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Well, it looks Canon has decided to offer cheap
priced camcorders, all under $500. The lineup consists
of 4 camcorders, ZR-500, ZR-600, ZR-700 and the Canon Elura
100. Below is the offical press release from Canon. They
seems like a pretty cheap deal for under $500.
From baby things to wedding rings and holidays to golden
days, Canon’s newest Mini DV camcorders offer the performance
and ease-of-use to help consumers capture life’s special
moments in vivid detail. Small enough to fit in a coat pocket
but with all the technology and features to deliver outstanding
video and photos of mom, dad and the kids, the new Canon
ZR500, ZR600, ZR700 and Elura 100 models are “The Official
Camcorder of Life.”
All the new ZR and Elura models include Canon’s Widescreen
HR (high resolution) feature that allows users to enjoy a
full-screen image on their widescreen TV with vivid detail
and clarity. Canon’s Widescreen HR feature not only
delivers a wider picture, but in contrast to other systems,
uses a wider area of the CCD image sensor to strike more
pixels and deliver higher resolution for superior widescreen
image quality.
Each Widescreen HR model uses a 2.7-inch Widescreen display
panel making it easy to compose shots in cinema style. As
widescreen television sets begin to replace standard TVs,
consumers can appreciate the ability to frame and record
in Widescreen HR and later enjoy
full-screen playback on their widescreen TV for a theatre-like
experience at home.
“Consumers bought widescreen TVs in droves
this past holiday season and the latest ZR and Elura camcorders
from Canon are the perfect products for showing off life’s
precious moments in true widescreen,” said Yukiaki
Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the
Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “From
celebrations to graduations, Canon’s camcorders can
capture life’s fast, fun and fleeting moments which
is why we’re branding all of our new single CCD image
sensor camcorders as ‘The Official Camcorder of Life.’ With
the launch of our latest camcorders that have single CCD
image sensors and SD memory card slots we are also launching ‘DoubleShot.’ A
Canon DoubleShot camcorder shoots excellent quality video
and incorporates many of the same features found on Canon
cameras for amazing photos too.”
Designed for the beginner but with enough features to handle
a variety of situations, the new Canon ZR camcorders offer
a great camcorder package at an affordable price. Retailing
for estimated selling prices of $299*, $349* and $399* respectively.
If consumers don’t have a widescreen television at
home, the video they shot in Widescreen HR will be displayed
in letterbox format on their TV, just like movies they buy
or rent.
To access the camcorder menu system, playback and manual
controls, the new ZR camcorders feature a handy joystick
on the housing of the display panel which makes recording
and playback even easier.
In addition to their widescreen capabilities, the new ZR
camcorders feature Genuine Canon 25x Optical Zooms, Canon’s
longest optical zoom ever in a camcorder (800x Digital
Zoom featured in the ZR500 and ZR600 models, and 1000x
Optical Zoom featured in the ZR700). To prevent jerky zooms,
the new ZR models offer a feature called Smooth Zoom Control
that lets the user pick one of three fixed zoom speeds
for professional-style zooming just like in a Hollywood
motion picture.
Consumers can also avoid shooting crooked video when they
use the Level Shot Control feature that overlays a horizontal
marker and center indicator on the viewscreen. The marker,
which acts as a guide for the user, can be turned on or off
at the touch of a button. Of course, all the new models come
with Image Stabilization so users can shoot rock-steady video
even when they’re at maximum telephoto without a tripod.
Image Stabilization is also effective while panning or zooming.
In addition to being able to capture digital photos to an
SD memory card, the new ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders come
with a variety of photo features to ensure outstanding
results. Both models have 9 Point AiAF system that provides
reliable autofocus anywhere in the frame. Also new to these
models are Special Scene Modes, which help users get great
results in a variety of shooting conditions such as at
the beach, during a snowy afternoon or when capturing a
fireworks display. On the ZR600 and ZR700 models, users
can add Image Effects to their photos to give them extra
creative flare, while Progressive Photo technology helps
deliver sharp detail. The new ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders
are classified as official Canon DoubleShot camcorders
offering, not just video and photos but the best of both.
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Canon’s new ZR camcorders are approximately 16 percent
smaller and approximately 12 percent lighter in weight than
their predecessors, and boast sleek, contoured designs that
fit comfortably in the hand. The new models are offered in
three cool colors – the ZR500, Blue Mist; the ZR 600,
Silver Frost; and the ZR700, Grey Smoke. All models have
built-in lens covers so there is no dangling lens cap to
lose.
The ZR700 and ZR600 camcorders both have PictBridge support
to connect directly to compatible photo printers, along with
USB and IEEE 1394 terminals. The ZR500 model is equipped
with a microphone terminal, while the ZR700 and ZR600 models
feature a Remote Control, Canon’s Zoom Browser Software
and Audio Dubbing. Additional benefits of the ZR700 model
include a higher capacity battery, built-in video light,
an Analog to Digital Converter and 1000X Digital Zoom.
The Canon ZR500, ZR600 and ZR700 camcorders are all Windows
Certified and Mac compatible, and will be available at the
end of January 2006. The estimated street prices include:
ZR500 - $299*, ZR600 - $349* and the ZR700 – $399*.
The Elura 100 Camcorder– Stylish, Simple, High Tech
Many of the new features introduced on the latest ZR models
are also incorporated into Canon’s new Elura 100
camcorder. As with the ZR Series, the Elura 100 camcorder
includes Widescreen HR Recording, 2.7-inch Widescreen display
panel, easy-to-use Joystick, Smooth Zoom Control and Level
Shot Control. Advanced Photo features, include 9 Point
AiAF autoofocus, Special Scene Modes and Image Effects.
The Elura 100 also allows the user to display widescreen
video on a standard television and comes with a built-in
lens cover.
When stepping up to the Elura 100 camcorder consumers get
Megapixel Resolution for crisper video and photos. Like the
ZR600 and ZR700 models, the Elura 100 has an SD Memory Card
slot for capturing photos and short movie clips.
The new Elura is also compact, offering a sleek but stylish
design that is 35 percent smaller and 26 percent lighter
than the previous Elura models. It features Genuine Canon
20x Optical Zoom/800x Digital Zoom. Genuine Canon Optics
helps ensure that video and photos are clear and rich with
color and detail.
Other enhanced features also available on the ZR700 model
include a Mega Video Light for enhanced low light illumination,
a Higher Resolution LCD screen at 123,000 pixels, Advanced
Photo Features including Motor Drive Mode and autoexposure
bracketing, a microphone terminal and the ability to use
optional lens accessories, such as filters and converters.
The Canon Elura 100 camcorder is both Windows Certified
and Mac compatible and will be available at the end of February
2006 for an estimated selling price of $399*.
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