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

Bought this camcorder about 2 years ago when we had our first baby. It worked well until 6 month ago when the video capture had intermittent problem. Now, it won't capture anything (LCD is black( most of the time).

I went through other reviews and found out that Canon had service calls on this model. So I am going to call Canon service center tomorrow.

Avoid the product....

Hi, my name is Steven Berk. I am an attorney in Washington, DC, who specializes in representing consumers who have purchased defective products from technology companies. I am currently working on cases of that kind against HP and JVC. I noticed your posting concerning ZR70. I have been investigating other complaints about Canon ZR, Optura, Elura, and GL series camcorders. In connection with that investigation, it would be very useful if I could interview you about your experience with the grainy CCD/mosaic noise problems. If you are interested, please email me at stevenb@cuneolaw.com or call me at 202-789-3960. Thanks for your consideration.

I bought this camera 2 years ago--used it minimally, babied it --never took it anywhere but home--used to tape my puppy when she was small. After almost no use it stopped rcording --just when i wanted it for the birth of my baby! Screen just records black. Sent it all the way to canada to fix--payed alot--and still 9 months after the birth of my baby it's not recording again!!! i do not live in a country with a canon center and to get it to canada (where it was bought) was a haasle. please so not buy this or any other canon camcorder. My cousin has one that is a slightly older model and has sent it for repairs twice. i dont know if what the reviewer for manila said will work but I will try it if i ever get this camera back to canada again!

Pros: Handy in size, easy to use, good lenses
Cons: Records its motor noise, not realy good at for night shooting, or in really dark environments. Don't expect much about supernight mode.

As others have mentioned, this camera, along with a slew of others from Canon have a CCD problem relating to heat. I just experienced this problem and called Canon per their website.

I made the mistake of referring to the "product recall" to which I was endlessly chastised by the customer service rep because it is really a "product advisory." (I originally bought the camera for over $700, now I'm being treated like trash because I used the wrong words... nice.)

In returning the camera for service, I was told not to use the original packaging and that I should bubble wrap it and place nothing around it in a large box. (so it can fly around inside) They pay for UPS shipping, which she said takes 7-10 days.

Once they receive it, they will determine if heat caused the problem or if the CCD is broken. If it's broken, then I have to pay. Considering that they want it to be flung around inside a large box during shipping, I can see where this is going.

I would not recommend this camera for this problem alone and would not recommend Canon products at all due to their customer service anymore.