Comments on: Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5″ LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment

By: Steve Isaacs

Steve Isaacs — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:49:04 +0000

I bought a Canon comcorder in 1992 that was worlds better than this. If you are shooting ONLY In daylight, and I mean ONLY in daylight, then this camera might please you. I on the other hand want to able to shoot in all kinds of light – and this camera fails miserably in anything other than daylight. The grainy, sub standard picture was a total disappointment. I am sending mine back, and looking into other products.
Rating: 1 / 5

By: Hans R. Frey

Hans R. Frey — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:13:11 +0000

i used this camcorder indoors for a recital and the picture quality was just so poorly, that the tape was useless. Luckily i used a 4 year old Sony DV as backup, where the picture quality was superb, compared to Canon. I think Canon ZR70 is ok for outdoor usage and greatly priced. On the positive side, i like the great zoom and the ease of use. I think its a good Camcorder for starters or for creative Kids. The Remote is poorly as well, the buttons are so small and not good aranged and hard to find.
Rating: 2 / 5

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2010 11:54:43 +0000

I bought a ZR70 yesterday but ended up promptly returning it only an hour later upon trying it out at home. My kids were playing the Halo game on Xbox at the time with the surround sound system on (loud, that is), and I still could hear the camcorder motor noise prominently running enough that I couldn’t just ignore it. The level of noise was just totally unacceptable to me. While that problem alone was enough to return the merchandise, it proceeded to damage my brand new tape when I tried to eject it. I’m sorry, folks, but any camcorder with the price tag in excess of $500 should perform in a decent manner. It is absolutely baffling that, while you could buy a $500 TV and feel pretty much okay with whatever brand you buy at that price range, you just can’t erase any suspicion out of your mind when it comes to camcorders and their quality and reliability in today’s technological complexity and advancement.

Thinking that I might be free of annoying characteristics if I buy a more expensive model, I hastily ordered a Canon Optura X1 for about $1,400. Shortly afterwards, however, I ran into a Consumer Reports article that rated Canon camcorders as one of the most unreliable. Far worse than Sony and Panasonic. Unable to cancel my order, I’m apprehensively waiting for the camcorder to arrive to try it out first before returning it for a more reliable brand, Panasonic PV-DV953. If today’s advanced technology just can’t produce a solid camcorder, then I might as well own a brand that would last awhile for that price.
Rating: 2 / 5

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:42:22 +0000

This camera is loaded with features and is cheap. Those are the only good things. The indoor quality is awful. I would shoot at 10AM in a well lit room and it was terribly grainy on a 32″ TV. Our old Hi8 Sony and our digital camera shoot better video than this. You choose which one insults it more. AVOID THIS CAMERA. I have two exellent still cameras made by Canon, so I am not telling you to avoid Canon, I am telling you to avoid this camera. It is terrible. Do not even consider this camera. When the reviews say “low light”, that refers to ANYTHING indoors. The room I shot about as bright as it can get, and the lights were on. TERRIBLE CAMERA AVOID THIS CAMERA AT ALL COSTS. Ignore the positive reviews, they either never shot indors or have never seen the picture quality yet. If they did they too would be with me giving it one star. I’d have given 5 stars but the picture quality is 9999999999999999% NOT ACCEPTIBLE. Avoid this camcorder like the plague.
Rating: 1 / 5

By: Barbara A. Beesinger

Barbara A. Beesinger — Mon, 17 May 2010 09:34:12 +0000

I am only giving a four star rating so far. Just purchased the camera. It feels good and it seems very sturdy. Some of the buttons are a little hard to use but i am sure i will adjust. Have not used the software yet. So far i am impressed.
Rating: 4 / 5