Canon ZR100 First Impressions Review

by Nathaniel Hansen
Published on Jan 14, 2005 12:00 PM



Canon announced this week at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, the 2005 ZR model line up, the entry-level model being the Canon ZR100. Subtle would be the adjective of choice for describing the changes apparent in the new ZR line up. Visually, the Canon ZR100 looks very similar to the Canon ZR80, which it replaces. There has been some body trimming (another sign of our society’s obsession with size), some frills taken away, and the introductory market price dropped in comparison to last years ZR release. Most likely, there will be no surprises with video performance, as the Canon ZR80 and the Canon ZR100 have the same imager and processor on board. So for those who were holding out for Canon to release an ultra affordable low light champ, look, this year wasn’t the year.

Video Performance
The Canon ZR100 has a 1/6 inch 680K CCD sensor with 340K effective pixels for video. Additionally, the Canon ZR100 camcorder is equipped with an 18x optical zoom lens, one of its biggest selling points: Canon quality phosphorus and good optical zoom range on an entry-level camcorder is the ZR100’s calling card. With an identical hardware setup as the Canon ZR80, it’s safe to assume that the Canon ZR100 will perform similarly if not identically to the Canon ZR80. No conclusive results will be posted until later in the year, after the camera has been properly tested in a controlled environment.

The Front
The front of the ZR100 is slightly different than the ZR80. The front is topped with the lens, with the infrared remote sensor directly below. The microphone is located directly beneath the remote sensor, where the DV port was located on the ZR80. The port is no longer located on the front.

The Top
The top is streamlined with a rubber grip leading back to the viewfinder. The viewfinder sits at the back of the Canon ZR100. Additionally, the Zoom toggle and photo button sit alongside the viewfinder on the right side of the top.

The Left
The left side is the main control center for the Canon ZR100. On the top of the left side are the VCR playback buttons that also double as Focus and Night mode buttons when the camera is in recording mode. Beneath these is the LCD, and under the LCD are several program feature buttons and a backlight button. At the back of the left side, users can now easily access the manual/automatic mode selector. At the bottom of the left side, users can access the menu button/jog dial.

The Right
The right side is comprised of the tape housing (which opens from the bottom), as well as the major selection of ports, namely DV and AV/Headphone.

The Back
The back of the ZR100 is home to the battery compartment and viewfinder. The viewfinder is unfortunately stationary, though the battery has been reduced in size, making the camcorder slightly more portable.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control
The Canon ZR100 is outfitted to perform very well in automatic mode. As this is a first impression review, all I can give is my impression of how well the automatic features function. Automatic features on board Canon camcorders, provided there is ample light, perform very well as a rule. The Digic DV processor is quick to process the gamut of elements that are put into motion when the user utilizes the automatic, or newly labeled “easy” mode. I wonder if the Easy mode on the ZR models is as easy as the Easy mode on the Sony DV camcorders - we'll really have to wait for the full review.

Overall Manual Control
The Canon ZR100 has a few manual controls that users can painstakingly access. To be fair though, these entry-level DV camcorders aren’t designed with manual functionality in mind. By switching the Canon ZR100 into P mode, which I assume stands for program, users can then unlock the manual control features within the menu. To see which are locked and unlocked depending on the mode, users simply need to press the menu button on the lower left side of the ZR100 body, and then flip the mode switch back and forth. The locked elements will turn purple, and the unlocked items white.

Zoom
This year Canon upped the ante on the ZR line, and the ZR100 offers twice the optical zoom as the ZR80, at 20x. Zoom control on the ZR100 is standard, and is comprible to last year's ZR80. Wide angle and Telephoto zooming is smooth, which can be expected from Canon optics. The optical Zoom is an improvement, but Canon will have to up the ante next year to compete with Panasonic's new zoom boost.

Focus
Focus is controlled automatically in auto mode, or manually by pressing the “focus” button on the top of the left side. These buttons also double as playback buttons when the ZR100 is in playback mode. This way of manually focusing is really a pain, but at this price point users shouldn’t expect a focus ring or other method of focusing. Push button focusing tends to be slow, and tedious, and this is the case for the ZR100. To assist users in their push button focusing, the jog dial (set dial according to Canon) is used to toggle the focus. Racking focus push button style is a feat, and if users are up for a challenge, then the ZR100 awaits.

Exposure (Aperture)
There are six Exposure settings available on the Canon ZR100, namely auto, sports, portrait, low light, spotlight, and sand and snow. When the program selector is set to P, users can access the various exposure modes. There is no manual F-Stop adjustment., only AE Shifts from -2 to +2, in .25 increments. There is adequete amount of exposure control for an entry level camcorder such as the ZR100. Most users will never dive into this feature, but for those who like to tinker, there is enough to satiate the exposure appitite. However, more advanced users will miss true F. Stop readings. My biggest concern with the ZR models, and entry level camcorders in general, is not the amount of exposure, but the way that exposure is controlled. On the ZR, like the other manual controls, exposure is tedious to access and control on the fly.

Shutter Speed
Shutter speeds of 1/60, 1/100, 1/250/, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 are available in tape mode on the ZR100. The ZR100 does not include a still media option, so users taking photos will be taking them directly to the tape. 1/30-1/2000 sec. in card mode are available with the Canon ZR100. There are plenty of shutter speed options on board the ZR100, and all six are accessed via the menu button and jog dial. Again, as with the other manual contorls, they are available but a bit of a pain to use during recording. It would be nice to see the entry level models include a 1/30 per second speed, but that wish may have to wait.

White Balance
White balance on the Canon ZR100 is standard and straightforward. By accessing the menu, users can then select the white balance option but scrolling with the depressible jog dial. Users can choose from indoor/outdoor, auto, and set. When choosing set, which is the manual white balance feature, users should note that the camcorder should be directed at a white surface. Once set is selected, it will flash, indicating that it is locking in and “remembering” the desired white balance. White balance is bare bones on the ZR100, with the four opitons avilable via the menu and jog dial. The set feature starts to calibrate as soon as it's selected, which seems strange - users be sure to have your white paper ready if you select set. After a few flashes the white balance is calibrated.

Gain
There is not manual gain control on the Canon ZR100.

Still Performance
Still Performance on the Canon ZR100 is pretty limited. That is of course unless users are hooked on capturing their stills to Mini DV tape, but that’s unlikely. The Canon ZR100 does have a photo option, a push button on the top rear of the camcorder body. Depressing this button captures stills to tape.

VCR Mode
I have always liked Canon’s approach to VCR mode. As most users don’t have ready access to a Mini DV deck, users can attach the camcorder to their TV or VCR and watch their creations come to life. Canon makes it easy to access the playback features, which on other camcorder models are buried within the LCD and accessed via touch screen, or they’re tucked away and impossible to access without looking, Canon places the playback controls on the top of the left side of the camcorder body. This allows users to flip the LCD around and use the camcorder as a hand held player.

Low Light
It’s not possible to make conclusions about low light simply by handling the ZR100 at a trade show. It is safe to assume though, that the ZR line up will perform the same as the ZR’s from last year - which means they will likely do quite bad in low light. Look for the full review that will come out later in the 2005 camcorder review season.

LCD/Viewfinder
The Canon ZR100 has the same flip out LCD that almost every other camcorder manufacturer has adopted. It measures 2.4 inches, .1 inches smaller than the ZR80. The LCD screen is equipped with 113K pixels for ample illumination. There is some solarization on the LCD, which requires users to adjust the screen when they move. Either that or adjust their height accordingly.

Audio
Audio on the Canon ZR100 is typical for an entry-level camcorder. The microphone is on the front, at the bottom, which has always troubled me somewhat, seeing how it’s within easy reach of nimble fingers. Users can select different channels for audio playback by accessing the audio setup feature within the menu.

The Canon ZR100 has a headphone jack that doubles as an AV port for connectivity. Users can set up the headphones by accessing the audio setup in the menu. The ZR100 lacks a microphone in jack however.

Handling
Handling the ZR100 is a pleasant experience. It has an ergonomic design, with intelligently placed buttons for easy access to recording features. The easy mode, and the placement of the jog dial and menu button at the rear is smart (same as the ZR80 from last year). My only complaint about the handling would be the placement of buttons under the LCD. However, with such limited real estate space on the camcorder, there isn’t a better spot that I could think of placing them.

Working manual controls will be a pain, as it always is on these entry level models. But if consumers understand that they were developed for ease of use, auto pilot essentially, then they shouldn’t have any qualms.

Ports
The Canon ZR100 has several ports scattered over the body of the camcorder. The headphones/AV port and the USB terminal are the front of the right side. The DV/Firewire port is on the bottom front, with a removable port cover. The DC port is at the bottom rear of the ZR100.

Other Features
As far as other features go, the only ones worth mentioning are 16:9 mode and the Backlight feature for the LCD. Both of these features can be useful to a variety of different audiences for different reasons.

Conclusion
It appears that the new ZR100 has only a couple major upgrades, the extra 20x optical zoom Canon squeezed into that lens barrel, the price reduction, and the smaller design. Additionally, Canon made a major down grade by removing the cold accessory shoe from atop the camcorder. Judging by the frankness and openness in their recent interview with Camcorderinfo news staff, I would venture a guess that Canon will address the low light issue when it’s the most cost effective. Fair enough, if my data showed that 90 percent of shooting took place in plenty of light, I’d put my money there as well. So, for the rest of you 10 percent, which is surely millions of users, holding out for a ZR model that tears it up with little or no available light, you’ll just have to wait. The ZR100 and the rest of the ZR line up appears to be more of the same with minute adjustments and tweaks. If it weren’t for the yearly tweaks, Camcorderinfo.com would cease to exist!