Product Description

Designed for point and shoot simplicity, Canon's ZR series camcorders allow everyone to get great results without any effort at all. Place the camcorder in your hand, and it fits comfortably and securely, like you have owned it for years. No learning curve is necessary as you soon find yourself shooting crisp, vibrant video and life-like digital photos, just by pressing a single button. Canon, the trusted name in optics for decades, has made capturing memories more convenient, exciting, and easier than ever.The ZR70MC allows you to achieve unparalleled performance with unbeatable simplicity. Its extensive feature set is complimented by a sleek, cutting-edge design which instantly becomes an extension of you. All the beauty of life will be captured with ultimate precision, superb clarity, and rich color.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2695 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Canon
• Model: 70 MC
• Platforms: Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Mac OS 9 and below, Windows, PowerMac, Windows NT 5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 3.5, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Macintosh, Windows NT, Mac OS X
• Dimensions: 4.10" h x 2.30" w x 5.80" l, 1.10 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• MiniDV camcorder with 22x optical zoom, 440x digital zoom, image stabilization
• 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and color viewfinder
• Super Night mode for low-light filming, Motion JPEG movie mode
• Takes digital stills (1024 x 768) and stores them on included 8 MB Secure Digital memory card
• Connects to PCs and Macs via Firewire (IEEE1394) and USB (for photos)

Amazon.com Product Description
The advanced Canon ZR70MC MiniDV camcorder brings together all the features of the ZR65MC, from its ease of use to still photo mode and digital effects. It also adds a 22x optical zoom, 440x digital zoom, motion JPEG movie mode, Super Night mode, and an advanced accessory shoe for powering a microphone or video light.

Lens
The ZR70MC features a high-performance 1/6-inch 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high-quality video and digital photos. The zoom technology found in the ZR65MC lens is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses. The ZR70MC is fitted with a high-performance 22x optical zoom lens, which can easily handle all your shooting needs--from wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion to close-up sports action at full telephoto. The ZR70MC's 440x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject.

Image Stabilization
Canon's image-stabilization system corrects camera shake caused by, for example, an unsteady hand. This image-stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and with shots taken from a moving car.

Digital Stills and Motion JPEG
In addition to high-quality video, the ZR70MC also captures crisp XGA (1,024 x 768 pixels) digital still images. The ZR70MC stores these images via the built-in slot for Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard memory cards. You can also choose to store still images on the MiniDV tape. The camcorder records the photos for approximately 6 seconds, as well as recording the sound for your verbal notes or narration.

Designed to help you make Web videos, motion JPEG mode produces compressed AVI files that are smaller and easier to run and send by e-mail than conventional video files. They're also stored on the memory card and transferred via the USB connection. Record a 10-second clip at 320 x 240 or a 30-second clip at 160 x 120.

You can search through the recorded tape for your photos using the supplied remote control. This photo search feature allows you to search for images recorded in photo mode. Search forward or backward through the images one at a time, or jump 10 pictures backward or forward from the current position.

More Features

• With Super Night mode, the assist lamp lights up to illuminate your subject
• Print photos directly to Canon bubble jet printers
• 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and 0.33-inch color viewfinder
• The My Camera function is designed to let you customize a number of features, including start-up image and sound, shutter sound, start-stop sound, and the self-timer sound
• Shoot panoramic still photos, then edit them together on your PC with the PhotoStitch software
• The full-function wireless remote control works at distances up to 16 feet
• A wide selection of faders and special effects, including sepia, black and white, wave, mosaic, and more
• For low-light situations, the VCR playback controls can be illuminated in any one of six colors: turquoise, blue, green, yellow, violet, and orange

Inputs and Outputs
The ZR70MC comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also referred to as FireWire), which provides a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines, as well as USB connectivity for transferring still photos. Additionally, the ZR70MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: composite and S-video. The analog audio inputs of the ZR70MC let you dub or insert editing from CDs, cassettes, microphones, or the soundtracks of other videocassettes.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the new, preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Power, Size, and Contents
The ZR70MC comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, which has an approximate battery life of 2 hours 20 minutes when using the LCD screen. The camera itself measures 4.1 by 2.3 by 5.8 inches and weighs 18 ounces. This package includes the ZR70MC camcorder, battery pack BP-512, power adapter CA-570, wireless controller WL-D79, shoulder strap, stereo video cable, wide attachment, USB cable, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, and the DV Network Solutions and Digital Video Solutions CD-ROMs.

From the Manufacturer
Shooting great video has never been easier thanks to Canon’s ZR70MC DV camcorder. Packed with features, this model provides stunning picture clarity and detail, a genuine Canon zoom lens and advanced performance that are the results of more than 68 years of designing and manufacturing cameras. Equipped with Canon’s renowned high-quality optics and an extended digital zoom range, you can be assured of shooting crisp, vibrant video and life-like digital photos. With the ZR70MC, you can attach the supplied WA-30.5 Wide Attachment (0.6x), giving you a wide perspective for indoor shots or panoramic views. Even when the light has faded, you can keep on shooting with the ZR70MC’s Super Night Mode. Print directly from your camcorder to select Canon Bubble Jet Printers using a single USB cable.

Canon Precision Optical Zoom Lens

Canon is known world-wide for its lenses. The zoom technology found in the lens of a ZR70MC camcorder is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses, found in the majority of broadcast cameras.The ZR70MC is fitted with an 22x optical zoom lens, a high performance lens from Canon. The 22x zoom range will more than take care of all your picture-taking needs, whether they are wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion or close-up sports action at full telephoto. Add in the high-resolution capability of DV and you have high quality video at your fingertips.The ZR70MC's 440x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject, bringing it even closer than you might have thought possible.

680,000 Pixel CCD

The ZR70MC features a high-performance 1/6" 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high quality video and digital photos. There is no need to carry both video and photo cameras with the ZR70MC.

Image Stabilizer

Canon's image stabilization system corrects camera shake -- caused by an unsteady hand, for example. This image stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and with shots taken from a moving car.

Shooting Modes

The ZR70MC allows you to record both video and digital still images to tape. You can also save XGA High Resolution Photos and Motion JPEG movies to a MultiMediaCard or SD Memory Card.

MultiMediaCard / SD Memory Card Slot

For the storage of digital still images, you can use either MultiMediaCards or SD memory cards in the ZR70MC. An 8MB SD Memory Card comes with the camcorder, storing XGA (1024 X 768 pixels) or VGA (640 X 480) quality photos. These images can be transferred to your computer using the camcorder's USB interface or a card reader.

Color Viewfinder and 2.5" LCD Screen

The ZR70MC offers both a 0.33"color viewfinder and a 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen. For those who prefer the larger screen for composing their videos, the fold-out screen makes it easy. It twists and can be flipped so you can shoot your video from any angle without having to look in the viewfinder. The screen also is great for playback and review of your video immediately after you've captured a scene.

Programmed Auto Exposure

The ZR70MC offers the versatility to meet every exposure challenge, as well as ease of use when you're happy to let the camera make all the choices. Amazingly sophisticated circuitry delivers proper exposure automatically under almost any lighting condition. But you also can easily adjust the exposure in any one of several creative ways to meet your specific need. Selecting a different exposure mode lets you control how you want the video to look.

Manual Controls

For those who want total control of all aspects of the exposure system, the ZR70MC offers manual settings. You can select the shutter speed for full creative control.

Manual Focus

Manually focus the camcorder's lens by using a dial on the camera body.

AE Shift

For fine control over how dark or light you want a scene to look, use the Auto Exposure Shift setting to adjust the auto exposure level.

Manual and Automatic Shutter Speeds

There are 8 shutter speeds (from 1/60 sec. to 1/2000 sec.) available in all auto exposure modes. They may also be selected manually. Slow shutter speeds are available in Night and Low Light modes.

Preset/Auto/Manual White Balance

The ZR70MC is designed to determine white balance automatically. You also can use standard preset values for indoors (3200 K) and outdoors (5600 K) or you can manually set the white balance. Manually setting the white balance is useful when shooting subjects with one dominant color such as the sky, close-ups, rapidly changing lighting conditions, and places lit by certain types of fluorescent or mercury vapor lights.

Digital Effects, Faders and Special Effects

For that creative touch, a more appealing look, or greater imaging variety, you can switch on one of several digital effects: negative picture, art, black & white picture, sepia, mosaic.

IEEE 1394 Input and Output Terminal

The ZR70MC is designed for the transfer of digital video and audio to and from either a PC or another IEEE 1394 terminal-equipped camcorder or professional DV VCR. The DV terminal allows high-quality transfer with virtually no deterioration in quality of images. You can edit and process images by connecting the camera to a PC with the IEEE 1394 terminal.

Video and Audio Inputs and Outputs

In addition to providing digital video input and output, the ZR70MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: Composite and S-video.

USB Connection

The ZR70MC has a USB connection, for high speed transferring of digital photos and videos stored on memory card to a computer.

Customer Reviews

What motor noise? Awesome optical zoom~Great Camera !
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.

Great camera good price!
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.

I like it a lot; perfect for iMovie
-- 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.)