Product Description

Canon's ZR950 miniDV Camcorder is designed to deliver the latest in style, features and advanced technology. The exclusive Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom is combined the Canon lens optics with the market-leading DIGIC DV image processor to deliver a fuller range of image quality and more flexibility when you're shooting. In both wide angle and telephoto positions, there is virtually no loss in image quality throughout the range. The ZR950 is specifically designed to make it easier to capture great video, including a 680k Pixel CCD image sensor, 2.7" Widescreen LCD with a Soft LCD video light, Quick Start, Joystick control, Level and Grid Markers and more. It's also handy when you want to easily record a live narration for your footage. All this comes together to deliver brilliant video that you can easily share with family and friends. Easy to use, great looking and terrific value- it's the perfect choice for capturing all of life's precious memories. The ZR950 offers you more flexibility to get just the shot you need by giving you the choice of Advanced Zoom in default mode or you can select a 37x Optical Zoom or 2000x Digital Zoom. The ZR950 includes an array of features that turn your camcorder into a digital still camera, including 9 Point AiAF (Auto Focus), Progressive Photo, Simultaneous Photo Recording, Special Scene Modes, and Image Effects. It is also compatible with SD HC (High Capacity) memory cards for storing even more of your images. Max F/Stop f/2.0 - 5.2 Minimum Illumination - 2 lx (Night mode) Viewfinder - 0.35 114K pixels, widescreen LCD Screen - 2.7 112K pixels, widescreen Dimensions - Width 2.7 x Height 5.0 x Depth 3.2 (57x92x119mm) not including grip belt Weight - 13.4 ounces (380 grams) camcorder body only not including lens and battery

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1608 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Canon
• Model: ZR950
• Dimensions: 2.70" h x 5.00" w x 3.20" l, .83 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• Capture video to MiniDV tapes
• 48x Advanced Zoom; image stabilizer
• 1-megapixel CCD sensor; widescreen HR recording
• 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
• SDHC card slot

Manufacturer Description

Easily capture life’s most precious moments with the new ZR-series Canon camcorders. These easy-to-use MiniDV camcorders feature Genuine Canon Optics in an affordable yet ultra-compact and sleek design that will deliver the high level of performance you’ve come to expect from Canon.

Canon ZR950 Highlights

Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom Now you can capture true widescreen 16:9 video with stunning image quality from any distance -- all the way up to 48x. Canon’s exclusive Advanced Zoom system combines Genuine Canon Optics with Canon’s proprietary DIGIC DV Image Processor to let you seamlessly zoom both wide and long, retaining optical quality throughout the zoom range.

1.07-megapixel CCD image sensor Whether you’re shooting video or photos, you will benefit from the camcorder’s razor-sharp CCD Image Sensor.

Quick Start Instead of powering off your camcorder between shots, simply press the Quick Start function to put the camcorder in stand-by mode. Quick Start considerably reduces the power consumption of the battery and allows the user to return to recording mode in less than a second, so you’ll never have to miss another special moment.

Widescreen HR recording The ZR950 records true widescreen for picture perfect video. Canon’s image processing system uses the entire width of the image sensor, capturing a big picture in true 16:9 widescreen so no one and nothing is left unseen. And Canon camcorders take advantage of more pixels to give you amazing quality.

2.7-inch widescreen LCD A widescreen LCD lets you see exactly what your camcorder is recording, and what your TV will display later.

Image stabilizer Shoot rock-steady video -- even when you’re at maximum telephoto without a tripod. It is even effective while panning or zooming.

LCD video light Shooting in low light situations has never been easier with Canon’s New LCD video light. The next time you are using your ZR950 in a dimly lit room, simply flip over the LCD screen to face your subject and activate the video light function. A soft light emanating from your LCD illuminates the area in which you are shooting, allowing you to get high quality video even in less than ideal lighting conditions.

Joystick The joystick makes using the camcorder easier than ever. You can control playback, focusing, exposure, and menu options from one convenient place.

Multi-angle wireless remote Canon gives you even more control and versatility by mounting the remote control sensor on the ZR950’s LCD screen. Now you can activate numerous camcorder functions, when using the remote control, from any angle that the LCD turns.

DIGIC DV image processor Video and photos require different image processing. Unlike other manufacturers’ camcorders which process video and photos the same way, DIGIC DV treats them differently. This results in video and photos with exceptional color and clarity.

Smooth zoom control With this innovative feature, you can always be sure of smooth, steady, professional looking zoom shots. Simply select one of three pre-set zoom speeds. You can also select variable so you can control the speed manually.

Level Shot and Grid Markers It's easy to keep your ZR950 level for more professional-looking video. Simply press the Level Shot Control button, and a horizontal marker appears in your viewfinder. Then line up any horizontal lines in your shot to the marker and you know your camcorder is level. The Grid marker is also very convenient for setting up the special balance in your shots. And since background colors vary, you can select from two line colors to make the lines easily visible.

Built in lens cover A built-in lens cover gives you the ability to protect your Canon video lens without ever having the inconvenience of a dangling lens cap that’s easily lost.

Still image recording Capture stunning photos in 4:3 aspect ratio to an SDHC card.

Advanced Photo Features A variety of features allow you to capture great photos.

• 9 Point AiAF: Bring off-center subjects into sharp focus.
• Histogram display: With just one push of a button, the brightness information of a still image is revealed. This allows you to monitor image quality, so you can make adjustments to improve the next shots.
• Image Effects: Choose from the following effects to add a creative flare to your photos: Vivid, Neutral, Low-Sharpening, and Soft Skin Detail.
• Special Scene Modes: A wide selection of automatic exposure modes makes it easy to capture great video or photos under any condition. Choose from: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks.

SDHC memory card slot Capture your photos and short movie clips directly to either a standard SD card or a high-capacity SDHC card. This allows you to use cards with a capacity of 2GB or larger.

Photo Features A variety of features allow you to capture great photos.

• 9 Point AiAF: Bring off-center subjects into sharp focus.
• Progressive Photo: Reduces blurring so you get crisp photos.
• Playback Zoom: Max 5x zoom
• Direct Print: Connect to any PictBridge compatible printer
• Special Scene Modes: A wide selection of automatic exposure modes makes it easy to capture great video or photos under any condition. Choose from: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks.
• Image Effects: Choose from the following effects to add a creative flare to your photos: Vivid, Neutral, and Soft Skin Detail.

9 selectable languages English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese

One-year parts and labor limited warranty Canon’s camcorder limited warranty provides protection long after other manufacturers’ warranties expire.

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Customer Reviews

Additional Information
In the product description Amazon.com lists as a feature that the ZR950 has a microphone input: "The microphone terminal on the ZR950 makes it especially useful for educators and trainers to carefully capture the audio they need to make most effective use of the video they shoot. It's also handy when you want to easily record a live narration for your footage."

However, having hands-on experience with this camera and from reading over the manual it does not have any audio-in jacks. This is a fine camcorder, but if you're buying it to record lectures and want to record from a microphone source you're buying the wrong tool. The Canon ZR930 and the ZR900 both do state that they have microphone input on the canon website. Also, among the older models, the Canon ZR800 has audio-in as well, however the ZR830 & ZR850 do not. This is not made clear initially from Canon's website and required a good deal of research. I wish they listed that spec in their comparison page.

At any rate, these are good cameras, at a good price. Just be certain to get the 930, 900 or 800 if you need audio-in. I'm not sure why they removed that feature from their higher-end camcorders, it seems counterintuitive to me.

Love it!
The first guy who reviewed this camcorder is an idiot. Before you buy, I would encourage you to check out all the brands and compare the features. Much like cell phones everyone has something just a little different that might grab you. If your looking for special features...test it out at the store and then buy it on Amazon.

As for this camcorder...the performance is as expected...excellent! Canon put out a quality 800 series last year (which was their mid-priced cameras) and now they have dropped their top-of-the-line series this year to concentrate on the more popular mid-priced camcorders. The 800 series from last year has been updated and tweaked to become the 900 series this year. The camcorder has some great features and it is really easy to use. It's very compact and simply gives me everything I want in a camcorder plus a little extra.

The cons for this one: the 1.07 MP camera that you are able to use with this (assuming you place a picture memory card in it) is a cool feature but not very practical. Realistically, your cell phone will have just as good of a picture..so I would suggest getting a camcorder bag and remember to bring a digital camera if you want to take pictures. It would be nice if you had a microphone hook-up...but you lose that with the picture taking capability (the other 900 series models have the microphone hook-up instead of the picture card).

Anyway...great camcorder at a great price!

"One great minidv camera!"
Pros: Great video, great 48x advanced zoom, looks great, ease of use and Vista ready.
Cons: None found.

This is one of the best camera's on the market currently in this price range. Great video resolution and the ability to take photo's as well. The ability to zoom in on objects from far off and lots of extra's that most camera's do not offer. 1+ megapixel as well. Good luck finding a better camera with all these features at a price slightly under $300.