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
Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment
See it at Amazon.com for $129.00Average Customer Rating
(3.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Canon ZR70MC
(4 out of 5) by David Iverson on Dec 23, 2003 (Elma, WA USA)This is a great camera for the price. Pros: The zoom is incredible and the outdoor picture quality, awesome. Small, light weight makes this a prefect camera for vacations or home video needs. Can't beat it for the price. No motor noise when played thru a TV. Cons: Indoor picture quality is grainy unless additional lighting is used. The Mic doesn't pic up sound real well for anything over six or seven feet away.(Optional Mic cures this) Still photos aren't very great, but work for emails. Overall, a great little camera well worth the price. Those who took or sent it back after a day, didn't give it enough time. Definately recommend it.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Very happy
(4 out of 5) by Amazon Customer on Oct 22, 2003OK, its not a $1000 camera, but for the money I paid I am quite happy. I love the size, features and well built quality of this camera. I know others have issues with noise and low light quality but not a big problem with me. This unit comes with all the cables you need, wide angle attachment, PC software, etc.
The buttons are well laid out and it is very comfortable in your hand. Picutre quality is quite good, except for stills (but don't expect good still quality on any camcorder).
Brand new, I only paid $400 online from 6th Avenue Electronics and I think for the money it's hard to beat.
The buttons are well laid out and it is very comfortable in your hand. Picutre quality is quite good, except for stills (but don't expect good still quality on any camcorder).
Brand new, I only paid $400 online from 6th Avenue Electronics and I think for the money it's hard to beat.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
An okay entry level digi camcorder
(3 out of 5) by J. Tan on Mar 25, 2003 (Arlington, VA)Good:
1)The various editing & filming functions of the camcorder.
2)The controls are easy to use.
3)Zooming and wide angle function
4)Compact and light.
5)Nice remote control function
1)The various editing & filming functions of the camcorder.
2)The controls are easy to use.
3)Zooming and wide angle function
4)Compact and light.
5)Nice remote control function
Bad:
1) The motor noise is still present! (you can hear it in the recorded mini-DV tapes)
2) The image stablization is not always present.
3)Takes awhile to auto focus during low and night-time conditions.
4) To utilize the msn messenger video option, you need exclusively Win XP OS.
NOTE: Please don't expect any digi camcorders to take good still pictures, including this one. Afterall, it's main purpose is to film and get a digi camera if you need to take good still pictures.
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
Review After Long-Term Use
(5 out of 5) by AWM on Jun 6, 2003 (Baltimore, MD United States)This is an update to my review of the ZR50MC camera (see ZR-50MC Report With DM-50 Mike and VL-3 Light, May 22, 2002).
I have had the ZR50MC camera for well over a year and I've used it for 6 major events- (2 weddings, 2 cello recitals, 2 school productions). Very simply, this camera works for me very, very well. I typically use the ZR50MC with the DM50 mike, VL-3 light (in poor lighting conditions) and BP-535 (the big one) battery always.
Major advantages-
1) The 22X zoom is to kill for. One cannot underestimate the importance and power of this lens. The ability to fill the screen with faces (whether from a school play, musical performance, or wedding) is spectacular. The audience just loves it. And there is an additional advantage. There are circumstances where backlighting is very difficult, meaning that the background is very bright and the subject in the foreground is dark. Well, all you have to do is to zoom on the subject until the auto exposure brightens the image and the problem is solved.
2) The DM50 mike is indispensable. Because the camera is so small, the mike is easy to carry and does not get in the way. It's a win-win situation all around since the mike (1) gets rid of the motor buzz, and (2) provides CD quality audio with 16 bit resolution. The audience really enjoys the high-quality sound.
3) The oversized BP-535 battery is a gem. I never have to worry about running out of battery power. I've only seen the battery indicator go down to the 50% level once.
In summary, I'll just relay the words of a relative whose son was the groom at a recent wedding- "The video (I produced a DVD of the event) was so professional." All I did was use the fade option of the camcorder.
Bottom line- The camcorder is not perfect, but it produces a quality product. It is very user friendly and has a knack of just taking good video. The image stabilization is impressive. I had to juggle the camera on and off a tripod in the church during a wedding but the video itself hardly betrayed these machinations. Given the good response that I've received for the wedding DVDs that I've produced, I'm contemplating getting more serious about this endeavor with my current video equipment. That basically says it all.
I have had the ZR50MC camera for well over a year and I've used it for 6 major events- (2 weddings, 2 cello recitals, 2 school productions). Very simply, this camera works for me very, very well. I typically use the ZR50MC with the DM50 mike, VL-3 light (in poor lighting conditions) and BP-535 (the big one) battery always.
Major advantages-
1) The 22X zoom is to kill for. One cannot underestimate the importance and power of this lens. The ability to fill the screen with faces (whether from a school play, musical performance, or wedding) is spectacular. The audience just loves it. And there is an additional advantage. There are circumstances where backlighting is very difficult, meaning that the background is very bright and the subject in the foreground is dark. Well, all you have to do is to zoom on the subject until the auto exposure brightens the image and the problem is solved.
2) The DM50 mike is indispensable. Because the camera is so small, the mike is easy to carry and does not get in the way. It's a win-win situation all around since the mike (1) gets rid of the motor buzz, and (2) provides CD quality audio with 16 bit resolution. The audience really enjoys the high-quality sound.
3) The oversized BP-535 battery is a gem. I never have to worry about running out of battery power. I've only seen the battery indicator go down to the 50% level once.
In summary, I'll just relay the words of a relative whose son was the groom at a recent wedding- "The video (I produced a DVD of the event) was so professional." All I did was use the fade option of the camcorder.
Bottom line- The camcorder is not perfect, but it produces a quality product. It is very user friendly and has a knack of just taking good video. The image stabilization is impressive. I had to juggle the camera on and off a tripod in the church during a wedding but the video itself hardly betrayed these machinations. Given the good response that I've received for the wedding DVDs that I've produced, I'm contemplating getting more serious about this endeavor with my current video equipment. That basically says it all.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Solution for Dead ZR70's
(3 out of 5) by Artemio on Jan 30, 2006 (Manila, Philippines)Gentlemen,
I recently found out that Canon has a worldwide recall for ZR70 and similiar models. I got my ZR70 repaired for FREE. Check out your nearest Canon Service Centers. I am based in Manila, Philippines, they did it here, for sure they'll do it there in the States.
Problem starts with the wiring that connects the CCD, it overheats and lossens. That's the reason why the recording just goes dead.
No questiona asked, even never bothered asking for warranties and where i got it. Just gave me a receipt and told me come back after 2 weeks.
Hope it works for you guys.
I recently found out that Canon has a worldwide recall for ZR70 and similiar models. I got my ZR70 repaired for FREE. Check out your nearest Canon Service Centers. I am based in Manila, Philippines, they did it here, for sure they'll do it there in the States.
Problem starts with the wiring that connects the CCD, it overheats and lossens. That's the reason why the recording just goes dead.
No questiona asked, even never bothered asking for warranties and where i got it. Just gave me a receipt and told me come back after 2 weeks.
Hope it works for you guys.