Canon ZR80 MiniDV Camcorder w/18x Optical Zoom

I purchesed this camcorder 5 years ago. Haven't used it a lot but when I have I have bee happy with it. The only thing is the batterry. It only last 25-30 minutes. It sopose 2 last an hour. The tapes are 1 hour so you have 2 find a plug that you can use & are not in the way while shouting. The quality is great.

I bought a ZR80 about 3 years ago. It really seemed the perfect camera 4 me, new mommy who wants 2 record all the baby stuff. I got lovely videos & everything worked perfectly 4 almost 2 years. Suddenly, the screen started 2 appear black. It would record only the sound but not the image. It worked randomly, sometimes it would record the image, sometimes it just wouldn't..... very frustrating & disappointing! I have read other reviews stating similar problems. I will never get another Canon camera, as I don't plan 2 replace it every 2 years!!

We got this camera 3-years ago as a baby shower gift. The camera does not have high quality video indoors, the battery life is really short (lasts only about 30 minutes after being fully charged), & we ended up with the black screen of death (see reviews 4 Samsung SCD23 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5 LCD). I would expect a video camera 2 last much longer than 3-years. I'm very disapointed with this camera & would not recommend it 2 anyone.

Canon recalled this item 4 a faulty CCD, the symptoms of which are static or no image at all recording 2 the tape. After about 15 hours of use I ran into this problem & was pretty bummed out, but after checking the Canon website I noticed that they had recalled the product & were offering free repairs (and free shipping). So, if it breaks, check the site, & send it in!

I've used this camcorder 4 home movies, school projects, & short video profiles. I now use a more professional 3CCD camcorder 4 my projects, but I keep this little one around as a backup, or use it 4 situations where portability is important. It has served me very well in the 4+ years I have owned it, but does have a few drawbacks.

Pro's:
-Good picture 4 a 1-chip portable camcorder
-Decent audio 4 an internal microphone (zoom out & get as close 2 your subject as possible 4 better audio, or get a wide-angle lens 4 best results)
-Feels solid
-Manual modes; white balance, focus, shutter speed
-Decent night shot
-Syncs & imports perfectly with editing software (like iMovie)

Con's
-No external mic input (this is my only "real" complaint)
-Loud bass records static (doesn't do concerts very well)
-Lens cap falls off way too easily
-Faulty CCD, but free repair

They sell on eBay 4 about 50 bucks, & even 4 or 5 years after its release, it's an overall good buy.

I took it 2 europe thinking I would get great video, instead I arrive at London & it says SORRY NO LIGHT SOURCE FOUND. Ever since then it has been pitch black vido & picture. Even though it says it has a warranty, they say I broke it no refunds. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY, GET JVC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Special moments may come & go, but with Canon's ZR-series camcorders you can capture & relive those sunny days at the beach, casual strolls through crisp fall foliage & family-packed holiday celebrations with brilliant clarity. Smoothly conforming 2 the contour of your hand, the ZR series camcorders feature the ultimate in Canon design & functionality, allowing you 2 effortlessly capture once-in-a-lifetime moments whenever & wherever they happen.Offering exceptional value, easy operation, & outstanding performance, Canon's ZR80 camcorder can turn even every day occasions into milestones you can cherish forever.