Canon ZR700 Camcorder Review

Comparison
Canon ZR300
The ZR700 (Review, Specs, $277) replaces this model, the ZR300, from last year. The ZR300 does not differ too much from the new model. The zoom is smaller, at 22x optical and 440x digital, though these upgrades do not account for much. Zooming at that power is inadvisable, except with a good tripod. The ZR300 ships with an 8MB SD card, while the new ZRs do not have any cards. MSRPs have dropped significantly; the ZR300 was originally offered at $500, while the ZR700 has an MSRP of $399.

The best improvement of last year is, of course, the joystick navigation. Last year’s ZR camcorders had a series of buttons on the left side of the body and a jog dial control menu navigation. This year, the joystick on the LCD panel has made handling much easier, though it does require to leave the LCD open and drain battery power. Overall, the revamped ZRs of 2006 are a better value with a better feel. Also, the low light has definitely improved, something we felt was holding back the ZR series in years past.

Canon ZR600 (Specs, )
This ZR600 ($349 MSRP), is the next model down from the ZR700 in this year’s ZR line-up. The camcorders are virtually identical. Both offer the 9-Point Intelligent Auto Focus and still capture up to 1024 x 768 that the entry-level ZR500 (Review, Specs, $224.8) lacks. However, the ZR700 does have some features that the ZR600, and they might make all the difference to the right consumer: 1000x digital zoom (over the ZR600’s 800x), a video light, a slightly longer battery life, and analog-to-digital inputs. The final item on the list, A-to-D conversion, is the only one of merit. Slightly longer battery life could easily be supplanted by a real long-life battery purchased separately, and video lights do not make a whole lot of difference in picture quality. But the ability to convert analog footage into digital is a key element for some people and often proves useful. Think about what you need, and consider it a worthwhile $50 investment.

Elura 100 (Specs, $379.19)
The Elura 100 is the next step up from Canon after the ZR700. This is the only Elura available this year (at least to this date), as manufacturers slow their MiniDV output. This camcorder has the same price point, $399, as the ZR700. The differences are few. All features found on the ZR700 are also found here. But the Elura offers a larger CCD with better picture quality – 1/5” with 1.33 gross MP. The image stabilization is still electronic rather than optical. Still resolution increases to a meager 1152 x 864. The Elura will feature an improved Motor Drive for taking up to 5 stills per second, as well as auto bracketing. The mic jack found only on the ZR500 in the ZR series is included on the Elura 100. The video light is twice as bright as the one on the ZR700, and it will be able to accept lens attachments, something the ZR models cannot do. Finally, the LCD will offer an increased resolution (123K over the ZRs’ 112K).

Zoom is reduced to 20x optical and 800x, a negligible loss. The big change, however, is in battery placement. The Elura 100 uses a battery that inside the body, curtailing the ability to purchase a long life battery. This alone should give pause to those looking to jump ahead from the ZR to the Elura line. This is a very tough call: picture quality versus battery life. Think about what kind of shooter you are, and then decide. We cannot choose this one for you, at least not until we get our hands on an Elura 100.

Panasonic PV-GS59
The Panasonic PV-GS59, retailing for $379, uses the same size 1/6” chip, the same electronic image stabilization, and the same 2.7” widescreen LCD. The Panasonic does, however, offer a larger zoom, at 30x optical. Manual control is undoubtedly better, and automatic control is likely even. We haven’t gotten a chance to review the GS59 yet, but we have tested the comparably-equipped GS39 (Review, Specs, $212.8).

In testing, the ZR700 did slightly better in all most categories: video performance, still performance, still resolution, and a tie score in low light performance. None of it was a blow-out, however. The camcorders are similar in their low-end performance. One thing we need to mention: the GS39 had a noticeable problem with noise, even in bright light shooting.

Now that both manufacturers are offering joystick control on their camcorders, handling is similar. But Panasonic’s menu structures are simpler and easier to navigate, and the amount of control they offer is hard to beat, certainly not in this case. We like the Panasonic in this contest, unless you never plan on using a manual control for the life of your camcorder. In that case, the ZR700 might prove the better choice.

Sony DCR-HC36
Sony’s HC36 ($400 MSRP) offers the same size imager and same pixel count, with a smaller 20x optical and 800x digital zoom. Still capture maxes out at 640 x 480, while the ZR700 takes stills up to 1024 x 768.

We got a chance to the review the step-down HC26 model, similar in most regards. Video and low light performance were better with the ZR700, particularly the low light, which has never been Sony’s strong suit in the low-end models. It was never Canon’s strength either, but that appears to be changing. We could not test still performance on the HC26, but last year’s DCR-HC32 (Review, Specs, $490.7) (Review, Specs, $490.7) had more vivid stills with better colors.

The HC36 does not have analog-to-digital pass through. Also, the HC36 has a smaller, 2.5” non-widescreen LCD. The screen, however, does use touch screen technology, and offers a better resolution (123K). Menu navigation and manual control are done through the touch screen. If you haven’t already read by now, we much prefer the joystick navigation of the ZR cams. Overall, the ZR700 offers a better picture and more control for the same price.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (5.0)
For the point and shoot user the menu structure is simple even if the four-way controller isn’t and in case the basic menus still elicit consternation there is an included Easy mode that turns all controls into automatic features that are dictated and adjusted solely by the camcorder. In addition to this there are a number of preset shooting mode options so that some tailoring to shooting parameters is possible without needing to enter manual control settings.

Budget Consumers (6.0)
Retailing at $399 MSRP, the camera is certainly within a reasonable price range considering controls, LCD size, and menu layout, however the construction imperfections could dissuade this market that wants the best quality for the money.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (3.5)
This camera certainly has hybrid capability and the ability to switch between tape and still formats with the flick of a switch. With a top resolution of 1024 x 768 saving to SD/MMC memory cards, it will at least provide a still option that is usable in comparison to camcorders that are still only able to record stills to tape only. While not as high quality or as complete as a digital still camera the ZR700 can stand in when in a bind.

Gadget Freaks (3.0)
There really aren’t features or design traits that are going to inspire the interest the gadget freak lurking within us all.

Manual Control Freaks (3.5)
The manual control freak will find that the ZR700 does certainly offer a number of control options for the price, with manual settings over shutter speed, white balance, focus, and exposure all being possible. The placement of shutter speed within a series of menu structures is the only main setback for these options since quick access and intuitive navigation is low when it comes to this control option. If a wider range of manual controls with better accessibility are wanted the Panasonic PV-GS59.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (3.5)
The serious hobbyist will find the design problems like poor viewfinder, tape compartment construction, lack of manual gain or aperture control to be problematic elements that would make the Canon ZR700 not applicable to this market.

Conclusion
The Canon ZR700 is a good value at $399; of that, there is no doubt. But it may not be the best value on the market. The ZR500 has it beat by $100, and it comes with a microphone jack. The ZR700, however, has analog input. The question to ask yourself is: what is more important to you: inputting new audio, or old audio and video? A step up to the Elura 100 will buy you both at the same price as the $399 ZR700, but the enclosed battery has its own problems.

The low light score performance is great compared to last year's models, and the new joystick handling is a marked improvement over the jog dial. In the end, this a great buy, and the back-mounted battery makes it a smarter buy than the Elura 100. For those looking at entry level cameras, know that this is the top of Canon's entry level line, and a good choice.