Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment

by Canon

Product Details

Product Manual [3.93mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 2.3 x 4.1 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000088USX
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,199 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The advanced Canon ZR70MC MiniDV camcorder brings together all the features of the ZR65MC, from its ease of use to still photo mode and digital effects. It also adds a 22x optical zoom, 440x digital zoom, motion JPEG movie mode, Super Night mode, and an advanced accessory shoe for powering a microphone or video light.

Lens
The ZR70MC features a high-performance 1/6-inch 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high-quality video and digital photos. The zoom technology found in the ZR65MC lens is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses. The ZR70MC is fitted with a high-performance 22x optical zoom lens, which can easily handle all your shooting needs--from wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion to close-up sports action at full telephoto. The ZR70MC's 440x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject.

Image Stabilization
Canon's image-stabilization system corrects camera shake caused by, for example, an unsteady hand. This image-stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and with shots taken from a moving car.

Digital Stills and Motion JPEG
In addition to high-quality video, the ZR70MC also captures crisp XGA (1,024 x 768 pixels) digital still images. The ZR70MC stores these images via the built-in slot for Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard memory cards. You can also choose to store still images on the MiniDV tape. The camcorder records the photos for approximately 6 seconds, as well as recording the sound for your verbal notes or narration.

Designed to help you make Web videos, motion JPEG mode produces compressed AVI files that are smaller and easier to run and send by e-mail than conventional video files. They're also stored on the memory card and transferred via the USB connection. Record a 10-second clip at 320 x 240 or a 30-second clip at 160 x 120.

You can search through the recorded tape for your photos using the supplied remote control. This photo search feature allows you to search for images recorded in photo mode. Search forward or backward through the images one at a time, or jump 10 pictures backward or forward from the current position.

More Features

• With Super Night mode, the assist lamp lights up to illuminate your subject
• Print photos directly to Canon bubble jet printers
• 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and 0.33-inch color viewfinder
• The My Camera function is designed to let you customize a number of features, including start-up image and sound, shutter sound, start-stop sound, and the self-timer sound
• Shoot panoramic still photos, then edit them together on your PC with the PhotoStitch software
• The full-function wireless remote control works at distances up to 16 feet
• A wide selection of faders and special effects, including sepia, black and white, wave, mosaic, and more
• For low-light situations, the VCR playback controls can be illuminated in any one of six colors: turquoise, blue, green, yellow, violet, and orange

Inputs and Outputs
The ZR70MC comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also referred to as FireWire), which provides a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines, as well as USB connectivity for transferring still photos. Additionally, the ZR70MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: composite and S-video. The analog audio inputs of the ZR70MC let you dub or insert editing from CDs, cassettes, microphones, or the soundtracks of other videocassettes.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the new, preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Power, Size, and Contents
The ZR70MC comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, which has an approximate battery life of 2 hours 20 minutes when using the LCD screen. The camera itself measures 4.1 by 2.3 by 5.8 inches and weighs 18 ounces. This package includes the ZR70MC camcorder, battery pack BP-512, power adapter CA-570, wireless controller WL-D79, shoulder strap, stereo video cable, wide attachment, USB cable, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, and the DV Network Solutions and Digital Video Solutions CD-ROMs.

From the Manufacturer

Shooting great video has never been easier thanks to Canon’s ZR70MC DV camcorder. Packed with features, this model provides stunning picture clarity and detail, a genuine Canon zoom lens and advanced performance that are the results of more than 68 years of designing and manufacturing cameras. Equipped with Canon’s renowned high-quality optics and an extended digital zoom range, you can be assured of shooting crisp, vibrant video and life-like digital photos. With the ZR70MC, you can attach the supplied WA-30.5 Wide Attachment (0.6x), giving you a wide perspective for indoor shots or panoramic views. Even when the light has faded, you can keep on shooting with the ZR70MC’s Super Night Mode. Print directly from your camcorder to select Canon Bubble Jet Printers using a single USB cable.

Canon Precision Optical Zoom Lens

Canon is known world-wide for its lenses. The zoom technology found in the lens of a ZR70MC camcorder is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses, found in the majority of broadcast cameras.The ZR70MC is fitted with an 22x optical zoom lens, a high performance lens from Canon. The 22x zoom range will more than take care of all your picture-taking needs, whether they are wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion or close-up sports action at full telephoto. Add in the high-resolution capability of DV and you have high quality video at your fingertips.The ZR70MC's 440x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject, bringing it even closer than you might have thought possible.

680,000 Pixel CCD

The ZR70MC features a high-performance 1/6" 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high quality video and digital photos. There is no need to carry both video and photo cameras with the ZR70MC.

Image Stabilizer

Canon's image stabilization system corrects camera shake -- caused by an unsteady hand, for example. This image stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and with shots taken from a moving car.

Shooting Modes

The ZR70MC allows you to record both video and digital still images to tape. You can also save XGA High Resolution Photos and Motion JPEG movies to a MultiMediaCard or SD Memory Card.

MultiMediaCard / SD Memory Card Slot

For the storage of digital still images, you can use either MultiMediaCards or SD memory cards in the ZR70MC. An 8MB SD Memory Card comes with the camcorder, storing XGA (1024 X 768 pixels) or VGA (640 X 480) quality photos. These images can be transferred to your computer using the camcorder's USB interface or a card reader.

Color Viewfinder and 2.5" LCD Screen

The ZR70MC offers both a 0.33"color viewfinder and a 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen. For those who prefer the larger screen for composing their videos, the fold-out screen makes it easy. It twists and can be flipped so you can shoot your video from any angle without having to look in the viewfinder. The screen also is great for playback and review of your video immediately after you've captured a scene.

Programmed Auto Exposure

The ZR70MC offers the versatility to meet every exposure challenge, as well as ease of use when you're happy to let the camera make all the choices. Amazingly sophisticated circuitry delivers proper exposure automatically under almost any lighting condition. But you also can easily adjust the exposure in any one of several creative ways to meet your specific need. Selecting a different exposure mode lets you control how you want the video to look.

Manual Controls

For those who want total control of all aspects of the exposure system, the ZR70MC offers manual settings. You can select the shutter speed for full creative control.

Manual Focus

Manually focus the camcorder's lens by using a dial on the camera body.

AE Shift

For fine control over how dark or light you want a scene to look, use the Auto Exposure Shift setting to adjust the auto exposure level.

Manual and Automatic Shutter Speeds

There are 8 shutter speeds (from 1/60 sec. to 1/2000 sec.) available in all auto exposure modes. They may also be selected manually. Slow shutter speeds are available in Night and Low Light modes.

Preset/Auto/Manual White Balance

The ZR70MC is designed to determine white balance automatically. You also can use standard preset values for indoors (3200 K) and outdoors (5600 K) or you can manually set the white balance. Manually setting the white balance is useful when shooting subjects with one dominant color such as the sky, close-ups, rapidly changing lighting conditions, and places lit by certain types of fluorescent or mercury vapor lights.

Digital Effects, Faders and Special Effects

For that creative touch, a more appealing look, or greater imaging variety, you can switch on one of several digital effects: negative picture, art, black & white picture, sepia, mosaic.

IEEE 1394 Input and Output Terminal

The ZR70MC is designed for the transfer of digital video and audio to and from either a PC or another IEEE 1394 terminal-equipped camcorder or professional DV VCR. The DV terminal allows high-quality transfer with virtually no deterioration in quality of images. You can edit and process images by connecting the camera to a PC with the IEEE 1394 terminal.

Video and Audio Inputs and Outputs

In addition to providing digital video input and output, the ZR70MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: Composite and S-video.

USB Connection

The ZR70MC has a USB connection, for high speed transferring of digital photos and videos stored on memory card to a computer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What motor noise? Awesome optical zoom~Great Camera !, April 3, 2003

By 

Laurie B Macrae (New Plymouth, IDAHO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment (Electronics)

This is my first camcorder. I have downloaded several 60 minute MiniDV tapes to my editing program and have had NO detectable motor noise. I purchased the optional directional stereo microphone that attaches to the accessory shoe for higher quality sound recording, but haven't used it yet. The 22X optical zoom is fabulous. I turned off the Digital Zoom. I recorded herds of elk that I could barely see with naked eye and with the 22X Optical Zoom they were close enough to count antler points and of very good quality. Filmed beach at Pacific Ocean in Washington state, excellent quality films, zoomed in on distant objects and got very good quality shots.

Some of the reasons I decided on this make and model (after months of research and hands on with digital camcorders in stores) is due to the large size of the buttons (they are easy to locate and depress),the compact size of the camera, and it's very easy to operate. I can fit the camera in my coat pocket and the weight is barely detectable. Great for people who hike or hunt, etc. The camera's size doesn't detract from it's quality~ it's constructed of tough materials and feels like it's quality, not junky at all.

Another selling point for me is the 22X Optical Zoom. It's the highest level OPTICAL zoom that I found of any MiniDV camcorder. Canon has an excellent reputation for high quality lenses.

Some reviewers complained about the still pictures being poor quality, but that is not an issue for me. I didn't purchase it for still photos. I do find it appealing to have the option of taking a still photo with it once in a while. I have not tested the still photo option yet. I have a feeling it will be pretty good quality though :-)

THIS CAMERA DOES NOT COME WITH FIREWIRE CABLE, YOU NEED ONE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO TO COMPUTER! Make sure you have one and that your computer has a FIREWIRE port. I had to install a firewire card to my computer.

I purchased several accessories for my camera:

1) Tele-Converter lens (TL-30.5)
2) Lens filter set (FS-30.5U)
3) Canon Directional Stereo Microphone (DM-50)
4) Canon Lens Cleaning Kit (Z-02-A ?)
5) Sony Mini DV Head Cleaner (Digital Video Cleaning Cassette)
6) Canon BP522 Lithium Battery and car charger
7) Firewire cable for video capture (Camera DOES NOT come with firewire cable! You NEED this to download the video to your computer!!!!)
8) SLIK 504QF-ll Video Tripod
9) Canon Deluxe Back Pack Bag (200 EG)
10) SIMA Video Light (fits on hotshoe) Model SL-9
(I am sure the CANON VL-3 Video Light or the VL-10li Battery Video light that fit on the hotshoe are better for this camera but I bought this on impulse at Circuit City)

I bought Adobe Premiere 6.5 for my digital video editing, and purchased two very useful books on digital video filming and editing:

1) How to Use Digital Video (SAMS Publishing) by Dave Johnson

Teaches editing in Adobe Premiere and MGI Video Wave III but the lessons are applicable to most video editing software. Full of good photos of editing software screens and easy to follow instructions. Very useful book.

2) Capture, Create, and Share Digital Movies (Survive and Thrive series, Gateway Press)

Teaches editing in Pinnacle Studio and Ulead Video Studio
but lessons are applicable to most video editing software. Has lots of good pictures of video editing software screens and easy to follow instructions. Very useful book.

I think that if most of those who left negative reviews had spent some time reading the manual and practicing with the manual and camera in hand, they would have been satisfied with the camera. Much of their negative comments deal with issues that are drawbacks to ALL digital camcorders, and are discussed in the instruction booklet. (night shooting, etc)

I'm 100% satisfied with this camera. I think it's awesome. At Circuit City you can test it for 30 days and if you aren't satisfied with it you get a full refund.

94 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once Again, April 8, 2003

By 

Tobias Hust "TobInMuc" (München) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment (Electronics)

Things sometimes get better - Canon improved this camcorder-series, and we should be happy about it! This is what I can say about a close model to this one (the ZR50MZ), the earlier top-model:

I work with camcorders since 1988 - S-VHSC, Hi8, etc. No question, no matter what kind of digital camcorder you compare with an analog one, it is superior. However, I found this camcorder particularly interesting and bought it since I left the 'semi-professional' field (and being now an electrical engineer in software development). Here are my findings:
Pro:

1) Awesome workmanship: The high-grade plastic case pieces precisely fit and give the camcorder a valuable finish, the buttons have a well defined 'ignition' point and the connectors for FireWire, USB, Analog Video etc. are 'cemented' into the case.
2) Excellent cost / feature ratio: Although following the hype of marrying video with stills, this camcorder emphasizes on video (please, do buy a digital camera if you need digital stills). The outstanding optical unit with a real 22x zoom and one of the most effective image stabilizer in the market, combined with a friendly user-interface including illuminated buttons and a clean menu, this camcorder is a bargain.
The picture quality is excellent. One note here: please remember that the miniDV standard builds on 5.7 Mhz video bandwidth. In other words, no matter what the (multi) colored CCD ship is capable of a resolution, it comes down to a maximum of 370,000 effective pixels needed for NTSC video. The 460,000 pixels of this camcorder seem more than enough.
3) Accessories: Just in case you really care about the somewhat whining recorder server motors, please do buy the optional microphone - it's an awesome addition if you do semi-professional sound-recordings. Also, Canon offers wide and tele-converters specialized for the ZR series. Not a novelty in camcording in general, but a serious affordable consumer expansion if needed.
4) Internationality: Yes, there are other electrical power systems out there: the Canon switching power supply is not only very light, it also connects to almost every wall-outlet in the world with the right (optional) plug-adapter.
5) Ergonomics: Oh yes, I thought about a palm-ready camcorder, too. But think about it: the optical unit including the lenses and the CCD has to fit into half the length of a regular camcorder like the ZR 50 (Palm recorders do not have more than 10x zoom, the ZR 50 has 22x). The camcorder fits right into my hand, the zoom button can be accessed naturally without shifting the camcorder in your hand (try Sony!) and the zoom button is depth sensitive - the deeper you zoom, the less sensitive is the camcorder zoom-button. Additionally, beside so many other brands out there, the digital zoom is even useable to a certain degree. It becomes affective once the optical zoom is exhausted to a 22x. However, if you want quality video, turn it off.
6) Video Modes: Select one of the predefined video modes. One of the most impressive mode is the night-mode - if the moon strikes you, your ZR 50 will catch it. However, don't expect wonders, every serious video-grapher recommends at least 100 lux (a unit of measuring light-intensity).

Con:
I couldn't find a con so far - maybe the sound-quality the integrated microphone produces? Hm, given the size of the case, it seems reasonable...

Yeah, I am enjoying this camcorder. Canon showed once again that a camcorder design can meet almost all of a consumer-customer's needs:
Rich functionality, lightweight design, extensible through optional accessories including lenses, robust workmanship.

Recommended!

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera good price!, June 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment (Electronics)

This is the first video camera I have purchased. Having used many Hi8 and SVHS video cameras I was unsure what camera to buy. After reading the reviews and asking associates and testing the camera. I purchased the ZR70MC at my local electronics shop and immediately liked the look and feel of the controls along with the excellent quality of the videos I was taking. Outside the camera's picture quality was excellent. I filmed my nephew walking, running and playing with his toys. No loss of quality. I thought I was watching digital cable! The wide angle attachment is perfect for group shots and large room areas. The picture quality from the photos wasn't great but acceptable for e-mail. We have a traditional camera for those needs. My wife liked the weight of the camera it is light and easy to carry. I wasn't able to hear the motor noise that everyone was talking about. The camera is small and some background noise can be heard. You can also hear the clicking of buttons and the movement of the zoom. You do need a firewire cable for direct connection to your MAC/PC, however the photos and 10 second movies can be downloaded with the USB. I'm waiting to receive the free video editing software by mail and will update you on the quality of the software with the camera.