Product Description

Whether spending a summer day at the beach, viewing the beauty of crisp fall foliage, or celebrating the joy and warmth of the holiday season, Canon's ZR90 camcorder gives you the power to make time stand still. Featuring Canon's exceptional 22x Optical Zoom Lens and state-of-the-art DIGIC DV technology, the ZR90 delivers ultra-clear images in stunning real-life color.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74047 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Canon
• Model: 9381A001AA
• Released on: 2004-02-17
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 1.00" w x 1.00" l, 1.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• MiniDV camcorder takes video and stills and connects effortlessly to your computer, TV, or VCR
• 22x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 440x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD with 180-degree rotation
• Capture low-light recordings with Night Mode
• Record for up to 2 hour and 5 minutes on one battery charge

From the Manufacturer
Whether spending a summer day at the beach, viewing the beauty of crisp fall foliage, or celebrating the joy and warmth of the holiday season, Canon's new ZR90 camcorder gives you the power to make time stand still. Featuring Canon's exceptional 22x Optical Zoom Lens and state-of-the-art DIGIC DV technology, the ZR90 delivers ultra-clear images in stunning real-life color. DIGIC DV Canon's expertise in imaging and electronics is flawlessly blended together in the ZR-series camcorders, thanks to the advanced

Multi-image Screen You can divide your screen into four, nine or sixteen pictures with the Image Capture function.

DIGIC DV system
Since video and photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV utilizes two different color techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image quality for print or computer display.

Seamlessly connect to your computer, TV or VCR
Embracing the industry's latest and most sophisticated technology, Canon camcorders feature an exclusive connection circuit, called VIC. VIC is a virtual powerhouse. Traditionally, multiple chips were needed to perform the camcorder's input and output functions. However VIC manages it all with one single chip. The result is seamless connectivity whether you are connecting to a computer, TV, or VCR.

Witness the power of a 22x Optical Zoom Lens
The Canon ZR-series camcorders are so advanced, they correct camcorder shake instantly. It's all thanks to a high quality Image Stabilization system that ensures your videos always look smooth, steady and natural even when shooting hand-held at full telephoto. What's more, the ZR90 offers an incredible 22x Optical Zoom Lens with the outstanding quality of Genuine Canon Optics, in addition to a supplied WA-30.5 Wide Attachment (0.6x), giving you a wide perspective for indoor shots or panoramic views.

Shoot close-ups they'll love
When shooting close-ups of people, the ZR-series camcorders utilize a Skin Detail Function to automatically soften details. The result is a more complimentary appearance that will keep your family and friends coming back for another 15 minutes of fame.

Illuminate those super-low light moments
With the ZR-series camcorders, you can capture images and video even in low-lighting thanks to its enhanced Night mode. At the touch of a button, the camcorder selects the ideal shutter speed and sensitivity combination to brighten up the scene, without sacrificing color. The ZR90, however, also gives you the power to assign the Super Night or Night Plus mode to the NIGHT MODE button. In the Super Night mode, the assist lamp lights up automatically responding to the brightness of the subject. In the Night Plus mode, the assist lamp stays on at all times.

Faders and Special Effects The ZR90 also comes complete with a wide selection of faders and special effects that can add visual appeal and greater imaging variety. Choose from Fade Trigger, Wipe, Corner, Jump, Flip, Puzzle, Zigzag, Beam and Tide. For a more creative look, you can switch on the following digital effects during recording or playback: Art, Black & White, Sepia, Mosaic, Ball, Cube, Wave, Color Mask or Mirror.

Transfer images effortlessly
The ZR90 expands video possibilities with a built-in slot for an SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card or a MultiMediaCard, in addition to the MiniDV cassette. That means you can easily transfer digital photos to your PC straight from the camcorder using the supplied USB cable or IEEE1394.

DV Terminal
The IEEE1394-compliant DV terminal also lets you connect the ZR90 to a DV-compatible computer or another Canon DV camcorder. That means you can easily transfer your digital movies to your computer's hard disk, edit your scenes, and then use them to create high impact Web sites, video e-mail, interactive CDs and DVDs, or a personal video album.

Picture Transfer Protocol
The ZR90 makes life even simpler by supporting Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP). PTP enables data communication with a computer without the need to install dedicated driver software. In other words, PTP creates a direct link with the computer to access the camcorder as though it was an external card reader. This feature is available only with computers running Windows XP or Mac OS X (version 10.1 or later) operating system.

Get creative with supplied software
The ZR90 Kit includes software for image management and editing: ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Macintosh) which let you easily download, browse, archive, and retouch your photos. It will even automatically resize images and allow you to attach them to e-mail, arrange them for printing, and add text. In addition, the ZR90 is supplied with DV Messenger2 software, which allows you to use your Canon camcorder for Internet Video Chat with Microsoft Windows Messenger through IEEE1394. Control the zoom and focus of your camcorder or the person you are chatting with. Preview thumbnails and transfer photos. Watch and control the video playback of either camcorder -- all from your computer

Enjoy portable movie-making power
The ZR90 allows you to record movie clips in Motion JPEG format onto the memory card, for clear images and smooth playback. It also means you can easily take the 320 x 240 pixel or 160 x 120 pixel mini-movie and attach it to an e-mail or post it on the web. Best of all, you can record for the full length of the SD Memory Card.

Get the most out of your photos and prints
The ZR90 captures beautiful high definition photos. Just press the photo button to capture stunning XGA (1024 x 768 pixel) images onto the included 8 MB SD Memory Card. For added flexibility, you can select the compression size (Superfine/Fine/ Normal) to tailor how many photos you can fit on the memory card. You can even select how long you wish to review a still image after recording.

Keep the focus where you want it
Sometimes, the subject we want to photograph is not in the center of the frame. With the ZR90 camcorder, you can choose from one of three focusing points to automatically put the subject you want into sharp focus.

Take control of your creativity
The ZR90 gives great results in the hands of beginner, thanks to the preprogrammed auto exposure modes (Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand & Snow and Low Light mode); each carefully designed to give you the best possible image results under special shooting conditions. Meanwhile, the more experienced users will appreciate the manual focus, exposure level, white balance, and shutter speed controls.

Never lose track of your subject
With the ZR90's flexible 2.5" LCD View Screen and Color Viewfinder, you can easily compose sensational shots without having to squint into the viewfinder. Rotate the screen for high-or low-angle shots, or turn it around 180 degrees to record yourself, and then afterwards, enjoy the brilliant display while reviewing your scenes. The Canon ZR90 is the most powerful and versatile camcorder in the ZR series, with powerful DIGIC DV and VIC imaging technologies, enhanced low-light image capture and exceptional digital connectivity. Capture life's precious moments the way you want them to be remembered, thanks to the Canon ZR90 camcorder.

Customer Reviews

Best Value @ This Price
We use Canon in general because of their amazing compatibility with a wide rage of formats. The ZR-Series is no exception. You are able to achieve high quality with ease. The VIC chip makes a big difference when you are importing a lot of video to edit on your PC/Mac. You'll need to pick up a Firewire for $10-15 because Canon doesn't include one in this box.

I recommend visiting http://www.canondv.com/zr90, there you can view videos of this camcorder. That will help you see if this camera is right for you. Sony, Sharp, Panasonic and most every respective brand have similar videos on their sites to help you compare. Of course Amazon.com has the best prices.

Also I find it very odd that nearly every negative reviewer ends up mentioning Sony as an alternative. As a professional I wonder why someone wouldn't mention Panasonic, JVC or Sharp now and then. You would have to spend at least $595.00 to find a Sony that compares indoors or out. Even then you won't find features like Canon's Digic technology.

If you are serious about sound you really need a boom/shotgun microphone no matter what brand of camera you use. An external mic will help you capture directional sound. For voices, wireless microphones will always give you superior results. You can then mix both boom and wireless feeds to create dynamic sound. Unless you are shooting pro video the Canon mic is adequate and features a handy wind filter if you decide to activate it.

A good camcorder with one huge drawback
There are lots of things you look for in a camcorder. Features, quality construction, and something easy to use are all things to consider. In the lower price range a lot of camcorders are alike and you have to look at some small specifics to figure out what's the best buy.

The ZR90 is a good camcorder, but it has one major flaw that its predecessors did not - it has no mike input.

The built in microphones on almost all camcorders, certainly those selling for less than $1000, are notoriously bad. They generally pick up 180 degrees of sound. In a group situation, at a party for example, the audio sounds like utter chaos. Canons also seem to be especially prone to picking up motor noise from the camera itself. Thus, if you're interested in good sound you need to have a camcorder with a mike input.

Unfortunately, Canon chose to reduce the features on their 2004 ZR line by taking away the mike input. Why they did this is astonishing because it makes no sense.

If you want a Canon camcorder with good sound you really need to either get an older model - almost any of the older ZRs including the 45, 50, 60, 65 and 70, all of which have mike inputs - or forget the ZR completely and go for an Elura or any of their other product lines that have this necessary feature. If you're accustomed to the typical sound one gets from an on-camera mike (or you plan to never use it in situations with lots of sounds), maybe this model will be fine for you.

Good for Simple Projects, Kids
These cameras are very user-friendly. I teach video classes for children ages 8-15 and even the youngest of the group are able to pick them up and go. They capture the best images when used outside; image quality is significantly sacrificed indoors when using automatic mode. They seem to be fairly durable but inconsistently so. Of the handful we have at work, one has started dropping frames during import (into iMovie, FinalCut, and Premeire) while the others do not. It is frustrating that you cannot utilize auto-focus with some of the special effects. Also, the digital steady-cam is pretty useless. All in all, it is not a good camera for extemely important or professional quality footage. However, for kids who want to document their new skateboard tricks, or learn how to make movies using their home PC, or for vacations and stuff like that, it is a good camera with a fair price. It is small, easy to operate, and fun. PERFECT for mini-filmmakers.

And Canon is generally VERY good about owning up to problems with their products. So the other review in which the woman says they were unhelpful seems extremely atypical to me. I have had several problems with products and they have been entirely supportive. I only buy Canon cameras. I think you always get the best bang for your buck with Canon products.