Canon ZR930 1.07MP MiniDV Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom

by Canon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 5 x 2.7 inches ; 13.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00114163O
• Item model number: ZR930
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,565 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 7, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

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

Canon's entry-level digital camcorders are designed to deliver the latest in style, features and advanced technology at a most affordable price. Starting with our Canon's exclusive Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom, which combines the legendary Canon lens optics with our market-leading DIGIC DV image processor to deliver a fuller range of image quality and more flexibility when you're shooting. The ZR930 is specifically designed to make it easier to capture great video, including a 1.07 Megapixel CCD image sensor, 2.7" Widescreen LCD with a Soft LCD video light, Multi-Angle Remote, Quick Start, Joystick control, Level and Grid Markers and more.

The microphone terminal on the ZR930 makes it especially useful for educators and trainers to carefully capture the audio they need to make most effective use of the video they shoot. It's also handy when you want to more easily record a live narration for your footage.

All this comes together to deliver brilliant video that you can easily share with family and friends. Easy to use, great looking and terrific value- it's the perfect choice for capturing all of life's precious memories.

Product Description

Canon s entry-level ZR series digital camcorders are designed to deliver the latest in style, features and advanced technology at a most affordable price. The ZR930 DV camcorder features an exclusive Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom, which combines the legendary Canon lens optics with their market-leading DIGIC DV image processor to deliver a fuller range of image quality and more flexibility when you re shooting. The ZR930 is specifically designed to make it easier to capture great video, including a 1.07 Megapixel CCD image sensor, 2.7 Widescreen LCD with a Soft LCD video light, Multi-Angle Remote, Quick Start, Joystick control, Level and Grid Markers and more. The microphone terminal on the ZR930 makes it especially useful for educators and trainers to carefully capture the audio they need to make most effective use of the video they shoot. It s also handy when you want to more easily record a live narration for your footage.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good camera with some minor negatives., March 31, 2008

By 

Mike in San Diego (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canon ZR930 1.07MP MiniDV Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I got this camera because it has an external microphone input (the ZR-950 does not) and a 1 megapixel pickup. The picture quality is excellent. The 48x zoom lens is a major plus. I had no problem having either my Toshiba XP or HP Vista PCs recognize it so I could edit the tape. ...and, the price is nice.

There is a down side. Despite claims, the camera has no built in light. You supposedly can flip the monitor and use it as a light, but a cell phone is about as bright and you then lose the monitor for monitoring! For some reason Canon designed the camera with no accessory shoe, so there is no place to mount a real light, or the shotgun microphone that you might otherwise want to plug into the camera.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Need to know info, May 28, 2008

By 

Cormac Marnell "Mazz" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon ZR930 1.07MP MiniDV Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I recently purchased the zr830 and found a number of issues with it. If you wish to compare that review you can read it on my profile rather than me re-hashing it here.

The zr930 is a step forward though and is certainly worth the price quoted here. They changed the interior configuration to a more box like shape allowing them to maximize the space and fit as much technology inside as possible. Due to this not only have they included a mic port but they have been able to adjust the AV output to double as a headphone jack so you can monitor sound. Both of these features are necessary as they have failed to fix the sound problem that has dogged this line of cameras for a number of years. The motor noise can still be heard on playback if you use the built in mic and thats really the only area that this camera loses a star. The 35x zoom of last year has been increased to 48x and the picture quality is sharper and brighter than previous models.

I've never had any issues with connecting it to my PC. I did not use any of the software that was included as its usually junk they just want to force you to use. I hooked it up to my PC, my computer immediately recognized it and then I used one of my other programs to start it up.

Extra info:
If you are new to camcorders there are some things you should take into consideration.

Name brand BATTERIES are expensive. While there are cheap ones that you can get for around $10 online these are cheaply made chinese generic versions. They take A LOT longer to recharge and generally only last about 6 - 10 months. The name brand usually lasts around 18 months but as I found out the other week can cost $100. There's is no reason that the battery on an item like this should cost nearly half of the original item price. I would expect a battery to cost $30 at most.

Another unexpected experience you'll come across is the sheer amount of space that will be taken up on your computers hard drive by a video transfer. Only yesterday I went to transfer 20 minutes of tape and it used up 5 gigs yes thats GIGS of space. If you are like me and you need to have all of your video accessible and on your computer then make sure you have a hard drive with the necessary capacity or at least prepare to invest in a new external one for video storage.

In conclusion. This is a great budget cam and if you invest in a good external mic I don't think you could do much better.

4 out of 5 Satisfied.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Little Camcorder!!!, April 30, 2008

By 

R. Simon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon ZR930 1.07MP MiniDV Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I got this camcorder for my birthday last month, and I have to say that it is great. It takes awesome video, and has multiple setting for every situation. I took this camcorder skiing and the snow setting keeps the snow from being blow out, which really pleased me. The other settings also work great, including the automatic setting which is great to just film something quickly.

The internal microphone works well, but if you want you can also use an external microphone. This camcorder has a microphone jack which is becoming an increasingly rare feature on budget camcorders. While it doesn't have an accessory shoe which would be nice you can use a cheap flash bracket to mount a mic.
As an all around camcorder this one is great. I am using it as a secondary camcorder with my Sony VX2000, and the video is comparable. It is hard to tell between cuts which video came from which camera.

Overall, I would recommend this camcorder if your looking for a good all around camcorder that takes great video!

Pro's:
Light
Cheap
Great Video
External Microphone Jack
Multiple Settings
Works Great with my Mac

Con's
Slight Motor Noise but only in very quiet situations.
And I can't think of anything else.