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Canon's three new digital camcorders expand ease-of-use and
dramatically enhance the capability and affordability of
video for entry-level users. In stores beginning in March
for estimated selling prices of $399, $499 and $599, Canon
camcorders, ZR80, ZR85 and ZR90 models pack advanced features
into a sleek, compact design that allows consumers to capture
and print memorable milestones and everyday events with ease.
"Consumers want to use digital video as often as they do
digital still photography, but have waited for the price-to-benefit
offerings to become greater," Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice
president and general manager of the consumer imaging group
at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ). "Canon's
new ZR line of Mini DV camcorders break new ground in the
marketplace by affordably placing much-asked-for feature-sets,
user-friendly product design and Canon image quality into
the hands of more people than ever before."
"As consumers become more accustomed to digital still photography,
we have seen an increase in market demand for high-quality,
low cost digital video," said Ron Glaz, director, IDC Digital
Imaging. "Canon's new ZR camcorders focus on this growing
market demand, providing low cost video solutions that support
easy video transfer to computers and viewing on home entertainment
systems."
Focused on creating a series of truly consumer-friendly Canon
Mini DV camcorders, Canon has added an array of new features
to the ZR line that help to make the first-time user's
experience as fun and easy as possible. Enhancements found
in the ZR80 (estimated selling price of $399), ZR85 (estimated
selling price of $499), and ZR90 (estimated selling price
of $599) digital camcorders include:
• Skin Detail Mode that automatically recognizes and
softens skin tones when shooting close-ups of people, to
reduce skin imperfections and create a more flattering appearance;
• Extended battery life thanks to lower power consumption
(up to 12 hours continuous recording using the optional BP-535
battery pack);
• End Search feature that locates the end of the last
recorded scene with one touch of the button, removing the
danger of accidentally recording over previously shot footage;
• To record Motion JPEG - short movie clips saved to
the SD Memory card for easy email attachment - users can
record for the full capacity of the memory card (ZR90 and
ZR85 models only);
• To Transfer Video Footage stored on the Mini-DV tape
onto an SD card inside the camcorder, which will convert
and encode Mini-DV video into Motion JPEG so that consumers
can e-mail or stream their video on the web (available on
the ZR90 and ZR85 only);
• Still Image Capture to an SD card (on the ZR90 and
ZR85 only), creating XGA resolution digital still photos
that can be emailed or directly printed on any PictBridge™ compatible
printer;
• Simultaneous Photo Recording that permits e-mail-ready
image capture (VGA) on a separate memory card while recording
high quality video to the digital videotape;
• Selectable Focusing Points feature permit users
to opt for automatic sharp focus in one of three areas of
the frame - left, right and center;
• Selectable Display Languages that offer information
in the LCD or Viewfinder in a choice of English, French,
Spanish, German Italian, Russian, Chinese and Japanese; and
• The "My Camcorder" feature that permits users to personalize
their start-up screen.
Beginning with the superior optics Canon lenses are renowned
for, this trio continues the ZR tradition of offering one
of the longest optical zoom range in its class: 18x on the
ZR80, 20x on the ZR85 and 22x on the ZR90 models. Factor
in the equally extraordinary 360x digital zoom on ZR80 model,
the 400x digital zoom on the ZR85 unit and the phenomenal
440x digital zoom on the line leading ZR90 model and it is
clear that the image capture capabilities of these camcorders
far surpass the entry level class.
Matching the quality, clarity and precision of Canon's lenses
(born of decades of creating and crafting precision "glass" for
35mm and broadcast cameras) these three Canon digital camcorders
also feature such impressive optical innovations such as:
• A high quality image stabilization system that instantly
helps to correct camcorder shake even when shooting hand
held at full telephoto;
• An automatic slow shutter speed - ranging from 1/30
to 1/500 - for low light shooting; and
• A night mode setting that automatically selects a
slow shutter speed and increases the sensitivity of the camcorders'
CCD, permitting extreme low-light shooting and a brighter
image without sacrificing color.
With a 22x Canon optical/440x digital zoom lens, the ZR90
Mini DV Camcorder features Super Night Mode and Night + Mode
(selected from the camera's menu). This set of additional
low-light shooting options enhances the camera's image sensitivity
and capture capability.
Augmenting the Night Mode setting found on the ZR80 and ZR85
models, Super Night Mode actually adds light to a dark scene
as needed with an unobtrusive white LED light positioned
on the front of the camera. When the Super Night Mode setting
is engaged the LED light automatically turns on and off as
needed. Similar to Super Night Mode, Night+ Mode allows the
user to turn on the white LED light and keep it on as long
he/she chooses.
The ZR90 Mini DV camcorder also features S-Video In/Out capability
and a supplied WA-30.5 Wide Conversion Attachment. Particularly
useful when shooting in tight spaces or when very close to
a subject, the Wide Conversion Attachment expands the camcorder's
field of view from 54mm to a wide 32mm. In the photo mode,
the wide attachment expands the field of view from 48mm to
29mm.
Canon's proprietary DIGIC DV system seamlessly blends the
company's imaging and electronics expertise to achieve superior
quality video and photographic results. DIGIC DV makes it
possible to achieve accurate color reproduction for both
video and digital photos, by employing two different color
techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image
quality for print or computer display.
The ZR85 and ZR90 digital video camera models are PictBridge
compatible, facilitating direct printing with Canon's CP200
and CP300 dye-sub card photo printers, Canon PhotoDirect
Bubblejet printers and any PictBridge compatible printer
regardless of manufacturer.
The ZR85 and ZR90 canon camcorder models come bundled with
Canon's DV Messenger2 software (Windows only) that allows
the camcorder to be used for Internet Video Chat through
IEEE1394 and using Windows XP's Windows Messenger program.
DV Messenger2 also facilitates sharing of video clips, transfer
of digital photos and even control of the other person's
camcorder (only with their permission, of course). ZR80 camcorder
customers can download the DV Messenger2 software free of
charge from www.canondv.com.
The ZR series Canon Mini DV camcorders feature a 2.5" LCD
Screen, a Color Viewfinder, an IEEE 1394 terminal, an assortment
of digital effects and fades, and a seven setting Program
AE function that offers a choice of Easy Recording, Auto,
Sports, Portraits, Sand & Snow, Low-Light and Night
shooting modes. All three models ship with a battery pack
(BP508) a compact power adapter (CA-570) and a shoulder strap
(SS-900).
Optional accessories offered for this new trio of ZR series
DV camcorders are a choice of four extended life battery
packs (BP-512, BP-514, BP-522, BP-535); a dual battery charger
(CG-570); a "nightlight-style" battery charger that plugs
into a wall outlet without need of a cable (CG-580) and a
car battery cable (CB-570). Other options include a wide
converter (WD-30.5/WD-H30.5); a Tele converter (TL-30.5/TL-H30.5);
a choice of three soft carrying cases (SC-2000, SC-1000 and
SC-A50); a wrist strap (WS-20), and the S-150 S-Video cable
(for the ZR90 camcorder model only).
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Daniel Del Aqua is a contributing
author to www.digital-camcorders-reviews.net. A guide
that offers reviews, ratings & info on where to find
the best mini dvd camcorders, Handycam video cameras,
batteries & accessories.
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