Canon ZR80 Mini DV Digital Camcorder

.68MP, 18x Opt, 360x Dig, 2.5" LCD - MPN: 9383A001

Description: Featuring the superior clarity of Canon's 18x Optical Zoom Lens paired with an advanced image stabilization system, the ZR80 will keep all your memories looking sharp and true to life. Thanks to the advanced DIGIC DV system, a specific color processing technique, you can max... read more

Featuring the superior clarity of Canon's 18x Optical Zoom Lens paired with an advanced image stabilization system, the ZR80 will keep all your memories looking sharp and true to life. Thanks to the advanced DIGIC DV system, a specific color processing technique, you can maximize the ZR80's video quality on a TV. This TV connectivity is simple due to Canon's 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.When shooting close-ups of people, the ZR80 camcorder utilizes 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. You can capture these moments 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. With the ZR80'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. minimize

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edadave from CA

Member Since
Apr 2004

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User has 12 Days of experience with this product

My ZR-40 died with rewind jams, and the repair pri ...

Strengths:

Size, Price, Manual controls

Weaknesses:

Low light performance. No remote, S-video, or mic input

Posted Apr 11, 2004 - My ZR-40 died with rewind jams, and the repair price wasn't much lower than the new model, the ZR-80, so I bought one, this time with an extended warranty. Same as old model: very good video with sunlight, terribly grainy with normal inside-light although setting shutter to 1/60 helps a lot. The camera is very reluctant to drop the shutter speed below 1/100 in automatic mode even when it really needs it. Fortunately, adjusting shutter-speed, white-balance, and other settings are easy. Startup is slow. Nice easy-to use VCR buttons. Works wells though Firewire for capture or analog to digital pass-thru. Decent sound for a built-in mic. Better than old model: smaller and ligher. A tiny bit better low-light performance (but still not very good). Easier access to menus with menu button outside LCD panel. Worse than old model: no remote control, no S-video connection, no microphone jack, harder access to AE adjustment (now under LCD panel). Motor noise a little worse. Although I give this camera a thumbs-up, you may be able to get a close-out on a ZR-70 (last year's higher-end model) for the same price (bigger, but with remote control, S-video, mic input, more optical zoom, and megapixel stills on a flash card)

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fireworks197... from NY

Member Since
Nov 2004

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User has 1 Months of experience with this product

It is tiny, easy to set up. With effective wind n ...

Strengths:

Low Price, Good Quality

Weaknesses:

N/A

Posted Nov 15, 2004 - It is tiny, easy to set up. With effective wind noise filtering. Buy ZR80 instead of ZR85. Use a digicam more than 3.2M pixels to take good pictures, use ZR80 to take good video.

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mikeclee1 from CA

Member Since
Sep 2004

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User has 10 Days of experience with this product

Over all this is a very good camera for the price. ...

Strengths:

Light weight, small form factor, easy to use controls on the camera, good price

Weaknesses:

Poor battery life, does not have a USB connection, optical zoom is only at 18X

Posted Sep 1, 2004 - Over all this is a very good camera for the price. It retails for about $330 at most stores. The battery does not last long. The battery only lasts for about 60 minutes. I would recommend a second high capacity. The optical zoom is only at 18X. Now that isn't bad for the price of this camera, but I've seen better on other models. Namely the ZR90. The size of this camera is perfect in my hands. Other cameras seem to small with even smaller buttons. And the controls are just the right size. But bewarned early, this camera does not have a USB connections. If you don't have a firewire card, you will have to get one to import the video into your computer. All though this my not be the best camera on the market, it does suit my needs and I believe it out work for most people. You can't beat the price.

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libertyteach... from WA

Member Since
Jun 2004

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User has 7 Days of experience with this product

I have found the Canon ZR80 to be small, light-wei ...

Strengths:

It is small and easy to use.

Weaknesses:

I haven't found any yet.

Posted Jun 21, 2004 - I have found the Canon ZR80 to be small, light-weight and easy to use. It was easy to figure out how to initially set it up and begin shooting video. Downloading to a computer is quite simple. I am satisfied with the quality of video too. I like it.

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philcrocetti from NY

Member Since
Nov 2001

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User has 2 Weeks of experience with this product

Optics, the ability to deal with lighting conditio ...

Strengths:

Canon optics, ease of use, well-balanced, well-built.

Weaknesses:

You'll need to step up to the ZR85 for more options. No weaknesses in design or operation, but two-way firewire and external mic jack would be nice.

Posted Jun 22, 2004 - Optics, the ability to deal with lighting conditions, and hand-held stability were the important factors in my buying decision. I edit my works on the computer, so effects were not important (and should be used sparingly!) The Canon ZR-80 is lightweight and well-balanced. The ability to return to 'easy' mode with the flick of a switch from anywhere in custom settings is a great feature. The camera turns out nice-looking video with practice. Another plus: I was able to train a cameraman for a family event in less than one minute. I showed him the zoom and the pause, and off he went. As with most digital cameras, there is no video noise between pause and record. If you don't want to edit on a computer, the pause-record method makes for clean segues. Finally, as a previous reviewer writes, you'll need to purchase a firewire cable separately - a $20 to $40 item!

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goodgreen from OH

Member Since
May 2004

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User has 2 Days of experience with this product

it's a very good camcorder according to it's low p ...

Strengths:

very handy,small size. easy to use

Weaknesses:

no USB

Posted May 14, 2004 - it's a very good camcorder according to it's low price. I just got it yesterday and like it. the only problem is i have to buy ieee 1394 cable. it's kind of trouble. but it's a good one.

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xu111 from CA

Member Since
Oct 2004

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User has 6 Months of experience with this product

ZR80 is an entry-level digital camcorder. It wort ...

Strengths:

Easy to use, with Chinese Menu, Solid build

Weaknesses:

Not good for night shot

Posted Jun 17, 2005 - ZR80 is an entry-level digital camcorder. It worths every penny I paid. I used it all the time during our trip to Hawaii and we loved the video. The battery life is very good The LCD screen is bright enough to be comfortably visible under the bright sun of Hawaii. I connected it to my PC (windows XP) with firewire cable and it is a breeze for the PC to recognize it. Take home message: If you just do casual outdoor shot during day, this is a good choice.

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Edex from VA

Member Since
Aug 2005

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Not bad for the price

Strengths:

Quality is superb with adequate lighting. Easy to use.

Weaknesses:

Indoor capturing is not good.

Posted Oct 6, 2005 - Video quality is severely compromised with indoors. Even with sufficient lighting, the picture comes out grainy. Outdoor capturing is not a problem. The colors are vivid and well defined. 16x9 capturing is certainly a big plus. It looks great on a widescreen TV.

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