Canon ZR700 MiniDV Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom

The camera came in a timely manner & was exactly like the description stated. I would have no issues recommending or purchasing from them again.

I took my first foray into video-making last spring. I needed a decent camcorder that would work easily with my iMac. After a couple of months of research & leg work, I bought the ZR700 as well as another more expensive camera ($100 more) that was more highly regarded. I tried the two in a side-by-side comparison. It was no contest; the ZR700 blew the other away.

I won't go into all the ins & outs; suffice 2 say that I find this camcorder easy 2 use with plenty of good features. It feels good in my hands & I love the joystick control. Every control is quite logical & makes sense. One small feature that many cameras don't have is the built-in lens cap. With the touch of a button, the lens opens; another touch, it closes. Much preferable 2 having a lens cap 2 dangle & perhaps lose.

When it came time 2 making the movie, importing the clips was a snap--it was almost too easy. And the picture quality was everything I could have hoped for. I loved the features that let you program the video 4 the type of scene you're filming--outdoor sunny, outdoor overcast, indoor spotlight, etc. The sound was fine, too.

I'm sure if I spent $500 more on a machine, I'd notice the difference in quality. But this more than met my needs. If you want an excellent camcorder at an extremely reasonable price, the ZR700 is a good choice.

I used this camera 4 15 minutes & got the "remove the cassette" error message. I tried using other tapes thinking it may have been defective but still received the error message. Then I researched the internet & found out that this is a very common problem. Its so common that if you go 2 the Canon product page, they have a special link 2 address questions about this error. Canon's website is basically set up 2 make you think that you, the consumer, may have caused the problem by allowing moisture or dirt inside or by improperly closing the tape door. However, the real problem here is a defective design.

Since I bought the camera so recently, you would think Canon would apologize & send me a shipping label. No. They are making me pay 4 shipping 2 their repair facility.

Needless 2 say, I will NEVER purchase another Canon product again & I will discourage anyone I know from ever purchasing a Canon product.

This is a great little camcorder. The size is awesome, small & light. The image stabilization works really well. I have heard the tape noise while recording, but after downloading video & burning it 2 a DVD I haven't been able 2 hear it. The audio is great 4 the price range of this little camera. I especially like that you can record in widescreen. For some reason it gives your home videos a more interesting look. If you are having trouble shooting inside, which has been a complaint from some, try turning all the lights on in the room you're recording in & setting the camera 4 the tungsten light mode. Recorded this way, the videos look better than if you just record in auto mode. And although you can't really control it, any outside light coming in really enhances the video quality too (especially the color).
I think this was a great purchase 4 us. Highly recommended.

very good, received in time. I just love it, very easy 2 use.

Around the world, the name Canon means optical excellence, advanced image processing & 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 & affordability. ZR digital camcorders give you a variety of features, including Widescreen HR recording, a Firewire/DV Terminal & Canon's advanced image stabilization system. The results are brilliant video & digital photos that you can easily share with family & friends.Beneath its handsome Gray Smoke finish, the ZR700 packs a powerful combination of performance & features. It comes with a 25x optical & 1000x digital zoom - Canon's longest zooms ever. It also comes with features like: an easy-to-read menu system; an omni-selector joystick that lets you easily operate playback, focus, exposure & menu options with a single controller; a big 2.7" LCD view screen; and, Smooth Zoom & Level Shot Control. The ZR700 is a stylish performer you can take anywhere.