorder, and recommend it. (5 stars if it came with a tape and FireWire cable in the box, and without still photo feature.)

Prior to buying the Canon ZR70MC, I read the reviews with great interest. After buying it, as a second choice due to limited time and unavailability of our first choice at the store, I would like to share some notes with prospective buyers. First, I noted that some owners complained about "motor noise" playing back after recording. I found that if you hold your finger in the bottom front of the camera, where the microphone input is located, you will indeed get motor noise during your recording. The simple fix is to not hold your finger near the microphone input area while recording. The motor noise is then negligible. Second, I noted some people complained about the image stabilization being poor. I would not class it as being poor, but I have seen better in cameras in the $1500 and up range. A tripod is definitely recommended for lengthy or telephoto recording. Image quality is first rate, although the image will "pixelate" if you get overzealous with the telephoto feature. The 22X optical zoom is excellent, and the careful and judicious use of the digital zoom feature can lend real "close-ups" with good resolution to your recordings. Finally, the transfer of the taped images is to VHS, CD or DVD is very simple and straightforward. In particular, for those of us that still use them, VHS tapes come out with excellent resolution! The owner's manual makes easy work out of digital effects and editing, including connections and methods. The on-screen menu is not touch screen, but it is almost as easily accessed through the simple selector located on the rear side of the camera. The screen and viewfinder are both clear and sharp. All in all, I rate this camera 41/2 /5 possible with no reservations. Quite simply, I like it a lot, and I am very happy that my wife and I decided to purchase it. I recommend it.

If you're searching these pages for camcorder reviews you're probably bug eyed and worn out but information overload. So I'll get to the point.

I bought this camera because I'm dork who wanted a camera with a lot of features but not enough of a geek to need the latest and greatest thing out there. Didn't want to spend a fortune (I gladly paid $600)

Several factors led me to choose this model over some others I was considering (especially midrange sonys.)
1. zzzooooooooooom 20x specifically. It really works. You can really get in there and have clear details even from farrrr away.

2. connections: it comes with every possible connector built in, so you can dub to/from VCR, use USB, firewire etc. Not many cameras in this range had this many connectors (I write in Dec 03)

3. Hot shoe -- easy to hook up boom mike or spotlight. Few cameras have this feature.

4. built in light - small light in front comes in handy on camping trips etc.

5. compatibility -- for mac/imovie users, this camera is 100% compatible.@You can fast forward, freeze etc direct from your camera. Not a huge bonus but a nice touch nonetheless.

*faults*
1. LOWLIGHT -- the camera is very grainy in low light. It CAN do special lowlight shooting. but these are different. What I mean is just in standard mode, you're shooting a birthday party or a barbecue it comes out really grainy. I filmed my friends garage band concert the other day using this and an old JVC dv cam (which admittedly cost a fortune when new) and the old camera had better quality!

2. start-up time: niggling detail but it does take a while betwen turning it on and actually being able to shoot. Usually it's no problem, but there have been times when I missed a good shot because I was waiting for the camera to get in gear. Again that old JVC beat my new canon.

by the way, some people complained about motor noise but I have no idea why they say that.

SUMMARY: great feature packed camera for the price, great in good light, long battery, falls short in low light.


April 2009 Update: Been using this camera for years now with no problem. Except for the low light and other minor issues I already mentioned, I still love it. If you can get a used one cheap it's still viable.