Canon new ZR series?? Are these any good?

[catdog6]

I've read about the motor noise, the poor low light shooting and the poor quality color. Is this a good camcorder or is there another comparable in the same price range? I really want 15x to 20x zoom and that takes alot of the camcorders out of the running.

Thanks,

Kevin

[catdog6]

Ok.. You can stop flooding me with responses!

[curritch]

catdog6. I have 2 year old Canon ZR-10 that has started to eat tapes as I have posted elsewhere on this forum. So based on my sample of one I would not recommend Canon ZR series camcorder.
I have no complaints about color quality or motor noise but can testify to poor low light capabilty.
But all that is insignificant compared to eating tapes.

[energy80s]

Eating tapes is a tape guide problem not a manufacturing problem. Its easy for a qualified engineer to re-align the guides for you.

[ptmurphy]

I have had a Canon ZR65MC for about a month now. Here is my assessment of the camera, focusing on issues you have probably read about.

Motor noise - It does not bother me, as I can't really hear it on the tape.

Low Light - It does get a bit grainy in low light, but no worse than any other DV camcorder in the price range.

Normal Light - Picture quality is GREAT in normal lighting conditions.

Easy to use, small, affordable. I would make the same decision again.

[tumbar]

I've got a zr 40....bottom of the line.

Works great for an entry level recorder. I'm actually impressed with it.

Mine was 400 for the kit. I think it was a great value.

[energy80s]

The "ZR" series is the American line. The European equivalents are the mv500 series. I have the mv500i with the passthrough av-dv feature. The normal selling price for this model is £600 ($940) but I managed to get it from France for £439 ($688). The picture quality is excellent for a budget camcorder, better than the equivalant Sony. Then again, Canon make cameras and Sony don't!

[curritch]

Thanks BBC. I'll look into that.