Canon ZR830 Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on Mar 22, 2007 4:00 PM
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Ease of Use (7.75)
Since the ZR830 (Review, Specs, $240) is a consumer-oriented camcorder, there’s no question that Canon designed it to accommodate the most basic shooting functions. These functions are easy to access and the camcorder is ergonomically sound. With the joystick menu, 3 speed zoom toggle, Quick Start button, and compact size, the ZR830 should be a hit amongst point-and shooters.
On the other side of the spectrum, the ZR830 has a bottom loading tape hatch that disables the shooter from changing a tape while the camcorder is on a tripod, sacrificing time and continuity. Also, certain menu functions on the ZR830 are accessed by pressing the center of the joystick, which is difficult to do and can lead to unintentional menu selections.
Handling (3.25)
We noted in our review of the ZR850 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $265) that no consumer camcorder offers all-around stellar handling because they pack so much functionality into such a compact package that handling inevitably suffers. In an ideal world, every control on a camcorder would be designed and sized for the best possible ergonomics and accuracy. Alas, the miniaturized controls on the ZR830 don’t allow this but it has this in common with its competitors. The question is, has Canon made the right compromises in terms of physical layout and menu design to keep the ZR830 a user-friendly and capable device?
We think the ZR series camcorders are very well-designed for their target consumer market. The ZR830’s joystick is an improvement over previous ZR models, and it makes navigating the camcorder’s menus and image controls easier and faster than before. We have a slight preference for rear-mounted joysticks, as they allow the option for one-handed operation, but many users will appreciate the location of this joystick on the LCD frame. JVC was the first to move their joysticks to the frame, and even though this position requires both hands to make adjustments, most users will find the frame to be a more comfortable – if less convenient – joystick placement. The Function menu takes Canon’s classic “L” shaped design, and once you learn the interface, you should have little trouble making manual adjustments quickly and zipping through Administrative menu options. We admire the even greater efficiency of Panasonic’s rear-mounted joystick for manual control adjustment, but it’s a trickier interface to master for novices than Canon’s. At the other end of the spectrum are Sonys, which offer point-and-shooters a near idiot-proof package that experienced shooters will find restrictive. Canon’s ZR camcorders strike a good balance between manual control speed and accessibility, and they arguably offer the best handling in their class for casual videographers.
Menu (7.0)
There are a good number of menu systems to be found in today’s consumer camcorders, from the Sony’s idiot-proof but flawed touch screens, to Panasonic’s power-user-preferred joystick-based design. The Canon menu falls somewhere in between these poles, and for casual shooters, we think it can be the best of both worlds.
The Canon ZR830 menu has two main divisions: the Function Menu, which is used for making image adjustments and selecting Program Recording modes, and the Administrative Menu, which contains those manual controls not found in the Function Menu (notably shutter speed) and everything else. What sets the Canon menu apart is that it is both very easy to use, and it keeps image controls close at hand. Even though shutter speed options are four levels deep, it still only takes a few seconds to get there and make your selection.
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The Function Menu |
One level deeper, the admin menu |
This speed is facilitated because navigation is done with a joystick (faster than a touch screen or touch pad). It reacts instantly when you make a selection, and it has an intuitive structure that keeps the most commonly used options close to the top. The Canon menu is not perfect. We would have liked to see some additional manual controls like shutter speed and white balance grouped with focus and exposure, and engaged by pressing the joystick. On the whole, however, it’s a well-designed menu that serves users well.
Portability (6.0)
The ZR830 is compact, measuring 2.2x3.6x4.7 inches. Its tall, thin frame weighs in at 13.4 ounces. This is a light, portable camcorder. It can fit in a small bag, purse, or even a large pocket, but none of those options would prove to be a good idea, given the ZR830’s cheap construction. Between the temperamental tape hatch and flimsy LCD, it would be best to haul the ZR830 in a camcorder carrying case. The good news is that the case will not be huge, given the ZR830’s size. The ZR830 is the kind of camcorder that would be ideal for vacations, family videos, and local events. It’s easy to carry and simple to use, making the ZR830 a venerable contender amongst the avid point-and-shooter crowd.
LCD and Viewfinder (4.0)
The LCD on the ZR830 should be handled the way you would handle balsa wood. A pin-sized axel is the only thing connecting the LCD panel to its hinge. The LCD screen has a tendency to hyper-extend if too much pressure is applied, and it doesn’t take much to bend it out of shape. Proceed with caution. The LCD brightness can be adjusted and it also has a grid feature that sections off different areas of the screen for recording accurate shots. The screen is 2.7” wide and produces 112K pixels. Not very exciting, but it is what you’d expect within this class of camcorders.
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As for the viewfinder, Canon has a lot of explaining to do. It looks like an unfinished plastic dome that’s been lopped off in a meager attempt to save space. It’s so short that the battery almost juts out farther. If you plan on purchasing a bigger battery, then you better enjoy rigid plastic things in your face. This is a poor, incomplete design that is geared toward LCD fanatics, not versatile videographers. The EVF gives you 114K pixels and measures .35 inches wide, but the average ZR830 user will not even notice there is a viewfinder to begin with.
Battery Life (10.7)
We tested the Canon ZR830’s included BP-2L5 battery for continuous recording time with EIS disabled and the LCD open and set to Normal brightness. The ZR830 turned in a slightly better score than the step-up ZR850, powering the camcorder for 107 minutes adn 26 seconds (1 hour 47 minutes and 26 seconds). This is a respectable but unremarkable score for a low-end DV camcorder.