Product Description

Around the world, the name Canon means optical excellence, advanced image processing and superb performance. And Canon digital video camcorders are no exception.For budget-conscious consumers, the ZR family of cameras is a perfect balance between style, performance and affordability. They give you a variety of features, including Widescreen HR recording, a FireWire/DV Terminal and Canon's advanced image stabilization system. The results are brilliant video and digital photos that you can easily share with family and friends.Beneath its stylish Silver Frost finish, the ZR600 packs a powerful combination of performance and features. It comes with a 25x optical zoom, Canon's longest ever. It also comes with features found on more expensive camcorders such as: an easy-to-read menu system; an omni-selector joystick that lets you easily operate playback, focus, exposure and menu options; a big 2.7" LCD view screen; Smooth Zoom Control; and Level Shot Control. The ZR600 is a stylish performer you can take anywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4628 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Canon
• Model: 600
• Dimensions: 3.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• Features true widescreen recording and powerful 24x optical zoom
• Widescreen 2.7-inch LCD
• Canon's Digic DV image processor for exceptional color and clarity
• Smooth Zoom Control function prevents jerky zooms
• SD memory card slot for capturing stills

Manufacturer Description
Around the world, the name Canon means optical excellence, advanced image processing and superb performance. And Canon digital video camcorders are no exception. For budget-conscious consumers, the ZR family of cameras is a perfect balance between style, performance and affordability. They give you a variety of features, including Widescreen HR recording, a Firewire/DV Terminal and Canon's advanced image stabilization system. The results are brilliant video and digital photos that you can easily share with family and friends. Beneath its stylish Silver Frost finish, the ZR600 packs a powerful combination of performance and features. It comes with a 25x optical zoom, Canon's longest ever. It also comes with features found on more expensive camcorders such as: an easy-to-read menu system; an omni-selector joystick that lets you easily operate playback, focus, exposure and menu options; a big 2.7-inch LCD viewscreen; Smooth Zoom Control; and Level Shot Control. The ZR600 is a stylish performer you can take anywhere.

Widescreen HR Recording

Widen your capabilities

You want your memories to last forever -- that's why you've taken the time to capture them. And you want to shoot in widescreen format to get everything you can out of your new widescreen TV or home theater system.

So, why is the way you record widescreen images so important? Because you want an image made for widescreen, not adapted for widescreen. Because every HD television is widescreen -- widescreen is the future.

The story of how we do it may be a bit technical, but the result is clear to see. Canon camcorders use the entire width of the image sensor to capture video in true 16:9 format. What difference does this make? It's simple. With more pixels captured, you get better image quality. Some competitors' camcorders force the wider picture into a smaller space on the sensor -- giving you a less true image, with fewer pixels and lower quality. With a Canon camcorder, your videos of your travels will let you relive great memories.

In addition, the viewfinder on your ZR600 displays your widescreen image in a letterbox view. From side to side and top to bottom, what you see is what you get. You can also view your widescreen shot in the ZR600's large, 2.7-inch LCD screen. Either way, there isn't the guessing or extra work in looking at an image that's distorted like a fun house mirror.

To make it even easier, a Widescreen Button lets you switch from standard 4:3 to 16:9 Widescreen HR at the touch of your finger. You can also use the widescreen feature with the camcorder's advanced image stabilization.

Every one of the camcorders in Canon's ZR series gives you Widescreen HR Recording at a very affordable price. Why shouldn't your camcorder shoot as wide as your widescreen TV? It should -- and it's hard to match the widescreen video, or the value, you'll get from your Canon ZR.

Remember -- widescreen is the future. And Canon's Widescreen HR is true widescreen that's picture perfect.

Optical Performance You Can See

Precision-Engineered Genuine Canon Video Lens

Because of Genuine Canon Optics, the name Canon is synonymous with unsurpassed optical performance. Brilliant optical quality is part of every Canon broadcast TV camera, 35mm film camera, and camcorder -- and the ZR600 is no exception.

Thanks to the ZR600's powerful 25x optical zoom lens and 800x digital zoom, you get an incredible range of focal lengths. Whether you're capturing your child's performance from the back of the auditorium, or a panoramic shot of the sun setting over the lake -- you always have the perfect lens.

Image Stabilization
Along with outstanding optical performance, Canon's advanced Image Stabilization is another feature that helps you shoot great, professional-looking video by correcting camcorder shake instantly.

Brilliant Video

DIGIC DV

The ZR600 delivers stunningly vivid video thanks to Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing circuit. A variety of other features help you shoot video that will impress all your friends and family.

Smooth Zoom Control
Simply select from 3 pre-set zoom speeds and Smooth Zoom Control does the zooming for you -- giving you steady, professional-looking shots every time.

Level Shot Control
Tired of shots that aren't level or subjects that aren't centered? Simply turn on the ZR600's Level Shot Control -- and horizontal and center markers will appear in your viewfinder. With these markers, it's easy to level the horizon for perfect video footage of a breathtaking landscape, or keep your child in the center of the frame while they're on the soccer field.

Stunning Digital Photography
The ZR600 lets you leave your digital still camera at home. That's because with Canon's DoubleShot technology, you don't just get video and photography -- you get the best of both.

At the heart of the ZR600's performance as a digital still camera is Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing circuit. Because video and still images have different color requirements, DIGIC DV processes the two differently. So, along with stunning video images, you also get digital photos from your ZR600 that are maximized for viewing on computer monitors and as prints.

Your ZR600 also comes with a variety of features that add to its performance as a digital still camera.

9 Point Ai-AF
A feature found on more expensive camcorders, Auto Intelligent Auto Focus ensures sharp images and gives creative flexibility. Even when your subject isn't in the center of the frame, the ZR600's 9 Point Ai-AF will bring it into sharp focus.

Progressive Photo
Canon's Progressive Photo feature gives you sharper detail in your digital photography.

Scene Modes
For great results in a variety of shooting conditions, your ZR600 features scene modes. Depending on the lighting and subject, select from: EASY, P, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks. The ZR600 chooses the settings that will give you the best results. For example, choose Sports, and your camcorder picks a faster shutter speed for a clearer image of your child rounding the bases. Choose Spotlight and your ZR600 exposes for a limited area in the center of your viewfinder.

Image Effects
Three different image settings are available depending on your subject: Vivid, Neutral, and Skin Detail.

Simultaneous Photo Recording
Capture great still images while you shoot video.

Perfect Exposures
Exposure Lock
With a push of the ZR600's omni-selector joystick, you can lock your exposure settings, then recompose your shot. For example, you can lock your exposure while zoomed in on your subject. Then, even if you zoom out and include a very bright or dark background, your ZR600 will still give your subject the right exposure. Also, by shifting the omni-selector left or right, you can adjust your exposure by up to +/-11 stops (+/-2.75 EV).

Auto Slow Shutter Function
Activate this function, and your ZR600 will shoot at a slower shutter speed for improved low light performance.

Share Your Video
Firewire/IEEE 1394 DV Terminal
Transfer your video to your computer to easily share your captured memories with friends and family. With the ZR600, you simply use a DV cable to connect your computer to your camcorder's IEEE 1394 DV terminal. Also known as Firewire or iLink, this high-speed interface ensures virtually no loss of video or audio quality when transferring videos to a computer. Your favorite recorded moments retain their pristine image and sound.

Motion JPEG Mode
With the ZR600's Motion JPEG Mode, you can also record movie clips directly to your camcorder's memory card for posting online or e-mailing to family and friends.

Share Your Photos
PictBridge
With the ZR600, no one has to go home without their favorite print. That's because your ZR600 makes it easy to quickly share your digital photographs. Simply connect your camcorder directly to any PictBridge-compatible printer and print directly from your camcorder without the need of a computer. You also can share digital photos via email by quickly transferring images from your camcorder to your PC using the USB terminal.

SD and MultiMediaCard compatible

For portable storage versatility, the ZR600 can accommodate either a Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card or a MultiMediaCard.

The MiniDV Format
MiniDV, the most common type of digital camcorder, records video using the standard DV-format. It's the preferred format for broadcast-quality video, and it is also highly regarded for its high audio and still image quality. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. Tapes come in lengths of 60 and 80 minutes at standard speed (SP), with use of lower speed mode (SP) increasing time to 90 and 120 minutes while reducing resolution.

What's in the Box:
ZR600 Camcorder, Battery Pack BP-2L5, Compact Power Adapter CA-570, Wireless Controller WL-D85, Stereo/Video Cable STV-250N, USB Cable IFC-300PCU, Digital Video Solution Disk for Windows & Macintosh.

Customer Reviews

Overall a very good value
This camera will satisfy most folks that read Amazon reviews! DV-ing can be an uphill climb for newbies, but with the proper expectations, you can be happy with your purchase and your future use.

I have used this camera for 4 months, and here are my observations:

A few assumptions:
1. Firewire BABY! With almost ALL DV camcorders you will need a 1394 Firewire port on your computer, and a cable (about 10-20 dollars online)
Workaround: none, this is DV! USB is too slow. The SR600 has two ports...make sure you use the port labeled DV. If you want to shell out $200-300 more, go with DVDcamcorder.

2. For Transfer or Editing, Look in your Windows! If you have Windows XP, use the FREE Windows Movie Maker program which copies your movie footage from camera to PC, and allows a little editing. Vista has even more you can do, like copy to a DVD!

3. Don't expect long shoot times... My battery that the camera came with lasts only about 35 minutes, even when I'm not using the LCD screen.
Workaround: buy a $15 dollar 1700mWh battery(larger) on EBAY to have as your main battery, and use the stock one as a backup.

4. Don't get left in the Dark. Reviews state that the camera shoots poorly in poorly lit rooms. This is common with DV cameras.

Workaround: Move camera into P mode, from EASY on the switch near the zoom, and choose NIGHT as option on the LCD (using easy to use Joystick) when you are shooting in lowlight scenes.

AS long as you know the 4 assumptions, this camera is perfect for newbies in DV, right on the money with price, and with good features, like 16:9 WS, Toggle button, and excellent OPTICAL zoom. Wish my sony digital camera had this zoom. IF they had a better battery and included the Firewire cable, I'd give it 5 stars.

I would buy it again, but would opt for the ZR500 for price, or the ZR700 if I wanted to use it to bridge the copying from my VCR to the computer for moviemaker.

OS: Windows XP sp2
PC: 4 yr old DELL Dimension, with Creative lab card with Firewire
Software:
Windows Movie Maker to pull clips from camera, and to Edit movies
DVDFlick (opensource and free) to copy my edited movies to DVD for playing on my home DVD player or computer (moviemaker only copies the .WMV file on a CD or DVD)
Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ Professional DV tapes

All around good camera
a very good easy to use camera, only bad thing is that it has no headlight (need one model up for that) and it doesn't come with a firewire cable. great video quality on tapes.

Cryn007
Great camera but it is a bit grainy but to be expected from a lower end camera. Performs poorly in low light but once again is to be expected because of its small lens. I would recommend this camera to anybody looking for a good solid DV camera, but as for the picture quality it is not quite at the pro level but it is an mid level camera. If you want a camera to use around the house this is the one. This is also a great camera for entry level film classes because the color quality is good which is needed for green screen. Though if you want to start your own production studio I would recommend a more expensive camera like the Cannon GL1 or GL2.