Canon ZR800 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom

by Canon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000M4MT58
• Item model number: ZR800
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,341 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 3, 2006

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Canon MiniDV digital camcorders offer the perfect blend of performance and features. With the flexibility and versatility of MiniDV, you will enjoy a wide variety of advanced, yet easy-to-use features in compact and lightweight style. Canon camcorders are perfect for capturing all of your life's most precious moments, for beginners and advanced users alike, and make it easy to share your video with family and friends.

ZR800 Highlights

Genuine Canon optics with 35x optical zoom/1000x digital zoom Genuine Canon optics ensures that video and photos are clear and rich with color and detail. Canon’s expertise in designing lenses for photography and broadcast television goes into every camcorder we make.

Image stabilizer Shoot rock-steady video -- even when you’re at maximum telephoto without a tripod. It is even effective while panning or zooming.

DIGIC DV image processor Video and photos require different image processing. Unlike other manufacturers’ camcorders which process video and photos the same way, DIGIC DV treats them differently. This results in video and photos with exceptional color and clarity.

2.7-inch widescreen LCD A widescreen LCD and the new .35-inch widescreen color viewfinder allows you to see exactly what your camcorder is recording, and what your TV will display later.

Widescreen HR recording The ZR800 records true widescreen for picture-perfect video. Canon’s image processing system uses the entire width of the image sensor, capturing a big picture in true 16:9 widescreen so no one and nothing is left unseen. And Canon camcorders take advantage of more pixels to give you amazing quality.

Joystick The joystick makes using the camcorder easier than ever. Extra buttons have been eliminated, allowing you to control playback, focusing, exposure, and menu options from one convenient place.

Smooth zoom control Want to shoot like the pros? Three fixed speeds allow you to produce smooth video that will be enjoyable for everyone to watch.

Built-in manual lens cover A built-in manual lens cover gives you the ability to protect your Canon video lens without ever having the inconvenience of a dangling lens cap that’s easily lost.

Level shot control Even if you are a first-time camcorder user, you’ll never have to worry about shooting crooked video. A horizontal marker and center indicator always keeps you on track.

Grid display Achieve picture perfect composition every time when using the convenient Grid Marker feature. You can choose between two colors, white or gray, to best match the background.

Product Description

Canon Zr800 DV Camcorder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A First Look, March 17, 2007

By 

E. Mansfield (Carnesville, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canon ZR800 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I am writing to offset some negative opinions on this unit. I bought the Canon because it has facilities for an external mike. I am a new camcorder user and so have no practical experience to bias my opinion one way or another. First on the matter of tape drive noise: yes I can hear it if I put the unit up to my ear. But no noticeable noise comes up on actual movie clips when played back through my computer. Second, they claim you can interconnect and capture clips to your computer. What they don't tell you is that you need a Firewire card and cable (about $70.00 total at Best Buy). You cannot simply hook up through the available computer USB port. Fortunately, Microsoft provides the necessary drivers in the XP OS and minimal capture software called "Moviemaker".

I am not too pleased with the tape system but considering the price of the unit, I think it is a bargain. Finally, I have become aware through short experience with the unit that the ergonometric design for the right hand was very well thought out. Your thumb easily controls on/off and tape transport functions. It is really easy to use, at least for right handed users. All considered, I am satisfied with the product. Of course, if it dies next week, I will have a different opinion.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome First Digital!, August 27, 2007

By 

Michael B. Bruneio (Macungie, PA.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon ZR800 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I recently purchased the Canon ZR-800 (my first digital camcorder) and couldn't be more pleased. The color reproduction on this camera is the best I've ever used or seen. As to the motor noise complaints lodged by others, I can honestly claim that the motor noise has at no time been noticeable during playback. I am even using this camera for amateur movies, and its many features make it very controllable. Granted, the ZR-800 is not in any way a professional camera, but it does a great job for those on a micro-budget. The 35x lens is a great addition and makes extreme closeups look great. The "Widescreen" feature isn't true 16:9 (rather more like 4:3 widescreen)but it still looks great. I bought it primarily for the microphone input to use my shotgun mic, but even without it the sound is pretty good. All in all, a bargain for what I paid for it.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camcorder!, March 21, 2007

By 

Mike and Shannon "music & books" (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon ZR800 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I love this camcorder. It is very easy to use, the piture quality is great. You can record wide screen or full screen. Light weight, fits in the palm of your hand which is more stable and less shaky when taping. The controls are within easy reach while taping. It is so easy to use that both of my kids have even been using it and they are only 9 and 6. It is also a great price. Can't wait for all our summer vacations to start taping.

I bought this camcorder two weeks ago from best buy. I just wrote my review and then read the others and I had to add this in, there were comments being made that you can hear the tape while recording and then in the play back. I slightly hear the noise when I am taping, but I cannot hear it when I am playing it on my dvd player. To hear the noise while taping you have to have it right next to your ear. But not noticable on the playback on computer or through the dvd player.