Canon ZR800 Camcorder

This camera was purchased for my husband's Digital Media program. We specifically needed two things: firewire and an external microphone port...so we were told....Um, so far, he's only needed the ability to spool directly to the computer. We would have preferred a digital harddrive camera but frankly it was just not in the budget given that it was only for school at the time. It gets occasional use out with our family (4th of July, etc) and I've really enjoyed playing with all the settings. I frankly use the viewfinder more than the LCD but it's really personal preference. I'm a DSLR user normally so it's where I'm used to being. I am not totally gungho about the clarity of this thing but i'ts our first camcorder and I'm thinking I still have some learning to do. This camera performs much MUCH MUCH better in outdoor, natural lighting situations than inside especially in comparison to fluorescents. But then, fluorescents are the bain of my existence with my DSLR too. I am not fond of all blue pics and god forbid I forget to compensate....hello Photoshop.

Frankly, the camera has done all that we've asked it to. My family has enjoyed playing with it. I've got no complaints about battery life (we only have the one it came with. Charge time is fairly short. It's pretty light and fits your hand easily. Changing settings is very easy. I keep the digital zoom set to OFF b/c unless the camera is tripod mounted it's just asking for blurry video. With no external lighting, the night shooting is a big change from my DSLR (duh) but it actually handles dim lighting fairly well. We have had NONE of the issues mentioned by the previous reviewer. Sounds like that gentleman got a lemon and I am sorry to hear about his experience. Luckily, ours has been much much better.

We would recommend this camera to families and folks who need to get into video and transfer digitally for editing without breaking the bank. We bought about a year ago. I'm sure the options have gotten even cheaper. Keep Canon in mind (hard for me to say since I'm a Nikon nut at heart!).

Nice zoom options
Light weight
Easy for ANYONE to figure out
Diopter adjustment on viewfinder
MiniDV format easily available just about anywhere
Decent (standard) audio performance)
Decent battery life with included battery
Nice LCD that turns out and several directions actually
Ability to control functions from LCD menu buttons, not touch screen to prevent wear and tear on LCD and means there is less confusion in bright sunlight
Multiple settings (fireworks, sports,etc) or Easy shoot mode
Plays well with FinalCut ProSuite

Not a harddrive camcorder
Not terribly upgradeable (again, I'm used to interchangeable lenses, flashes, etc)
Viewfinder doesn't extend out, up, etc

Only in testing for purchase of this one. No real experience with other camcorders.

Customer service at our local Ritz was great. Same price at big box stores but we'd prefer to buy from folks who talk cameras only. Have not had dealings with Canon yet as we've had no issues with the camera.

I purchased the Canon ZR800 at BestBuy in Waterloo IA on March 17, 2007. I took it home, tested it only to make sure it worked then shut it off and put it away with the powered battery stored off from it. On April 13, I took it out again to check it to be sure it was ready to go because my due date for having my baby was the next day-and it would not turn on, it would not charge, it would do nothing. Completely dead. I tried it again the next morning, the 14th, and still dead, so I took it back to Best Buy in Mason City, IA on April 14 only to stand in line for my turn and when they took it and checked it out, it turned on just fine. They did that 3 times. Ok, say I took it back home (35 miles away). Thank God when I finally had my baby, it worked-that was the first time we actually used it- April 23. It was used 2 times during that first week. Then we used it only another 3 times after that, with it being stored in the case in between those times. Then on Thursday August 23, exactly 4 months later from the first use of it, it would not work. It turned on, but kept beeping at me and flashing the message to remove the cassette, but the cassette would not remove-it would not even pop open. So I called in to Canon and was instructed to turn it off and remove the battery and push the record button 3 times to try to reset it. That didnt work after 2 tries. Then I was told to try to gently push on the cassette holder where it says push. I did that. Nothing. So the man on the phone said to send it in for repair -he would send me a postage paid UPS label in my email. We hung up. I tried his ideas once more in hopes it might work. This time, tho', when I gently pushed where it said to, it popped open with a spring flying out of it and then another little part inside where the cassette sits was dangling. The ONLY good thing now was that I was able to get out the cassette tape. So I found the spring and put it and the video camera (which now wont even close) into a ziplock bag and on Sat. August 25, I drive 55 miles back to Waterloo Ia to the Best Buy store where I originally purchased it. They will not do anything to help me. They have a 14 day return policy. They only offer to send it in Canon for me. However, the customer service guy from Canon already promised to send me the UPS label in my email, so I bypass BestBuys offer to send it in (to avoid waiting in more lines) and bring it home with me so I can send it in myself. When I got home, the label was not in the email (not in my spam either). I sent Canon an email and they wanted me to go over and explain everything with them again before sending the label. Then they would not send it until I sent them the serial number off it (even though they should have all of my correspondances already recorded/documented). It took SEVERAL emails and 13 days for me to FINALLY receive the promised UPS label from Canon. All this trouble only to have paid almost $300 for a "repaired camera" which isnt repaired YET! So you can guess what my review of this product is - do you want to go thru all of this too? Good thing I bought a camera so that I could capture all those special moments of my babies starting life!!!!

None.

See Above.

Never again

VERY POOR!!!