Canon ZR950 1.07MP MiniDV Camcorder with 48x Optical Zoom Online Shopping

Product Description

Canon's ZR950 miniDV Camcorder is designed to deliver the latest in style, features and advanced technology. The exclusive Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom is combined the Canon lens optics with the market-leading DIGIC DV image processor to deliver a fuller range of image quality and more flexibility when you're shooting. In both wide angle and telephoto positions, there is virtually no loss in image quality throughout the range. The ZR950 is specifically designed to make it easier to capture great video, including a 680k Pixel CCD image sensor, 2.7" Widescreen LCD with a Soft LCD video light, Quick Start, Joystick control, Level and Grid Markers and more. It's also handy when you want to 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. The ZR950 offers you more flexibility to get just the shot you need by giving you the choice of Advanced Zoom in default mode or you can select a 37x Optical Zoom or 2000x Digital Zoom. The ZR950 includes 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. Max F/Stop f/2.0 - 5.2 Minimum Illumination - 2 lx (Night mode) Viewfinder - 0.35 114K pixels, widescreen LCD Screen - 2.7 112K pixels, widescreen Dimensions - Width 2.7 x Height 5.0 x Depth 3.2 (57x92x119mm) not including grip belt Weight - 13.4 ounces (380 grams) camcorder body only not including lens and battery

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #446 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Canon
• Model: ZR950
• Dimensions: 2.70" h x 5.00" w x 3.20" l, 4.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.7
• Included Software: Yes

Features

• Capture video to MiniDV tapes
• 48x Advanced Zoom; image stabilizer
• 1-megapixel CCD sensor; widescreen HR recording
• 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
• SDHC card slot

Manufacturer Description

Easily capture life’s most precious moments with the new ZR-series Canon camcorders. These easy-to-use MiniDV camcorders feature Genuine Canon Optics in an affordable yet ultra-compact and sleek design that will deliver the high level of performance you’ve come to expect from Canon.

Canon ZR950 Highlights

Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom Now you can capture true widescreen 16:9 video with stunning image quality from any distance -- all the way up to 48x. Canon’s exclusive Advanced Zoom system combines Genuine Canon Optics with Canon’s proprietary DIGIC DV Image Processor to let you seamlessly zoom both wide and long, retaining optical quality throughout the zoom range.

1.07-megapixel CCD image sensor Whether you’re shooting video or photos, you will benefit from the camcorder’s razor-sharp CCD Image Sensor.

Quick Start Instead of powering off your camcorder between shots, simply press the Quick Start function to put the camcorder in stand-by mode. Quick Start considerably reduces the power consumption of the battery and allows the user to return to recording mode in less than a second, so you’ll never have to miss another special moment.

Widescreen HR recording The ZR950 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.

2.7-inch widescreen LCD A widescreen LCD lets you see exactly what your camcorder is recording, and what your TV will display later.

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

LCD video light Shooting in low light situations has never been easier with Canon’s New LCD video light. The next time you are using your ZR950 in a dimly lit room, simply flip over the LCD screen to face your subject and activate the video light function. A soft light emanating from your LCD illuminates the area in which you are shooting, allowing you to get high quality video even in less than ideal lighting conditions.

Joystick The joystick makes using the camcorder easier than ever. You can control playback, focusing, exposure, and menu options from one convenient place.

Multi-angle wireless remote Canon gives you even more control and versatility by mounting the remote control sensor on the ZR950’s LCD screen. Now you can activate numerous camcorder functions, when using the remote control, from any angle that the LCD turns.

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.

Smooth zoom control With this innovative feature, you can always be sure of smooth, steady, professional looking zoom shots. Simply select one of three pre-set zoom speeds. You can also select variable so you can control the speed manually.

Level Shot and Grid Markers It's easy to keep your ZR950 level for more professional-looking video. Simply press the Level Shot Control button, and a horizontal marker appears in your viewfinder. Then line up any horizontal lines in your shot to the marker and you know your camcorder is level. The Grid marker is also very convenient for setting up the special balance in your shots. And since background colors vary, you can select from two line colors to make the lines easily visible.

Built in lens cover A built-in 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.

Still image recording Capture stunning photos in 4:3 aspect ratio to an SDHC card.

Advanced Photo Features A variety of features allow you to capture great photos.

• 9 Point AiAF: Bring off-center subjects into sharp focus.
• Histogram display: With just one push of a button, the brightness information of a still image is revealed. This allows you to monitor image quality, so you can make adjustments to improve the next shots.
• Image Effects: Choose from the following effects to add a creative flare to your photos: Vivid, Neutral, Low-Sharpening, and Soft Skin Detail.
• Special Scene Modes: A wide selection of automatic exposure modes makes it easy to capture great video or photos under any condition. Choose from: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks.

SDHC memory card slot Capture your photos and short movie clips directly to either a standard SD card or a high-capacity SDHC card. This allows you to use cards with a capacity of 2GB or larger.

Photo Features A variety of features allow you to capture great photos.

• 9 Point AiAF: Bring off-center subjects into sharp focus.
• Progressive Photo: Reduces blurring so you get crisp photos.
• Playback Zoom: Max 5x zoom
• Direct Print: Connect to any PictBridge compatible printer
• Special Scene Modes: A wide selection of automatic exposure modes makes it easy to capture great video or photos under any condition. Choose from: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks.
• Image Effects: Choose from the following effects to add a creative flare to your photos: Vivid, Neutral, and Soft Skin Detail.

9 selectable languages English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese

One-year parts and labor limited warranty Canon’s camcorder limited warranty provides protection long after other manufacturers’ warranties expire.

---

Customer Reviews

Amazing camera at an amazing price!
First off, two things you should be aware of before you buy this camera. One, if you don't have a firewire port, or don't intend on getting one for your computer (fireware cards aren't difficult to install and are fairly cheap), DO NOT buy this camera. Since most cameras record on harddrives nowadays anyways, this camera is definitely a little dated. However, if you have a firewire port this is a non issue since getting the video onto your computer is a painless process. Second, if sound is very important to you, DO NOT buy this camera. Now I'm talking more production quality sound, not your average home video sound. The microphone on this camera is very poor and does a terrible job at isolating important noise from background noise.

With that said, image quality with this camera is incredible considering its price. Also, you can't beat the zoom on this camera! If you're looking for a camera to make web videos with this is definitely a camera I would consider buying. If you're at all considering making anything on the professional end I would avoid this camera at all costs as it does not measure up with today's HD cameras. Great budget camera!

Works OK unless you want to get video directly onto a firewire drive using a Mac
Everything worked OK except you cannot have the camera plugged into your Apple computer via firewire at the same time anything else is plugged into your firewire.

So when I wanted to log footage into Final Cut Pro, I'd have to unplug my media drive, change my Final Cut settings to capture back to the computer, and then capture footage, unplug the camera, replug in the hard drive, and transfer the footage to the external, delete it from my computer, and proceed as normal.

Any other brand of camera I would just plug the camera in and capture the footage to the external drive.

The only reason I bought this was to use it as a deck to get footage on the computer which it does not do well, so I returned it today and will get a Panasonic or something.

camcorder/camera
Book of directions that comes with the camera/camcorder is fairly good and describe the options for focusing and aperature and other features. I learned to use the camera within a few days. The software for downloading images to the computer is self explanatory. Having that range for the zoom is wonderful. The resolution is not as high as a regular digital camera but the pictures are nice quality anyway.