Canon ZR700 Camcorder Review

Still Features (7.0)
The control options found with the still image mode are similar to those found when shooting to tape with the Canon ZR700 when the Function menu is opened although there is the inclusion of a video resolution size sub-menu. Impressively in addition to control over white balance, preset shooting modes and a black and white digital effect the user will also have control over shutter speeds with settings of auto, 1/60th, 1/100th , and 1/250th. The user of the Canon ZR700 will be able to record still images with resolutions of 1024 x 768 or 640 x 480 to SD/MMC memory cards. MPEG video clips with resolutions of 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 can be captured to memory card as well in case a cassette tape is forgotten, although quality will be much lower than recording to tape. If hybrid capabilities are important in a camcorder the ZR700 is definitely an improvement over the ZR500 since this lower priced sibling to the ZR700 does not provide a still capture option.

Still Resolution (2.4)
The Canon ZR700’s still photos were tested for resolution using a standard ISO 12233 resolution chart and Imatest imaging software. When shooting at the 1024 x 768 image size, the ZR700 was able to produce an approximate resolution of 240015.6. This is a low resolution score compared to even the cheapest point and shoot digital camera, but on par when compared to similar camcorder models by other manufacturers.

Still Performance (3.5)
The ZR700 produces stills in two resolutions, 640 x 480 and 1024 x 768. Neither of these sizes look good, that’s the plain truth. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: camcorders are for shooting video. Still cameras are for shooting stills. That’s not necessarily the way it will always be, but that’s the way it is right now.

At 3000 lux, the ZR700’s stills were grainy and dull. The blue-green portion of the spectrum suffered in particular, and the colors tended to look all alike. By comparison, the ZR300 of last year produced an almost identical image. It too showed the noise problems, as well as flatness. The JVC DF550 is sharper overall, with a more balanced color spectrum. There was slightly less noise, and the whites were brighter.

The Panasonic PV-GS39 has a maximum resolution of 640 x 480, and when compared to the same size image by the ZR700, the Canon showed a distinctly better picture, both in sharpness and in color definition. The Panasonic had less fine grain and gave an overall fuzziness. The Sony DCR-HC32 of last year also maxes out at 640 x 480. It produced stills with a bluish noise that appeared in the blue and red portions of the spectrum. However, the colors were more saturated, overall, creating a better looking image. There was also better color balance.

The still features and performance on this camcorder are not worth your money or time.