TV with DVR & Internet: $84.90/moCanon ZR800
Manufacturer: Canon USA Part number: 1880B001
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Canon's latest entry-level MiniDV camcorder is a great choice for anyone looking to create video on a shoestring budget.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/02/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Canon ZR800 price range: $699.95
- Reviewed by: Philip Ryan
- Reviewed on: 03/01/2007
The good: Inexpensive; easy-to-use joystick control; 35x optical zoom; above-average color reproduction; microphone jack.
The bad: Poor low-light performance; bottom-loading tape compartment; not enough stabilization at maximum zoom; no still image capture.
The bottom line: Canon's latest entry-level MiniDV camcorder is a great choice for anyone looking to create video on a shoestring budget.
If you don't mind working with tape, a budget-level MiniDV model such as Canon's ZR800 can be one the best deals in the camcorder market. Sure, it doesn't include still image capture or some of the nice extras--such as an accessory shoe--that can be found on pricier models, but for videographers who are tight on cash, the ZR800 offers solid video quality at a low cost. Plus, since the education market demands a microphone input, Canon always includes one on its least expensive MiniDV model, so while the ZR830 and ZR850 step-up models don't include a mic input, the ZR800 does.
We like the layout of the controls on this year's ZRs. All controls are within reach of your thumb or fingers on the right side, and on the bezel of the 2.7-inch wide screen on the left side. This is much better than designs that put important buttons on the left side of the body, behind the screen, where you can't readily see them. Plus, Canon redesigned the menu system to be more like the one on its digital still cameras. When you press the Function button, a list of options appears on the left side of the LCD, and the choices for each of those options appear in a strip along the bottom of the screen. Last year's ZR500 had three buttons below its LCD screen, but the ZR800 only has two: Function and Digital Effects. Canon now makes you delve into the menus to switch between wide-screen and 4:3 recording modes. While this model has a microphone input, it doesn't have an accessory shoe on top, so if your mic isn't a handheld you'll have to get creative with the gaffer's tape if you want to mount it on the camcorder.
Canon's Easy mode lets you shoot on autopilot and does a nice job making decisions for you. Program mode gives you a choice of eight autoexposure presets, four white balance settings (including evaluative), three image effects, and a handful of digital effects. You have to dig one layer deep--into the setup menu--to choose one of the six shutter speeds, adjust zoom speed, switch between 16:9 and 4:3 recording, or turn on and off the digital zoom, automatic slow shutter, or electronic image stabilization. Our one gripe about the setup menus is that they don't scroll--that is, when you reach the top, you can't wrap to the bottom by pressing up again. Since the option to exit is at the bottom, this becomes even more frustrating. Canon doesn't include still image capture in the ZR800, but given its submegapixel sensor, we didn't miss it much.
Overall, we were pleased with the video we shot with the ZR800. Colors were relatively accurate and details were reasonably sharp. Essentially, the quality of the footage was on par with the ZR830, while the ZR850's higher pixel count yielded video that was slightly sharper. Also, while the ZR850 was able to focus in our extreme low-light test, neither the ZR800 nor ZR830 could lock focus when we turned our lamp light low. Also, as we've come to expect in lower-priced camcorders, the electronic image stabilization was only effective to about 75 percent of the camera's impressive 35x optical zoom range.
Choosing among Canon's new MiniDV lineup can be tough. If you plan on capturing still images, you should opt for the ZR850 since its 1-megapixel sensor makes a noticeable difference. On the other hand, if you definitely won't capture stills, it might make sense to save a few dollars and go for the ZR800 over the ZR830. Of course, that also means you'll have to live without the convenience of the ZR830's remote control, which can be useful when watching your tapes on a TV and using the camcorder as a playback device. And so, much like the social dynamic in so many American living rooms, this decision may hinge on a remote control.
User reviews
-
-
affordable performance with minor issues
by Magicleland on February 17, 2007
Pros: mic port, built in lens cover, decent image quality, inexpesive
Cons: Bottom loader, no accesory shoe,
Summary: With the consumer world making the switch over to disc and hard drive options, there's still some of us who know what were doing and stick to tape, don'...
Summary: With the consumer world making the switch over to disc and hard drive options, there's still some of us who know what were doing and stick to tape, don't argue tape is better for camcorders. Being the owner of a Canon xl2 and a canon elura 100, I needed a cheapo camcorder that i can strap to a boom and dangle over the lions at the zoo or basically anything that could had some damage to the camera. Being a professional videographer,the still function is not needed i have a dslr for that stuff. Some positives of this camera is the image quality for being such a cheapo it delivered good enough for me but in comparison to my elura 100 , it was so so. The built in lens cover is great along with a level marker. THIS CAMCORDER HAS A MIC PORT!!
THE 850 DOES NOT!! the sound quality is average along with low light. some cons of this camera is the mode switch, on my elura to switch it to camera you turn the switch up but on the 800 you turn it down for camera, this is mildly annoying, The battery life of this is pretty bad but since it's on the back you can buy a extra extended battery. The biggest glitch is that its a bottom loader camera!!!!!!! i love having it on top with my elura and xL2 , i was planing of having this one on a tripod in my studio for using it to transfer over the tapes to my editing station. For somebody whos starting or needs a stunt camera this is a good choice for somebody looking for camcorder of the year go for an elura 100 or an xL2.6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Love this DV Camera
by bo21619 on February 18, 2007
Pros: Nice size, Built-In lens cover, Captures good picture, Crisp sound, Decent low light, Easy to use, Affordable
Cons: battery life
Summary: My previous DV cam was a Panasonic PV-GS12, and it was horrible. I bought this about two weeks ago, and used it for the first time at night. I was ...
Summary: My previous DV cam was a Panasonic PV-GS12, and it was horrible. I bought this about two weeks ago, and used it for the first time at night. I was impressed with the low light recording quality. You can switch between two camera modes. Easy and Manual. Easy is exactly what it is. Turn it on and shoot. No matter what the lighting conditions are the camcorder automatically adjusts to those settings to capture the best quality. This camera also captures crisp sound at 12-bit. I edit automotive videos as a hobby, so i bought this since i love making car videos, and wanted to get something fresh. I also like how there is a built-in lens cover. It uses a switch to open and close the lens...brilliant. Now when im filming out of a car window, you dont see/hear the lens cover flying around in front of the camera. Playback controls are easy use, utilizing an analog stick. And lets not forget the price is under $300 brand new. If you dont have alot of money to spend like me, and you want to get the best bang for your buck. The Canon ZR800 is for you.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Do not hesitate
by CCarterRN on March 25, 2007
Pros: Good photo quality
Cons: Some screen functions not inituitive
Summary: After much confusion from reading all the reviews, we settled on this model for my mother. Easy setup, right out of the box. Don't get hung up in all ...
Summary: After much confusion from reading all the reviews, we settled on this model for my mother. Easy setup, right out of the box. Don't get hung up in all the mess around poor low-light quality...simply not true for the average user! If you are an average user who wants a good all around camera, then this is the one. It's affordable, easy to use, takes good quality pictures. Just be aware of the microphone placement...I clicked the zoom button loudly and it was picked up on the tape. Once I knew that, then no problem. So far, so good. I will probably buy one for myself.
4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Amazing Video Quality.
by mpowell1234567890 on February 8, 2008
Pros: Amazing Picture Quality, Portable
Cons: There's no cons.
Summary: Cool, I purchased this Camcorder today. I checked it out. Amazing - I reved the zoom up to 975x and I could still read the letters on an object far ...
Summary: Cool, I purchased this Camcorder today. I checked it out. Amazing - I reved the zoom up to 975x and I could still read the letters on an object far away. Though it has some picture noise but very little. It's portable - Small enough to fit in my fanny pack - Amazing!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
White noise is unacceptable for capturing family moments
by jongunnip on June 16, 2007
Pros: inexpensive, easy to use
Cons: audio is surprisingly poor for a canon product
Summary: We bought the ZR 800 for the birth of our son. After we downloaded the first 20 minutes of video, the white noise was unbelievably loud, matching the level of ...
Summary: We bought the ZR 800 for the birth of our son. After we downloaded the first 20 minutes of video, the white noise was unbelievably loud, matching the level of our voices. We returned the camera to Canon for repair. The repair sheet came back stating that:
"DV camcorder uses high speed rotating heads. Microphone picks up the drive sound of the head when the DV camcorder is used in very quite situation. We recommend you use an external microphone, to reduce drive sound that is recorded on the tape".
There is an external mic jack, but there is nowhere to attach the microphone, and Canon doesn't even sell a camcorder microphone online.
And as for the reference to very quiet situations, apparently that means anything indoors, because we got the white noise in every indoor situation we recorded (we never tried recording outdoors to see if it happened there, too).
We contacted Canon customer support requesting a refund or credit and they said they couldn't do anything for us since it "meets factory specifications". I will no longer trust the de facto quality of Canon products.Updated
When we hooked our ZR800 directly to our TV, the white noise was not nearly as bad as the Windows Media File I created and played back on my laptop. I don't know if the issue is my laptop or the conversion of ZR800 from the MiniDV to digital. I would update my rating of the ZR800 to 6/7 out of 10 (for the price) instead of the 2 I originally gave it.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Poor sound quality
by caseystevens on April 4, 2007
Pros: Size, cost, ease of use
Cons: The humm dominates too much
Summary: Need a good standard camera to interview native american people, inside and out. Recorded for 1 minute, played back. Awful humm. Taking back within 1 day of purchase. Don't ...
Summary: Need a good standard camera to interview native american people, inside and out. Recorded for 1 minute, played back. Awful humm. Taking back within 1 day of purchase. Don't want to depend on a mic IF it could help.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
The second Canon I owned broke
by tlackey on March 23, 2009
Pros: I loved the picture and the ease of use.
Cons: First camera lasted two years (and was going to cost 160 to repair), second from Ebay lasted 2 months (for a total of two years with previous owner probably.) Ports went bad on both cameras and I couldn't get my video from tape to computer.
Summary: Don't buy a camera that uses a tape and needs cable to move picture from camera to computer. Buy one with a disc that you can take from camera ...
Summary: Don't buy a camera that uses a tape and needs cable to move picture from camera to computer. Buy one with a disc that you can take from camera and stick directly into computer. When my first camera broke, I bought the used camera just like it on ebay so I could get the tape to my computer. Now that my second port burned out, I'm just going to do without.
-
Nice Camera
by pfloyd63 on April 30, 2008
Pros: Nice Image Quality
Cons: Very Poor sound
Summary: This is a very nice camera for the money.
The sound quality is very poor. You can hear the motor. The use of an external mic eliminates the noise, I ...Summary: This is a very nice camera for the money.
The sound quality is very poor. You can hear the motor. The use of an external mic eliminates the noise, I use an Audio-Technica ATR25. Big improvment. If your looking for a cheap camera to edit videos on your computer (Sony Vegas), comnsider this one! -
Great budget camera
by Fortinbras on April 16, 2008
Pros: Cheap, but good, trustworthy quality
Cons: Tape transport noise is recorded
Summary: This camera is great for its price. The only downer is that it records is own tape transport noise.
Summary: This camera is great for its price. The only downer is that it records is own tape transport noise.
-
ZR800 same as MD120 (PAL)?
by cgramer on January 3, 2008
Pros: Clean video (in bright light), good optical zoom, bright widescreen LCD, widescreen (16:9) shooting mode
Cons: Bottom loading of cassettes, noisy in low light, noise from tape drives picked up on built-in microphone, so-so battery life
Summary: I believe the ZR800 is the NTSC version of the Canon MD120 (PAL)--can anyone confirm this?
The camcorder records nice, clear video in well-lit situations (especially outdoors in sunlight) ...Summary: I believe the ZR800 is the NTSC version of the Canon MD120 (PAL)--can anyone confirm this?
The camcorder records nice, clear video in well-lit situations (especially outdoors in sunlight) and the electronic image stabilization is pretty good at keeping things steady as long as you don't zoom in very far. Sound quality could be better, and the built-in microphone picks up the noise from the tape drive motors. However, connecting an external microphone should eliminate that issue. (I'm not sure if the microphone input on the camcorder is mono or stereo--again, can anyone confirm this?)
Overall, considering I paid only $268 for the MD120 (after converting from ~RM999--I bought it in Malaysia), the camcorder seems to be a good value. If you plan on creating videos as a profession, you'll definitely want to look into their higher-end, professional camcorders.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Canon USA
- Part number: 1880B001
- Description: Around the world, the name Canon means optical excellence, advanced image processing and superb performance. And Canon digital video camcorders are no exception. Whether you're shopping for your first camcorder, or would like to upgrade from analog to digital, the ZR camcorders are a perfect balance of style, performance and affordability. The ZR digital camcorders give you a brilliant Genuine Canon 35x Optical Zoom lens, Canon's advanced image stabilization system, Widescreen HR recording, DIGIC DV image processing, Joystick controller, and Level and Grid Markers. The results are brilliant video and digital photos that you can easily share with family and friends. The ZR800 has everything you need to enter the world of digital video camcorders including some features that are traditionally found on more expensive models. It provides the user with the perfect combination of style and ease-of-operation that makes it easy to capture life's precious memories.
General
- Product Type Camcorder
- Digital Zoom 1000 x
- Effective Sensor Resolution 0.68 megapixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/6"
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Min Illumination 2 lux
- Special Effects Art, Ball, Cube, Wave, Sepia, Vivid, Mirror, Mosaic, Neutral, Color Mask, Skin Detail, Black & White, Low Sharpening
- Image Stabilizer Electronic
- Digital Scene Transition Beam, Flip, Jump, Tide, Puzzle, Zigzag, Corner wipe, Window wipe, Fade trigger
- Shooting Modes Normal movie mode, Digital photo mode
- Shooting Programs Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Slow shutter, Portrait mode
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Daylight, Tungsten light
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Camera Flash None
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
- Color Support Color
- Exposure Compensation ±2.75 EV range
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory None
- Floppy Drive None
- Media Type Mini DV
- Recording Speed LP, SP
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 91 mm - F/2.0-5.0
- Focal Length 2.6 mm - 91 mm
- Lens Aperture F/2.0-5.0
- Optical Zoom 35 x
- Lens Construction 8 group(s) / 10 element(s)
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Min focal length 2.6 mm
- Max focal length 91 mm
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Features Built-in lens shield
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
- Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
- Additional Features AE lock, Auto power save, Date/time stamp, Demonstration mode, Display brightness control
- Included Accessories Battery pack, Compact power adapter, Stereo video cable
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Electronic
- Viewfinder Diagonal Size 0.35 in
- Viewfinder Resolution 114,000 pixels
- Image Aspect Ratio (camcorders) 16:9
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x Microphone
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Cables Included 1, A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
- Battery type - Lithium ion
Battery
- Supported Battery Canon BP-2L5
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 530 mAh ( Included )
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year parts and labor warranty
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Rotating
- Display Format 112,000 pixels
- Viewfinder Color Support Color
Physical Characteristics
- Width 2.2 in
- Depth 4.7 in
- Height 3.6 in
- Weight 13.2 oz
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Canon USA
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Canon USA products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://estore.usa.canon.com/
- Address:
One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042 - Phone: 516-328-5000
- Email: mediacontact@cusa.canon.com
