Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder

★★★★☆
4.4

based on 35 reviews  

from

 

Ratings Distribution

5 star
 
17
4 star
 
14
3 star
 
4
2 star
 
0
1 star
 
0

Category Average

★★★★☆
4.1

 

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Pros

  • Comfortable to operate (26)
  • Simple controls (24)
  • Great picture quality (20)
  • Great features (19)
  • Versatile (18)
  • Durable (12)
  • Great sound quality (12)
  • Good value (2)
  • 30 zoom (1)
  • Compact (1)
See less See more

Cons

  • Poor battery life (4)
  • Flimsy (1)
  • Image is grainy at times (1)
  • Low quality indoors (1)
  • Low single photos (1)
  • Low-quality recordings (1)
  • Mediocre video quality (1)
  • Needs a microphone jack (1)
  • Needs a widescreen button (1)
  • No mic input (1)

Best Uses

  • Family (26)
  • Travel (19)
  • Special events (15)
  • Movies/short films (9)
  • Sports (9)
  • Weddings (5)
  • Home (2)
  • Professional work (2)
  • Capture deck (1)
  • Casual use (1)
 
 
 

Provided by RitzCamera.com


Affordable Performance - Around the world, the name Canon means optical excellence, advanced image processing and superb performance. And Canon digital video camcorders are no exception.

Whether you''re shopping for your first camcorder, or would like to upgrade from analog to digital, the new ZR camcorders are a perfect balance of style, performance and affordability. The ZR digital camcorders give you a brilliant Genuine Canon 35x Optical Zoom lens, Canon''s advanced image stabilization system, Widescreen HR recording , DIGIC DV image processing, Joystick controller, and Level and Grid Markers .The results are brilliant video and digital photos that you can easily share with family and friends.

The ZR850 is the top of the line of ZR camcorders. This new addition to the ZR family includes a 1.07 Megapixel CCD, along with an array of features that turn your camcorder into a digital still camera, including 9 Point AiAF (Auto Focus), Progressive Photo, Simultaneous Photo Recording, Special Scene Modes, and Image Effects. It is also compatible with SD HC (High Capacity) memory cards for storing even more of your images. A built-in video light ensures that regardless of the conditions, your subject will be clearly seen. With the ZR850 you get all of these exciting features, plus its ease-of-use makes it the perfect solution for capturing all of life''s precious memories.

35x Optical Performance You Can See - The name Canon is synonymous with optical excellence the world over. Brilliant optical quality is part of every Canon broadcast TV lens, 35mm film camera, digital camera and camcorder -- and the ZR850 is no exception. It gives you clear, vibrant and brilliant video and digital photographs.

Your ZR850 camcorders come with Genuine Canon Optics, known worldwide by professionals and consumers alike for unsurpassed optical performance. In addition, the ZR camcorders come equipped with Canon''s longest zoom ever: a 35x Optical Zoom. Plus, a powerful 1000x digital zoom lets you get close to the action from even farther away.
Image Stabilization - The ZR850''s image stabilizer allows you to shoot rock-steady video -- even at maximum telephoto without a tripod -- for professional-looking video.

Brilliant Video - The new ZR850 features Canon''s exclusive DIGIC DV image processor, which processes video and photos differently, resulting in exceptional color and clarity for both. Other features make it easy to record brilliant video.
Smooth Zoom Control - With Canon''s smooth zoom control, you''ll have three, pre-set zoom speeds that ensure professional, steady zoom shots.
Level and Grid Markers - Capturing level, well-composed shots is simple with the ZR850. Line up the horizon or other horizontal lines with the Level Marker in the viewfinder for level landscapes. Or, use the Grid Marker to help compose the perfect shot. Both markers can be set to white or grey for enhanced visibility, no matter what the background.
Built-in Video Light - he ZR850 even comes with a built-in video light so you can record video that''s great -- when the light isn''t.

Megapixel Performance - With the ZR850 you get a 1.07 megapixel CCD image sensor. Your video will be sharper, clearer and more true to life, as will your photos. Every sunset on the beach will be more dramatic with every color in the sky faithfully captured. The joy on the face of a child scoring her first goal on the soccer field is recorded just as you saw it.

Widescreen HR Recording - You want your memories to last forever -- that''s why you''ve taken the time to capture them. And you want to shoot in widescreen format to get everything you can out of your new widescreen TV or home theater system. So, why is the way you record widescreen images so important? Because you want an image made for widescreen, not adapted for widescreen. Because every HD television is widescreen -- widescreen is the future.

The story of how Canon does it may be a bit technical, but the results are clear to see. Canon camcorders use the entire width of the image sensor to capture video in true 16:9 format. What difference does this make? It''s simple. With more pixels captured, you get better image quality. Some competitors'' camcorders force the wider picture into a smaller space on the sensor -- giving you a less true image, with fewer pixels and lower quality. With a Canon camcorder, your videos of your travels will let you relive great memories.

In addition, the viewfinder on your ZR850 displays your widescreen image in a letterbox view. From side to side and top to bottom, what you see is what you get. You can also view your widescreen shot in the ZR850''s large, 2.7-inch LCD screen or its .35-inch color viewfinder. Either way, there isn''t the guessing or extra work in looking at an image that''s distorted like a fun house mirror.

To make things even easier, a Widescreen Button lets you switch from standard 4:3 to 16:9 Widescreen HR at the touch of your finger. You can also use the widescreen feature with the camcorder''s advanced image stabilization.

Every one of the camcorders in Canon''s new ZR series gives you Widescreen HR Recording at a very affordable price. Why shouldn''t your camcorder shoot as wide as your widescreen TV? It should -- and it''s hard to match the widescreen video, or the value, you''ll get from your Canon ZR.

Remember -- widescreen is the future. And Canon''s Widescreen HR is true widescreen that''s picture perfect.

Easy Operation - The new ZR850 comes with a variety of features that make it an easy-to-operate camcorder.

The Joystick makes using the camcorder easier than ever. Extra buttons have been eliminated, allowing you to access many functions from one convenient place. The Joystick lets you control Play, Stop, Fast Forward, and Rewind functions during playback. It also controls exposure lock and exposure compensation during recording.

With Quick Start, you''ll never miss a shot again. Simply push the Quick Start button, in between shots, to put your camcorder in stand-by mode. Push the Quick Start button again, and your camcorder powers up and begins to record in less than a second. When using Quick Start, you are considerably extending the life of your battery compared to that of regular recording mode.

Also, an easy-to-read menu system makes the ZR850 a breeze to operate.

For the ultimate in stress-free shooting, there''s the Easy Mode. In this setting, your ZR850 will automatically choose the focus, exposure and any additional available parameters to ensure that whatever you''re recording comes out looking great. You don''t have to worry about a thing -- just point and shoot!

Perfect Exposures - The new ZR850 gives you exposure controls found on expensive digital still cameras.

Exposure Lock - With a push of its convenient omni-selector joystick, the ZR850 lets you lock your exposure settings, and then recompose your shot. For example, you can lock your exposure while zoomed in on your subject''s face. Then, even if you zoom out to include a very bright or dark background, your ZR850 will still give your subject the right exposure. Also, by shifting the omni-selector left or right, you can adjust your exposure by up to +/-11 stops (+/-2.75 EV).
Auto Slow Shutter Function - The Auto Slow Shutter function ensures perfect exposures in low light by lowering your shutter speed.
Program AE Mode - The ZR850 comes with Program AE Mode settings that give you perfect exposures in a variety of conditions: Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks, Portrait, Sports and Night.

Stunning Digital Photography - When you''ve got your ZR850 with you, you can leave your digital still camera at home. That''s because with Canon''s DoubleShot technology, you don''t just get video and photography -- you get the best of both.

At the heart of the ZR850''s performance as a digital still camera is Canon''s exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing circuit. Because video and still images have different color requirements, DIGIC DV processes the two differently. So, along with stunning video images, you also get digital photos from your ZR850 that are maximized for viewing on computer monitors and as prints.

The ZR850 also comes with an array of features that add to its performance as a digital still camera.

9 Point Ai-AF - A feature found on more expensive camcorders, Auto Intelligent Auto Focus ensures sharp images and gives creative flexibility. Even when your subject isn''t in the center of the frame, the ZR850''s 9 Point AiAF will bring it into sharp focus.
Progressive Photo - Canon''s Progressive Photo gives you sharper detail in your digital photography.
Scene Modes - Special Scene Modes ensure accurate exposures under a wide variety of difficult lighting conditions. Modes include: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks. For example, choose Spotlight and your camcorder exposes for the subject in the center of your frame. This is perfect for recording your child''s moment in the spotlight on stage. Or, pick Night to capture the magic of a cityscape after the sun goes down.
Image Effects - Four different image settings are available depending on your subject: Vivid, Neutral, Low-Sharpening, and Skin Detail.
Simultaneous Photo Recording - Simultaneous Photo Recording lets you capture a digital photograph while recording video.

Share Your Videos - The ZR850 comes with an array of features that make it easy to share your videos.
Firewire/IEEE1394 DV Terminal - Transfer your video to your computer and you can easily share your captured memories with friends and family. With the ZR850, it''s simple. Just connect your computer to your camcorder''s IEEE1394 DV terminal with a DV cable. Also known as Firewire or iLink, this high-speed interface lets you download your precious video footage with virtually no loss of video or audio quality. Your favorite recorded moments retain their pristine image and sound for everyone to enjoy.
Motion JPEG Mode - With the ZR850''s Motion JPEG Mode, you can also record movie clips directly to your camcorder''s memory card for posting online or e-mailing to family and friends.

Share Your Photos - The ZR850 give you a variety of ways to share your photos with friends and family. It''s easy to share digital photos via email because you can easily transfer images directly to your PC using the USB terminal. You can also print directly from your camcorder to any PictBridge-compatible printer, or store your digital photos on a Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card or a MultiMediaCard. Plus, these new ZRs are SD HC compatible, which allows you to use cards with a capacity of 2GB or larger. That means you can store even more digital photos than before.

Additional Features

Built-in Manual Lens Cover - means you never have to go looking for your lens cover again. Plus, you don''t have the bother of your lens cap dangling from your camcorder.
Remote Control - lets you be operate your ZR850 remotely -- so you can be in the picture with everyone else.
1 Year Parts And Labor Limited Warranty - provides protection long after other manufacturers'' warranties expire.

Specification Description
Model 1878B001, MD160, ZR850
UPC 013803078152
Definition Standard Definition
Light Built-in
Recording Format MiniDV
Select Format DV (Mini DV)
Select Format Mini DV
Still Image Capability Stores still images on memory card
Video Compatibility NTSC

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder Questions

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Product Reviews

Last update: Sep 7, 2008

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder Reviews

 
 
 

Most helpful positive review

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Most helpful negative review

 
★★★★★
5.0
Excellent Value / Quality for the price

"I use this camera to achieve multi-camera footage for many applications. Its small size and light weight makes an excellent backup. I own two ZR850's and a ZR950 which has the same 1MP CCD. The video quality from these is about as good as you're going to get without an HD or 3 CCD camcorder. If the camera is configured properly in ample light it can produce video quality that is almost as good as that of a Can..." Read Full Review »

Aug 26, 2008 by ScotiaFoto

See more positive Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder reviews

★★★☆☆
3.0
ZR850-a nice little camcorder

"I mainly "used" to use it as dv encoder/decoder thru firewire, but when I changed from a G5 1st generation to a G5 dual core 2.3ghz, it was never compatible with it. My computer would just crash every time I hooked it up to it. Anyway, as a normal camcorder I think it's got good all in all features and good picture quality for hobbist stuff, mainly family moments. Only 2 things I dislike about it is that it's..." Read Full Review »

Aug 07, 2008 by flyboogie

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 35 Reviews

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[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder Review

Excellent Value / Quality for the price

★★★★★
5.0

    Pros

  • Comfortable to Operate
  • Great Features
  • Great Picture Quality
  • Versatile

    Cons

  • Needs a Microphone jack
  • Needs a Widescreen button

    Best Uses

  • Family
  • Movies/Short Films
  • Special Events
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More »
 

"I use this camera to achieve multi-camera footage for many applications. Its small size and light weight makes an excellent backup. I own two ZR850's and a ZR950 which has the same 1MP CCD.



The video quality from these is about as good as you're going to get without an HD or 3 CCD camcorder. If …"  Read Full Review »

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this Digital Camcorder review on the Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder helpful to you? 
 Report Abuse  (1)  (0)  0 comments
Aug 26 2008
ScotiaFoto
North America
I am:
  • Professional
Reviewed at:
 

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder Review

Semi-professional

★★★★★
5.0

    Pros

  • Comfortable to Operate
  • Durable
  • Great Features
  • Great Picture Quality
  • Great Sound
  • More »

    Cons

  • None

    Best Uses

  • Movies/Short Films
  • Professional Work
  • Special Events
 

"This camera is very handy for quick movies, it's easy to confine it to one hand and operate the controls with the fingers of that hand. This makes the camera much less intimidating, and allows pretty free filming of an interview or just casual talk.



Yet for really important things, it's easy to …"  Read Full Review »

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this Digital Camcorder review on the Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder helpful to you? 
 Report Abuse  (0)  (0)  0 comments
Oct 11 2007
Liveoilfree
Seal Beach, CA
I am:
  • Casual user
  • Getting started
  • Hobbyist/Enthusiast
  • Professional
  • Semi-Professional
Reviewed at:
 

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder Review

Cheapest price and very good quality

★★★★★
5.0

    Pros

  • Comfortable to Operate
  • Compact
  • Price
  • Simple Controls

    Cons

  • Picture quality

    Best Uses

  • Family
  • Travel
  • Vacation videos
 

"Firstly, If you are looking for some stunning videos then this is not the one for you. But if you are in the market for an inexpensive casual vacation camcorder then this is the best out there. I got it for $180 and after doing a lot of research i found JnR, the best place to buy. They had the cheap …"  Read Full Review »

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this Digital Camcorder review on the Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder helpful to you? 
 Report Abuse  (0)  (0)  0 comments
Jun 19 2008
Hari
NJ
I am:
  • Casual user
Reviewed at:
 

[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder Review

Perfect for the price

★★★★☆
4.0

    Pros

  • Comfortable to Operate
  • Simple Controls
  • Versatile

    Cons

  • None

    Best Uses

  • Family
  • Special Events
 

"We bought this camera to take footage of our 8 month old daughter as she becomes more active. Set up took about 5 minutes and once the battery charged we were using it within an hour of opening the package. It is extremely easy to use, feels good in hand, and has just enough features to make it seem …"  Read Full Review »

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this Digital Camcorder review on the Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder helpful to you? 
 Report Abuse  (2)  (0)  0 comments
May 6 2008
Grace's Dad
Palos Verdes, CA
I am:
  • Casual user
Reviewed at:
 

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder Review

great value, good performance

★★★★☆
4.0

    Pros

  • Durable
  • Good Value
  • Reasonably compact
  • Simple Controls
  • Versatile

    Cons

  • Mediocre video quality
  • Poor Battery Life

    Best Uses

  • Family
  • Travel
 

"Video quality is okay--it is never crystal sharp but good enough for most home movies. Dark situations will give a lot of pixelation and noise. Microphone adjusts to ambient noise levels, so in quiet places it will record the tape motor sounds, which can be a little annoying. But most movies are …"  Read Full Review »

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this Digital Camcorder review on the Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder helpful to you? 
 Report Abuse  (0)  (0)  0 comments
Jun 18 2008
ZR850'er
Philadelphia, PA
I am:
  • Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Reviewed at:
 
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Where to Buy

Canon ZR850 Digital Camcorder

Amazon   at Amazon.com
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eBay listings for: ZR850 Digital Camcorder
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  at eBay.com
 

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