Canon ZR500 Camcorder Review

Widescreen/16:9 Mode (8.25)
The Canon ZR500 will allow users to shoot in two aspect ratios for either 4:3 format or 16:9 format. The 16:9 format on this camcorder is a true “native” 16:9 and will provide users with 11 degrees of increased information horizontally when compared to 4:3 mode. Switching between the aspect ratios is easy, with a dedicated button right on the LCD panel labeled WIDE SCR. Across the spectrum of low-end MiniDV camcorders, Canon’s is the best offering of widescreen.

Scan Rates/24P (0.0)
The scan rate for a camcorder is another term for frame rate, and although many higher-end camcorders do carry variable scan rates of 24, 30, and higher, most consumers will find that their camcorder and all those within a few thousand dollars shoot at the same rate - 29.97 frame per second.

Other Features (6.5)
Digital Effects - There are a number of preset digital effects which come in-camera, allowing users to engage a number of amusing, 80s inspired looks. The digital effects settings are located within the Function Menu. The digital effects submenu allows users to select the following settings: black and white, sepia, art, mosaic, ball, cube, wave, color mask, and mirror effects. Once you’ve decided on the effect you like, exit the menu. During shooting, there is a button labeled D. EFFECTS to turn them on and off.

Fade Effects - In addition to the digital effects which come with the Canon ZR500, users will also find a remarkable number of fade effects which range from the potentially useful to the impressively kitsch. The fade in and fade out effects allow the user to select from the following fade styles: fade trigger, wipe, corner, jump, flip, puzzle, zigzag, beam, and tide. All fade in/outs are in black, so while a fade is more appropriate to vacation footage than a funeral, the lack of a color palette makes this feature a bit odd when used in festive video footage.

Auto Slow Shutter - The auto slow shutter mode can be automatically engaged by entering the administrative menu within the function menu, and selecting the camera setup submenu. Within this menu the user will find the A. SL. Shutter option which can be turned on for recording scenes with insufficient lighting; the camera can compensate by using a shutter speed as slow as 1/30th of a second. This is a potentially useful feature if you’re not shooting moving images, but a subject in motion will blur at this shutter speed. Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) - This stabilization system is the less preferable alternative to optical image stabilization, as EIS detracts from video quality.