Canon ZR85 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom

Other products by Canon

Product Details

Product Manual [9.70mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.1 x 3.7 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001AN1H8
• Item model number: 9382A001AA
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,726 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 23, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Smooth and compact, the Canon ZR85 camcorder immediately conforms to the contour of your hand, allowing memories to be effortlessly captured anytime, anyplace. A step above the Canon Z80, the ZR85 blends exceptional value with powerful performance.

DIGIC DV
Canon's expertise in imaging and electronics is flawlessly blended together in the ZR-series camcorders, thanks to the advanced DIGIC DV system. Since video and photos have different color requirements, DIGIC DV utilizes two different color techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image quality for print or computer display.

Multi-image Screen You can divide your screen into four, nine or sixteen pictures with the Image Capture function.

Seamlessly connect to your computer, TV or VCR
Embracing the industry's latest and most sophisticated technology, Canon camcorders feature an 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.

Zoom in without fear of shaking
The ZR85 improves on the ZR80 with a versatile 20x Optical Zoom Lens that can deliver superb definition and contrast- the hallmark of Genuine Canon Optics. The digital zoom extends the camcorder's magnification revealing details too small to see with the naked eye. In fact, all the Canon ZR-series camcorders are so advanced, they correct camcorder shake instantly. It's all thanks to a high quality image stabilization system that makes sure your videos always look smooth, steady and natural even when shooting hand-held at full telephoto.

Shoot close-ups they'll love
When shooting close-ups of people, the ZR-series camcorders utilize 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.

Illuminate those super-low light moments
With the ZR-series camcorders, you can capture images and video 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.

Transfer images effortlessly
The ZR85 takes the ZR80 a step further with a built-in slot for an SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card or a MultiMediaCard, in addition to the MiniDV cassette. That means you can easily transfer digital photos to your PC directly from the camcorder with Direct Print, using the supplied USB cable or IEEE1394.

Faders and Special Effects The ZR85 also comes complete with a wide selection of faders and special effects that can add visual appeal and greater imaging variety. Choose from Fade Trigger, Wipe, Corner, Jump, Flip, Puzzle, Zigzag, Beam and Tide. For a more creative look, you can switch on the following digital effects during recording or playback: Art, Black & White, Sepia, Mosaic, Ball, Cube, Wave, Color Mask or Mirror.

Enjoy portable movie-making power
The ZR85 allows you to record movie clips in Motion JPEG format onto the memory card, for clear images and smooth playback. It also means you can easily take the 320 x 240 pixel or 160 x 120 pixel mini-movie and attach it to an e-mail or post it on the web. Best of all, you can record for the full length of the SD Memory Card.

Get the most out of your photos and prints
With just a press of the photo button, and the ZR85 captures stunning XGA (1024 x 768 pixel) images onto the included 8 MB SD Memory Card. For added flexibility, you can select the compression size (Superfine/Fine/ Normal) to tailor how many photos you can fit on the memory card. You can even select how long you wish to review a still image after recording.

Keep the focus where you want it
Sometimes, the subject we want to photograph is not in the center of the frame. With the ZR85 camcorder, you can choose from one of three focusing points to automatically put the subject you want into sharp focus.

Take control of your creativity
The ZR85 gives great results in the hands of beginner, thanks to the preprogrammed auto exposure modes (Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand & Snow and Low Light mode); each carefully designed to give you the best possible image results under special shooting conditions. Meanwhile, the more experienced users will appreciate the manual focus, exposure level, white balance, and shutter speed controls.

Never lose track of your subject
With the ZR85'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. The ZR85 expands on the capabilities of the ZR80 with a host of image capture, printing and connectivity features. Offering a 20x Optical Zoom Lens and advanced focusing system, the Canon ZR85 lets you celebrate life without missing a shot.

Product Description

Special moments may come and go, but with Canon's ZR-series camcorders you can capture and relive those sunny days at the beach, casual strolls through crisp fall foliage and family-packed holiday celebrations with brilliant clarity. Smoothly conforming to the contour of your hand, the ZR series camcorders feature the ultimate in Canon design and functionality, allowing you to effortlessly capture once-in-a-lifetime moments whenever and wherever they happen.Smooth and compact, the Canon ZR85 camcorder immediately conforms to the contour of your hand, allowing memories to be effortlessly captured anytime, anyplace. A step above the Canon Z80, the ZR85 blends exceptional value with powerful performance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camcorder, March 18, 2004

By	K. M. (USA) - See all my reviews

My husband and I purchased the Canon ZR85 MiniDV Camcorder about a week ago in preperation for the birth of our first child in April. We were either going to go with this camcorder, or purchase a Sony camcorder. We thought long and hard in the store, and we really believe that this is a much better camera. Not to say bad things about Sony, but their camcorder only had a 10x optical zoom, while the Canon ZR85 has a 20x optical zoom. The picture quality also seemed to look better on the Canon camcorder. When you are moving the camera from side-to-side the image on the LCD display kind of floats. It was much more jerky with the Sony. We absolutley love this camera. We had fun taking pictures with the still shot last night and I e-mailed them to a friend of mine that I haven't seen in years. The quality of the pictures is excellent. But as with any digital camera, printing the images out on a photo printer might not look as good as on the LCD display or on your computer screen. I do not know, because we do not have a photo printer or plan to get one. But for e-mailing pictures to friends on the computer, I can testify that this camcorder takes beautiful pictures. I even saved one of the pictures to the desktop on my computer, and I swear it looks like a magazine photo. My husband and I were surprised how good the pictures look. We didn't buy the camcorder for the still shot feature, but we love it now and are so happy this camcorder can take digital pictures. The video quality is excellent as well. We haven't done much filming yet, just playing around the house with it. But we have hooked it up to the TV to watch what we have recorded and it looks even better on TV than on the LCD screen when you were taping. The image is very steady, clear, and crisp. Colors look amazing. My old maroon/auburn couch really came to life when taping. It looks better recorded than it does in person. I love the zoom, it is amazing how far away you can see with this thing. I also love how it self-adjusts. You can look at a bright window and the camera will focus and adjust the lighting, then you can turn away from that window and look at a dark corner and it will quickly re-adjust. It's really awesome. We are very pleased with this camcorder. The only thing we are unhappy about is the memory card that was included with the camera is very small and canon put a lot of trash pictures that look like wrapping-paper on it that you cannot delete. This takes up almost all of the memory space on the card, only leaving you with enough room for about 10 or 15 pictures. But no biggie. That is the only complaint that we have, and that is such a nothing-problem. We plan to buy a bigger memory card anyway, so that we can take more still pictures. This camcorder is really great. Make sure you purchase a bigger battery, but that goes for any camcorder. You will love this camcorder.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Night Mode did the trick for me, September 17, 2004

By	Styles (NY) - See all my reviews

I am really surprised by these other reviews on lighting. When shooting in the dark I used the night mode button and it allowed me to take great footage in the dark. I also found the DV Messager software to be extremely user-friendly. It allowed me to import my footage for editing (gotta love Final Cut Pro). Overall I think it is a great buy for the buck.

51 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great little Cam., February 23, 2004

By	Christopher M RiGGs (IL United States) - See all my reviews

I had my concers at first about this cam. I've read in several places that the stil pic quality wasn't good, and that the quality of the film was poor in low light. Well I'm glad to say that I have not had those problems at all. There are all sorts of tweaks that you can do with the cam that will make it look great in most places. I've had the cam for about a week now and both the Wife and I find it very easy to use!